Question: Does anyone here need more time or evidence to form a position on Alex Smith? (BTP) Answer: Well, as a matter of fact . . . Smith has gotten better every season he has played – played – in the NFL. Statistically, he ranked 19th in the NFL in completion percentage and passer rating. He was 14th in touchdown percentage and 23rd in interception percentage. He was 24th…
Source: 49ers hire former player Brown to assist O-line
Ray Brown, who spent six seasons with the 49ers and earned a trip to the 2001 Pro Bowl as an offensive guard, has been hired as the team’s assistant line coach, according to a source at the Senior Bowl. Brown was one of the team’s best free-agent signings, as he came to the 49ers in 1996 after playing three seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and seven years with the…
Justin Smith added to NFC Pro Bowl roster
The 49ers will have five players represented at the NFC Pro Bowl on Sunday in Miami, as defensive lineman Justin Smith was the latest player added to the roster. Smith was added to the event after the Vikings’ Kevin Williams bowed out with an injury. Smith was the second alternate. (There was no word on why Pat Williams, the first alternate, did not take his place.) Smith, a…
Wittum dies at age 60
Tom Wittum, a two-time Pro Bowl punter who played for the 49ers from 1973-’77, died Friday, Jan. 22, the team announced this afternoon. He was 60.
Are 49ers ready to rise in 2010 to among NFL’s elite?
Question: When do you think the Niners are going to be Super Bowl contenders? @originalswagger Answer: First things first. The 49ers are close to being contenders in the NFC West. They might even be considered the favorites to win the division in 2010 – especially if Kurt Warner decides to call it quits. But are they close to being among the upper echelon teams in the NFL? Probably…
AFC title opponents took different routes to building O-lines
There will continue to be a lot of discussion this offseason about the 49ers’ offensive line. The Colts and Jets, playing this afternoon in the AFC Championship game, are proof that there are a lot of different ways to construct an offensive line.
Solari’s task: Get a rookie ready to start in 2010
New 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari will have the responsibility, beginning the weekend after the draft, of getting a rookie ready for the starting lineup in 2010. At least, that’s what I anticipate for the 49ers’ new offensive line coach. It’s a job that offensive line coaches across the NFL have every season. And they almost always deliver. In fact, offensive line is the closest thing to a…
Why Singletary let Foerster leave his staff
If you’re wondering why 49ers coach Singletary allowed offensive line coach Chris Foerster to leave his staff to accept a position with Mike Shanahan’s Washington Redskins, this is how that transpired:
Singletary gets first choice to coach offensive line
When Mike Singletary interviewed for head-coaching positions with the Falcons, Cowboys and Chargers in 2006 and ’07, he had a list of prospective assistant coaches to join his would-be staff. Mike Solari was No. 1 on his list as offensive line coach, Singletary said. Today, it became reality. Singletary hired Solari to replace Chris Foerster, whom he reluctantly gave permission to accept the offensive-line position with the Washington…
Solari named 49ers offensive line coach
Well, that didn’t take long. Mike Solari has replaced Chris Foerster as 49ers offensive line coach, the club just announced. Solari, 55, met today with 49ers coach Mike Singletary and was quickly hired to fill the opening that was vacated when the 49ers granted permission for Foerster to interview with the Washington Redskins. ESPN reported this morning that Foerster joined Mike Shanahan’s staff with the Redskins.
Report: Foerster out as 49ers’ line coach, leaves for Redskins
Chris Foerster is out as 49ers offensive line coach, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. New Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has hired Foerster as offensive line coach, according to the report. The 49ers confirmed this morning they granted permission for Foerster to interview with the Redskins, thus allowing him to leave the organization.
Gore replaces Jackson on NFC Pro Bowl team
Running back Frank Gore has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl team, it was announced today. He replaces Rams running back Steven Jackson, who withdrew from the game due to a back injury that forced him out of a late-season game.
49ers’ secondary under the spotlight
The 49ers finished the 2009 season with 11 defensive backs under contract. Potentially, there could be a lot of turnover in the secondary in 2010. There are four free agents, and several other questions about players who are signed for the upcoming season. As I see it, there seems to be little doubt Shawntae Spencer, Dashon Goldson and Tarell Brown will be on the team. But there are…
If Vikings go to Super Bowl, Gore and Smith go to Pro Bowl
The NFC Championship game on Sunday might have an impact on the NFL resumes of two standout 49ers players. If the Vikings defeat the Saints on Sunday, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson and interior lineman Kevin Williams (as well as first alternate Pat Williams) would not play in the Pro Bowl, which is scheduled for the Sunday prior to the Super Bowl. That would be great news for…
53 underclassmen declare for NFL draft
The NFL announced this morning that 53 non-seniors have been granted special eligibility into the 2010 draft, which will take place April 22-24. Last year, 46 players declared early for the draft. This year’s total matches 2008 as the most underclassmen to be granted eligibility after fulfilling the league’s three-year eligibility rule. (A college player must be three years out of high school in order to be eligible for…
Schottenheimer gets hands-on coaching draft prospects
Kurt Schottenheimer, whom the 49ers hired Monday as special-teams coordinator, is getting a head start in preparing for the draft. He is spending this week in Orlando as defensive coordinator for the West at the East-West Shrine Game. Obviously, he’s paying particular attention to some defenders who would be good fits on special teams at the next level. And, you can bet, he’s checking out the return specialists, too.
Singletary: Offseason moves will prove special teams is priority
Coach Mike Singletary said he understands the importance of special teams and “some of the things we’ll do this offseason will reflect that.” Singletary today hired veteran NFL coach Kurt Schottenheimer as special-teams coordinator to replace Al Everest. Singletary said he is not concerned that Schottenheimer has not coached special teams since 1994. Kurt spent most of the past 15 seasons as a defensive coach, and that suits the…
Kurt Schottenheimer named 49ers’ special-teams coordinator
The 49ers have hired Kurt Schottenheimer as special-teams coordinator, the club announced this morning. He replaces Al Everest, who served three seasons in that position. Coach Mike Singletary decided after the season to not renew Everest’s contract for 2010.
With no Warner available, 49ers don’t figure to pursue vet QB as starter
Let’s put a one-week moratorium on all draft-related questions. After all, the draft itself is more than 13 weeks away. Senior Bowl practices are next week, and we’re likely to have more information about some of the top seniors in the country after they’re seen on the practice field of Mobile, Ala. Yes, the 49ers are scheduled to pick at Nos. 13 and 16 or 17 in the first round. “Is…
A look at 49ers connections remaining in playoffs
It’s a good weekend to be a fan of the NFL, as the eight remaining teams square off in the divisional playoffs. And 49ers fans do not have to feel left out of the action. Each of the eight teams has ties to the 49ers. I thought it would be a quick and easy blog entry to scan the team directories to document those connections. This ended up taking me…
