49ers and Seahawks injury reports

Here are the 49ers and Seahawks injury reports, courtesy of the 49ers. 49ers Questionable: LB Tavares Gooden (ribs), LB Clark Haggans (shoulder), WR Mario Manningham (shoulder), DT Justin Smith (elbow), DT Will Tukuafu (concussion) Probable: K David Akers (pelvis), G Alex Boone (knee), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder), LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (shoulder), S Dashon Goldson (foot), RB Frank Gore (wrist), G Mike Iupati (shoulder), RB Bruce Miller (shoulder), CB…

December 21, 2012
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Manningham out vs. Patriots

The 49ers have announced Mario Manningham is out tonight against the Patriots. This will be the second game in a row Manningham misses with a shoulder injury. Without Manningham last week against the Dolphins, Randy Moss played 29 snaps, was targeted four times and made two catches. Vernon Davis played 57 snaps, was targeted twice and made one catch. Delanie Walker played 40 snaps, was targeted once and made one…

December 16, 2012
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Harbaugh: “Whoever is open, that’s who the QB is instructed to get the ball to and that varies from week to week.”

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Have you guys made a decision on the roster spot yet? “Yeah, we have made a decision. Well, no it’s not a final decision.”   Will you fill it? “We may not. We may not. That’s kind of the way we’re leaning right now. But, that could change before game time. So,…

December 14, 2012
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What do 49ers do without Manningham?

Mario Manningham sat out the last two practices with a shoulder injury. If he can’t play against the Dolphins on Sunday, the 49ers lose a key weapon in the pass game. Manningham is second on the team in targets and catches, he’s dropped just one pass all season and he’s a deep threat. How do you suppose the 49ers wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator John Morton is game…

December 7, 2012
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The problem with LaMichael James and A.J. Jenkins

When the 49ers drafted A.J. Jenkins in the first round and LaMichael James in the second round, all we heard was how the 49ers didn’t need those guys this season. The 49ers are so deep and talented, those two high draft picks could afford to “red shirt” their rookie seasons, just lift weights and learn the system. Forget all of that. The 49ers need Jenkins and James right now. James…

December 3, 2012
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49ers Week 13 grades: Offense

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers lost to the Rams 16-13. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: D. They were dominated by the Rams defensive line all game. They gave up constant pressure when Kaepernick dropped back, and they could not open holes in the running game. They also were flagged for numerous penalties. Running backs: D. Frank Gore – 23 rushes for 58 yards, and one…

December 2, 2012
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49ers Week 12 grades: Offense

NEW ORLEANS – The 49ers just beat the Saints 31-21. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: B-. These guys gave up pressure all game, but did not surrender a single sack because Kaepernick escaped every time. Anthony Davis was flagged for a hold which negated a beautiful throw by Kaepernick and a beautiful catch and run by Michael Crabtree which would have been a 35-yard gain….

November 25, 2012
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Prediction: 49ers win high-scoring game

The 49ers will beat the Saints 41-27 on Sunday. Colin Kaepernick will play even better than he did against the Bears. The loud Super Dome will not faze him. He will torch the Saints terrible defense with his arm and his legs. The 49ers offense will demoralize the Saints defense early. It will be clear in the first quarter the 49ers offense can do whatever it wants. The Saints are…

November 24, 2012
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Saints-49ers matchups: Part II – Patrick Robinson vs. Mario Manningham

The 49ers play the Saints Sunday at the Superdome. In the meantime, I’ll break down five key matchups. CB Patrick Robinson vs. WR Mario Manningham Michael Crabtree was Alex Smith’s favorite target, but Colin Kaepernick likes to throw the ball downfield, and Crabtree is a possession receiver. As a result, Kaepernick has shown more chemistry throwing passes to Mario Manningham this season. Manningham is a deep threat, but the 49ers…

November 24, 2012
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49ers Week 11 grades: Offense

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers destroyed the Chicago Bears 32-7 Monday night. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: A. They opened holes and gave Kaepernick plenty of time to throw in the pocket. They only gave up one sack, and that sack was Kaepernick’s fault – all his receivers were covered and he didn’t throw the ball away. Running backs: A. Frank Gore had 78 yards…

