The 49ers closed to within two games of the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals on Sunday with a 20-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Candlestick Park. It was the 49ers’ most complete game of the season, and an encouraging game from quarterback Alex Smith. Here is an interview I conducted with Smith after the game: * * *
Game Time Live: 49ers vs. Jaguars
<a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=a80678074a” >49ers vs Jaguars</a>
Sun might be factor in today’s game
Welcome to late-November in the San Francisco Bay. The sun is out; no clouds in the sky; and there is only a slight breeze here at Candlestick Park. If the 49ers want to prolong their dream of earning a spot in the NFC playoffs, they better get to work today against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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…
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…
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…
Bly promoted to starting lineup; Bruce will be inactive
Mike Singletary was not scheduled to speak with reporters today, but as he walked off the field he checked in with the four writers who showed up at the 49ers’ Thanksgiving Day practice. Singletary shared a couple of developments.
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…
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…
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.
Singletary angry with 49ers’ 4-6 record
I wasn’t within a thousand miles of the Bay Area when Mike Singletary held his weekly press conference. But here is the transcript of his remarks, courtesy of the 49ers’ public relations department:
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…
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?
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…
‘Tundra’ is not frozen at Lambeau
A few early notes from Lambeau Field . . . It’s mid-November in Green Bay, and it’s very pleasant. The weather will not be a factor in today’s game with temperatures in the 50s.
Niners show balance in shotgun formation
The shotgun formation . . . it’s not just for third downs anymore. When the 49ers line up in the shotgun Sunday against the Packers, it is no longer a sure sign a pass play is forthcoming.
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,…
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.
Triple-threat Gore faces big challenge against Packers
It’s rare these days in the NFL for a running back to play as much as Frank Gore. But there’s a reason he’s always on the field. Of the team’s running backs, he’s the best runner. He’s also the best pass-catcher. And he also handles all of the blocking chores that come along with it as well as anybody. Gore must be on top of his game Sunday in…