Manning wants quick results

Here is my Saturday column previewing the 49ers’ Sunday night game against the Broncos. Peyton Manning has a philosophy: Skip third down. On second down, get another first down. Manning opposes third down on principle. To beat him, a team must understand this. Some offenses play for third downs, strive to get to third-and-2 or third-and-3. They call that “third and manageable.” To get there, they play it safe and…

October 18, 2014
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49ers 31, Rams 17: Grades

The 49ers dismissed the Rams 31-17 in St. Louis Monday night. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: A. His best game this season. The Rams stopped the 49ers’ run game and forced Kaepernick to win with his arm. He did. His deep 80-yard touchdown pass before halftime hit Brandon Lloyd in stride. On the opening drive of the second half, Kaepernick converted a third-and-12, anticipated an opening downfield and fired…

October 13, 2014
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Vic Fangio says the Rams like to throw deep

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What have you seen from Rams QB Austin Davis? “I see a guy that’s playing very well. Since he’s come into the starting lineup, these guys have averaged 26 points a game and well over 400 yards a game. He’s thrown the ball extremely well with accuracy. He’s got a high…

October 10, 2014
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Vic Fangio on Alex Smith: “Sometimes too much study is paralysis by over-analysis. I watched the tape and prepared for him just like any other quarterback.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What went into the decision to play LB Aaron Lynch so much more? And how do you use him? Is it similarly to the way you use LB Aldon Smith? Is it a little different? “Well, the decision was, he had been playing a lot in the first three games anyway….

October 2, 2014
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Vic Fangio struggles with the hand he was dealt

This is my Saturday column previewing the 49ers’ Sunday home game against the Eagles. What is Vic Fangio supposed to do? Call plays while hopping on one leg? Vic, try patting your head and rubbing your stomach in the coaches’ box. Say rubber baby buggy bumpers. Strike a pose. The 49ers’ defensive coordinator is running out of options. He tried blitzing. He tried not blitzing. Neither has worked. The 49ers’…

September 27, 2014
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Vic Fangio on the Eagles: “They have a solid running game. It’s a very simple running game, but yet very effective.”

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. LB Patrick Willis missed practice yesterday. How serious is his wrist injury and what’s his status for Sunday? “I think his status is fine. He just aggravated his wrist there a little bit. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”   Is that part of his body more of a concern…

September 25, 2014
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Chip Kelly: “I’ve had a lot of respect for Jimmy and Greg Roman going against them. They can scheme up the run game as good anybody I’ve ever seen.”

This is the transcript of Chip Kelly’s Wednesday morning conference call with Bay Area reporters. Q: Is there anything you can put your finger on for why you’ve had to come back from big deficits the first three games? KELLY: Part of it is the opponent. You’ve got to give credit to them for playing well. I think every week in this league is a battle. There aren’t many blowouts…

September 24, 2014
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Top-3 questions facing the 49ers against the Cardinals

Quick, before I drive over to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale: 1. How many blitzes will  Vic Fangio call? He called one last week. 2. How many touches will Bruce Ellington get on offense? He got none last week. 3. If Vernon Davis plays, how fast will he be? Can the Cardinals cover him with a linebacker? If so, how will that affect the rest of the 49ers’ offense?

September 21, 2014
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How 49ers can beat Cardinals

Here is my column previewing the 49ers-Cardinals game. Two things. One, the 49ers have to blitz. Two, Bruce Ellington has to carry the ball. Otherwise, the 49ers could lose to the Cardinals. Ideally, 49ers’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wouldn’t have to blitz. Blitzing comes with risk, involves rushing a fifth or sixth defender. Better to rush with four and cover with the remaining seven. Fangio doesn’t have that option. Without…

