Official 49ers news thread

[nebs]

I'd like to see Vernon Davis start getting more throws his way. He had two thrown his way yesterday, one he caught and looked great fighting for the 1st and the other he dropped, which was a fairly routine pass. (which he had done a few times before he was injured) I think he starts thinkging about running before catching. He's a rook though.

 

[Jechtsphere]

Who knows where he would be if he never got hurt, he has catching up to do.

Hopefully he'll start showing signs of why we drafted him by getting some catches without dropping them.

 

[VF21]

Bee: 49ers leave opening for worn-out Rams

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/83573.html

49ers leave opening for worn-out Rams
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:16 am PST Monday, November 27, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

ST. LOUIS-The 49ers' ground attack was so dominant late in the second half of Sunday's 20-17 loss to St. Louis that Rams fans sensed the contest was over.

After gaining 11 yards on a fourth-quarter run, running back Frank Gore bowled over weary Rams tacklers for another 18 yards on his next carry, drawing a chorus of boos from the crowd at the Edward Jones Dome. Left tackle Jonas Jennings hugged guard Larry Allen as if the team had just won the Super Bowl, and it seemed almost a foregone conclusion the 49ers, already ahead by one point, would grind out another touchdown and hang on for their fourth victory in a row.

Seven plays later, however, the 49ers gave the Rams' reeling defense a break by calling timeout on third and one from the Rams' 7. There was some confusion about the play call, coach Mike Nolan explained afterward, but mostly he wanted to give his offensive linemen a rest.

"It took Larry (Allen) a long time to get up," he said. "We had some guys gassed, and that was the biggest reason."

The offensive line recovered after the respite, but so did the Rams' defense, which held Michael Robinson an inch short of the first down when play resumed. Nolan opted for a 24-yard field goal on fourth and one, putting the 49ers ahead by four points with 3:54 remaining.

The St. Louis offense, which to that point had been held scoreless in the second half, made the most of its opportunity.

Quarterback Marc Bulger went 9 for 9 on the ensuing 80-yard drive, including a five-yard scoring strike to receiver Kevin Curtis with 27 seconds left for the winning score.

The 49ers made several mistakes on the drive, including a missed tackle by linebacker Jeff Ulbrich on a third-and-14 play and a delay-of-game penalty on rookie cornerback Marcus Hudson that stopped the clock with 29 seconds left and placed the ball at the San Francisco 5.

But afterward, players on both teams said the 49ers' failed third-and-one play during the previous series was the decisive moment.

"Nobody likes to be run on like we were running on them," right guard Justin Smiley said. "That timeout gave them a little breath, and that always hurts."

Said Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon: "When you hold a team to three (points) instead of seven, that's the difference in the game every time."

The loss damages the 49ers' (5-6) playoff hopes and drops them into a tie with St. Louis (5-6) for second place in the NFC West.

The game also left San Francisco's best player limping out of the locker room to board the team bus.

Gore rushed for 134 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He injured his right ankle, however, on the team's final scoring drive and was watching from the sideline on the crucial third-down play.

X-rays taken after the game were inconclusive, and Gore will have more tests today.

"I'm all right." Gore said. "I really don't want to talk about it right now."

The second-year running back entered the game second in the league in rushing yards and outdueled the Rams' Steven Jackson on Sunday. Jackson rushed for 103 yards as the Rams took a 13-7 lead into halftime but was held to 18 second-half yards.

The 49ers, meanwhile, never abandoned their game plan, and for the first time all season came out of a loss thinking they should have won.

"It's a little different feeling," quarterback Alex Smith said. "I wish there were three more minutes on the clock, because we would have gone out there and won it. I don't remember ever thinking that after a loss."

Report card

C: OFFENSE

Frank Gore gains more than 100 yards again, but the 49ers fail to pick up a single yard when they need it.

C-: DEFENSE

Run defense stiffens in the second half, but the 49ers allow Marc Bulger to go 9 for 9 on the winning drive.

B: SPECIAL TEAMS

Arnaz Battle's punt-return fumble turns out to be critical; punter Andy Lee has another solid effort.

C: OVERALL

The 49ers' postseason hopes take a wallop in a game the team should have won. Next week's game in New Orleans is crucial.

About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.

 

[Variant]

I'd like to see Vernon Davis start getting more throws his way. He had two thrown his way yesterday, one he caught and looked great fighting for the 1st and the other he dropped, which was a fairly routine pass. (which he had done a few times before he was injured) I think he starts thinkging about running before catching. He's a rook though.

