Here is my Friday column about what we learned in the 49ers’ first preseason game. It’s almost impossible to evaluate the 49ers’ starters after their first preseason game. We don’t know how much the 49ers game planned for the Broncos – probably not very much. And the starters played just one series. Frank Gore and Justin Smith did not play at all. That should change next week. Gore should get…
SANTA CLARA – The 49ers play the Denver Broncos today in their third preseason game. As you already know, the third preseason game is typically the most serious preseason game, the “dress rehearsal” before the regular season – starters play into the second half and coaches game plan for the opponent. But Jim Harbaugh said this preseason game would be no different than the other Niners preseason games. He doesn’t…
SANTA CLARA – Here is the full transcript of Greg Roman’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Opening Statement: “Good morning. Grinding through training camp right now. It’s a great opportunity for us to look at guys and how they deal with the day in and day out, week after week. So much of the NFL season is how consistent guys can be day-to-day, week-to-week. So many players over…
Due to popular demand (one person on Twitter), we present the inaugural Inside the 49ers mailbag. If your question doesn’t appear below, it could appear in Mailbag No. 2:
The thought has crossed my mind that plenty of NFL players might not be too broken up about missing minicamps if there is an extended lockout. Perhaps. But Niners tight end Vernon Davis, among others, has some serious incentive to get back on the field.
Kaepernick acknowledged that he’s trying to shorten his delivery – his long windup is one reason he’s earned the project label. But, with a 79 ½-inch wing span, he said there’s only so much shortening he can do.
“This is part of why when you ask about his size, there’s no really no issue. Some guys play stronger and some guys that are big don’t play as strong. This guy plays with a great deal of explosion and a great deal of strength.”
For his part, Watson ticked off a variety of attributes – acceleration, technique and a “great motor” – but he kept coming back to Miller’s hands. At 237 pounds, Miller isn’t huge, but Watson made it sound like he could crush skulls with his meat hooks.
Von Miller, by many accounts, has been the star of the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala. And the Butkus Award winner figures to be moving up draft boards as a result. The 49ers, in desperate need of a pass-rushing outside linebacker for their 3-4 defense, surely have Miller among the candidates to select with the No. 7 overall pick, if he’s available.
San Francisco hasn’t had a player record more than 8.5 sacks in a season since 2002 when Andre Carter had 12.5. In addition, Parys Haralson is the only San Francisco linebacker to rank higher than 29th in the NFL in sacks in the past eight seasons.
