Tonight — coincidentally, it was right around bed time for the kids — I took part in a live chat with the fans who gathered at 49erswebzone.com and 49ersparadise.com. Thanks to my wife for handling the tucking-in duties without me. Here are some excerpts from the chat. The full transcript can be read at 49erswebzone.
Raji at No. 10? Still a lot of unanswered questions
The latest report is one that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji will certainly not dispute.
System dictates 49ers to pay unproven player more than Haralson
The 49ers have a lot of reasons to want to bail out of the No. 10 overall pick – in excess of $14 million reasons, in fact.
Lotsa work getting done at 49ers’ practice facility
Today is the last day draft-eligible prospects are allowed to visit with teams prior to the April 25-26 draft. The 49ers expect a turnout in the mid-30s for their local pro day at the team’s practice facility in Santa Clara.
Pass-rushing linebacker still high on list of 49ers’ needs
The 49ers’ signing of outside linebacker Parys Haralson to a four-year contract extension was an essential move. He is the only pass-rusher on the team. But it should not change the 49ers’ approach for next week’s draft.
Niners sign Haralson, Nedney to contract extensions
The 49ers used some of their cap space this morning to sign outside linebacker Parys Haralson and kicker Joe Nedney to contract extensions, the club announced.
End of an era: Madden calls it quits
John Madden, the ground-breaking and often-imitated second man in the booth, has decided to retire from broadcasting, NBC Sports chair Dick Ebersol announced this morning.
Mayock: Every team in top 10 is looking to trade back
The 49ers will have to remain in wait-and-see mode through the first 90 minutes of the draft on Saturday, April 25. It would be pretty shocking if the 49ers traded up, but a trade back is a definite possibility.
Niners’ 2009 regular-season schedule
The NFL announced the regular-season schedule today. Here’s a quickie look at the 49ers’ scheule for the coming season.
Ramifications if Niners took QB at No. 10
Moments after the 49ers’ final game of the season, new team president Jed York gathered the team around to announce Mike Singletary had been hired permanently as 49ers coach. But before he made the announcement, York promised the players – and later made the same bold prediction to the media — that the 49ers would no longer finish the season in December.
Stafford scheduled for a Monday meeting with 49ers
UPDATE (Monday, 5:56 p.m.): I was out of the area today. The official word from the 49ers was that they were neither confirming nor denying Matthew Stafford’s scheduled pre-draft visit. (Don’t worry, it was confirmed yesterday.) There were no reports of a Stafford vs. Singletary wrestling match, so we assume everything went OK. Tomorrow, I’ll check in with my feeling about the likelihood of the 49ers taking a QB with the…
At No. 10, two stand out as slam-dunk immediate Niners starters
The 49ers do not have a supremely talented roster. The club has gone six seasons without a playoff appearance. So any player the 49ers choose with the No. 10 overall has to become an immediate starter. Right?
Not many openings on 49ers’ defensive line
Kentwan Balmer, the 49ers’ first-round pick last season at No. 29 overall, was not expected to put up big numbers as a rookie. Heck, he won’t be expected to put up big numbers at any point in his career.
Looking at 49ers’ options at outside linebacker
Finding a pass-rusher might be the 49ers’ biggest need heading into the draft. In the 49ers’ 3-4 scheme, the pass rush is expected to come from the outside linebackers.
49ers plan to select running back in draft
At some point, perhaps on the second day of the draft (April 26), the 49ers will select a running back to complement Frank Gore.
New look downstairs at 49ers’ practice facility
When the 49ers opened the Marie P. DeBartolo Sports Centre, it was considered the best training complex in the NFL.
QB talk: Freeman visits with 49ers
Being a fan of college hoops, I was looking forward to last night’s championship game. After about four minutes, I started searching for other things to occupy my attention.
Raji: ‘I’m happy the truth is out’
One of the top defensive players in the draft is relieved he does not have to be on the defensive any longer.
Niners host four pre-draft visitors
The season of pre-draft visits began today with several prospects visiting the 49ers’ new-and-improved facility.
It’s time for 49ers to draft another quarterback
In mid-February, coach Mike Singletary was asked if the 49ers would take a quarterback with the No. 10 overall pick. He tilted his head to the side and pressed his lips together. His body language said no.
