O'Sullivan named starting QB

Friday, August 22, 2008

After looking poised and in charge going 7 of 8 for 126 yards and a touchdown for a perfect 158.3 QB rating in Chicago last night following a solid preseason and offseason, the 49ers have anointed journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan as the starting quarterback. O'Sullivan, the UC Davis alum, was brought in by new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who believed that he had the potential to be a good starting quarterback in the league despite being tossed around from third string job to third string job amongst 8 teams as well as two stints in NFL Europe where he led the Frankfurt Galaxy to the World Bowl in 2004.

This could spell the potential beginning of the end of the awful Alex Smith era in SF. Smith went a paltry 6 for 17 for 83 yards and a touchdown, looking unimpressive - indecisive and badly inaccurate in the majority of his snaps and might still potentially be cut at the end of preseason if the 49ers feel like saving nearly $20 million in cap space over the next two years. With Shaun Hill proving that he is capable of being a decent backup and step in without too much of a hitch last year, Smith has definitely been shown to be dispensable although his so-called "upside" will likely keep him around for one more season.

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49ers v Packers: Rodgers comes home

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

After taking over the starting job replacing the legendary Brett Favre, former Cal Bear Aaron Rodgers now comes home to another controversial story - a start versus the team that shunned him in 2005 for the Alex Smith, who so far in his career has looked like a bust. Should be a fun atmosphere as so much of the 49ers fanbase was split in favor of one of these quarterbacks during the draft and till this day both sides still believe they were right. So far the Rodgers contingent has won out, as Smith has looked like a potential huge bust from day one while Rodgers has looked very good almost every time he has gotten playing time and now has the starting job to himself in Packerland.

The preseason game will be played at the Stick on Saturday, August 16 at 6pm (and later aired nationally on NFL Network on Sunday at 1pm).

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Brandon Moore released, Spikes signed

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The 49ers released Brandon Moore today in a very questionable move. Moore led the team in tackles and sacks in 2006 and seemed on pace to be a star in 2007. Mike Nolan benched Moore for mediocre linebacker Derek Smith last preseason (who has also since been released). There have been questions about whether there was a personal conflict between Nolan and Moore behind the scenes, and Moore certainly was disgruntled all of last season. Nolan has a reputation of playing favorites with the players and not putting the best players on the field as a result, and the Moore-Smith situation last year was a perfect example of it.

Now Moore is out and Takeo Spikes visited and has signed a one year deal.

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49ers waive Oliver

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The 49ers waived DE Melvin Oliver today. The former LSU Tiger was a 6th round draft pick played quite well in 14 starts as a rookie but sat out of 2007 with a torn ACL. With the defense pushing to move to a full-time 3-4 scheme, the 279 lb Oliver's importance to the team dwindled.

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Ezra Butler arrested, waived

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The 49ers waived undrafted rookie linebacker Ezra Butler (Nevada) after he was arrested Saturday for DUI and marijuana possession. He was projected to go as high as the third round but went undrafted partially due to his previous suspension for marijuana. Butler was expected to compete for both weakside OLB and strongside ILB spots, but this arrest may lead to a possible one or two game suspension due to strict NFL policy on banned substances if he's picked up by another team.

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Niners visit with Trotter

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The 49ers visited with vet linebacker Jeremiah Trotter the other day but did not sign him. The 31 year old was with the Buccaneers last season and started one game after a mediocre 2006 season with the Eagles, his age starting to show and a significant loss of speed.









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NFL Draft

Saturday, April 26, 2008

49ers Draft Tracker

Round 1, #29 (29 overall) (from IND) - Kentwan Balmer, DE/DT, North Carolina





Round 2, #8 (39) - Chilo Rachal, G, USC
Round 3, #12 (75) (from CHI) - Reggie Smith, CB/S, Oklahoma
Round 4, #8 (107) - Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M
Round 6, #8 (174) - Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
Round 7, #7 (214) - Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State



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Baas tears pec muscle; Strickland arrested

Thursday, April 24, 2008

49ers.com reports that starting right guard Dave Baas tore his pectoral muscle during workouts. He is expected to miss most of the summer and part of training camp.

The Mercury News reports that Donald Strickland was arrested on April 13 for public intoxication and resisting arrest in downtown San Jose. Strickland allegedly ran away from officers trying to arrest him for being drunk in public. Expect the league to suspend him around one to four games after things are sorted out.

