Niners dismiss damning Yahoo! report as false

Addressing the media for the first time since a Yahoo! story said the 49ers had a “tepid trust” in their coaching staff, among other unflattering details, coach Mike Singletary, quarterback Alex Smith and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye dismissed the report as false today. Singletary seemed particularly annoyed that a source spoke with Yahoo! reporter Jason Cole. Singletary said he didn’t think the source was still employed by the 49ers. “The…

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Raye might leave booth to solve communication snafus

A day after communication issues plagued the 49ers in a season-opening 31-6 loss to the Seahawks, coach Mike Singletary said offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye might move from the booth to the sideline for their Monday night meeting against the Saints. “We will take a hard look at it, and we will have an answer for it,” Singletary said. “We will figure it out in the next few days exactly how…

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Subtle Smith tweaks play-calling

He didn’t use expletives, exclamation points, or all capital letters. But Alex Smith subtly seemed to agree with fans who have questioned the play-calling of Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. Smith effectively dinked-and-dunked on the Seahawks in the first quarter, completing 9 of 10 passes for 81 yards. But Seattle, which was already crowding the line to stop Frank Gore, eventually adjusted to the short-passing game, which almost never stopped.

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Niners’ poise missing in punchless defeat

Among Pete Carroll’s favorite mantras – and, goodness, there are plenty of them – is “Always Compete,” a phrase the Seahawks have slapped on T-shirts. And Seattle, which hung in despite looking comically inept on offense for nearly two quarters, lived up to its motto in a 31-6 victory over San Francisco on Sunday. The Niners? The stats suggest they fell apart after the Seahawks took their first lead. Compete?…

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Patrick Willis will be here all week

Emptying out the notebook in Seattle … • Opposing running backs might be surprised to learn that LB Patrick Willis is a regular laugh riot. Maybe the modern-day Butkus isn’t exactly Letterman, but Mike Singletary referred to a largely unrevealed part of Willis’ personality on Friday. The subject was raised when Singletary was asked if Willis was becoming more outspoken as a leader.

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Back up the Brink’s: More on Vernon’s payday

A few odds and ends from Vernon Davis’ extension that I didn’t get into the story for the newspaper: • Singletary on if the big money would change Davis: “He’s one of the hardest-working guys on the team, if not the hardest-working guy on the team. What’s going to change? He was like this the first day he got here. That’s been the mark of Vernon Davis since he’s been…

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Vernon Davis signed to five-year extension

Four months after signing linebacker Patrick Willis to a long-term contract extension, the Niners did the same today with Vernon Davis, another franchise cornerstone, who will become the highest-paid tight end in NFL history. Davis was signed to a five-year extension through 2015. Multiple sources, including the Sacramento Bee, have reported that Davis will receive $23 million guaranteed and could earn as much as $37 million overall. The deal is…

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Davis ‘not ready’ for fewer targets

After Mike Singletary alluded to an offseason conversation with Vernon Davis earlier this week, I asked the Niners tight end about the confab Thursday.
Singletary said he discussed being selfless in regards to sharing catches – particularly because Davis will no doubt attract more attention this season after tying the NFL record for TD catches by a tight end (13) last year.

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Westbrook, Dixon and ‘H from apple butter’

Those eager to see a star-studded two-back set featuring Frank Gore and Brian Westbrook – a duo that’s amassed 17,077 career total yards and 105 TDs – might have to wait until at least Week 2.
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye indicated Westbrook, who suffered a hamstring injury in the third preseason game and signed in the middle of training camp, is not fully in game shape.

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Crabtree takes questions, gets kiss

To put a non-diva spin on it, “media-shy” wide receiver Michael Crabtree spoke with Bay Area reporters today for the first time since Aug. 1, the first day of training camp.
Crabtree, who didn’t play in the preseason due to a neck strain, addressed issues such as his health (100 percent, he said), his conditioning (not worried) and his chemistry with Alex Smith (even better than last year).
Great. That’s out of the way. Let’s get to the soap opera.

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Maiocco to Barber to New Guy

Wow, do we even have time for introductions? Kickoff in Seattle is 102 hours away and I’m arriving, in effect, as a rookie who missed training camp.
Before tracking down a rumor that the Seahawks are on the verge of signing R.C. Owens, though, it’s probably wise to let you know who I am.

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More change at the Press Democrat

Ladies and gentlemen and members of the media, I have a difficult announcement to make: I’m stepping down as the Press Democrat’s 49ers beat reporter.
There are a lot of reasons to love this job. Up-and-coming team. Fascinating coach. Solid media access. State-of-the-art stadium (OK, someday maybe). And most of all, a legion of devoted, inquisitive fans.
Unfortunately, my drive from Napa to Santa Clara and back (six or seven times a week during training camp, four or five times during the season) was untenable.

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Young to Alex: the pressure is on

Caught Steve Young on KNBR’s “The Razor and Mister T” on the drive to Candlestick Park tonight. After the requisite reminiscences, the Hall of Fame quarterback got to the important stuff: Alex Smith. And Young managed to not only praise Smith, but zing another NFC West quarterback who entered the league as a high first-round pick.
“I think Alex is a competent quarterback,” Young said. “I think Alex understands the game, and I’m telling you there’s a reaction – similar to Matt Leinart. He can’t get out of third gear. He throws the nice ball, he can drop back. But when things get fast – fast, fast – you can tell, he just can’t quite keep up. You really can’t win jobs when you can’t keep up.”

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