Fangio on the responsibility of the nickel back, and more

SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke first in the media tent this morning, and here’s a transcript of what he said courtesy of the 49ers. Your defense, the last couple of days, has obviously looked really solid. Is that what you’re seeing on tape too out of these guys? “We’ve had a couple good days. Obviously, there are some mistakes out there that don’t show up as clear…

August 4, 2012
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Vic Fangio on the state of the Niners defense entering training camp

SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent today, and here’s a transcript of what he said, courtesy of the 49ers.   How much more of the defense are you going to be able to install with this training camp compared to last year? “Not much more. We pretty much got everything we wanted to put in last year. And then as a matter of fact,…

July 28, 2012
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Cam Johnson back in action after knee procedure

SANTA CLARA – Seventh round pick defensive end Cam Johnson returned to the practice field this week. He underwent a procedure in June for a knee injury he sustained his senior season at the University of Virginia. He spoke today about the progress he’s making with his knee, what he’s practicing and who he’s learning from. Here’s a transcript. Q: How do you feel after your knee procedure last month?…

July 25, 2012
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Ranking the Niners best players: Nos. 6-10

Let’s rank the Niners best players. Since we’re killing time before training camp, this is the kind of mind doodling we do. I already wrote a blog on the top five Niners. I ranked them like this: 1. Justin Smith 2. Patrick Willis 3. Aldon Smith 4. Vernon Davis 5. NaVorro Bowman. In a way the next five are more interesting than the top five because they’re less obvious. You…

June 25, 2012
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Harbaugh takes stock after the Niners minicamp

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke to reporters after Thursday’s practice. He was thrilled with how his team performed in this minicamp, and he detailed what he liked so much. Here’s the transcript of his interview, courtesy of the 49ers.   Opening Statement: “Very excited. That was an A++ practice today, and that goes for the whole Mini-Camp. It was outstanding by our guys. Tremendous effort, and really over the…

June 14, 2012
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How NFL offenses might try to attack the Niners defense next season

If you were the offensive coordinator for another NFL team, how would you try to attack the 49ers defense next season? There may not be a good way to attack them – they’re the best defense in football – but I came up with a list of do’s and don’ts. Tell me if you agree or if there’s something you’d add. Do not attempt to establish the run first because…

May 20, 2012
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Top-5 defenders not named Smith, Willis, Bowman or Smith

Nothing’s going on at Niners headquarters this week, we’ve broken down the offense, now let’s talk about the defense. It’s the best defense in the league – we know that. It has no weak links. Last year I wrote that Dashon Goldson was the weak link, and that was pretty silly, I admit. The entire starting lineup is strong. We know there are two great players – Justin Smith and…

May 16, 2012
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49ers hedging their bets on Alex Smith

Alex Smith wants a five-year contract, but the Niners only want to sign him for three years – that’s what the Sacramento Bee is reporting. What does this say about the Niners’ true feelings towards the quarterback they call “their guy?” It says Smith is their guy for now, but not for the long-haul. They like Smith and they want him presently, but they also want to keep their options…

March 8, 2012
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Free agency: The Niners have the cap space to sign Mike Wallace

According to Matt Maiocco, Ahmad Brooks will count $2.85 million against the 49ers’ salary cap in 2012. For all the figures of Brooks’ deal, read Matty’s article here. Just know that Brooks’ cap figures significantly increase in upcoming seasons, but in 2012 he’ll be a relative bargain. Here’s how this affects free agency: Currently the Niners have about $23 million in cap space. If they cut Shawntae Spencer, then they’ll…

March 1, 2012
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Niners sign Ahmad Brooks to six-year extension. What about Carlos Rogers?

