49ers draft grades (the ones that count)

Here is my Monday column grading the 49ers’ draft. Before we grade the 49ers’ draft, we have to agree on a grading criterion. I propose a simple one: Are the 49ers better than the Seahawks now? That’s the only question that should matter. That’s a pass-fail question. The 49ers added depth. They addressed needs. They drafted 12 players. But are the Niners better than the Seahawks? The first player the…

May 12, 2014
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Can the Cardinals compete in the NFC West next season?

The Raiders are close to trading Carson Palmer to the Cardinals, reports NFL.com. The Cardinals most likely will draft the best offensive tackle available with the seventh pick in the draft. They signed running back Rashard Mendenhall and cornerback Antoine Cason in free agency. They still have Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best wide receivers in the league, one of the best ever. And they have a new head coach…

April 1, 2013
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Fangio: “With Roethlisberger, you always have to defend two plays.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Coach, how do you prepare for the Steelers team when you don’t know if Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is going to play or not? “Well, mainly you just prepare for their offense. Their running game’s not going to change a bit, no matter which quarterback is playing, and I don’t think their passing game…

December 16, 2011
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