Brent Jones says the Packers will not be able to run on the 49ers defense

Brent Jones spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said about 49ers upcoming matchup with the Packers. Q: Are you confident the 49ers will beat the Packers? BRENT JONES: This year there have been so many ups and downs, and there are weeks where I’m saying there’s no way this team’s going to lose, and there are weeks where I’m saying this team can’t beat anybody. That is usually…

January 8, 2013
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Staley: “I do not think of Clay Matthews when I look in the mirror.”

SANTA CLARA – The last time Joe Staley faced Clay Matthews, Staley gave up three sacks and got his nose broken. Staley will face Matthews again Saturday night. Staley spoke about Matthews Monday in the 49ers media tent, and here’s what Staley said. Q: When you found out you were playing the Packers, what was the first thing that came to your mind? STALEY: Excited. Excited for the opportunity to…

January 7, 2013
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Why the Packers are a lucky draw for the 49ers

The 49ers are lucky they get to play the Packers on Saturday night and not the Seahawks or the Redskins. Why? Let me list the reasons. 1. The Seahawks and the Redskins have two of the best running backs in the NFL. The 49ers run defense has been mediocre to bad recently. They do not want to face Marshawn Lynch or Alfred Morris. They want to face the Packers subpar…

January 5, 2013
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Practice report: 49ers preparing for Packers, Akers v. Cundiff part II, and Justin Smith’s arm brace

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers appear to be preparing to play the Green Bay Packers next Saturday. At practice this afternoon, the 49ers’ offensive practice squad players were all wearing the numbers of the Packers’ stars: Ricardo Lockette was wearing No.87 for Jordy Nelson, Chad Hall was wearing No. 18 for Randall Cobb, and Garrett Celek was wearning No.88 for Jermichael Finley. These players were warming up on the far…

January 4, 2013
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Justin Smith: “If I’m fortunate enough, I’ll get to play in this one.”

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith practiced Thursday for the first time since he tore his left triceps tendon in New England on December 16th. He spoke at his locker after practice, and this is what he said. Q: How did your injured elbow feel in practice today? JUSTIN SMITH: We didn’t really do nothing, so it felt alright. Q: Do you think the bye week will help you play in the…

January 3, 2013
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Justin Smith returns to practice wearing brace on left elbow

Justin Smith returned to 49ers’ practice Thursday afternoon. He wore a big black plastic brace on his left elbow, but he did not wear a black jersey, which suggests he was a full practice participant.This seems to indicate Smith will be active and play next Saturday. The 49ers open their locker room for interviews at 3:55 p.m.

January 3, 2013
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Young: “I’ve got to believe that for Colin Kaepernick, it’s time off. And I don’t know that time off helps young players who need to stay in the groove.”

Steve Young talked about the 49ers’ bye week and their chances to win the NFC Wednesday on KNBR. Here’s what he said. Q: Are the 49ers still the favorites to win the NFC, or are they just a part of the six-team pack? YOUNG: It’s amazing what Justin Smith has done. I had no idea. He’s a dual threat. He not only grabs three guys and holds them off so…

January 3, 2013
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Lorenzo Neal on Justin Smith: “He’ll have one arm to punch, the other arm will be more to grab and wrap and tackle.”

Lorenzo Neal spoke on 95.7 The Game Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Justin Smith. Q: Do you think Justin Smith will play next Saturday, and do you think he’ll be anywhere near 100 percent? LORENZO NEAL: Those are two phenomenal questions. One, I know he can play. But the second question is the toughest. Guys are going to be hitting it, chopping it. He’s going to be sore….

January 2, 2013
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Is Aldon Smith dependent on Justin Smith to be a productive pass rusher? Harbaugh: “It’s a team defense,” and Aldon needs rest

Jim Harbaugh spoke on KNBR Wednesday morning. Here’s what he said about the possibility of Justin Smith returning for the playoffs, and how his absence has affected Aldon Smith. Smith has not had a sack since Justin Smith’s elbow injury in New England. Q: Should we expect that Justin Smith will play on Saturday, January 12th? HARBAUGH: I think that depends on how Justin feels, where his strength is and…

January 2, 2013
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Will Justin Smith play in the playoffs? Harbaugh: “You watch the strength and how that comes back.”

