Many of my readers have been comparing and contrasting the 49ers and Seahawks this week, so I thought it would be interesting to break down the two clubs by offensive, defensive and special teams units. In other words, at this point in free agency which team has the better starting QB? Which team has the better backup QB? Which team has the better group of running backs? And so on….
I like the Anquan Boldin trade for the 49ers. It’s a steep price to pay for his salary – $6 million in 2013 – but cheap in terms of draft picks – just a sixth rounder. Yes, the 49ers virtually had nothing at wide receiver other than Michael Crabtree, and no guarantees that any of the also-rans and maybes at WR on the current roster could step in and contribute…
The 49ers lost the Super Bowl 34-31 on Sunday. Here are the grades for the offense. Offensive line: A-. This group struggled in the first half when Haloti Ngata was healthy. They couldn’t open up any holes for Frank Gore, who had 11 carries for just 29 yards. And Anthony Davis gave up a sack on third and goal from the eight yard line. But the 49ers’ O-line dominated in…
This is my Saturday article on the gradual construction of the 49ers’ roster. By GRANT COHN After the 2004 season, the 49ers were the worst team in football. They had practically no talent, they had won two games, and they had one Pro Bowler, long snapper, Brian Jennings. This season, the 49ers are going to the Super Bowl and they have arguably the most talented roster in the NFL. Nine…
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…
I learned something about 49ers safety Donte Whitner today that many of you probably knew already. He has a tattoo on his right forearm that reads “Thank God for Ginn.”
SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Any complaints? “New haircut there, [Bay Area News Group beat writer] Cam [Inman]?” I got it in Atlanta. I like to go to barbershops on the road. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don’t. “High and tight, looks good.” What resonated with you from your chat with John Madden on KCBS…
SANTA CLARA — Greg Roman spoke at the media tent Thursday afternoon. This is what he said about Vernon Davis. Q: You went to Vernon Davis quite a bit more last week than you had in a while. How much of that was the game plan, and how much of that was reacting to what the Falcons were doing? ROMAN: Everything we do in the passing game is reacting. Knock…
SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Wednesday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: Have offenses been double-teaming you more and more as the season has progressed? ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I’ve gotten doubled a lot more. Quarterbacks are doing a good job of getting the ball out of their hands. Stuff like that. Q: How do you deal with that? ALDON SMITH: It’s freeing somebody…
SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke in the locker room Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a story he told about a dinner he had with Colin Kaepernick a few months ago in Youngstown Ohio, after the loss to the Vikings. VERNON DAVIS: Colin, he wants to be successful. He wants to be great. I remember back when we were in Youngstown, Ohio. We went to a restaurant called LongHorn. And he sat…
Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR on Monday and Tuesday. Here’s what he said about the NFC Championship game. Q: How do you think Colin Kaepernick performed as a passer against the Falcons? COSELL: I thought he threw the ball exceptionally well. I thought he did a really good job of stepping up in the pocket, which younger quarterbacks – particularly ones that run – sometimes struggle to do because as…
This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. “Good to see everybody back. You guys made it back safe.” You made it back safe? “Yes.” And what was that trip like? “Happy flight. That was a happy flight.” Were you able to watch live television during the flight? “Oh yeah, yeah. Yeah, there were TV’s on the plane. Got to…
This is the opening to my Monday sidebar on Vernon Davis. ATLANTA — The Falcons wanted to stop Colin Kaepernick from running, and they accomplished that. Kaepernick rushed just two times for 21 yards. The Falcons wanted to stop Michael Crabtree from scoring, and they accomplished that, too. Crabtree caught six passes for 57 yards and no touchdowns; he fumbled at the goal line. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they forgot…
ATLANTA – The 49ers beat the Falcons 28-24. The 49ers are going to the Super Bowl. Here are the grades for the 49ers’ offense. Offensive line: A. Mike Iupati gave up a sack and was flagged for a holding penalty, but the other four offensive linemen played almost perfectly. Collectively, they helped the 49ers average 5.1 yards per rush. Running backs: A. Frank Gore got the 49ers’ offense going in…
SANTA CLARA – Delanie Walker spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: Is it going to be important to establish you and Vernon in the passing game against the Falcons? WALKER: Most definitely. Crab’s been doing that, so I’m pretty sure they’re going to have to stop Crab. And that’s going to give everybody opportunities to make plays. Q: You guys do a lot of…
On KNBR Tuesday afternoon, Trent Dilfer said Mike Nolan likes to take away an offense’s fast ball. What do you think Nolan will consider the 49ers’ fast ball? Do you think he’ll double team Vernon Davis or Michael Crabtree? Do you think Nolan will load the box with eight defenders, or do you think he’ll play a two-deep zone and attempt to stop Frank Gore with seven defenders? I’m curious…
SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers massacred the Packers 45-31 on Saturday night. Here is the grade for the 49ers offense. Offensive line: A. Joe Staley gave up the one and only sack. He injured his arm in the game and did not play particularly well. But the other four offensive linemen sure did. Mike Iupati, Alex Boone and Anthony Davis all were terrific run blockers. Jonathan Goodwin only had one…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers offense, courtesy of the 49ers. We don’t get to watch WR A.J. Jenkins in practice but can you describe how he’s done this year and I guess the progress he’s made through the course of the season? “Yeah, A.J. is making really good strides, week-to-week. He hasn’t…
Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Monday afternoon. He explained how the 49ers’ offense should attack the Packers’ defense. Here’s what Cosell said. Q: What do you see as the key matchups in this game? COSELL: We spoke about one, and that’s the ability to limit Rodgers when he gets outside the pocket. If he breaks down your defense that way and starts making explosive plays, you’re in trouble. I think…
SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ first round pick, A.J. Jenkins, did not catch a pass in the regular season. He was not a contributor. This afternoon, Jim Harbaugh was asked if Jenkins can contribute in the playoffs. Here’s what Harbaugh said. Q: Where is A.J. Jenkins in his development? Can he contribute in the playoffs? HARBAUGH: Do I think he can? Yes. Do we need him to? Yes. We need…
