49ers and their flexible code of conduct and punishment

This is my Friday column. Whatever they need, however they can justify it. On Aug. 31, 2014, 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. He was throwing a birthday party at his house and allegedly got in a fight with his pregnant fiancé. Police arrived at 2:48 a.m., found bruises on the woman’s arms and neck and arrested McDonald. He was never charged for the…

August 27, 2015
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Report: District Attorney charges 49ers OLB Ahmad Brooks with sexual battery

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks could face six months in jail after the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office charged him Wednesday afternoon with one misdemeanor count of sexual battery, according to the San Jose Mercury News. On December 15, 2014, Brooks attended a pool party at Ray McDonald’s house — Brooks’ teammate at the time. A woman allegedly fell and hit her head at the party, and she claims…

August 26, 2015
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Report: Ahmad Brooks accused of sexual assault

The woman who accused Ray McDonald of rape is suing Ahmad Brooks for sexual assault, according to TMZ. The woman claims Brooks “groped her person in a sexual manner” when she was unconscious at Ray McDonald’s house. McDonald currently is suing her for defamation. To read the full report from TMZ, click here. To read the full complain, click here.

May 6, 2015
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Report: Darnell Dockett signs $2-year, $7.5-million deal with 49ers

The 49ers just signed defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The deal is worth $7.5 million over two years with $2 million guaranteed according to Adam Schefter. This is an excellent signing. Darnell Dockett can rush the quarterback, and it’s not easy to find defensive tackles who can do that effectively. Better to sign Dockett than to spend a first-round pick on someone like defensive lineman…

March 5, 2015
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Jim Harbaugh: “I’m going to finish this until the end.”

Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. How’s the running back situation looking at this time? “[RB] Frank [Gore] practiced today. [RB] Alphonso Smith has had a good week. And we have a new back that has worked in very nicely. Anticipate him being ready for the game and contributing at running back and special teams.”   So, RB Phillip Tanner,…

December 18, 2014
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Trent Baalke: “We’re not going to rubber stamp this decision going forward in saying that every time a situation like this occurs, this is exactly how we’re going to act.”

This is the transcript of Trent Baalke’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. Opening comments: “Well, this is unexpected. Welcome, everybody. I just want to inform everybody that after the recent allegations concerning [DT] Ray McDonald, we as an organization have notified him and his agent that he will be terminated, released immediately, effective immediately. While this organization has a strong belief in due process, and has…

December 17, 2014
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Colin Kaepernick: “This is an organization. It’s a franchise. You want to have a high standard and we do around here.”

This is the transcript of Colin Kaepernick’s Wednesday interview, courtesy of the 49ers’ p.r. department. What’s your reaction to DT Ray McDonald being released? “Not a situation you want to hear about. Very unfortunate.”   General manager Trent Baalke just addressed the media and he said head coach Jim Harbaugh told the team. Can you tell us a little bit how that went, how he pulled everyone together to let…

December 17, 2014
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49ers 7, Seahawks 17: Grades

SEATTLE – Trent Baalke folded his arms and hung his head in shame. The 49ers’ season was over. The Niners and Seahawks were shaking hands at midfield and Baalke was staring at his desk in the press box. Bad look, Trent. Time to face the failure you created. KAEPERNICK: C. Played like Alex Smith. Didn’t turn the ball over – a first for Kaepernick against the Seahawks. Yes, he scored…

December 14, 2014
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Redskins 13, 49ers 17: Grades

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers defied the odds and beat the first-class Redskins 17-13 Sunday afternoon. Here are the Niners’ grades. KAEPERNICK: B. Unusually efficient. Completed 20-of-29 pass attempts (69 percent) for 256 yards (8.8 yards per attempt). Three of his nine incomplete passes were dropped. He threw a long, beautiful touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin on the first drive of the game, but he never came close to throw…

November 23, 2014
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Harbaugh: “The foot on the accelerator analogy, I’m not sure exactly what you’re saying there.”

SANTA CLARA — This is a transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. department. When Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy was inactive for the Panthers, did that cause you guys to reevaluate DT Ray McDonald’s situation at all whether he’d play or not? “No. We didn’t compare the two situations.” You talked last night about QB Colin Kaepernick making good throws. When you look back…

September 15, 2014
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49ers CEO’s comments hurting his own cause

This is my Wednesday column on Jed York. On second thought, Jed, don’t talk. Go ride a bike. Gardening is fine. There are so many things you can do. But, please, no more talking publicly. You’re making things worse with this Ray McDonald mess by making it all about you. You probably didn’t want to talk about the issue in the first place. I acknowledge that. You stayed silent for…

September 10, 2014
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Jed York says it’s just not who he is to punish someone before he goes through an entire legal process

Jed York was interviewed at Levi’s Stadium by Murph and Mac Tuesday morning. Here’s a transcript. MURPH: First of all, a formal, official, Murph-and-Mac, Levi’s-Stadium, KNBR-Levi’s-Stadium-studio welcome to the 49ers’ CEO who’s already having trouble with his head phones – poor Jed – Jed York, welcome to The Murph and Mac Show. YORK: It’s like the turf, I guess. I think the same people did the microphones. MURPH: Look at…

September 9, 2014
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Watch Steve Young explain why the 49ers should not have played Ray McDonald

Here’s what Steve Young said Monday about the way the 49ers have handled Ray McDonald. If you can’t view the video, here’s a transcript. YOUNG: “Fundamentally, if the league is going to have a no-tolerance policy for domestic abuse, if we’re going to be a global organization that’s going to have this as a perspective, we’ve got to back it up. We can’t be backed into it with a video…

September 8, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh on Ray McDonald: “I feel like the way the facts are and what’s known that he has the liberty to play in the game.

Jim Harbaugh was interviewed Friday afternoon. Here’s a transcript courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. Have there been any new discoveries from your standpoint with DT Ray McDonald? “Everybody’s weighed in on that. I know I have, the organization has, the Commissioner has.”   Will he be on the flight to Dallas? “Yes.”   And will he play? “Yes. As it stands now, yes.”   And what’s the reason behind…

September 5, 2014
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Jim Harbaugh says he has “answered as much as needs to be answered on the subject” of Ray McDonald

SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh was interviewed in the 49ers’ auditorium Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript, courtesy of the 49ers’ P.R. staff. Has a decision been made about whether DT Ray McDonald will play on Sunday? “No.”   For you, what goes into the decision for you? What would be the factors that would make you decide whether or not he can play? “Facts, information.”   And are you actively going…

September 3, 2014
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Daniel Kilgore: “Ray McDonald is a heck of a guy.”

SANTA CLARA — Daniel Kilgore was interviewed next to his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript. Q: What can you tell us about the Cowboys’ defensive line? KILGORE: They’re fast. They’re pretty quick. Good defensive front. Q: What’s the biggest thing you think you’ve conquered this offseason? KILGORE: Becoming more comfortable day in and day out with practice. The more experience, the more comfortable you get. I’m excited. First career…

September 3, 2014
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49ers have moral obligation to bench McDonald during investigation

Here is my Tuesday column. SANTA CLARA — Give the 49ers credit for handling Ray McDonald correctly for the most part. McDonald spent the night in jail after he allegedly hit his pregnant fiancé around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. On Tuesday, the San Jose Police Chief released a statement saying McDonald’s pregnant fiancé “had visible injuries.” This is all we know so far. The 49ers could have canned McDonald as…

September 2, 2014
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