Here is my Friday column previewing the 49ers-Colts game. Even if Indianapolis hadn’t traded for Trent Richardson on Wednesday, the 49ers still would have a tough time beating the Colts on Sunday. Look at the facts: The Colts ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards without Richardson. They average 5 yards per carry. To beat the 49ers, you have to run the ball well and that’s what the Colts…
Here is my Wednesday column. Scott Tolzien is no longer a 49er. He deserves a proper goodbye. The 49ers’ third-string quarterback the past two seasons got cut on Monday. He was a terrific quarterback at the University of Wisconsin, the Johnny Unitas Award winner in 2010, but no team drafted him after his senior season. His arm wasn’t strong enough for the NFL then, it isn’t strong enough now and…
The 49ers just announced they have re-signed nose tackle Ian Williams to a two-year contract. This is Trent Baalke’s official statement: “We are very pleased to extend the contract of a young, talented player like Ian. He will have the opportunity to continue to grow in our defense, and we look forward to his future development. Paraag and Drew deserve credit for working hard to put this deal together.” Williams’…
Free Agency starts Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. To get you greased up for the signings, Rotoworld’s Evan Silva made a list of the top 100 free agents, and guessed where each one would sign. To read Silva’s list, click here. These are the predictions you’ll find most interesting: 5. FS Dashon Goldson (Silva ranks Goldson as the fifth-best free agent available): Eagles, five years, $40.5 million. 15. DT…
Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, let’s try to predict what the 49ers will do this offseason. Here’s my best guess. I’m eager to read yours. FREE AGENCY OUT: Dashon Goldson, Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean Francois, Larry Grant, Leonard Davis, Tramaine Brock, Clark Haggans and Ted Ginn Jr. Goldson wants too much money, and the 49ers want a free safety with cornerback skills. Jean Francois signs with the…
Many of you have asked me for my best guess about what the 49ers will do in free agency and the draft. This is my first best guess. I’ll make subsequent best guesses in the coming weeks. The 49ers will cut David Akers and Parys Haralson to create cap space to give the franchise tag to Dashon Goldson. Goldson probably wants a five-year contract worth about $8 million per year….
The 49ers play the Packers Saturday at the Stick. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups. LT Marshall Newhouse vs. ROLB Aldon Smith To beat the Packers, you must pressure Aaron Rodgers. Aldon Smith, as you know, is the 49ers best pass rusher. He’ll be facing Marshall Newhouse, a mediocre left tackle who has given up eight sacks this season. Aldon Smith finished the Week 1 game against…
Aaron Rodgers spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How does this 49ers team look different from Week 1 when you saw them at Lambeau? RODGERS: Defensively it’s the same guys. One of the top defenses in the league, if not the best. They have playmakers all over the field, at every level – D-line, linebackers, secondary. The secondary can make…
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…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers stomped the Cardinals 27-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: B. Ricky Jean Francois had a team-high six tackles (one for a loss), a sack and a QB hit. He played well. Ray McDonald didn’t get any sacks or tackles for loss, but he forced a fumble in the second half which Donte Whitner recovered. Linebackers: B. Patrick…
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….
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…
The 49ers and Seahawks’ offensive game plans were polar opposites Sunday night. Let me explain. The Seahawks did what the whole world expected – they ran at Ricky Jean Francois and they threw at Carlos Rogers. The Seahawks’ message was simple: We’re going right at your weakest links. Stop us. It was as basic as an offensive game plan gets, and it worked. The 49ers did the reverse. They over-finessed…
SEATTLE, Wa. – The Seahawks crushed the 49ers 42-13 Sunday night. Here are the grades for the defense and special teams. Defensive line: F. They couldn’t stop the run or tackle the quarterback. The Seahawks ran right down the 49ers’ throat all game. Ray McDonald and Ricky Jean Francois took turns getting moved aside at the line of scrimmage. On many of the Seahawks run plays, it looked like there…
SANTA CLARA – Joe Staley spoke at his locker Friday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: The Seahawks have the third ranked defense in the league. What makes them so good? STALEY: Very, very fast. Their defensive front is the fastest in the NFL, especially those two guys on the edge (Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin). They want to get you in third-and-long situations, so we have to do a…
SANTA CLARA – Ricky Jean Francois very well may start in place of All Pro defensive lineman Justin Smith this Sunday night. Bay Area reporters and Randy Moss interviewed Jean Francois at his locker Friday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: Is it tougher playing inside or outside on this defense? JEAN FRANCOIS: I say the inside is a little harder, because most of the time you’re taking on a center…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Friday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How did practice go this week? HARBAUGH: Good. Good practice this week. Solid week of practice. Q: Did you like this day because it might mirror what you might see in Seattle? HARBAUGH: It was good for us. A little wind. Q: Have you filled the last spot on the 53-man roster? HARBAUGH:…
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. We ask you this from time to time, but after a game like Sunday’s where the Patriots had something like 92, 93 plays, how is your defense in terms of freshness and needing rest and things like that? “Well, there’s no doubt they ended that game a little more tired than a…
This is what Greg Cosell said on KNBR Thursday morning about the 49ers win over the Patriots. Q: Should the 49ers consider themselves lucky they beat the Patriots? There were so many fumbles they got back. COSELL: They won the game, but you know what struck me? The second half the Patriots went to their speed no-huddle and the Niners’s defense got tired and they couldn’t rush the quarterback –…
SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers tied the Rams 24-24. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense. Defensive line: D. Isaac Sopoaga was a liability at nose tackle. He actually got planted on his back by Steven Jackson in the first quarter. Sopoaga was briefly benched for Ricky Jean Francois. Ray McDonald was flagged for a 15-yard helmet-to-helmet hit on Bradford. Justin Smith finished with eight tackles and two pressures….
