The 49ers just released their 2012 schedule, and here it is. Week 1: at Green Bay, September 9th, 1:15 p.m. Week 2: vs. Detroit, September 16th, 5:20 p.m. Week 3: at Minnesota, September 23rd, 10:00 a.m. Week 4: at New York Jets, September 30th, 10:00 a.m. Week 5: vs. Buffalo, October 7th, 1:15 p.m. Week 6: vs. New York Giants, October 14th, 1:15 p.m. Week 7: vs. Seattle, Thursday, October…
We’ve been doing a lot of Fleener talk around here recently. For the sake of discussion, let’s say the Niners don’t end up with the Stanford tight end in the upcoming draft because a team in the top-15 drafts him and the Niners don’t get a chance to trade up. What do they do then? They need a pass catcher who can make the big play to complement Vernon Davis…
Here is Mock Draft 2.0. Mock Draft 1.0 was completely correct, as I previously noted. But Mock draft 2.0 is even more correct. Colts – QB Andrew Luck. Indy wants the Mobile Manning. Redskins – QB Robert Griffin III. He’ll have a better rookie season than Luck because he’s on a better team, but he won’t have a better career. Dolphins (trade up) – QB Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins want…
Greg Cosell has done some serious tweeting about the NFL draft over the last month. Since many of you are not on twitter, for you convenience I’ve compiled all his recent tweets on offensive skill players. Some people don’t take Cosell as the gospel, but he’s very interesting and he gets the discussion going. To read him, click here.
This afternoon the 49ers officially announced they’ve signed Brandon Jacobs to a one-year deal. Trent Baalke had this to say: “The 49ers are pleased to add a player with Brandon’s wealth of experience and talent. He has been productive throughout his career, and provides our offense a different dimension. We look forward to incorporating Brandon into our system.” Jacobs answered questions just now on a conference call, and here’s what…
I’m linking to my pop’s column on Gregg Williams’s pre-Niners-playoff-game rant, which I posted earlier. Some of my readers argued that it wasn’t so different from other defensive coordinator speeches – that it was business as usual in football. My dad, who’s been covering the sport for over 30 years, vehemently disagrees. To read his column, click here.
If you haven’t heard Gregg Williams abhorrent, vile, criminal rant he gave before the Niners-Saints playoff game, I’m linking to it here. Warning – the audio is profane and disturbing. Michael Silver broke the story this morning. He’s a great reporter, and the NFL is a more honest institution because of him. Thank you, Michael. Williams needs to be banned for life and brought up on criminal chargers. Sean Payton…
Let’s examine Trent Baalke’s draft resume. According to the Niners media guide, Trent Baalke has called the shots on draft weekend the last two years. Here’s what it says about him: “Prior to being named the 49ers GM, Baalke served as Vice President of Player Personnel for the team in 2010, as he oversaw all aspects of player personnel, including the team’s draft process. For the first time in his…
Take this for what it’s worth – Alex Smith has always been bad on third down. Before I explain, let me define my terms. “Average” on third down would be a 38 percent conversion success rate and five conversions per game. In 2006, Smith’s first full season starting, the Niners offense converted 34.45 percent of third downs and averaged 4.5 third-down conversions per game. Both figures ranked 26th in the…
If Alex Smith is Jim Harbaugh’s Steve Deberg, then who is his Joe Montana – Colin Kaepernick or Josh Johnson? I have an opinion, but before I give it I’ll make a case for both guys, as our friendly commenter DS94everXev suggested I do. That way, the Kaeper-nicks and Johnsonites feel I’m being fair. THE CASE FOR KAEPERNICK: The Niners traded up in the second round to draft Kaepernick. Johnson…
Here’s how the 49ers 2012 draft will play out. 1. They’re going to draft the best player available in the first round, and he will be Stanford TE Coby Fleener. He will instantly improve the Niners’ biggest weakness – their passing attack – and he will eventually replace Delanie Walker, who will be a free agent after this season. 2. They’re going to trade up in the second round for…
The Niners have signed 265-pound running back Brandon Jacobs, according to an ESPN report. Jacobs is 29 years old and he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season as the Giants’ backup RB. During the season Jacobs made it clear he wanted to go to a team in 2012 where he could start. For him to sign with the Niners he must feel he has a good chance to take…
I say the Niners will not take a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft, and here’s why. This season, Frank Gore will be the starter and Kendall Hunter will be the backup. Any running back the Niners could draft would be a third-stringer this season (with the exception of Alabama’s Trent Richardson. He’d be the Niners’ best RB right now, but they’re not getting him – he’s a top-five…
Here is version 1.0 of my 2012 NFL mock draft. All predictions are 100 percent accurate. You’re welcome. 1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB – Stanford. The Colts replace Peyton Manning with Luck, the Mobile Manning. 2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB – Baylor. Washington picks the other franchise quarterback in this draft. 3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT – USC. Minnesota needs a left tackle, and Kalil is…
Here’s the transcript of Josh Johnson’s first conference call as a 49er. Enjoy. Q: What was told to you about what you will be allowed to compete for here at the 49ers? JOHNSON: We didn’t actually get into the specifics. It wasn’t really that necessary. At quarterback, there’s only one guy out there at a time. It’s really just about getting reps. I was told that I would get reps…
The Niners just announced they signed free agent quarterback Josh Johnson to a two-year contract. What does this mean? Jim Harbaugh is going to say it’s all about competition. But what this really means is the Niners think they can do better at quarterback. They’re not satisfied with the production they got from the position last season, and they’re not satisfied with their current trio – Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick…
Coby Fleener just ran an unofficial 4.45 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and emerged as the Niners’ no-brainer first round pick if he’s still available for them in the upcoming NFL draft. To compare, Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots super tight end, ran a 4.65 at his Pro Day, and the Saint’s super tight end Jimmy Graham ran a 4.53 at his Combine. There are very few six-foot six-inch people…
Phil Barber, the great staff writer for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, wrote his Thursday news story on Alex Smith’s relationship with the Niners, and I want to pass it on to you. Enjoy. Told he was “our guy” from the start of free agency, only to find there was a different guy who looked even more attractive, another NFL quarterback might have sounded bitter. Or chippy. Or even defiant….
Here is the transcript of Alex Smith’s Wednesday conference call. Q: What are the emotions like right now for you having put this thing to bed? SMITH: You know, obviously happy. I’m glad that this is finally done. For me this was the plan all along. Since the season ended I wanted to be back here. It dragged out a little bit but I’m glad it’s over. Glad it’s done….
According to an AP source, The Niners will give Alex Smith $16.5 million guaranteed instead of the $10 million they originally offered him. So, Alex Smith and his agent (who still appears to be Tom Condon, unless I’m mistaken) made the right move dragging these negotiations on and on. They didn’t get Ryan-Fitzpatrick money (five years, ~$50 million), but they surpassed Matt-Flynn bucks (three years, $26 million, $10 million guaranteed.)…