November 19, 2012
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49ers Week 10 grades: Offense

SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers tied the Rams 24-24. Here are the grades for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: B. They gave up five sacks, but not all were their fault. In fact, four of the sacks were due to Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick holding on to the ball for too long. On the fifth sack, Anthony Davis got beat by Chris Long, who sacked Kaepernick as he was…

November 11, 2012
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Rams-49ers matchups: Part III – Jenkins vs. Manningham

The 49ers play the St. Louis Rams Sunday at Candlestick Park. In the meantime, I’ll break down a couple of key matchups every day. CB Janoris Jenkins (5-10, 193 pounds) vs. WR Mario Manningham (6-0, 181) Jenkins has been getting torched recently. He’s given up 19 catches on 24 targets for 233 yards and 4 touchdowns the last three games according to Pro Football Focus. He’s going to have to…

November 8, 2012
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Why is Roman so motivated to feature Crabtree?

What do you think Greg Roman’s motivation is for featuring Michael Crabtree over Vernon Davis and Mario Manningham in the 49ers pass game? Is it: Roman believes Crabtree is the best receiver on the team and one of the best receivers in the NFL. People in the organization are invested in Crabtree’s success. They drafted him in the first round in 2009. The people who drafted Vernon Davis in 2006…

November 8, 2012
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Rams-49ers matchups: Part II – Finnegan vs. Crabtree

The 49ers play the St. Louis Rams Sunday at Candlestick Park. In the meantime, I’ll break down a couple of key matchups every day. CB Cortland Finnegan (5-10, 188 pounds) vs. WR Michael Crabtree (6-1, 214 pounds) Finnegan is the kind of cornerback that gives Crabtree problems. But regardless of matchup, Greg Roman wants to feature Crabtree in the 49ers pass game. Crabtree has received at least five targets in…

November 8, 2012
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How to beat the 49ers

Now that we’re halfway through the season, there’s a book on how to beat the 49ers. We know it, the 49ers know it – it’s their job to know it — and the rest of the NFL knows it. Let’s explain that game plan and list the teams that can pull it off. Stop the run with seven defenders. If you can do that, you can beat the 49ers. You…

November 7, 2012
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Midterm report card: Mario Manningham

The 49ers don’t list Mario Manningham as a starter, but he is definitely the No.2 wide receiver behind Michael Crabtree. At times, Manningham has seemed like the best receiver on the team. He’s short and skinny, but he can get open better than any other 49er. Greg Roman calls roughly five passes a game for Manningham, and he has only dropped one pass. He is the best receiver on the…

November 4, 2012
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49ers Week 8 grades: Offense

Here are the grades for the 49ers offense from their 24-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterbacks: A. Alex Smith played one of the best games of his life. He only attempted 19 passes, but he completed 18 of them, and Delanie Walker dropped the one incompletion. That’s a 95 percent completion percentage. Smith broke Fran Tarketon’s record for the most completed passes in a game in which he threw…

October 29, 2012
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Should 49ers trade for Dwayne Bowe?

Tuesday is the NFL trading deadline, and according to Peter King, Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is available. Evan Silva tweeted last night it would take at least a third round pick to trade for Bowe. The 49ers happen to have two third round picks next year. So, I ask you: Should the 49ers trade for Bowe? He’s big, he’s fast and he’s one of the…

October 29, 2012
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Peterson sums up 49ers offense: “Run, run, run and try to throw it over your head for touchdowns.”

Patrick Peterson spoke to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about the 49ers. Q: In terms of this being a rivalry game, what kind of buzz is going on in the locker room, and what sense are you getting from the veteran guys about how important the Niner game is? PETERSON: This is a huge game. One, it’s on Monday night and two,…

October 24, 2012
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Are the 49ers skimping on Vernon Davis?

There’s been a lot of debate lately about whether the 49ers should pass the ball more to Vernon Davis. Here are some stats to help inform the discussion: Last season, the 49ers targeted Vernon Davis on 21 percent of their passes. They targeted Michael Crabtree 25 percent of the time. This season, Crabtree is still receiving a quarter of 49ers the targets, but Davis’ target percentage has dropped to 17…

October 23, 2012
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