The Niners just announced that they re-signed outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks to a six-year contract extension. The contract is worth $44.5 million, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Now, the Niners have every member of their elite defensive front-seven signed for multiple seasons. They’ve solidified the strength of their team, which is always a good strategy. It’s interesting that the Niners gave Brooks the first long-term contract of the offseason, and…

February 28, 2012
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The top-five most important free agents for the 49ers to re-sign

Trent Baalke reiterated this morning at the NFL Combine that the 49ers want to keep their guys in place, as in re-sign their free agents. Baalke said there’s no priority list for who he wants to re-sign, which is baloney, probably. Let’s try to guess that priority list. Which of the 49ers free agents are most important to resign? And in what order? Keep in mind, no free agent is…

February 23, 2012
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49ers need Mike Wallace

The NFL draft combine starts today, and as soon as something happens I’ll break it down for you. Stanford tight end Coby Fleener will not run this week because he has a high ankle sprain, so we won’t know how fast he is until he runs at Stanford’s Pro Day on March 22. If he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, he would be a good pick for the Niners with…

February 22, 2012
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How to spend the Niners $33.8 million in cap space

Don’t be surprised if the Niners don’t resign free agents Carlos Rogers or Ahmad Brooks. The Niners have roughly $33.8 million in cap space. They’re most likely going to franchise tag Dashon Goldson, so $6.2 of that would go to him. Another $7 or $8 million will go to Alex Smith, probably. Then there are the guys who will probably come back on cheap contracts – Joshua Morgan, Adam Snyder,…

February 9, 2012
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Harbaugh heaps praise on Aldon Smith, Tarell Brown, Ahmad Brooks, and more.

SANTA CLARA – Here are more quotes I selected from Jim Harbaugh’s Tuesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Larry Grant has played really well with Patrick Willis out. Have you thought about, are there different ways you’re going to look to get him involved when Willis comes back? Are there other ways to get Larry Grant on the field more than he had been before the last few weeks?…

December 20, 2011
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Week 15 NFL picks: Why the Niners will beat the Steelers 9-6.

Here are my Week 15 NFL picks. 49ers vs. Steelers: 49ers 9-6. The Steelers should struggle to score points. They won’t be able to run the ball – not against this front seven. So they’re going to pass, their offensive line is mediocre at best, and one of their best linemen, center Maurkice Pouncey, has a high ankle sprain and he’s questionable for Monday night. Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Ray…

December 17, 2011
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What I want to see from the Niners

The Niners are going to have to be creative and efficient to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. Here’s what I want to see from them. It’s a given the Steelers are going to blitz, blitz, blitz the Niners offense. They will bring extra rushers up the middle and other times they’ll overload the right side of the Niners’ O-line – the Anthony Davis side – and run four-man…

December 14, 2011
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Jim Harbaugh reads The Art of War, and more

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Want to start off and just say how saddened we are as a team with the passing of Chester McGlockton. Chester’s been a very close and dear friend over the last four years. Was a part of our team here with the 49ers and also at Stanford. Chester worked with the defensive…

November 30, 2011
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Harbaugh: “Wished he would have come wiped some off on my cheek.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. The reason for moving WR Michael Crabtree from X to Z (receiver) is…? “It’s what was best for our team. If you look back before that move, we had Michael as an X, [WR] Braylon [Edwards] was an X, [WR] Teddy [Ginn] was really originally trained as an X when we first…

November 2, 2011
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Week 8 grades: Niners win ugly, beat the Browns 20-10.

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my Week 8 grades for the 6-1 49ers. Alex Smith: B. He finished the game with no turnovers and 98.8 QB rating, which is good. He also finished the game with 177 passing yards and one touchdown, which is ordinary. When he’s off he seems to overthrow Michael Crabtree and underthrow everyone else. I don’t understand this pattern. I counted three times today that Alex…

October 30, 2011
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Fangio: “I don’t see anybody running the West Coast Offense.”

SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s press conference from this afternoon, courtesy of the 49ers. How do you expect to use your third corner back this week, third corner? Who do you expect it to be and how do you plan to use them? “I think it will be kind of similar to what it’s been lately. [CB] Shawntae [Spencer] is improving, he’s still not 100…

October 27, 2011
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