It turns out Jim Harbaugh overshot his Pro Bowl prediction. Eight Niners made the NFC Pro Bowl team – one or two or three short of his prediction. Six Niners ended up making the team as starters, and two made it as reserves. The starters are Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley, Carlos Rogers, David Akers and Andy Lee and the reserves are are Frank Gore and Dashon Goldson. Not one…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what I observed during today’s warmups. Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh’s father, Jack, having a serious conversation in the middle of the practice field. Patrick Willis gingerly high stepping hurdles. I would be extremely surprised if he plays this Monday night. Joe Staley jogging back and forth across the field with a backwards cap on his head. I doubt he plays this Monday night, either. Aldon…
SANTA CLARA — Yesterday’s loss was the toughest loss of the season for the Niners – no question about it. They were supposed to beat the Cardinals and they didn’t, and now it’s looking doubtful that they’ll get a first round bye in the playoffs. During today’s Monday press conference one reporter asked Jim Harbaugh how the Niners will deal with this adversity. “You man up with broad shoulders,” Harbaugh exclaimed right…
SANTA CLARA – If you thought today’s practice would start with a Harbaugh-Kaepernick quarterback lesson, you were wrong. Harbaugh left Kaepernick alone with quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst for a change. Instead, Coach Harbaugh spent the beginning of practice standing next to punter Andy Lee. As I walked over, I saw Harbaugh pantomiming a punting motion, and for a second I thought he was trying to teach Andy Lee, one of…
Thanks for your generous responses to my earlier post. Our discussion of the top 49er storylines turned into a lengthy list of concerns. Adam, among other readers, pointed out the defensive backfield and the offensive line as two more areas of anxiety for the 49ers. Thank you, Adam. Let’s look at the team from the opposite angle now. Injuries aside, what are the Niners’ locks? Where are they strong? What…
The Niners, for all their Raushan Woods-esque bombs, have actually drafted fairly well long after the commissioner has left the stage at Radio City Music Hall. In fact, they’ve drafted enough late-round players — ranging from functional to very good — to inspire “The 49ers’ Top-10 Sixth- or Seventh-Round Picks Since 2000” series.
