Geep Chryst improves 49ers red zone offense despite small hiccup

SANTA CLARA – It has come to our attention that quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst is in charge of game planning the 49ers red zone offense every week. The 49ers have scored touchdowns on 56 percent of their red zone trips this season – 11th best in the NFL, and 16 percent better than their red zone TD percentage last season – 40 percent. But the last two weeks, the offense…

December 7, 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 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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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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Roman says Moss has been “wearing people out blocking.”

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.”]…

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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Alex Smith: “Love getting everybody involved, for sure.”

SANTA CLARA — Here is what Alex Smith said at his locker Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of the 49ers.   You talked to Peter King about WR Randy Moss’ influence on the team. Have you seen his work ethic rub off on the other receivers? Have you seen his influence in action? “All of our guys work hard, I didn’t mean it in a sense like that. Here’s a guy that’s,…

November 7, 2012
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Harbaugh on Laurinaitis: “One of the many players that jumps out at you when you look at the Rams defense.”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers.   Can you give us a progress report on the rookies? We haven’t seen WR A.J. Jenkins or RB LaMichael James since the exhibition season. How are those guys doing behind the scenes? “Good. They’re working hard, doing it with a very good attitude. And just same thing we tell them is work…

November 7, 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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Fisher says Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals are “quite a ways behind” 49ers offensively

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Wednesday morning. Here’s what he said about the 49ers. Q: Did you feel the NFC was an ascendant division when you took the Rams job – a lot of young teams? FISHER: Yeah, I feel like the division has improved. Obviously, after the first half of the season you can say it certainly has,…

November 7, 2012
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Midterm report card: Randy Moss, not the Moss of old

Randy Moss is on pace to catch only 26 passes for 510 yards. He’s listed as a starter on the team’s official depth chart but he’s started only one game and he plays a little less than a third of the offensive snaps. Mostly, Greg Roman uses Moss as a decoy off the bench. To Moss’ credit, he’s caught two touchdown passes. He also got himself open for a touchdown…

November 2, 2012
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Harbaugh: “That’s always a point of contention – why aren’t the wide receivers more involved?”

SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said about the performance of the 49ers wide receivers against the Arizona Cardinals. HARBAUGH: “Great game for our wide receivers. That’s always a point of contention – why aren’t the wide receivers more involved? They were very much involved during this game. The way they caught the ball, the way they ran routes, the way they blocked for each other. Whether Michael [Crabtree]…

October 30, 2012
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Vernon Davis on disappearing from 49ers passing offense: “It’s tough to deal with.”

SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke at his locker Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about his disappearance from the 49ers passing offense. Q: Could we talk? VERNON DAVIS: Let’s talk about how we can get me involved (laughs). No, I’m just messing with you. Q: You had just two catches yesterday, but to see other guys in the passing game pick up the slack, does that make it easier…

October 30, 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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Harbaugh responds to Carroll’s claim that 49ers receivers were “overwhelmed” by Seahawks

On Friday, Jim Harbaugh was asked about the Seattle Seahawks cornerbacks “locking up” the 49ers wide receiver with physical play Thursday night. Harbaugh answered by suggesting the cornerbacks – Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner – were holding the Niners receivers. Here’s exactly what Harbaugh said: “I wouldn’t use the words ‘locked up.’ There’s another word I would use. But, we’ll take that up with the officials in New York, and…

October 22, 2012
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