Whitner explains what it takes for a first-round pick to succeed

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner spoke in the media tent Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Does it put a strain on you when you’re working with a new free safety? WHITNER: It’s not really a strain, but I have to do most of the vocal stuff back there. When Dashon was here, he had his side of the football field and I had my side of the football…

August 5, 2013
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Baalke’s top-five moves of 2011

Trent Baalke is having a monster year. On Friday, the 49ers extended his contract through the 2016 season, this coming a few weeks after he won the NFL’s Executive of the Year award. Almost every move he made in 2011 worked out. It was like he was on a heater at a craps table in Vegas and he was hitting ten the hard way over and over again. Here are…

February 11, 2012
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The defensive backs

The 49ers ranked 24th against the pass in 2010, and their secondary could be even shakier in 2011. Their best cornerback, Nate Clements, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Trent Baalke has yet to sign anyone to replace him. He did sign a safety today. His name is Madieu Williams, and he presumably will replace free agent safety Dashon Goldson. Baalke says he has a plan that requires patience. How…

August 1, 2011
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Waiting for Nnamdi

SANTA CLARA – I just arrived in Santa Clara. Players will be available for group media interviews in the press room from 11:30 to 12:45, just like yesterday and the day before. I will be posting them later. Remember, these interviews are group efforts by the beat writers. Now let’s catch up with free agency. According to Mike Sando, Nate Clements’ release is “finally imminent.” So, we know the 49ers…

July 28, 2011
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NFL Draft: Could a Prince solve secondary woes?

By the time Roger Goodell announces the No. 1 overall pick, we’ll be able to pronounce Prince Amukamara, tick off Von Miller’s time in the three-cone drill and compute the average Wonderlic score of Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton and Pat Devlin faster than you can say “blue-chipper with a high-end motor and a huge ceiling.”

January 19, 2011
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911 call for secondary: Is there a CB in the draft?

Late in the second quarter of the Niners’ 34-7 loss to San Diego on Thursday night, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers spotted the mismatch — wide receiver Vincent Jackson on linebacker Takeo Spikes — and lofted a pass to Jackson for a much-too-easy 11-yard touchdown. After the game, Spikes didn’t reveal whether he was supposed to receive help on the play. Instead, he focused on Rivers, who made the play happen….

December 18, 2010
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