This is my Sunday column. In their season opener Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers will play one of the up-and-coming teams in the NFL — the Minnesota Vikings. Here are five reasons the Vikings will win. If I’m wrong and the 49ers win, I know you’ll go after me and I’ll deserve it. This is how I see it. No apologies. 1. San Francisco’s pass protection On certain days…
SANTA CLARA — This is a transcript of Jim Tomsula’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. Opening comments: “Probably the two guys you want to talk about; [C] center Nick Easton was added. I think you all are familiar with that, Harvard guy. And then, [T] Tanner Hawkinson to the practice squad will be a new name for you out of Kansas. So, there’s where we are…
Kendall Hunter is a wild card for the 49ers this season. Last season, he averaged 5.2 yards per attempt on 72 rushes before he tore his Achilles’ tendon Week 12 in New Orleans. Only five running backs had better yards-per-carry averages last season – C.J. Spiller, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Andre Brown. Hunter currently is on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but he runs around on the sideline…
Pro Football Weekly just announced their midseason All-Pro team. Considering how good the 49ers defense is, you’d expect a few those players to make it. They didn’t. Surprisingly, two players on the offense made the team – Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis. Punter Andy Lee also made it. PFW named Aaron Rodgers the midseason All-Pro QB, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch the running backs and Rob Gronkowski the tight end….
Here’s what Greg Cosell said on The Murph and Mac Show Thursday about the 49ers’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Q: How were the Vikings able to put together three 80-plus-yards drives against the 49ers? COSELL: It was a very good mix of run and pass. It was a case for the most part where they didn’t necessarily make a ton big plays, but their running game was sustaining….
Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. From what you’ve seen, does RB Adrian Peterson look like a guy who is coming off an ACL injury? “No, he really doesn’t. He still has his great speed, cutting ability and I’m sure that he’ll get better and better as he goes throughout the season. Week one to week two he was better. I’m sure he’ll be better…
Here’s how you know the Vikings are going to lose to the 49ers on Sunday: Head coach Leslie Frazier said, “We want to get the run established,” on a conference call Wednesday morning. Leslie, look at me. Listen to what I have to say. That’s not the move you want to make. You can’t establish the run against the 49ers. Understand? It’s a losing strategy. As long as All-Pro linebackers…
SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. You added a new/old outside linebacker? “Added yeah, [LB] Eric Bakhtiari.” Is that a guy that when you released him you told him stay close by the phone? “No. I wouldn’t say there was anything said like that. We knew that whenever you let somebody go they’re exposed to the rest of the teams in…
While we’re waiting for next week’s Mini-Camp to arrive, let’s play a game. Who are the top-five running backs in the NFL? I’ll play the game first, and then you go. Arian Foster – Houston Texans: Led the NFL in yards from scrimmage the last two seasons with 4,072. Foster also seemed unstoppable in last season’s playoffs. He rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Wild Card game…
