Tight end Delanie Walker has just four catches for 68 yards on the season, but he’s not complaining. “As long as Vernon (Davis) is ballin’, I’m happy,” Walker said during our podcast.
Gannon says it’s ‘underestimated’ what Smith’s gone through
The CBS announcing crew of Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon was out at 49ers practice today. Gannon held court with reporters, offering his insights in Jimmy Raye and Alex Smith.
RJF, Balmer fill backup roles on D-line
A year ago, the 49ers took defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer in the first round of the draft. This year, they selected Ricky Jean-Francois in the seventh round. Neither will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, but both will be in uniform. Today, I spoke to Jean-Francois for a podcast:
Raye’s thoughts on ‘spread’ and run game
The 49ers’ run game is about quantity, not quality, 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said. That’s why he said it’s difficult to draw any conclusions about the run game from the 49ers’ loss to the Colts. In that game, Frank Gore had just 13 rushing attempts. I asked Raye today about the spread offense and the fact that the run game has not been consistently successful this season. The…
News and notes from Wednesday in 49erland
The 49ers will have three players out with injuries on Sunday, so that means rookie defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois and offensive tackle Chris Patrick will suit up for the first time in the regular season.
Young, Smith back in their original roles
Vince Young vs. Alex Smith. That’s the matchup Sunday at the ‘Stick when the Titans visit to play the 49ers. Young and Smith are former high draft picks who lost their starting jobs for various reasons. Now, both are trying to remake their careers with their original teams. Both made their first starts of the season a week ago. Young, the No. 3 overall pick in the…
Fisher: Niners’ formula is working
This is Jeff Fisher’s 16th season as a head coach in the NFL. During that time the former 49ers assistant has faced San Francisco just three times. “As I told our team this morning, this is a team that we know nothing about,” Fisher said this morning a handful of Bay Area newspaper reporters during the weekly conference call with the opposing coach.
Why 49ers didn’t spread it out, and a look at O-line’s play
When I asked Mike Singletary yesterday why the 49ers did not employ the shotgun/spread in the second half (other than third-and-long situations) after having success with it at the end of the first half, I did not fully understand his answer. He spoke in vague terms about the coaches not having exposure to the players and Alex Smith not having exposure to the spread offense. Then, I spoke…
Staley, Clements out for approximately 6 weeks
The 49ers received bad new today as left tackle Joe Staley and cornerback Nate Clements are expected to miss six weeks.
Singletary backs Raye’s playcalling
I was running late today, as I had to hustle home from Santa Clara after flying in this morning from Indianapolis to be there to pick up the birthday girl from school.
Clements out indefinitely with broken shoulder blade
Nate Clements was not in the 49ers’ starting lineup today, and it might be a while before he returns. Clements sustained a fractured right scapula in today’s game against the Colts. At this point, it is unknown whether it’s a season-ending injury.
49ers at Colts: Live
Conversation begins at 9:45AM PST on November 1 <a href=”http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=423a6103b6″ >49ers at Colts</a>
Brown gets promotion in Indy; Clements takes reduced role
When the 49ers began working toward a contract extension with third-year cornerback Tarell Brown in late September, it was apparent that he figured into the team’s future. Well, the future has arrived. Brown is set to take over at left cornerback for Nate Clements because the 49ers’ coaches believe he matches up better against the Indianapolis Colts’ receivers. The Colts use a lot of three-receiver sets, so Clements will…
Pashos still trying to make contribution
Rookie outside linebacker Diyral Briggs earned his spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster this week the old-fashioned way: He was promoted from the practice squad. We join this conversation in the middle as Briggs was talking about his late start playing football. He said he thought he was the “next Michael Jordan” until he was talked into playing football as a junior in high school.
Talkin’ two-minute drill with Crabtree and Raye
The 49ers’ two-minute offense against the Houston Texans was a little rough. OK, it was more than just a little rough. Backup quarterback Alex Smith had not run a two-minute drill in practice since as far back as the third exhibition game. Those reps go to the starting QB. And Michael Crabtree was learning on the fly when the 49ers were in a situation in which they had one…
My 49ers’ forecast is open to second-guessing
Several weeks ago — I forget exactly when – you read my opinion here that the 49ers would win the NFC West and advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Today, I looked at the standings and schedule. Then, I came to a conclusion: The 49ers better get to work in a hurry.
Player review with a little bit of myth-busting
I’m working from home today. The kids have missed several days of school, and I’ve felt better. So I figured it would be best to just be quarantined here for the day. I quickly re-watched the 49ers’ game Sunday against the Texans to provide the 49ers’ 53-man report. But, first, I’d like to dispel a couple myths.
Line takes hit with Pashos going on IR
The 49ers’ offensive line took another hit today as starting right tackle Tony Pashos was lost for the season with a broken left shoulder blade. He was placed on injured reserve today.
Hill says he’s seen Smith improve over four years
Quarterback Shaun Hill was clearly disappointed Monday when he met with the media just hours after coach Mike Singletary informed him of the decision to start Alex Smith against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. But Hill stood there and answered every question. Here is part of his interview with reporters that cover the team. * * *
