Of course, great tragedy often makes for great storytelling. And there are plenty of horrific and heartbreaking stories among retired and heavily concussed NFL players.
Grab bag: Harbaugh, Walsh, QBs and ‘athletic instincts’
Jim Harbaugh — and the coaches he brought from Stanford – either coached or coached against 13 percent (44 of 329) of the prospects who will be at the NFL Combine during this past season.
Harbaugh, Niners still searching for lost treasures
“We’ve been tracking it down through NFL Films and trying to retrieve some of that intellectual property that belongs to the San Francisco 49ers. So we’re trying to build that library back up and that legacy back up. I can’t wait to watch it. So we’re making progress.”
Harbaugh: ‘I like Alex … I like what I see on tape’
But Brian Murphy saved the obligatory Alex Smith questions for last so here are Harbaugh’s latest public comments on The Quarterback Who Inspires Quite An Emotional Response (the full audio is already up here, scroll down on page). Also, I’ll blog more highlights of the interview after getting out of bed, guzzling some coffee …
LSU’s Patrick Peterson and … Ronnie Lott?
Now, no one is ready to predict Peterson will join Lott, the No. 8 pick in the 1981 draft, in the Hall of Fame. But there are a few noted draft analysts who are predicting Peterson will follow Lott’s path from college to San Francisco: In their latest mock drafts, ESPN’s Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both have the 49ers selecting Peterson with the No. 7 pick.
Harbaugh hires another familiar face in Jackson
Jackson, 44, was a safety in the NFL for 12 seasons, the final four (1997-2000) with the Chargers. Harbaugh and Jackson were teammates in San Diego from 1999-2000.
Harbaugh identified Roman as a colleague years ago
In 2001, when Greg Roman was a Panthers assistant coach and Jim Harbaugh was in his 15th and final season in the NFL, Carolina’s veteran quarterback told the bright young assistant that their paths would cross again.
Fangio has scheme, needs the right players to run it
It’s generally agreed that Fangio didn’t inherit a unit with a great pass-rushing outside linebacker – a key ingredient in the blitz-heavy 3-4 scheme he prefers to run. And at today’s press conference to formally introduce Fangio, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and special teams coordinator Brad Seely, Fangio did little to dispute the notion.
Harbaugh suggests Gore will be his latest workhorse
Harbaugh has twice had running backs returning after 1,000-yard seasons. In each case those backs have ranked among the top three in the nation in carries per game, averaging more than 26 a contest (perspective: Kansas City’s Larry Johnson set the NFL record for single-season carries in 2006 with 416, or 26 a contest).
Ginn was good; will he star with Seely?
The acquisition of Ted Ginn was a boon for the 49ers’ pitiful punt-return unit. Now, will the hiring of special teams coordinator Brad Seely be a boon for the already productive Ginn?
What a rush: Ground game key for Harbaugh at Stanford
Well, whatever the case, there is one thing on which all Pac-10 defensive coordinators can agree: Harbaugh, the former quarterback known for developing signal-callers, also has a thing for running backs.
NFL Draft: Ponder among potential non-first-round finds
I asked CBS Sports senior draft analyst Rob Rang to identify potential second- or third-round quarterbacks who would make the most sense for the Niners and their West Coast Offense. Perhaps one of the quarterbacks below will develop into a legitimate starter. The others? David Greene?
Grab bag: LSU’s Peterson to Niners in McShay’s mock
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has San Francisco selecting LSU conerback Patrick Peterson, the winner of the Bednarik (top defensive player) and Thorpe (top defensive back) awards this past season.
Want to wait to draft a QB? Good luck
In examining the quarterbacks drafted after the 44th pick since 2001 (the 49ers have the 13th pick in the second round — 45th overall), it’s clear that the path beyond the failure-filled first round is, not shockingly, littered with even more landmines.
NFL Draft: Considering CBs beyond Peterson and Prince
CBS Sports draft guru Rob Rang can envision a scenario in which the 49ers, clutching the No. 7 overall pick, walk away with perhaps the best player in the draft, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson.
NFL Draft: Few pass-rushing OLBs beyond first round
Rang had no problem ticking off quarterbacks who would be suited for the West Coast Offense. And he didn’t hesitate to identify a few tall, physical cover guys – the type the 49ers prefer – who are later possibilities. But pass-rushing outside linebackers? Rang had to work harder for this one.
Like Hayes, kind-of Niners Sanders, Dent voted into Hall
An injured Dent played in only two games during his lone season in San Francisco. In contrast, Sanders, who was named NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, had arguably the finest season of his 14-year career, returning three of his six interceptions for touchdowns.
Charles Haley will learn Hall-of-Fame fate today
Haley’s championship resume is a powerful selling point, but his career sack total (100.5) is well below the numbers produced by fellow finalists Kevin Greene (160.5) and Chris Doleman (150.5), who rank third and fourth in NFL history, respectively (sacks became an official stat in 1982).
Davis named TEs coach; Hansen defensive assistant
At Oregon State, Davis coached under Mike Riley, Harbaugh’s coach during his two seasons with the Chargers. Davis, who had 13 receptions in the NFL, teamed with Harbaugh for his only career touchdown – a two-yard connection in a 23-20 loss to the Bears on Nov. 21, 1999.
Niners make their Super Bowl predictions
Niners linebacker Travis LaBoy was playing for Arizona in 2008 and had a field-level view of Ben Roethlisberger’s touchdown toss to Santonio Holmes, the game-winner in the Steelers’ 27-23 win over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.