Here is my Wednesday column on Ahmad Brooks. Dear Jed York, We understand the population of NFL players is no different from the general population. There are people who do bad things. One of your players did a bad thing around 2 a.m June 8. Two of your rookies, Lawrence Okoye and Michael Purcell, according to the Sacramento Bee, saw Ahmad Brooks hit your practice squad player, Lamar Divens, with…
Today’s discussion topic is the AFC in general and the Patriots in particular. With the Patriots releasing Aaron Hernandez, and surgeons cutting on Rob Gronkowski more than a stick of salami at the local deli, what are the Pats going to do at tight end this season? That’s question No.1. My best guess: They’re going to sign at least one tight end, maybe two. I wouldn’t be surprised it they…
Greg Cosell broke down the draft’s top tight ends Friday on Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner Podcast. Here’s Cosell’s breakdown. On Norte Dame’s Tyler Eifert COSELL: He’s my favorite tight end in this draft. I think his athleticism and movement is No.1 in this draft. He’s really a deceptively smooth athlete. He shows the ability to run vertical routes from split wide receiver positions versus corners. He’s more athletic than when Kyle…
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. We ask you this from time to time, but after a game like Sunday’s where the Patriots had something like 92, 93 plays, how is your defense in terms of freshness and needing rest and things like that? “Well, there’s no doubt they ended that game a little more tired than a…
SANTA CLARA – The NFL fined Dashon Goldson $21,000 for his hit on Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez. Thursday afternoon in the media tent, Goldson answered questions about that and the upcoming game against the Seahawks. Here’s a transcript. Q: Do you understand what an illegal hit is now as defined by the NFL? GOLDSON: Apparently I don’t. I thought it was a clean hit. It’s just one of those…
As good as the 49ers are on defense, just remember the Patriots’ first three offensive series Monday night against the Texans. The Patriots emasculated Houston, sliced them and diced them, put them through the Veg-O-Matic. Their defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, stood there in awe. It was a masterful production. Tom Brady was brilliant. Can New England do that to the Niners? The Niners have a better secondary than the Texas…
SANTA CLARA – This is what Vic Fangio said about the 49ers’ upcoming matchup with the Patriots in the media tent on Thursday. Q: What jumps out at you about the Patriots offense? FANGIO: They’re not only the top rated offense in the league – they’re way ahead of who’s in second in all the important stats. It’s not like they’re just a little bit ahead of team 2 in…
Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Thursday morning. Here’s what he said about the 49ers. Q: What stood out to you in the 49ers win over the Dolphins? COSELL: The 49ers ran 17 snaps in the pistol formation. 31 percent of their offensive plays were in the pistol. I think that’s indicative of the fact that the transition has likely been made, because when you go that heavy with pistol –…
SANTA CLARA – On Sunday, Carlos Rogers will match up against the Patriots’ two best receivers – Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. Here’s what Rogers said about that Wednesday in the media tent. Q: What makes Wes Welker so tough in the slot? ROGERS: Number one, his quarterback. Tom makes this offense go. [Welker] runs a lot of routes, a lot of option routes. Those quick guys like that, when…
SANTA CLARA — Tarell Brown spoke at his locker Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the Patriots’ offense. Q: What is going to be key for your defense against the Patriots? BROWN: We all have to go out there and win out one-on-one battles. They have a lot of different weapons, a lot of guys that can make plays, but we’re really fighting against Tom Brady. He has the…
49ERS DEFENSE VS. PATRIOTS OFENSE: Arguably the best offense against the best defense in the NFL, but San Francisco matches up well and here’s why. The Niners can harass Tom Brady with their four defensive lineman – Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Ahmad Brooks – and cover the skill players with their seven other defenders (linebackers and defensive backs). The Niners can do what the Giants defense did…
Here’s my other Super Bowl XLVI observation: The Niners would have beaten the Patriots more easily than the Giants did. Here’s why: First, the defense would have held Brady and the Pats’ offense to fewer than 17 points. They’re better than the Giants defense. They would have shut down BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, the Patriots running backs, with no more than six players. Then, the Niners could double team…
