Linebacker Takeo Spikes was the only 49ers player who did not practice today due to health concerns. He sustained a hamstring strain last week against the Bears and looks questionable for Sunday’s game. Rookie Scott McKillop immediately entered the game to replace Spikes late in the first half. But veteran Matt Wilhelm took his place at the start of the second half. Wilhelm signed with the 49ers on Oct….
Niners offense isn’t sure what Packers’ D will show up
The 49ers are on Day 2 of practice-field preparations for Sunday’s game, while the Packers hit the field for the first time in Green Bay to get ready for the 49ers. The 49ers’ coaches got a nice head start for preparing to face the Packers. Jimmy Raye did a lot of film study before sitting down with his big-screen high-def TV to watch the Packers face the Dallas Cowboys…
Rodgers: 49ers hold special place in my heart
Chico native and Cal product Aaron Rodgers joined the 49ers writers on a conference call this morning. Rodgers, the starting quarterback for the Packers, opposes the 49ers for the first time in a regular season game. Rodgers said the 49ers still hold a special place in his heart. He said he holds no grudges against the team for not selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2005. Here…
Balmer, 49ers return to work
We’ll get to the news of the day, but first we’ll start you off with a helping of Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers’ first-round pick in the 2008 draft. Balmer has not been able to crack the starting lineup ahead of Justin Smith, Aubrayo Franklin or Isaac Sopoga, but he gets action at left defensive end and some at nose tackle in the defensive-line rotation in base situations. When…
Revisiting the Smith, Rodgers visits
The two quarterbacks are forever linked. After 4 ½ seasons in the NFL, the past three weeks are the only times they have both been starters for their respective teams at the same time. On Sunday, the 49ers face the Packers in a game with huge NFC playoff implications. The time seemed right to dredge up the 2005 draft again. I went back into the archives to see…
Wild-card spot within reach with 7 games left
Since the beginning of the season – and definitely during the 49ers’ four-game losing streak – my opinion was that the 49ers’ only route to the playoffs was to overtake the Arizona Cardinals and win the NFC West. Looking at the schedule a couple weeks ago, that prospect looked extremely difficult. But after perusing the NFC standings, I’ve arrived at a different conclusion: There is no question the 49ers are…
Examining the 49ers’ future at QB
Somewhere, some dude is trying to peddle a computer with files and files of old 49ers articles and information that only I can decipher. My replacement computer is on the way after my original was so rudely removed from my parked car outside a S.F. restaurant after Thursday’s game. But in the meantime I’m borrowing my wife’s laptop to address some topics that have been of particular interest to those…
Only the appropriate post-game quotes
The 49ers snapped their four-game losing streak thanks to Jay Cutler’s five interceptions. And the 49ers needed every one of them. Michael Lewis’ game-clinching pick came in the end zone on the final play of the game.
Game Time Live: 49ers vs. Bears
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Should 49ers fans expect playoff appearance?
Quarterback Alex Smith and rookie receiver Michael Crabtree spent extra time together after practice Wednesday. Crabtree said there were some timing issues on the interception in the game against the Titans. Smith admitted to throwing the ball late to Crabtree at the sideline. The pass was tipped and intercepted. “We talked about it and hopefully we’re getting better on that,” Crabtree said. Here’s a portion of Crabtree’s group interview session…
Davis explains why he made comments
Niners tight end Vernon Davis said he wasn’t trying to “call anybody out” or “put anybody down” on the Chicago Bears’ defense. He said he was just expressing his confidence with his comments Tuesday. On Tuesday, Davis said, “I think we can destroy their front. The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don’t see anything spectacular about their front line.” Today, Davis explained his…
Hang time is key for Lee vs. Hester
Candlestick Park has not been kind to kickers and punters. But don’t tell that to punter Andy Lee, who has established himself over the past four seasons as one of the best in the game. Since 2006, Lee ranks third in the NFL with a 46.9 gross average and second with a 39.7 net average. The only NFL punter who clearly has better numbers during that time is Raiders…
Smith’s short week to prepare; Vernon’s bulletin-board words
Quarterback Alex Smith did not have much time to peruse the game film from the 49ers’ game Sunday against the Titans because there’s a game coming up three days earlier in the week than usual. Smith joined me for a podcast today before the 49ers hit the practice field for one of their two practices to get ready for the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
Bears’ Briggs was certain he’d be joining 49ers
Chicago Bears linebacker and Sacramento native Lance Briggs was certain he would be playing for the 49ers. The 49ers and Bears talked at the 2007 trade deadline about a deal that would send Briggs to the 49ers. That deal fell through. But Briggs, who was a scheduled free agent in 2008, knew he would sign with the 49ers. He said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told him. But just prior to…
Fisher adds name to list of Willis fans
This is Patrick Willis’ third NFL season, but it was the first time Titans coach Jeff Fisher had seen him play. Needless to say, he came away mighty impressed.
Bears had chance to land coach Singletary and passed
After a decade out of the game, Mike Singletary and his wife, Kim, decided the time was right for him to pursue a coaching career. Understandably, he made contact with the Chicago Bears to see if the organization would be interested. Singletary, a Hall of Fame linebacker with the Bears, called then-Bears coach Dick Jauron as a courtesy. As he recalled today during his weekly press conference, Singletary…
Breakdown of the 49ers’ four back-breaking turnovers
This game was all about turnovers. Quarterback Alex Smith threw three interceptions and lost one fumble. The Titans did not turn it over. Not surprisingly, the 49ers lost 34-27. “It’s very obvious what happened,” coach Mike Singletary said. “I’m sure there are a lot of other things you could come up with as to why we lost. The bottom line is turnovers for us.” When Singletary was asked…
Painful loss for the 49ers
The 49ers have a quick turnaround, which might be a good thing after a game like this. The 49ers lost to the Tennessee Titans 34-27. They fell two games behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. The 49ers have lost four in a row and five of six. Yes, ordinarily, it’s a good thing to come right back after having four turnovers lead to 24 points. But the…
49ers vs. Titans
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