Why the 49ers signed TE Cameron Morrah

The 49ers just announced they’ve signed 26-year old H-back Cameron Morrah to a one-year contract. The 49ers did not include a statement from general manager Trent Baalke in the press release. Morrah (6-3, 251 pounds) missed all of last season with a toe injury. But he’s fast (4.61 40-yard dash), agile (6.99 3-cone drill), strong (24 reps of 225 at the 2009 Combine), he has good hands and he’s a…

April 18, 2013
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The one player the 49ers should avoid in the draft

If there is one player the 49ers should avoid drafting at all costs, who is it? If you can’t think of just one player, can you make a top-five list? I’m saying the 49ers should not draft USC wide receiver Robert Woods, who’s projected to get picked at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second. The 49ers happen to have a pick at the end…

April 18, 2013
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Trent Baalke’s pre-draft press conference transcript

Trent Baalke held a press conference in the 49ers’ defensive meeting room Wednesday morning. Here’s a transcript. Q: Where are you guys in the process of putting together your board? BAALKE: We’re probably 50 percent there. Q: That’s all? BAALKE: It’s pretty much set. We’ve got some touch-up stuff we’ve got to do, cleaning some guys up. For the most part it’s set. Q: Last year at the this time…

April 17, 2013
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Grading the 49ers’ trade for Colt McCoy

How I see it: Colt McCoy basically has a one-year tryout with the 49ers who traded for him on Tuesday. McCoy has one year left on his rookie contract and if he doesn’t show anything this year, the Niners are not going to re-sign him and negotiate a larger contract for 2014. McCoy has not shown much in his three pro seasons, and he does not have a strong arm….

April 2, 2013
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Should the 49ers sign QB Pat White?

The 49ers reportedly have interest in free agent quarterback Pat White, according to USA Today. Do you think the Niners should sign him? White (6-0, 205 pounds) is 27 years old and has not played football in two years. The Dolphins drafted him with the 44th pick of the 2009 draft and they cut him a little more than a year later. He ran a 4.55 40-yard dash at the…

March 25, 2013
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Trent Baalke’s mid-offseason progress report

In my humble opinion, you’re doing pretty well so far this offseason, Trent. I’m not going to give you a final grade today. That wouldn’t be fair. You still have the draft in a few weeks, and that’s when you need to perform your best. You have 14 picks. You may feel this year’s rookies will be better and cheaper long term than what’s available on the free agent market,…

March 24, 2013
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The 49ers should trade up

It would be a waste for the 49ers to keep all 12 of their draft picks, plus the three compensatory picks which can’t be traded, for a total of 15 selections, because there is no way all of those players could make the Niners’ roster or practice squad. The 49ers could improve more by packaging picks to trade up in the first round this year or to trade for a…

March 6, 2013
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Baalke: “We have to have a good draft. We have to have a good free agency period.”

Trent Baalke held a press conference on Thursday, and here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.   [Question inaudible but was in regards to the 49ers use of the read option offense.] “You’ve got to do what the skill sets of your quarterback allow you to do. As long as you do that, I think you’ve got a chance.”   Did QB Colin Kaepernick scream “franchise-caliber” to you when you…

February 21, 2013
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Top 5 storylines of the 49ers’ offseason

Last week I listed the five biggest questions the 49ers must answer this offseason. This morning I’m sitting on my bed thinking about the five biggest storylines of the 49ers’ offseason. Here’s what I came up with. Trent Baalke. He’s been inconsistent. In 2011, he arguably had the best offseason in the NFL, drafting Aldon Smith and Colin Kaepernick and Bruce Miller and signing Carlos Rogers and Jonathan Goodwin and…

February 18, 2013
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How the 49ers built a championship roster

This is my Saturday article on the gradual construction of the 49ers’ roster. By GRANT COHN After the 2004 season, the 49ers were the worst team in football. They had practically no talent, they had won two games, and they had one Pro Bowler, long snapper, Brian Jennings. This season, the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl and they have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL. Nine…

February 2, 2013
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The problem with LaMichael James and A.J. Jenkins

When the 49ers drafted A.J. Jenkins in the first round and LaMichael James in the second round, all we heard was how the 49ers didn’t need those guys this season. The 49ers are so deep and talented, those two high draft picks could afford to “red shirt” their rookie seasons, just lift weights and learn the system. Forget all of that. The 49ers need Jenkins and James right now. James…

December 3, 2012
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Bowman signs 5-year extension

The 49ers just announced they have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with All Pro third year inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Here is general manger Trent Baalke’s written statement on the extension: “NaVorro epitomizes what we look for in a 49er. We are excited that the All Pro tandem of Willis and Bowman will be together in red and gold for years to come.” The 49ers did not…

November 27, 2012
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Which 49ers made Pro Football Weekly’s midseason All-Pro team?

Pro Football Weekly just announced their midseason All-Pro team. Considering how good the 49ers defense is, you’d expect a few those players to make it. They didn’t. Surprisingly, two players on the offense made the team – Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. Punter Andy Lee also made it. PFW named Aaron Rodgers the midseason All-Pro QB, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch the running backs and Rob Gronkowski the tight end….

November 6, 2012
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Harbaugh says Baalke talked to Aldon Smith about recent restaurant incident

SANTA CLARA — On Thursday, Aldon Smith denied an NBC report that he had been jumped outside a restaurant in Columbia, Mo. Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said about that incident Monday at his press conference. Q: Did you talk to Aldon and are you satisfied with what happened? HARBAUGH: I personally tend not to believe everything I read on the internet. Trent Baalke talked to Aldon. Q: Are you fine…

November 5, 2012
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Midterm report card: Trent Baalke

Is Trent Baalke a superior general manager? Of course he is. Are the 49ers flourishing because of him? Of course they are. But I’m grading him on his performance this season, just as I’ve graded everyone else. For him, this season is what he did in the preseason. He re-signed outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks to a six-year extension, and that was a good move. Brooks is a top outside linebacker…

November 5, 2012
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49ers announce they will play Jaguars in London in 2013

The 49ers just announced they will play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 27th, 2013. The Jaguars will serve as the home team, which means the 49ers still will play eight regular season games at Candlestick in 2013. The 49ers played the Denver Broncos in London two year ago and won 24-16. Here’s what 49ers’ CEO Jed York said about the 49ers return to…

October 11, 2012
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49ers unsung heroes

We often talk about the same few guys around here – Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke, the Smiths. But for the most part, the entire organization is thriving, and many 49ers don’t get the credit they deserve. So let’s address that. Here are five unsung heroes. Joe Staley – He struggled at the beginning of last season, but so did the entire 49ers offensive line. They didn’t have an offseason, so…

July 3, 2012
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Reevaluating Jed York

Jed York, the young CEO of the 49ers, got off to a rocky start when he took over control of the team in 2008. Right off the bat, he made a two-part mistake. He hired the wrong head coach – Mike Singletary. He rushed to hire him. As you may recall, York signed Singletary to a four-year contract extension after the Niners came back to beat the Redskins 27-24 on…

June 22, 2012
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Taking stock of Trent Baalke

Here is a list of every player Trent Baalke has acquired since he became the Niners general manager in 2010. I categorized the players by offense, defense and special teams. Is there a pattern in how he acquires players? OFFENSE Mike Iupati – 17th pick in the first round of the 2010 draft. Pro Bowl alternate in 2011. Randy Moss – signed in 2012 to a one-year, $2.5 million contract….

June 20, 2012
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