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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Fangio on Ponder: “He’s a threat both running and throwing.”

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…

September 21, 2012
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Week 2 49ers MVP standings

My Week 2 Power Rankings, in tiers. Tier 1: The 49ers. Tier 2: Empty. Tier 3: Empty. Tier 4: The Texans and a few other teams. Tier 5: It doesn’t matter. No team ranks anywhere near the 49ers right now. They’re in another universe. They’re so good, it’s more interesting to rank the 49ers players against the other 49ers players. So let’s forget the Power Rankings for now. Let’s create…

September 18, 2012
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Harbaugh on Crabtree: “Nobody I’d rather have catching the ball than him.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Harbaugh explained why he suited three quarterbacks against the Lions. He also told two Muhammad Ali stories, praised Michael Crabtree’s “frog-like” catching ability, and more. Enjoy. “Sorry I’m late. I was getting a little something to eat. A little hungrier today than normal.”   Did you have a $2 steak? “No. It was…

September 17, 2012
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Lions-49ers matchups: Part III

Part III of the Lions-49ers matchup series. Calvin Johnson vs. the 49ers secondary: Carlos Rogers, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver and Dashon Goldson. It’s almost impossible for any secondary to match up with Calvin Johnson, perhaps the best athlete in the NFL. He puts you in a bind. How many snaps can you afford not to double team him? Double-teaming him leaves the rest of the Lions’ skill players – Brandon…

September 14, 2012
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Preseason Week 3 grades

Here are my grades for the 49ers preseason game against the Denver Broncos. QUARTERBACKS: B. Alex Smith and the first-team offense was 1-for-4 on third down and 0-for-1 in the red zone (Peyton Manning was 2-3 on third down and 2-2 in the red zone). Smith did complete 5 of 7 passes, including a deep TD to Vernon Davis. Smith also had one fumbled snap, one delay-of-game penalty and two…

August 26, 2012
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Five questions for the defense

SANTA CLARA – Tuesday was a defense-dominated day in the 49ers’media tent – Vic Fangio, Larry Grant and Ricky Jean Francois all spoke at the podium, and I spoke one on one to Chris Culliver in the locker room. I asked each guy the same few questions, and here are their responses followed by my conclusions. Question 1: How would you characterize this defense? FANGIO: To me it’s in the…

August 21, 2012
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Training camp report: Thursday, the not-so-good – tough day for one cornerback

SANTA CLARA – Starting cornerback Tarell Brown has been one of the hardest workers in training camp, but he had a rough practice on Thursday against the scout-team offense. Twice Brown got beaten by undrafted rookie wide receiver Brian Tyms – once for a touchdown, and another time for a 15-yard completion. A few plays after the 15-yard completion, Brown gave up a first-down reception on third-and-five to another undrafted…

August 16, 2012
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Preseason Week 1 grades: The defense and special teams

SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my Preseason Week One grades for the 49ers defense. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith didn’t play. The rest of this unit allowed 4.3 yards per carry to the Vikings, which is below the Niners’ stellar standard of run defense. The standout player of this group was Demarcus Dobbs, who completely dominated the Vikings’ backup left tackle. In the second half, Minnesota had to give Dobbs…

August 11, 2012
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Training camp report: Wednesday, the not-so-good — Harbaugh ejects Kyle Williams for fighting

SANTA CLARA – Kyle Williams dropped two passes in practice today, but that’s not why Jim Harbaugh ejected him. Toward the end of practice, Williams caught a pass with undrafted cornerback Deante Purvis draped all over him. It seemed like Williams felt Purvis took too long undraping himself, so Williams head butted him. Then Purvis swung a punch back at him. Harbaugh ran in to break it up. He was…

August 8, 2012
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Fangio says the defense can be as good or better than last year, “but it might not show on paper.”

SANTA CLARA – Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio talked about what makes NaVarro Bowman and Carlos Rogers so good, the Niners cornerback competition and how good the defense can be this year. Here’s a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers. What are some of the things that have allowed LB NaVorro Bowman to emerge as an All-Pro, as such a young player, in his second year, last year? And also, you have…

August 1, 2012
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Training camp report: Wednesday, the good – Kyle Williams and more

SANTA CLARA – Kyle Williams had his best practice of the offseason, and he was the best wide receiver on the field today. I saw him catch nine passes, including the catch of the day – a diving 20-yard reception over the middle in front of Perrish Cox. Williams also beat Tramaine Brock for a deep touchdown in one-on-one drills. If Williams dropped a pass, I didn’t see it happen….

August 1, 2012
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Whitner on the Saints bounty scandal, and more

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner spoke about everything from Randy Moss to the Saints’ bounty scandal this afternoon. Here’s what Whitner said: Q: Did the level of practice intensity go up a notch when the pads went on? WHITNER: Yeah, I think that’s natural. Whenever you have a bunch of competitive guys who want to get better, once the pads go on the intensity will be automatic. You don’t even…

July 30, 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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Goldson explains why he signed when he signed

SANTA CLARA – Dashon Goldson, who signed his one-year franchise tender this morning, explained to reporters this afternoon why he chose to sign it today. Here’s what he said. Q: How does it feel to be back? GOLDSON: It feels great. The offseason was real good. I’m very confident in everything that went on. I’m glad to be back here to get this show on the road. Q: What are…

July 26, 2012
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Dashon Goldson signs the franchise tag

A central question of the 49ers’ offseason has been answered: Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Goldson will not sit out training camp. The Niners announced Thursday morning that Goldson has signed his one-year franchise tender worth $6.212 million. Goldson reportedly arrived at team facilities this morning in time for a 9 a.m. meeting. Stay tuned – all the veterans report to camp today, and I’ll be posting interview transcripts this…

July 26, 2012
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Darcel McBath introduces himself

SANTA CLARA – The newest Niner, Darcel McBath, spoke today about how he became a Niner and how he can contribute to the team. Here’s a transcript. Q: How did this opportunity come across for you? McBATH: They just called me, asked if I was healthy and if I was in shape and if I was ready to play football and if I thought I could come in and compete…

July 23, 2012
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Niners sign Darcel McBath

SANTA CLARA –Dashon Goldson may hold out the beginning of training camp – he still hasn’t signed his franchise tag – so the Niners were proactive Monday, signing defensive back Darcel McBath to a one-year contract. The Denver Broncos drafted McBath with the 48th overall pick in 2009. Current Niners defensive backs coach Ed Donatell was on the Broncos staff at the time, so McBath has a connection to Niners…

July 23, 2012
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Top five Niners questions heading into training camp

Top five questions as we head into training camp, starting Monday: Will Dashon Goldson hold out? He wanted a multi-year extension from the Niners, but the July 16 deadline passed and the Niners didn’t give him one. All he can do now is sign the one-year franchise tender. The same situation happened to former Niners nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin two seasons ago. Franklin wanted an extension and didn’t get one,…

July 22, 2012
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Ranking the Niners best players: Nos. 11-15

This is the third installment of my series on the Niners best players. To read the first two installments, click here and here. Today I’m ranking the 11th through the 15th best players on the roster. I’m eager to read your lists. 11. Ted Ginn Jr., PR. – Averaged the 2nd most yards per punt return in the NFL last season (12.3) of all players with more than 25 returns….

June 26, 2012
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