Question Lady wonders what 49ers fans want to know

I wanted to give my fingers a rest. Fatigue is setting in after August was spent pounding away on the keyboard with double-day and sometimes triple-day blogging. I want to be fresh for December, so we’re going with a podcast today.   The Question Lady set me up with an open-ended opportunity to speak about the 49ers’ chances of running the table, Alex Smith’s future and what the 49ers might…

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Singletary explains why he described Smith as ‘meek’

If you listen to coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye speak about Alex Smith, you never hear any mention about a need for the quarterback to improve his physical skills.   But there are other issues on which the coaching staff seems to focus. On Monday, Singletary said, “Alex is such a humble guy, a meek guy.” And on Thursday, Raye twice mentioned Smith’s need to gain confidence…

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Smith’s QB play has ’tilted toward outstanding,’ says coordinator

Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye speaks with the media every Thursday. Today, he let it be known exactly where he stands as it pertains to the question about the 49ers’ quarterback of the future.   Raye has been very impressed with Alex Smith’s play in the 4 ½ games in which he has been the starter. “The quarterback play has been very good and at times it has even titled…

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Singletary considers Bly over Brown for cornerback spot

Coach Mike Singletary hinted at personnel changes on Monday. He revealed a little more on Wednesday, the first day the 49ers began on-field work to face the Jaguars.   The 49ers own the league’s No. 29th 30th-ranked pass defense, and Singletary said there might be some adjustments made in the secondary. When I asked if that meant veteran Dre’ Bly would take over for Tarell Brown at left cornerback, Singletary…

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MJD, Del Rio return to Bay Area roots

The Jaguars came through with two very good conference calls today. Both gentlemen, running back Maurice Jones-Drew and coach Jack Del Rio, went to high school in the East Bay and gave us a nice chunk of their time.   The Jags are 6-4 with three consecutive victories entering their game Sunday at Candlestick Park against the 49ers, who have lost five of six. Prior to its mini-run into the…

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49ers need continuity on offense

When the 49ers originally named Mike Singletary as interim coach to take over for Mike Nolan, the organization’s plan was to hire a permanent replacement whose background was on offense. That way, regardless of what happened with the assistant coaches, the offense would remain unchanged.

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49ers drop tampering charge against Jets

The 49ers have dropped the tampering charge against the New York Jets, a 49ers source said. The 49ers filed charges against the Jets, citing alleged involvement with then-unsigned draft pick Michael Crabtree. The 49ers are no longer pursuing the matter with the NFL office, the source said, because “we have our guy.” Crabtree signed a six-year contract Oct. 7 with the 49ers to end a 71-day contract impasse. He has…

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No. 1 goal for 49ers in final six games

With six games remaining in the 49ers’ season, there are a lot of significant issues that face the team.   Playoffs? OK, the 49ers have a 4-6 record. It’s silly to even talk about the playoffs of this point.   The first big question that must be answered before the 49ers head into the offseason: Is Alex Smith the quarterback to lead this organization?

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Is ‘spread’ why 49ers came back on Pack?

This game was similar to the 49ers’ loss to the Houston Texans a while back when they trailed by 21 points at halftime.   With Alex Smith in the shotgun formation, the 49ers made it interesting Sunday in a 30-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers, as their playoff hopes sustained a punch to the gut. But does the success in the second half provide the impetus for a dramatic…

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Franklin should earn plenty of ‘Benjamins’ next year

Something clicked with 49ers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin in the second half of last season. He finished strong once the 49ers went exclusively to a 3-4 defensive scheme. And he has picked up this season where he left off.   Franklin has provided the 49ers with outstanding play through the first nine games of the season. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, one of the hardest-working and most-respected reporters in the country,…

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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.

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