SEATTLE, Wa. – The Seahawks crushed the 49ers 42-13 Sunday night. Here are the grades for the defense and special teams. Defensive line: F. They couldn’t stop the run or tackle the quarterback. The Seahawks ran right down the 49ers’ throat all game. Ray McDonald and Ricky Jean Francois took turns getting moved aside at the line of scrimmage. On many of the Seahawks run plays, it looked like there…
Here are the 49ers and Seahawks injury reports, courtesy of the 49ers. 49ers Questionable: LB Tavares Gooden (ribs), LB Clark Haggans (shoulder), WR Mario Manningham (shoulder), DT Justin Smith (elbow), DT Will Tukuafu (concussion) Probable: K David Akers (pelvis), G Alex Boone (knee), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (shoulder), S Dashon Goldson (foot), RB Frank Gore (wrist), G Mike Iupati (shoulder), RB Bruce Miller (shoulder), CB…
Let me start by listing everything that’s working against the 49ers this week. They are trying to win their third game in a row. They haven’t won three games in a row this season. Seattle’s crowd and home field advantage – the turf – will be tough for the Niners to overcome, even more so than last Sunday night. At least the Niners won’t face a time change and will have…
FOXBORO, Ma. – The 49ers beat the Patriots 41-34 and clinched a playoff berth. Here are the grades for the 49ers’ defense and special teams. Defensive line: B. Justin Smith did not play particularly well, and then he left the game with an elbow injury. On the other hand, Ray McDonald played his best game of the season. He had half a sack all season, and he had two Sunday…
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Have you guys made a decision on the roster spot yet? “Yeah, we have made a decision. Well, no it’s not a final decision.” Will you fill it? “We may not. We may not. That’s kind of the way we’re leaning right now. But, that could change before game time. So,…
SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith will face Patriots’ left tackle Nate Solder on Sunday. The two players faced each other once in college, and Smith beat Solder for four sacks. Here’s what Smith said in the locker room Thursday afternoon about the upcoming matchup against Solder and the Patriots offense. Q: Do you remember what happened when you faced Nate Solder in college? ALDON SMITH: I had a good game….
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 – Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick just spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call. Here’s what he said about the 49ers. Q: When you watch the film of the 49ers, what leaps out at you? BELICHICK: They’re a real physical team They’re good in the run game. They average almost two yards per carry more than they give up – that’s pretty impressive. A lot of…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers beat the Dolphins 27-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense and special teams. unable to get the football to the best tight end in the NFL. Not good. Defensive line: B. Justin Smith had five tackles, a QB hit and a leaping pass deflection at the line of scrimmage. He’s getting better as the season moves forward. Ray McDonald got pressure on Tannehill…
The 49ers play the Dolphins Sunday at Candlestick. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. LT Jonathan Martin vs. ROLB Aldon Smith Aldon Smith is arguably the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. Rookie tackle Jonathan Martin is the 7th-worst tackle in the NFL this season according to Pro Football Focus. Martin has no chance against Aldon Smith. That means the Dolphins pocket will collapse on obvious…
SANTA CLARA — Vic Fangio spoke in the 49ers media tent Thursday afternoon. Here is what he said, courtesy of the 49ers. What kind of problems do the Dolphins present? “Well, they’ve got a talented young quarterback who’s a good athlete, runs well. He’s a scrambler, got a strong arm. I think he’s gaining more and more confidence with every game that he’s played. I think they’re a much…
Here is what quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Wednesday to South Florida reporters, courtesy of the Miami Dolphins. On facing the 49ers defense) – “They’re an all-around good defense. I think everyone knows that they’re a good defense and it’s well deserved. They have good players all around. They start up front. Both Smith’s (Aldon Smith and Justin Smith) are good players. Really, their whole front is good. Their linebackers are…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers lost to the Rams 16-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense. Defensive line: A. Justin Smith may have had the best game of his season. He had a team-high 8 tackles, including three for losses, 1 sack and 1 QB hit. Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald helped limit Steven Jackson to 48 yards on 21 carries. Linebackers: A-. Aldon Smith had a sack…
SANTA CLARA – Here is what Vic Fangio said about the 49ers defense at his Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. How much is it a luxury for you to have all four linebackers locked up for at least three more seasons after this one? “I think it speaks well for the organization that they’ve been able to in this age of salary cap. And it’s not always…
Aldon Smith is six sacks away from tying Michael Strahan for the the single-season record. Here’s what Harbaugh said about that on Monday, courtesy of the 49ers. LB Aldon Smith is six sacks away from tying Michael Strahan for the all-time NFL record. How cognizant are you of that? How much would you want to see him get there? “We’re always happy for the other guy’s success. The thing…
NEW ORLEANS — The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith had 1.5 sacks – he’s coming on at the end of the season, just like he did last year. Ray McDonald almost sacked Brees on the first play of the game. McDonald didn’t do much the rest of the game. And Isaac Sopoaga was…
The 49ers play the Saints Sunday at the Superdome. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. LT Jermon Bushrod and LG Ben Grubbs vs. Aldon and Justin Smith These two O-linemen are over matched. They will not be able to stop either Smith one-on-one, and they will not be able to handle the T/E Stunt. They couldn’t handle it in the playoffs last season. The two Smiths racked…
Vic Fangio held a press conference Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers defense, courtesy of the 49ers. It looked like LB Patrick Willis had a really good game in coverage on Monday. Is that typical? Is that what you expect from him? “He did. Yes, he did have a very good game in coverage. Particularly, [RB Matt] Forte’s a tough back to handle. They went to…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers destroyed the Chicago Bears 32-7 Monday night. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: A. They held the Bears rushing attack to just 3 yards per carry. Justin Smith got consistent pressure on the quarterback for the first time this season. Ray McDonald tackled Chilo Rachal in the end zone for a safety. Linebackers: A. NaVorro Bowman had a…
SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers tied the Rams 24-24. Here are the grades for the 49ers defense. Defensive line: D. Isaac Sopoaga was a liability at nose tackle. He actually got planted on his back by Steven Jackson in the first quarter. Sopoaga was briefly benched for Ricky Jean Francois. Ray McDonald was flagged for a 15-yard helmet-to-helmet hit on Bradford. Justin Smith finished with eight tackles and two pressures….