September 19, 2014
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49ers 20, Bears 28: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers lost 28-20 to the Bears Sunday Night. Here are the 49ers’ grades. KAEPERNICK: F. His worst game since two games ago. Looked like Tony Romo looked last week. Committed four turnovers – one fumble and three interceptions. Would have been five turnovers but one of the interceptions hit the grass before a Bears’ defensive back caught it. Also committed a delay of game penalty on…

September 14, 2014
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Top-four questions the 49ers face against the Bears

We all know the 49ers will beat the Bears this Sunday Night. I’m saying the final score will be 24-13. The game will not be close. That said, these are the four questions that interest me most about this game: 1. Who will lead the 49ers in rushing, Frank Gore or Carlos Hyde? The Bears gave up 7.3 yards per carry on 21 read-option runs against the Bills last week….

September 13, 2014
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Fangio: “We’re going to need to play the run a whole lot better in this game than we did last game.”

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Thursday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. You talked after the game that you wanted to see more out of your pass rush. What’s been the message to your guys this week? “Well, we need more pass rush. That’s been the main message. We just have to pass rush, both better as individuals, with our…

September 11, 2014
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Vic Fangio says Ahmad Brooks is overweight

SANTA CLAR A — Vic Fangio was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Tuesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff.   How did NT Ian Williams play? I know it wasn’t a lot of snaps, but how did he look? “He did fine. I was pleased with the way he played. I was hoping to get him a few more snaps but he started tightening up a…

August 26, 2014
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Vic Fangio on illegal contact penalties: “We emphasize that all the time, even prior to them saying they’re going to be diligent.”

Vic Fangio was interviewed by Bay Area reporters Wednesday morning. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. What happened to LB Blake Costanzo? “Just got some form of an injury there. I’m not exactly sure. And he’s out there getting opinions right now for it.” Was it a practice injury? “You know, I’m not sure. It might’ve been more game oriented.” And then you bring in a…

August 13, 2014
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Vic Fangio says Justin Smith and Ray McDonald “will be ready to return maybe when we get back to San Francisco at some point in the near future.”

Here is a transcript of Vic Fangio’s Sunday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. I’ll ask you the same question I just asked Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Which guys on your defense stood out to you at practice? “We had a few guys that have stood out here in these two practices. [LB] Aldon’s [Smith] obviously been practicing well, is one. Think our safeties have been…

August 10, 2014
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Vic Fangio on Tank Carradine: “He’s got to do better from an assignment standpoint for us to feel comfortable to play him.”

SANTA CLARA — This is what Vic Fangio said Sunday afternoon about Tank Carradine, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. How has Carradine looked? “He’s getting better. He looks kind of like I thought he would. He’s healthy, which is a good thing. He was never healthy last year and now he’s getting a chance to learn and show what he can do mentally. He’s got a ways to go…

August 3, 2014
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Vic Fangio on Jimmie Ward: “He’s not a final product by any means yet.”

SANTA CLARA — This is what Vic Fangio said Sunday afternoon about Jimmie Ward, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. The nickel job, is that getting closer to being resolved in your mind? “[CB] Jimmie’s [Ward] doing a good job out there. We haven’t worked [CB] Perrish Cox in there a whole lot lately. We’ve been having him focus at corner. Just from the standpoint that he’s had a lot…

August 3, 2014
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Vic Fangio says Chris Culliver looks really good physically

SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Friday morning. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers. You finally got to see DB Jimmie Ward on the field. Any reaction to seeing him out there running around a little bit? “He did fine. You know, he was also here last week where we had those three, they were altered practices, we didn’t have the full 22…

July 25, 2014
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Predict who starts at cornerback in the 49ers’ Nickel defense

Tramaine Brock will be one of the the cornerbacks in the 49ers’ Nickel defense; we know that. Who will be the other two starting corners? The main candidates are Chris Cook, Chris Culliver and the rookie with the broken foot, Jimmie Ward. If the foot recovers and Ward earns a starting spot, he would be the Nickelback, and Cook or Culliver would start outside opposite Brock. I’m guessing Culliver would…

July 7, 2014
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