Before: Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon. Grade: B Why: Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter were one of the best rushing duos in the league last year. They got the bulk of the Niners’ carries, and the offense finished eighth in rushing. However, the trio was collectively bad in short yardage. Anthony Dixon was supposed to be the goal line guy, but he failed. Now: Add Brandon Jacobs and…
Now that the draft is over, I’m going to grade each area of the Niners offense, starting with the pass catchers. Before: Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Delanie Walker, Kyle Williams, Ted Ginn Jr., Brett Swain and Joe Hastings. Grade: C- Why: Vernon Davis is a stud, so this group couldn’t have a failing grade. But everyone else is ordinary at best. Swain and Hastings probably won’t be in the league…
This afternoon the 49ers officially announced they’ve signed Brandon Jacobs to a one-year deal. Trent Baalke had this to say: “The 49ers are pleased to add a player with Brandon’s wealth of experience and talent. He has been productive throughout his career, and provides our offense a different dimension. We look forward to incorporating Brandon into our system.” Jacobs answered questions just now on a conference call, and here’s what…
The Niners have signed 265-pound running back Brandon Jacobs, according to an ESPN report. Jacobs is 29 years old and he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season as the Giants’ backup RB. During the season Jacobs made it clear he wanted to go to a team in 2012 where he could start. For him to sign with the Niners he must feel he has a good chance to take…
I say the Niners will not take a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft, and here’s why. This season, Frank Gore will be the starter and Kendall Hunter will be the backup. Any running back the Niners could draft would be a third-stringer this season (with the exception of Alabama’s Trent Richardson. He’d be the Niners’ best RB right now, but they’re not getting him – he’s a top-five…
Here’s my list of the top five and bottom five 49er moments from the 2011-2012 season. The Best Moments 5. Justin Smith’s forced fumble v. Jeremy Maclin in Philadelphia to beat the Eagles in Week 4. The Niners’ record was 2-1, and although they had just stormed back from a 17-point deficit to take a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles had plenty of time to drive…
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted my dad’s prediction column for the Niners-Giants NFC championship game. We agree that the Niners will win, but we disagree on the score. He says they’ll win by one touchdown (27-20). I say they’ll win by two (31-17). To read his reasoning, click here.
Part of the reason the Saints lost to the Niners on Saturday is that their defensive game plan was too simple. They acted as if stopping Frank Gore would stop the entire Niners offense. They committed eight, nine, sometimes ten defenders to the box to shut down Gore and they left every single receiver in single coverage – even Vernon Davis. This was a bad strategy. You can’t single cover…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Greg Roman’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Good afternoon. Obviously, we’re preparing for a really good team. Defense for the Saints has been very productive this year. I think, how many games have they played now, 17? They’ve played good enough to win 14 of them. They have a very active, aggressive defense. They play fast, got a lot…
Here are five reasons the Niners have a good chance to beat the Saints on Saturday. 1. The Niners can get pressure on Drew Brees with their front by attacking the weak link on the Saints line – center Brian De La Puente – with Aldon Smith on stunts. Justin Smith can occupy Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod and Pro Bowl left guard Carl Nicks and free up Aldon…
Here are my Week 17 grades for the 13-3 49ers. Alex Smith: B+. He made one very nice play in this game – the eight yard touchdown scramble on third and goal in the first quarter. He slipped in the pocket and when he bounced back up it seemed like he wanted to throw the ball away, but he didn’t. Instead he plowed his way into the end zone. He’s…
SANTA CLARA – A smiling Frank Gore held court at his locker this morning. Here’s what he said. Q: It seems like in previous seasons if this team had had a blocked punt like that, things would have snowballed and gone downhill. GORE: Yeah, everything would have turned around. Q: Yeah, what does that about the character of this team? GORE: We just know that we’re a good team. We…
SANTA CLARA — For what it’s worth, the Niners really like each other. They may or may not man up against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Monday night – I think they will – but regardless, they get along. Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati are best friends. Parys Haralson and Aldon Smith act like brothers. Colin Kaepernick and Bruce Miller joke around with everyone. But there’s a cool section of the…
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…
SANTA CLARA – Both Greg Roman and Frank Gore answered questions this afternoon regarding the measly ten carries Gore received last Sunday against the Cardinals. Here’s what they said. Q: Last Sunday against the Cardinals, you guys went up 19-7 in the third quarter. A lot of us were thinking you were going to turn to your running game at that point. It didn’t happen that way, and now everyone’s…
SANTA CLARA — Frank Gore wasn’t on Thursday’s injury report. So, he got only 10 carries against the Cardinals on Sunday either because of a strategic choice from Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman – a choice that didn’t work – or he was dinged up during the game and now he’s fine. Either way, they’ll need to give him more than ten carries to win the game on Monday night….
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…
Here are my Week 14 grades for the 10-3 Niners, who lost 21-19 today in Arizona against the 6-7 Cardinals. Quarterback: C-. Alex Smith muffed what should have been the signature play of his career. On fourth down – the last play of the game – he rolled right, searching for a receiver. He looked like Joe Montana before he made the throw that led to the “The Catch,” except…
The great Matt Barrows made his case on KNBR a few days ago for DT Justin Smith as the Niners’ 2011 MVP. That’s a terrific selection, and it’s hard to argue with it – Justin Smith has been the best player on the league’s best defense this season. He’s certainly been the Niners most excellent player. But if I were picking their most valuable player, I’d go with Alex Smith….
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what the 49ers all-time leading rusher, Frank Gore, said at his locker this morning. Q: Do you put the division championship aside and move on to the next piece of business? GORE: Our goal was to be division champs. Now our next thing is to try to be No. 1 or No. 2 seed and we’ll go from there. Q: You’re not going to want to rest?…