As long as we're "learning" as a team, and going through these ups and down (ie: not expecting to make the playoffs), we may as well start trying to push the pass game a little more. Alex has grown a lot, but clearly he isn't the guy to lead a 4th quarter comeback yet. Our offense is so completely one-sided it's not even funny.

I say we can take a lot of positives from a game like this one... questionable call or not, the defense HAS to be able to make a stop on a 90 yard drive like that if this team ever wants to be considered a contender. In light of the fact that this team isn't going anywhere in the playoffs even if it makes it, we may as well focus on the other things that need to be worked on...

Too bad the refs botched the replay on that obvious fumble though. Would make this whole discussion moot.

 

[SLAB]

Here's a little something I whipped up in my anger at Nolan yesterday.

I figured I'd share and attempt to get a laugh out of a bad situation.

 

[nebs]

Here's a little something I whipped up in my anger at Nolan yesterday.

I figured I'd share and attempt to get a laugh out of a bad situation.

That's priceless. Good one, SLAB.

 

[VF21]

Hmmm. Maybe you have to be male to think it's funny.



Sorry, SLAB, but most women I know who follow football would have gone for the TD and not kicked a field goal. And I defy you to say I would play not to lose instead of to win... This idea that the best way to insult a man is to call him a woman is about as outmoded as the idea that women cannot vote.

---------------------------------------------------

The game also left San Francisco's best player limping out of the locker room to board the team bus.

Gore rushed for 134 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He injured his right ankle, however, on the team's final scoring drive and was watching from the sideline on the crucial third-down play.

X-rays taken after the game were inconclusive, and Gore will have more tests today.

"I'm all right." Gore said. "I really don't want to talk about it right now."

That scares me. Without Gore, our whole offense would be up you-know-what creek without a paddle ... and a big leak in the bottom of the boat.

 

[supamari0]

The 49ers should listen to Herm Edwards. He always has the answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMk5sMHj58I

 

[VF21]

Bee: Nolan says it was right call

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/83951.html

Nolan: Call was right
The 49ers' coach insists that not going for it on fourth down was the way to go.
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1

SANTA CLARA-What 49ers fans were calling gutless Monday morning, coach Mike Nolan called a "no-brainer."

Facing fourth and inches deep in Rams territory, Nolan opted for a short field goal that gave the 49ers a four-point cushion with a little less than four minutes remaining. That lead, however, proved short-lived when St. Louis marched 80 yards for the winning touchdown on its next possession.

Shouldn't the 49ers -- who had rushed for 171 yards to that point -- have tried for a first down at the St. Louis 7 instead of kicking a field goal?

No, a confident Nolan said.

"To me it was the right choice then and it's the right choice now," he said, then ticked off several reasons.

For one, he said, the 49ers' defense was playing well and had held the Rams without a score in the second half. He also thought failing on the fourth-and-one conversion and relying on a one-point lead was too risky, especially since Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins earlier in the game had booted a 51-yard field goal.

And with 3:54 remaining after the field goal, he felt the 49ers' offense would get one more meaningful opportunity even if the Rams scored.

"Taking all the situations and circumstances into consideration -- to me, it's a no-brainer," Nolan said. "It's the right thing to do. I don't have any questions about that."

The coach is, however, second-guessing his short-yardage personnel.

Nolan's controversial fourth-down call would have been moot if the 49ers had converted on third and one the play before. Instead Michael Robinson was stopped shy of the first down, something the rookie took responsibility for Monday.

"That's all me -- I should have gotten that," Robinson said. "My job is the goal-line back. I've got to get it."

Since being named the 49ers' short-yardage running back before the Week Four game in Kansas City, Robinson has struggled in the role. In the past eight games, he has been successful on just one of five third-and-one carries and was held for no gain on his only fourth-and-one attempt.

Nolan was careful to say he had confidence in the 220-pound rookie and that he was certain Robinson would become a valuable contributor. But he also noted that Robinson played quarterback last year at Penn State and intimated it might be time to give the job back to Frank Gore, who ran for 134 yards against the Rams.

"This is his first year playing running back full time and it is in the NFL," Nolan said of Robinson. "Those (short-yardage carries) are critical moments in the game and we have to make the best decisions at those times."

Robinson originally got the job because he is bigger than Gore and because Gore had trouble with fumbling in short-yardage situations early in the season. He had a fumble in each of the 49ers' first four games, including twice on the goal line.

Gore has had two fumbles in the seven games since -- against Chicago and Seattle -- and Nolan said he would reconsider whether he has become careful enough to be trusted with the most crucial carries.

