Super Bowl winner is…

This is my Sunday column. This Super Bowl will be nothing like the previous one: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8. This one will be grim. The Seahawks won’t blow out the Patriots. The Patriots won’t blow out the Seahawks. Neither team will score more than 20 points. This year’s Super Bowl could come down the final play. As opposed to last year’s Super Bowl, which came down to the first play….

January 31, 2015
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Baalke plays it cool

This is my Friday column on Trent Baalke. After Day 1 of free agency, I thought the 49ers’ moves were weak. Not bad, but weak. Trent Baalke didn’t really do anything. He cut Carlos Rogers, let Donte Whitner leave and replaced him with an older, cheaper safety – Antoine Bethea – traded a sixth-round pick for Blaine Gabbert, and traded a conditional seventh-round pick for Jonathan Martin. Woo hoo! Meanwhile,…

March 14, 2014
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Every great one meets a Ken Norton, and 49ers will have theirs

Here is my Friday column on how the 49ers are like Muhammad Ali. Of the 49ers’ remaining opponents, which ones have a defense that can cause problems for a 49ers’ offense with a spotty passing game? That is the key question. If a team can’t stop Frank Gore and Anquan Boldin, that team can’t beat the 49ers. But if a team has a good run defense and at least one…

October 18, 2013
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Report: 49ers not pursuing Revis

Sanity prevails. The 49ers are not pursuing Darrelle Revis, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. It would have been a bad idea for the Niners to trade for Revis. For one, Revis is coming off an ACL tear. Two, he’s a free agent after next season and wants a $16-million-per-year contract, which means he’s a “me” guy, not a team guy. Why put yourself in salary cap hell and put up…

February 28, 2013
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Report: 49ers pursuing Revis. Good or bad idea?

Jason Cole just reported the 49ers are one of several teams trying to trade for Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis. With five draft picks in the first 93 selections, the 49ers have more to offer the Jets than any other team. Should the 49ers trade for Revis? He tore his ACL in October, and he will be a free agent in 2014. Will he be ready for training camp and the…

February 27, 2013
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Report: 49ers “highly interested” in trading for Darrelle Revis

NFL.com just reported the 49ers are “highly interested” in trading for the New York Jets’ 27-year-old three-time All Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. The 49ers are not the only team that wants Revis. The Seahawks, Broncos, Packers, Patriots and Bills are also reportedly interested. The Jets apparently want draft picks in return for Revis. The 49ers have a first round pick, a second round pick and two 2013 third round picks…

January 25, 2013
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Cosell: “Did you know the Patriots run the ball more than the 49ers?”

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 –…

December 13, 2012
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Roman on the 49ers offense: “We’ve just got to finish drives better.”

Greg Roman’s Thursday press conference transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.   Opening statement: “Is it afternoon yet? Yes it is, good afternoon. If I appear unshaven I apologize, but this Jets defense forces our whole staff to stay up into the wee hours of the morning. We know [Head Coach] Rex Ryan, I worked with Rex, [Defensive Coordinator] Mike Pettine and [Defensive Backs Coach] Dennis Thruman. Some really good coaches,…

September 27, 2012
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Rex Ryan on Alex Smith: “I was hoping he wasn’t as good as he is.”

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday morning. He talked about the key players on the 49ers’ offense, the seven blue-chip players on the 49ers’ defense and the how the Jets’ defense will adjust to the loss of Darrelle Revis. The transcript. Q: Donte Whitner said the key for him in facing the Jets offense is keeping an eye on…

September 26, 2012
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