Grant picks Ravens

I’ve watched the 49ers up close since training camp 2011. I know how dominant they can be. When they’re at their best, they can blow out any team in the NFL. But I don’t think they’re at their best right now, and I think they’re going to lose to the Ravens 20-17. Yes, the 49ers’ offense is hot. Colin Kaepernick is averaging 9.4 yards per passing attempt over the last…

February 1, 2013
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Super Bowl MVP odds: Kaepernick 7-4, Flacco 11-4, Alex Smith 100-1

These are the current Super Bowl MVP odds, according to Bet Firms: Colin Kaepernick: 7-4. Joe Flacco: 11-4. Frank Gore: 7-1. Ray Lewis: 7-1. Ray Rice: 10-1. Michael Crabtree: 14-1. Anquan Boldin: 16-1. Vernon Davis: 18-1. Torrey Smith: 20-1. Ed Reed: 33-1. Aldon Smith: 40-1. Dennis Pitta: 40-1. Randy Moss: 40-1. Patrick Willis: 50-1. Terrell Suggs: 50-1. Bernard Pollard: 66-1. Dashon Goldson: 66-1. David Akers: 66-1. LaMichael James: 66-1. NaVorro…

January 31, 2013
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Ray Rice vs. Frank Gore

A lot of the Super Bowl is going to happen on the ground. So which team has the better running attack? Let’s compare. Ray Rice: 26 years old, 5-8, 212 pounds, 4.42 40-yard dash. Career rushing average: 4.5 yards per carry. 2012 regular season stats: 257 rushes, 1,143 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 10 TDs, 61 receptions, 478 receiving yards. 2.36 yards after contact per attempt (rushing or receiving),…

January 26, 2013
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Whitner: “Miscommunication is why we had difficulties in the first half last week.”

SANTA CLARA – Donte Whitner spoke in the locker room Thursday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: You said Joe Flacco has made improvement. Can you put a time stamp on that? Did you see a change when Jim Caldwell was made the offensive coordinator, or just during these past playoff games? WHITNER: I don’t know if you can say that, but I know since they changed offensive coordinators…

January 24, 2013
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Justin Smith on the Ravens’ offense: “The main reason they can chuck it deep is they run the ball successfully.”

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Are you excited about the HarBowl? JUSTIN SMITH: No, not really. I don’t even know John Harbaugh. Just from playing against him, he’s on the other sideline. But that’s for them. They’re probably focused on it, it’s an awesome deal for their family but, you know, we’re concentrating here on bringing home a championship….

January 23, 2013
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Cosell: “Ray Lewis is going to struggle against this offense.”

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR on Monday and Tuesday. Here’s what he said about the 49ers’ Super Bowl matchup against the Ravens. Q: How much more difficult will it be for the 49ers’ offense to do what they want to do against the Ravens’ defense? COSELL: Ray Lewis is going to struggle against this offense, because they’re going to make him have to run. I don’t think he’s at the…

January 23, 2013
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Top five NFL running backs

While we’re waiting for next week’s Mini-Camp to arrive, let’s play a game. Who are the top-five running backs in the NFL? I’ll play the game first, and then you go. Arian Foster – Houston Texans: Led the NFL in yards from scrimmage the last two seasons with 4,072. Foster also seemed unstoppable in last season’s playoffs. He rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Wild Card game…

June 9, 2012
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Greg Cosell breaks down the Ravens and Alex Smith

Here’s the transcript of NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell’s interview from this morning on KNBR’s The Murph and Mac show. Q: Do the Harbaugh brothers coach in similar ways? Do their teams show similar tendencies? COSELL: There’s a toughness, a physical and mental toughness that is instilled in both teams, and that comes from the brothers. That would be the similarity. I think the difference is John Harbaugh is not…

November 23, 2011
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Frank Gore on Ray Rice: “He good. I love his style.”

SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Frank Gore said at his locker this afternoon. Q: Is the short week going to be a little bit of a test for you? GORE: Coach is doing a great job with us. I feel that a short week for everybody it’s kind of tough. You’ve got to be smart. Q: How much game plan have they been able to put in? GORE: They’re doing…

November 22, 2011
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Ray Rice breaks down the Niners defense

Here’s the transcript of Ray Rice’s Monday morning conference call. Q: The 49ers haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher or a rushing touchdown this season. What are your thoughts on facing them? RICE: You look at the other side of the ball and you look at what’s going on over there and it kind of reminds us of our own defense. They take a lot of pride in not only stopping the run,…

November 21, 2011
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