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49ers regular season schedule released

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Sept. 7 Arizona Cardinals 1:15PM PST (FOX)
Sept. 14 @ Seattle Seahawks 1:05PM (FOX)
Sept. 21 Detroit Lions 1:05PM (FOX)
Sept. 28 @ New Orleans Saints 10AM (FOX)
Oct. 5 New England Patriots 1:15PM (CBS)
Oct. 12 Philadelphia Eagles 1:15PM (FOX)
Oct. 19 @ New York Giants 10AM (FOX)
Oct. 26 Seattle Seahawks 1:15PM (FOX)
Nov. 2 BYE
Nov. 10 @ Arizona Cardinals 5:30PM (ESPN)
Nov. 16 St. Louis Rams 1:05PM (FOX)
Nov. 23 @ Dallas Cowboys 10AM (FOX)
Nov. 30 @ Buffalo Bills 10AM (FOX)
Dec. 7 New York Jets 1:05PM (CBS)
Dec. 14 @ Miami Dolphins 10AM (FOX)
Dec. 21 @ St. Louis Rams 10AM (FOX)
Dec. 28 Washington Redskins 1:15PM (FOX)

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C.J. Brewer axed

Monday, April 14, 2008

49ers.com reports that WR C.J. Brewer has been waived. Brewer was signed after going undrafted in 2006 out of Wyoming. He was on the practice squad in 2006 and IR in 2007.

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49ers to hold pre-draft visits

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

San Jose State prospect Dwight Lowery is scheduled for a visit on Friday the 11th. The 5-11 1/8, 201 lb cornerback ran a 4.54 at the combine and 4.55 at his pro day but makes up for his lack of elite speed with cerebral play and great film study habits. He has been described as having Chris McAllister and Donte Whitner type of behind-the-scenes work ethic. The Santa Cruz native has excellent cover skills and made 13 interceptions in only 25 games at the Division I-A level, including leading the nation with 9 interceptions in 2006. He was given a 5th round grade by the NFL Advisory Committee, and potentially could be moved to free safety.

The Press Democrat has a great article on Lowery.

Some famous locals are scheduled to visit next week, Friday the 18th, at the 49ers local workout. The biggest names are uber-speedy Cal WR/PR DeSean Jackson (projected mid to late 1st round pick that could be a viable pick at #29) and 2007 Heisman Trophy candidate Oregon QB/WR Dennis Dixon (projected late day 2 pick).

Some others include Oregon WR Cameron Colvin (projected round 7-undrafted), Western Washington linebacker Shane Simmons (projected round 7-undrafted) and Fresno State guard Ryan Wendell (projected round 7-undrafted).

As reported in our previous news entry, potential first round pick Quentin Groves will be visiting as well. He was scheduled for this Friday, but delayed it a week due to a heart condition.

Other first round prospects scheduled for visits are Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly (Monday, Apr 14), Clemson DE/OLB Philip Merling and Florida DE/OLB Derrick Harvey. Harvey is unlikely to be available at #29 but perhaps could be the target if the 49ers decide to trade up.


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Groves to visit on Apr 18

Friday, April 4, 2008

Matt Barrows reports that Auburn DE/OLB Quentin Groves will make a visit on Friday, April 18 (previously set for Apr 11 but due to a heart issue he delayed the visit a week). Several 49ers evaluators including Scot McCloughan came out for him at the Auburn pro day last month, and he's a perfect fit for weakside OLB in the 3-4 defense across from Manny Lawson. Groves was one of the most impressive performers at the combine, posting a 4.53-4.57 40 yard dash at 259 lbs and throwing up 30 reps of 225 lbs. He's projected by most to go anywhere from the mid-first round to the early second round, and probably would be the best choice if available at #29 for the 49ers because the defense is severely lacking in their passrush, and adding Groves would instantly give the 49ers arguably the most athletic linebacker corps in the league between Groves, Patrick Willis, Brandon Moore/Dontarrious Thomas and Lawson backed up by Rod Green, Parys Haralson, and whomever makes the team between Jay Moore, Jeff Ulbrich and Tully Banta-Cain.

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49ers Preseason announced

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The NFL has announced its preseason schedule and the 49ers have some interesting and controversial matchups from the get-go

Week 1 - at Oakland (CBS5, KNBR 1050 and The Bone)
"Brawl of Bay Area (Awfulness)"

Week 2 - home vs Green Bay (CBS5, KNBR 1050 and The Bone)
"Homecoming for Aaron Rodgers..."

Week 3 - at Chicago (Thurs 8/21, FOX)
"Tamper-bowl"

Week 4 - home vs SD (Fri 8/29, CBS5, KNBR 1050 and The Bone)
"The Norv comes back to SF"

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Jeb Terry added

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

49ers.com reports that the team has signed guard Jeb Terry to contract. Terry (6-5, 311 lbs) was drafted out of North Carolina by the Buccaneers in the 5th round of 2004. According to Buccaneers.com, Terry started one game in 2006 as a right guard. He has been a reserve for his career, playing mostly on special teams and proved useful to the team, blocking a field goal and opening up holes for others to make blocks. Terry will likely be competing with Qasim Mitchell and perhaps draft picks/undrafted rookies for the final OL spot on the team.

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Niners guilty of Tampering

Monday, March 24, 2008

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that the 49ers are guilty of tampering with Lance Briggs while he was still under contract last season. The team was stripped of its 5th round pick and had their 3rd round pick (7th) swapped with the Chicago Bears (12th). Rather stupid move by the 49ers franchise, which already needs all the help it can get. And to top it off, they tampered with a player that was not even an ideal fit for TED linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

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