About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.

 

[VF21]

Bee: Gore feeling little sore, nothing more

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/83950.html

Gore feeling a little sore, nothing more
By Jim Jenkins - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:21 am PST Tuesday, November 28, 2006

SANTA CLARA-There was a collective sigh of relief at 49ers headquarters Monday with the news that the leg injury running back Frank Gore sustained in Sunday's 20-17 loss at St. Louis was not serious.

Gore, who left the game in the closing minutes, had X-rays taken at the stadium of his lower right leg. They turned out to be negative. A subsequent exam Monday disclosed nothing more than bruises above the ankle and below the shin.

"I'll be ready," Gore said of his status for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

Earlier, coach Mike Nolan recalled that Gore complained of soreness on the flight home. Asked about it Monday, the NFL's second-leading rusher said, "I'm sore right now."

The team has today off before resuming practice Wednesday.

The 49ers also said linebacker Jeff Ulbrich had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He was injured a week earlier but is not expected to miss any playing time.

Decision time -- It was unclear from Nolan's day-after comments who will field punts for the 49ers in New Orleans.

Usual return man Brandon Williams was inactive at St. Louis because Nolan was unsatisfied by what he saw from him in practice.

Starting receiver Arnaz Battle, despite playing with a wrap on a fractured left hand, was given the job over Williams but fumbled a second-quarter return, setting up a 36-yard touchdown run by Steven Jackson.

Williams said he was uncertain if he'll return punts against the Saints. "I guess I'll find out Wednesday," he said.

Piling on -- After a film review, Nolan decided rookie cornerback Marcus Hudson was correctly flagged for delay of game when he took his time getting off Jackson on a run to the 49ers' 9-yard line with less than 30 seconds to go. The Rams had no timeouts, but the penalty stopped the clock with 29 seconds to go and St. Louis scored the winning touchdown on the next play.

Hudson complained he was trapped in the pileup, but Nolan said: "There were bodies lying around, but he could have gotten up."

About the writer: The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.

 

[BawLa]

http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=2596&section=PR News

Starkey's Top Ten: 49ers @ Falcons 1990

print​

Joe Starkey

Greatest Moments as a 49ers Broadcaster

This is the sixth of 10 passages written by the Voice of the 49ers, Joe Starkey, that reflect back at his most memorable moments calling plays.

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons, October 14, 1990

Watching a player when they are in the zone is one of the most beautiful things in sports to witness. When a basketball player says and believes they think the basket is the size of the ocean when they shoot or a batter describes the baseball as the size of a melon when they are on a hitting streak, it’s an amazing sight to behold.
I had the great fortune to see and describe two players in that zone when Joe Montana and Jerry Rice had one of the most historic games of “pitch and catch” in team history on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.
San Francisco had definite question marks entering the contest, especially with running back Roger Craig missing time due to torn knee ligaments. Craig vigorously pleaded with the coaches to let him play, but to no avail. The game ended Craig’s iron man streak of 114 consecutive contests played.
From the opening play, it was obvious the game would be a shootout. 49ers defensive end Kevin Fagan forced Atlanta running back Steve Broussard to fumble on the game’s first play and linebacker Keith DeLong recovered on the Falcons 27. One play later, Montana beat a blitz and hooked up with Rice for their first touchdown of the game only 57 seconds into the contest.
Atlanta rebounded quickly on their second offensive play when Chris Miller hit Andre Rison on a 75-yard scoring strike to tie the score at 7-7.
In another wacky play, San Francisco jumped to a 14-7 lead when Montana found Rice for a 25-yard pass in the first quarter. The touchdown was a result of an Atlanta blocked punt. That’s right; the Falcons blocked a punt that was initially recovered by Darion Cooper, but was kicked out his hands by 49ers tight end Brent Jones. It was eventually recovered by 49ers cornerback Darryl Pollard. Atlanta Head Coach Jerry Glanville protested vehemently, but the play stood. An unsportsmanlike conduct call against Atlanta’s Houston Hoover put the 49ers on Atlanta’s 25 where Montana hit Rice on a post pattern across the middle of the field for the aforementioned score.
Atlanta’s special teams unit then blocked a 49ers punt in the second quarter, this time returning the punt 62 yards to tie the score at 14. However, San Francisco turned up the offense with 17 second-quarter points when Montana found Mike Sherrard for a 43-yard touchdown pass and Rice on a 19-yard scoring strike. Kicker Mike Cofer also set a 49ers record with a 56-yard field goal in the second frame.
San Francisco kept the pressure on in the second half when Montana again found his favorite target, Rice, for a 13-yard score in the third quarter to push the lead to 38-21. In the fourth quarter, the quarterback found Rice again in the end zone on a 15-yard hookup to widen the margin to 45-21. Montana said he thought it was the best he had seen the receiver play to date.
Atlanta tacked on the final 14 points of the game, but it wasn’t enough to uproot the San Francisco victory. The Falcons last seven was a 13-yard touchdown catch by Rison, who had himself a ballgame, finishing with 172 yards on nine catches.
However, the unquestioned stars of the game were the Hall of Fame quarterback and future Hall of Fame wide receiver. Montana finished the day with six touchdown passes, a 49ers record for a single game, while completing 32 of 49 passes for 476 yards, another team standard. The six touchdowns were one short of the NFL record. Rice primarily torched Falcons cornerback Charles Dimry for 13 caches for 225 yards and a team record five touchdowns.
In fact, the 49ers offense was so confident in the ability to handle the Falcons multiple blitz schemes, that Montana actually called audibles to put the unit in position so Atlanta would blitz. The Falcons’ blitzes turned out fortuitous for San Francisco as the team finished with 492 yards of total offense on the day.
It all added up to San Francisco’s fifth straight win of the season and 13th straight on the road.
However, sometimes actions on the field are not the only story. Wayne Walker, my broadcast partner at the time and I temporarily stopped calling the game in the fourth quarter when our producer Bob Texiera collapsed in the booth. I looked over and he stopped breathing. We immediately stopped what we were doing to try and revive him. He had an asthmatic attack and he was rushed to an Atlanta hospital where we later found him laughing, joking and in good spirits.
The 49ers were also in high spirits on the plane ride home from one of the most impressive offensive displays I have ever had the privilege to announce in NFL history.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Thought I would share some great memories with everyone.

