SANTA CLARA — Here is what Greg Roman said Thursday about Michael Crabtree, courtesy of the 49ers. What makes WR Michael Crabtree so valuable on third downs? “Well, Michael’s a really good football player. Mike’s got great hands. I think Coach [Harbaugh] said he’s got the best hands he’s ever seen. We marvel at his hands every day in practice. He’s a natural catcher; we can’t take credit for…
SANTA CLARA — Here is what Greg Roman said about the Rams defense at his Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Good afternoon. Knee-deep in our preparations. Players, we throw a lot at them each week. I think everybody can relate with the idea of you going into school to take a test and you studied, you prepared well for it, you feel pretty good about…
NEW ORLEANS — The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers coaches. Coaching: B-. The 49ers committed a whopping 10 penalties – that’s on the head coach. Greg Roman did not establish the run in the first half for the third time this season. He did not get Vernon Davis involved in the offense for fifth time this season. Most of the offense’s big…
Steve Young spoke on KNBR Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers quarterback controversy. Q: What do you think’s going on with this quarterback controversy? YOUNG: “It’s pretty easy for me based on what Jim said. There are three types of controversies – the one in the streets, the one in the locker room and the one with the coach. The one that truly matters is the one…
Greg Roman held a press conference Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers offense and quarterback controversy, courtesy of the 49ers. Can you clear up what’s going on with the quarterback situation right now? “Well, no decision has been made. We’re hopeful that [QB] Alex [Smith] gets cleared tomorrow, physically. We’re confident in both quarterbacks to be on the field. We’re always going to make way all…
Greg Roman held a press conference Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the Saints defense, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Looks like a lot of people left early to get that turkey on their plate. I hope everybody is doing well. Happy Thanksgiving, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Getting ready to play the Saints in a tough environment. The last time we were…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers destroyed the Chicago Bears 32-7 Monday night. Here are the grades for the 49ers coaches. Coaching: A. The entire world expected the 49ers offense to come out running against the Bears. After all, the 49ers are a running team and they were playing their backup quarterback. They’d be nuts to come out passing. But passing was exactly the game plan Greg Roman drew up. He…
The 49ers play the Bears Monday night at Candlestick. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. LB Brian Urlacher and LB Lance Briggs vs. TE Vernon Davis Briggs and Urlacher are two of the best linebackers in the NFL, but they are not fast enough to keep up with Vernon Davis. The Bears play a Tampa 2 defense, so their linebackers – Briggs and Urlacher – will match…
The 49ers play the Bears Monday night at Candlestick. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. CB Charles Tillman vs. WR Michael Crabtree Greg Roman likes to move Crabtree around the formations and match him up against the opposing teams’ No.2 or No.3 cornerback. Roman can do this because most cornerbacks play a specific side of the field, so he knows where the No.1 CB is going to…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Greg Roman said at his Saturday press conference about Colin Kaepernick. ME: How would you grade Colin Kaepernick’s performance against the Rams? Are there any plays you’d like to have back, and if so, which ones? ROMAN: I’m not going to get into which ones. I thought he did a very good job of coming into the game and moving the team. There were definitely…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Saturday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Alex Smith, whom the 49ers have listed as questionable to play Monday night against the Bears. LC: Is Alex Smith going to play Monday night? ROMAN: Alex is going through the protocol right now, and that’s in the doctor’s hands. When we know, you will probably know. LC: Does he have to do…
As I explained in my previous post, the Bears defense uses a Tampa 2 scheme which is tough to pass against. The 49ers heavy personnel formations may give the Niners an opportunity to avoid passing into that Tampa 2 shell. From the heavy formations, the quarterback can throw play action passes to a receiver working against a corner man-to-man or in a 3-deep zone, which definitely is better than throwing…
Yesterday I broke down the matchup between the Bears rushing attack and the 49ers run defense. Today, I’ll break down the opposite matchup, the one between the 49ers run game and the Bears run D. The 49ers run game should be favorable against the Bears if the Bears continue to feature their Tampa 2 scheme. The Bears may have to drop a safety down in the box and play the…
Earlier I wrote that Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice has been too focused on passing this season. One poster on this blog cited Tice’s 50-50 run-to-pass ratio as a counterargument. A 50-50 run to pass ratio does not prove anything other than a coach in the press box tracking runs and passes, for whatever inane reason. Calling plays is not like handing out M&Ms – one for you, one for…
SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers tied the Rams 24-24. Here is the grade for the 49ers coaches. Coaching: D. The 49ers came out flat in the first half. That’s Jim Harbaugh’s fault. There’s a pattern forming this season – the 49ers dominate back-to-back games and then lay an egg. They’ve done that three times through nine games. That’s Jim Harbaugh’s fault. Greg Roman’s first 10 scripted plays were nothing special…
SAN FRANCISCO – Vernon Davis caught four passes for 30 yards Sunday against the Rams. The Pro Bowl tight end has not caught more than four passes in a game since Week 5 against the Bills. I just asked Davis in the locker room how he feels about his current role on the 49ers. Here’s what he said. ME: The last few weeks, Greg Roman has approached you after games…
SAN FRANCISCO — If you were calling plays for the 49ers in the second half, would you call designed runs for Colin Kaepernick – his specialty – or is it too dangerous? The third string quarterback, Scott Tolzien, is not active.
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the 49ers media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about his coaching background and philosophy. Rams LB James Laurinaitis was talking about some of your run concepts, formations, it’s unique. You just don’t see it with any other team. He specifically talked about the split back. What are some of your influences? Did you watch the Bill Walsh installation tapes? Did…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the 49ers media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Randy Moss. Within a couple of snaps of each other against the Cardinals, Randy Moss had a downfield block on the sideline on the touchdown. As an offensive coordinator, which one was more notable or which one stood out to you? “Did we score on the knockdown block? [Matt Maiocco: “No.”]…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the 49ers media tent Thursday afternoon. Here’s what he said about right tackle Anthony Davis. In what areas have you seen T Anthony Davis make his biggest strides? “That’s a great question. Anytime you draft a player with ability, who’s young like that, it’s all about the development of the player. [Offensive line] Coach [Mike] Solari, who, I know it’s November right…
