In what was likely his penultimate game as the 49ers coach, Mike Singletary got in a yelling match with Troy Smith on Sunday after the quarterback tossed a third-quarter interception in a 25-17 loss to St. Louis.
Jed York makes it clear changes are coming
Team president and CEO Jed York met briefly with a group of reporters today in a near-empty locker room after the 49ers’ 25-17 loss to St. Louis, which dropped them to 5-10 and eliminated them from the playoffs. The give-and-take lasted less than four minutes, but York said a mouthful. York said the Niners would hire a general manager in the offseason and he and the new GM would collaborate…
Gibson, Cloherty will make debuts
Rookie LB Thaddeus Gibson and TE Colin Cloherty will make their debuts with San Francisco. Rookie RB Anthony Dixon, who was questionable with a sprained left ankle, will play, as expected. Rookie WR Kyle Williams is active for the seventh time this season.
Niners look to limit Jackson again
The Niners rank seventh in the NFL in rushing defense (100.6 yards a game), are allowing 3.5 yards a rush (2nd) and haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 20 games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
A few words about the new blog (and a coffee mug)
I’m happy to report that I unwrapped a one-of-a-kind gift Saturday morning: A hand-painted, multi-colored coffee mug with a dog’s face jutting out the front and his, um, posterior sticking out the back.
Grab bag: Postseason wisdom from a kicker
Jeff Reed has two Super Bowl rings – two more than the other 52 players on the 49ers roster.
Troy Smith will start, but will he finish?
Niners coach Mike Singletary began his press conference today by announcing Troy Smith will start at quarterback on Sunday at St. Louis. And he followed by saying both quarterbacks could see action.
Niners fans: We want losses?
San Francisco, based on its 5-9 record, would have No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft if the season ended today. But if the Niners’ season ended in the playoffs they would select no higher than 21st despite a 7-9 record. (Worst-case scenario: They would pick No. 32 if they won the Super Bowl)!
Rams safety, Singletary share unique connection
Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who is scheduled to marry Mike Singletary’s daughter, Jill, on May 21, said his first meeting with his girlfriend’s father inspired a few butterflies.
Report: Troy Smith will start vs. St. Louis
Jason LaCanfora’s tweet heard ’round Santa Clara was delivered just as Niners offensive coordinator Mike Johnson was concluding a bizarre meeting with the media.
Rams coach not sweating over which Smith will start
After Troy Smith’s virtuoso performance against the Rams in mid-November, NFL teams appeared to piece together an effective game plan for stopping the 49ers quarterback: Keep him in the pocket and force him to make accurate passes. That blueprint — or book, if you will — severely limited Smith’s effectiveness and eventually led to his demotion.
Singletary tight-lipped; QBs invisible
In the latest twist in Operation Sealed Lips, quarterbacks Alex Smith and Troy Smith weren’t in the locker room during the nearly hour-long media availability today. A team spokesman said the signal-callers were in meetings.
Singletary playing game before the game with starting QB
Before the big game, 49ers coach Mike Singletary is playing a cat-and-mouse game. Singletary said today that he’s decided on his starting quarterback for Sunday’s must-win game at St. Louis.
Keaton Kristick is having a blast, man
Most of the 49ers are polite when fielding questions from the media. Keaton Kristick, happy to discuss wrestling moves once the tape recorder is turned off, might be the only one who could accurately be described as eager.
Mike Singletary and the Lost Finger
It’s easy to look at the broad-shouldered, barrel-chested and slim-waisted Hall-of-Fame middle linebacker and not see a legendary former player.
Niners sit back, stay alive in NFC West
Thanks to Kansas City’s 27-13 win at St. Louis today, the Niners (5-9) officially maintained a pulse in their attempt to win the NFC West and become the NFL’s first 7-9 team to make the playoffs.
911 call for secondary: Is there a CB in the draft?
Late in the second quarter of the Niners’ 34-7 loss to San Diego on Thursday night, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers spotted the mismatch — wide receiver Vincent Jackson on linebacker Takeo Spikes — and lofted a pass to Jackson for a much-too-easy 11-yard touchdown. After the game, Spikes didn’t reveal whether he was supposed to receive help on the play. Instead, he focused on Rivers, who made the play happen….
Singletary playing familiar tune with The Smiths
Given the circumstances, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said quarterback Alex Smith “handled himself about as well he could” in a 34-7 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night. Even so, Singletary said he considered benching Smith during the game. And today he reiterated what he said after the loss: He hasn’t made a decision on whether Alex Smith or Troy Smith will start at St. Louis on Dec. 26. Just…
The Niners and their knack for not making plays
Geez, I spent nearly 1,000 words trying to describe the 49ers’ performance and my non-writer, NFL-mad friend captured it perfectly in a concise in-game e-mail. His message: Puke. Evidently RB DeShawn Wynn wasn’t the only one with an upset tummy after the Niners’ 34-7 faceplant against San Diego:
Willis, Spikes in; Gates, Floyd out
Pregame notes leading up until kickoff: • ILBs Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes, who were questionable with hand injuries, will play tonight. CSN Bay Area has reported that both Willis and Spikes have broken hands. UPDATE: A Niners spokesperson has confirmed that Willis had surgery Monday and had a pin inserted. Spikes did not have surgery. • 49ers inactives: David Carr (3rd QB), K Joe Nedney, CB Tramaine Brock, CB…