Imagine what kind of fantasy numbers Montana and Rice put up. OMG!!!

 

[KINGSFAN-FROM-L.A.]

by far the hardest loss to swallow in the past 4 years

 

[nebs]

Well that sucked.

49ers started the second half like they meant it with a bomb TD and a successful onside kick.. only to throw a pick and have it returned to the 5 on the next play. It was over right then.

Why we abandoned the run I don't know and Vernon Davis didn't do much catch wise. Alex Smith has slightly regressed in my mind and WTH is with Antonio Bryant and his exposing butt crack all the time!

 

[SLAB]

Ugh...

We still suck...

I really do not see why we don't exploit VD...The guy has all the makings of a beast, yet he is targeted sparingly.

Use VD to set up those deep routes to Bryant and Battle, and they would be much more successful because eventually the other team would have to cheat in a bit.

And our defense.......Still sucks.

Lame 3 game win streak did nothing but drop us down the draft board, dammit!

 

[nebs]

Ugh...

We still suck...

I really do not see why we don't exploit VD...The guy has all the makings of a beast, yet he is targeted sparingly.

Use VD to set up those deep routes to Bryant and Battle, and they would be much more successful because eventually the other team would have to cheat in a bit.

And our defense.......Still sucks.

Lame 3 game win streak did nothing but drop us down the draft board, dammit!

I think our defense has stepped up quite a bit lately. I mean we were borderline the worst D ever for a year and a half there. We do need players though but our offense has been the one letting us down the last little while.

And now for a more serious issue... heh.. why do we see this crack every week!??

 

[StevenHW]

The last time I saw a "crack" like that was when I called a plumber to install my garbage disposal!

 

[LilMissDiva]

...anyway - The Forty-Niners will win next week.

 

[PixelPusher]

^is pullin down a reciever's britches while the ball is in the air considered pass interference?

 

[SLAB]

Alex.

Smith.

Sucks.

Why did we get the number one pick in the weakest draft in recent NFL history...

One year earlier we could have had Manning/Rivers/Roethlisberger one year later we could have gotten Leinart/Young/Cutler, but we got stuck with Alex F'n Smith.

/semi-rant.

 

[nebs]

Alex.

Smith.

Sucks.

Why did we get the number one pick in the weakest draft in recent NFL history...

One year earlier we could have had Manning/Rivers/Roethlisberger one year later we could have gotten Leinart/Young/Cutler, but we got stuck with Alex F'n Smith.

/semi-rant.

I feel ya right now. I just don't have that bright future feeling about him. Like a Cutler or Vince Young right now. Matter of fact, I missed Vernons TD (I'm also a Broncos fan) because I switched to watch Cutler and the Broncos get destoyed in SD.

