Walker is big cheese in game of cat-and-mouse

In the game of chess that takes place between offensive and defensive coordinators, Jimmy Raye will make the first move. Then, the 49ers will eagerly see how the Seahawks respond.   That action and reaction might shape tomorrow’s game.   You see, 49ers tight end Delanie Walker should be a big factor in the game tomorrow. And it might not even be so obvious. After all, Walker‘s statistics this season…

December 5, 2009
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Two days of review for 49ers before Packers game

Unlike most practice weeks when the 49ers finish the bulk of their preparation on Friday, the club wrapped up their significant on-field work today.   The 49ers will now have two walk-through practices – short review sessions — before hitting Lambeau Field for Sunday’s game. The club will have a walk through tomorrow morning in Santa Clara before taking a flight to Green Bay on Friday afternoon.

November 19, 2009
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Niners offense isn’t sure what Packers’ D will show up

The 49ers are on Day 2 of practice-field preparations for Sunday’s game, while the Packers hit the field for the first time in Green Bay to get ready for the 49ers.   The 49ers’ coaches got a nice head start for preparing to face the Packers. Jimmy Raye did a lot of film study before sitting down with his big-screen high-def TV to watch the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys…

November 18, 2009
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Raye’s thoughts on ‘spread’ and run game

The 49ers’ run game is about quantity, not quality, 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said. That’s why he said it’s difficult to draw any conclusions about the run game from the 49ers’ loss to the Colts. In that game, Frank Gore had just 13 rushing attempts.   I asked Raye today about the spread offense and the fact that the run game has not been consistently successful this season. The…

November 5, 2009
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Digit system speeds Crabtree’s learning

When Norv Turner brought the “digit system” to the 49ers in 2006, it signaled a change in offensive terminology for the organization after more than a quarter-century with the Bill Walsh’s fabled “West Coast Offense.’   In Walsh’s old system, it might have been impossible for a wide receiver, such as Michael Crabtree, to show up after four games and then be expected to play at least half of his…

October 24, 2009
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Re-opening the Favre-inflicted wound

Warning: If you don’t want to be reminded of the 49ers’ last-second loss to the Vikings, try to occupy yourself for a few hours until I post something new.   It’s time to turn the page on Brett Favre’s game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Lewis . . . just as soon as we try to figure out what happened on the play.

October 2, 2009
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Raye: Defense will dictate if 49ers throw

Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said the 49ers are not going to change their offensive approach with Glen Coffee taking over for injured halfback Frank Gore.   He said if the 49ers end up throwing more to the wideouts on Sunday against the Rams, it’ll not be due to the fact that the 49ers have a rookie playing the bulk of the snaps at running back.

October 1, 2009
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Singletary and game management

Singletary and game management   Mike Singletary had a Hall-of-Fame career as a linebacker. When he decided he wanted to get into coaching, of course, he worked on the defensive side of the ball. So what does this man know about game/clock management?

September 11, 2009
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Shaun Hill kept his cool in final minute

I was home for just a few minutes this morning before driving to the 49ers’ practice facility. But it was long enough to shower and watch the final minute of the game again.   The thing that stood out was how Shaun Hill handled himself. While everybody around him on the field – and on the sideline – was panicking, Hill was about the only person thinking clearly.

November 11, 2008
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Blitz not the 49ers’ friend vs. Patriots

Whatever the 49ers are doing defensively, it’s just not working. * * * From the pages of Monday’s Press Democrat . . . “Patriots play keep away, overwhelm 49ers” and “Niners retire Steve Young’s No. 8.” And, there’s also the Q&A with Steve Young at the Cohn Zohn. * * *

October 5, 2008
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