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith has missed the last two-and-a-half games with a partially torn triceps tendon. Jim Harbaugh was asked if he expects Smith to heal enough during the bye week to play in the playoffs. Here’s what Harbaugh said. Q: How much will the Bye help Justin Smith? HARBAUGH: You watch the strength and how that comes back. If he can play, do his job, defend himself and…

December 31, 2012
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What we learned about the 49ers: The good and the not-so-good

SAN FRANCISCO – We learned a few things about the 49ers today – some good and some not-so-good. Here are those things. The Good The 49ers earned the No.2 seed and a first-round Bye with the win and the Packers’ three-point loss to the Vikings. The Packers and Vikings play again next weekend. If the Packers win, they play the 49ers at Candlestick in two weeks, on Saturday, January 12th…

December 30, 2012
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Why the 49ers-Cardinals game matters

There are two reasons why this game against the Arizona Cardinals matters deeply to the 49ers. First, there are playoff implications. If the 49ers win, they’ll be 11-4-1. They’ll get the No.2 seed and a first-round Bye if the Packers lose to the Vikings. If the Packers beat the Vikings, the 49ers get the No.3 seed and they would not get a Bye. They would play the No.6 seed at…

December 29, 2012
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Harbaugh on the loss of Justin Smith: “The next guy has got to step up.”

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: Why promote Tony Jerod-Eddie to the active roster and not a receiver? HARBAUGH: We felt that’s where we needed the depth this weekend, this game. Q: What do you like about him? HARBAUGH: He’s been a big body, been strong, has a good understanding of our system and he gets an opportunity….

December 28, 2012
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Prediction: The 49ers will stomp the Cardinals

With Brian Hoyer named as the starting QB, I don’t think there is much chance for the Cardinals against the 49ers. Even with a better quarterback, the Cards still have the worst offensive line in the NFL. Their offense is almost completely inept. I feel sorry for Larry Fitzgerald because he is rotting on the vine with the Cards as a wide receiver without a quarterback to get him the…

December 28, 2012
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Manningham moved to I.R., Jerod-Eddie promoted to 53-man roster

The 49ers just announced they’ve moved Mario Manningham to the injured reserve and replaced him on the 53-man roster with rookie undrafted defensive tackle, Tony Jerod-Eddie. The 49ers could be missing as many as three defensive tackles against the Cardinals on Sunday. Justin Smith has a partially torn triceps, Will Tukuafu has an injured neck and Demarcus Dobbs is out for the year with a knee injury. Jerod-Eddie (6-5, 301…

December 28, 2012
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Loss of Justin Smith could be more than just physical

The 49ers have a big problem with Justin Smith. Even if he is able to play in the playoffs, a triceps injury is very painful, especially when the elbow gets beyond a normal range of motion. The 49ers probably would have to brace his arm and restrict how far he can extend it. This would limit his ability to push people away from his body and to play off blocks…

December 27, 2012
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Fangio: “It’s too far along here to change the system because of one guy being out.”

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Thursday morning. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   So the obvious thing is looking at how the defense has played in six quarters without DT Justin Smith. How big is he to just the overall defense? “Well, he’s a great player, one of the best defensive players in the NFL. And anytime you lose one of those…

December 27, 2012
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Willis on Justin Smith: “You can’t really put into words what he means to this defense.”

SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis spoke at his locker Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about how the loss of Justin Smith is affecting the 49ers’ defense. Q: What do you want to see from you defense against the Cardinals. WILLIS: Total focus. I want to see a little more attention to detail. I want us to play the defense we’re capable of playing. We have a great defense. I…

December 27, 2012
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Report: Justin Smith has partially torn left triceps

According to Matt Barrows, Justin Smith partially tore his left triceps against the New England Patriots and he will require surgery in the offseason. The 49ers are hoping Smith will be able to play through the injury in the playoffs. I don’t believe they would risk him this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. What do you think the 49ers chances in the playoffs are without Justin Smith? Update: Justin Smith…

December 27, 2012
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How Justin Smith’s absence hurts Aldon Smith

Losing Justin Smith hurts the 49ers defense in two big ways. No.1: Against the run. Justin Smith is the best run-stopping 3-4 defensive end in the NFC. He ties up blockers so Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman can run free and make tackles. Without Justin Smith, offensive linemen can slip past the 49ers’ defensive line and block Willis and Bowman. No.2: Against the pass. The 49ers’ go-to play to generate…

December 26, 2012
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