 

[VF21]

Ah, the joys of another sub-par QB. Just brings back warm and fuzzy memories of Jeff Garcia.




















/insert vomit emoticon here

 

[SLAB]

Ah, the joys of another sub-par QB. Just brings back warm and fuzzy memories of Jeff Garcia.

Jeff Garcia was a 3-time Pro Bowler, so I would say he was little better than "sub-par."

I'd be estatic if Alex could play near the level of Garcia at this point in his career.

 

[VF21]

Jeff Garcia was a 3-time Pro Bowler, so I would say he was little better than "sub-par."

I'd be estatic if Alex could play near the level of Garcia at this point in his career.

And how many rings does he have?

Sorry, SLAB, but Jeff Garcia did not do this team any good.

 

[PixelPusher]

I'm not ready to throw Alex Smith under the bus yet...it's not like he's the only young QB in this league who's had crappy games; Matt Leinhart, Eli Manning...Tony Romo had one tonight against the Saints.

 

[VF21]

I'm not ready to throw Alex Smith under the bus yet...it's not like he's the only young QB in this league who's had crappy games; Matt Leinhart, Eli Manning...Tony Romo had one tonight against the Saints.

I just don't see the hunger, the drive, or the creativeness from Smith that I saw right from the beginning with Montana and Young. It might be a lack of confidence; it might be a lot of things. It might be a Catch-22 situation.

Whatever it is, I do not believe Alex Smith will ever be among the elite of NBA quarterbacks.

I would love to be wrong, of course, because I do love the 49ers.

 

[SLAB]

And how many rings does he have?

Sorry, SLAB, but Jeff Garcia did not do this team any good.

Ouch...That's harsh.

Garcia as a Niner...
1999: 2544yds, 11TD, 11INT

2000: 4278yds, 31TD, 10INT

2001: 3538yds, 32TD, 12INT

2002: 3344yds, 21TD, 10INT

2003: 2704yds, 18TD, 13INT

Im not saying he was a great, but you cannot argue that you would not be estatic if Alex Smith could put anything close to those numbers up.

 

[hoopsfan]

The only time I actually want you guys to win...and you let me down. Damn Packers.

 

[VF21]

Ouch...That's harsh.

Garcia as a Niner...
1999: 2544yds, 11TD, 11INT

2000: 4278yds, 31TD, 10INT

2001: 3538yds, 32TD, 12INT

2002: 3344yds, 21TD, 10INT

2003: 2704yds, 18TD, 13INT

Im not saying he was a great, but you cannot argue that you would not be estatic if Alex Smith could put anything close to those numbers up.

It's not just about the numbers. It's an intangible something - Garcia never had it. He wasn't a leader of the team. He was merely the QB. It may be a difference I cannot define, but I know what it is when I see it.

 

[uolj]

And how many rings does he have?

Sorry, SLAB, but Jeff Garcia did not do this team any good.

Rings? More than Donovan McNabb and Dan Marino, both subpar QBs as well, right? (He won the MVP of the CFL championship game, so that's what I mean by "more", in case you were wondering).

Garcia did well with the 49ers. Definitely not subpar. He wasn't the prototypical super QB, but what he did do, as well or maybe even better than Young, was pull out tough wins in the fourth quarter. It might not have been pretty, but Garcia in his best years with San Francisco made them better.

As for Smith, I'm not sure. I don't expect him to be a Hall of Famer, but I do think it is possible for him to be a legitimate starting quarterback for a while in the NFL. And from what I've seen so far, in a couple of years he'll be as capable of taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl as guys like Delhomme, Roethlisberger, Dilfer, and maybe even Hasselback were.

 

[tubiscus]

Garcia did well with the 49ers. Definitely not subpar. He wasn't the prototypical super QB, but what he did do, as well or maybe even better than Young, was pull out tough wins in the fourth quarter. It might not have been pretty, but Garcia in his best years with San Francisco made them better.

I agree. Garcia did more with his probably average talent than most. He also did it with less talent surrounding him. Joe and Steve had much more talent on their teams. That said, I never saw the Niners as a Super Bowl team during the Garcia years. I think we should all now realize how truly blessed the Niners were from 81-99.

A little off topic, but yesterday I was really pissed to see that half the crowd at Candlestick were sporting Packer Colors!!!!! It was worse than the Dallas game last year! Can you imagine sitting in ARCO and hearing the LAKERS being cheered louder than the KINGS!! If my son wasnt next to me I'd have been praying for a Terrorist Act to put the Niners (and all those Packers fans) out of our misery!!