SANTA CLARA — Yesterday’s loss was the toughest loss of the season for the Niners – no question about it. They were supposed to beat the Cardinals and they didn’t, and now it’s looking doubtful that they’ll get a first round bye in the playoffs. During today’s Monday press conference one reporter asked Jim Harbaugh how the Niners will deal with this adversity. “You man up with broad shoulders,” Harbaugh exclaimed right…
Here are my Week 14 grades for the 10-3 Niners, who lost 21-19 today in Arizona against the 6-7 Cardinals. Quarterback: C-. Alex Smith muffed what should have been the signature play of his career. On fourth down – the last play of the game – he rolled right, searching for a receiver. He looked like Joe Montana before he made the throw that led to the “The Catch,” except…
This is the live blog for the Niners Week 14 road game against the Arizona Cardinals. I will be updating this frequently from my living room. 11:53 Patrick Willis will not play today – he’s inactive because he pulled hamstring last sunday. Larry Grant will start next to NaVorro Bowman at inside linebacker in place of Willis. Here are the rest of 49ers inactive players: Scott Tolzien, Brett Swain, Moran…
The great Matt Barrows made his case on KNBR a few days ago for DT Justin Smith as the Niners’ 2011 MVP. That’s a terrific selection, and it’s hard to argue with it – Justin Smith has been the best player on the league’s best defense this season. He’s certainly been the Niners most excellent player. But if I were picking their most valuable player, I’d go with Alex Smith….
Here are my week 14 NFL picks. 49ers @ Cardinals: 49ers, 19-16. This will be another game David Akers wins for the Niners. Over the last three weeks Arizona’s red zone defense (36 percent opponent TD percentage) has been nearly as stout as San Francisco’s (33 percent opponent TD percentage). Both teams offenses will score one touchdown a piece on “shot plays” from outside the red zone. Akers makes an…
SANTA CLARA — According to Jason LaCanfora, the 49ers just extended offensive tackle Alex Boone’s contract for four more years. He will earn $450,000 this year, $540,000 next year, $950,000 in 2013 and $1.2 million in 2014. So, Jim Harbaugh’s Niners just set the precedent that they extend contracts mid season. Do you think they’ll extend any more contracts soon? How about for Carlos Rogers? How about for Alex Smith?…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what offensive coordinator Greg Roman said at his Week 14 Thursday press conference. ROMAN: Getting ready to play the Cardinals, who have obviously won four of five. They’re one of the hotter teams in the league. They’re hot for a reason. The defense is playing really well, keeping people out of the end zone – the Dallas game is probably their best game defensively all year….
Here’s what NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell said about the Niners this Thursday morning on KNBR’s Murph and Mac Show. Q: Body language, accuracy, decisions – Alex Smith looks like a different guy, right? COSELL: “I would say he’s definitely a more confident player than he’s ever been. What the 49ers do, they take a few of what we call ‘shot plays’ every game. When you hit those, your performance…
Here’s the Niner portion of this Wednesday’s Steve Young show on KNBR with the Razor and Mr. T. Q: What are you looking for over the last four games from the Niners? YOUNG: “I’d love to see some no-huddle. I’d love to see something that felt like, ‘Man, we’re behind by 14, what do we do?’ Just kind of react as if it was happening. I think you’ve got to…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Wednesday’s injury report looks like. 49ers: Did Not Participate in Practice: CB Carlos Rogers (knee), LB Patrick Willis (hamstring) Limited Participation in Practice: CB Tarell Brown (ankle), WR Braylon Edwards (knee) Cardinals: Did Not Participate in Practice: RB Chris Wells (knee, hamstring) Limited Participation in Practice: S Sean Considine (achilles), DT Darnell Docket (quadricep), TE Todd Heap (hamstring), LB Joey Porter (knee), S Kerry Rhodes (foot), P…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. When you play a team with such a quick turnaround as the Cardinals, do you have to do much work between those games or can you use a lot of the same stuff that you did for the first week preparing? “There’s some carryover. Then you know them from doing them a couple weeks…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Braylon Edwards said to a group of reporters at his locker today. Q: How are you feeling? EDWARDS: We’re trying to do everything we can to get it back to as good as it can be for the rest of the season. So sitting out last week was beneficial, I believe, for both ailments, or nags, as you will. So it’s feeling good. We got…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Alex Smith said this afternoon in his Wednesday press conference. Q: Greg Roman said the other day that the red zone was the last thing to come together for an offense. Do you feel like that’s still forming with this offense? Is that an area that can improve? ALEX SMITH: I certainly hope so, yeah. No question. The situational football are the last things that…
Here’s the 49ers media availability schedule for Week 14. If you have any questions you’d like me to ask for you, please submit them here. Wednesday, December 7 11:55 am — Harbaugh 12:05-12:50 pm — Open locker room 12:35 pm — Kevin Kolb conference call 1:30 pm — Ken Whisenhunt conference call (Although the Niners don’t list Alex Smith, they usually make him available on Wednesday afternoons as well.) Thursday,…
SANTA CLARA – Around the fifty-minute mark of Jim Tomsula’s Monday group interview, the Associated Press’ Janie McCauley boldly asked the coach if we could sit in on a D-line meeting. Here’s what transpired. JANIE McCAULEY: Would you consider allowing us to observe a meeting? TOMSULA: No, ma’am. In due respect, our door is closed. What happens in that room stays in that room, and everybody can trust me and…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Jim Tomsula said about Jim Harbaugh in particular and success in general on Monday in the press trailer. Q: Is it gratifying that this D-line group that has worked so hard and stayed the course is finally paying off? TOMSULA: “Gratifying? I don’t know if that’s the word.” Q: Are you happy to see it? TOMSULA: “You know, I am. I really am. But gratitude?…
SANTA CLARA — During his group interview on Monday, Jim Tomsula gushed over his star defensive tackle – Justin Smith. Here’s what Tomsula said about him. Q: What do you see from Justin Smith that the lay person doesn’t if they’re just looking for him to get sacks? How much does he mean? TOMSULA: “I love the guy…He is unique man, he’s a unique cat. He is. He’s extremely intelligent….
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Jim Tomsula said on Monday about his starting “nose guard,” Isaac Sopoaga. I also included a Tomsula quote at the bottom on nose guards in general. Q: Isaac Sopoaga at nose – is that where he’s most comfortable? TOMSULA: “Yeah. There’s a lot more technique at the nose guard position for us than there is at the end positions. They all have their techniques and…
SANTA CLARA — Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula sat down in the press trailer and spoke to a group of Bay Area reporters for an entire hour about all kinds of things this Monday. I’ll post a few excerpts of that interview for your enjoyment. Here’s what he said about defensive tackle Ray McDonald. Q: In the offseason, the team made a big commitment to Ray McDonald. Did you always…
According to Matt Maiocco, Patrick Willis’ pulled right hamstring will not need surgery, and he will probably only miss this Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Maiocco says all Willis will need to recover is rest, so he probably will not practice this week. To read Matt’s report, click here.
