San Francisco 49ers

By sostler@sfchronicle.com (Scott Ostler) Is baseball almost over? Good, because I can't wait for football. This is going to be the most exciting NFL season in the Bay Area in many years. Actually, the real season might be ugly, but the training camps and preseason will be one thrill after another...

By matierandross@sfchronicle.com (Phillip Matier,Andrew Ross) Looks like the 49ers aren't quite ready to bet the farm on landing a new football stadium in Santa Clara - or in San Francisco, for that matter. Larry MacNeil, the Niners' chief financial officer, recently pitched a stadium idea to officials in nearby...

By Samuel Lam Remember Thomas Clayton? The rookie running back from last year? He had an amazing preseason, but was put on the practice squad. Now, I don’t know what he will do this season, but he really has potential. If he doesn’t make the team again this year, I hope he finds another team maybe. I am not sayi...

By Fooch Ezra Butler: I completely forgot about undrafted rookie free agent Ezra Butler out of Nevada.  The team seems to be high on him and Barrows says Butler actually picked the 49ers over a couple teams who offered more money because he was psyched about the opportunity of playing for Mike Singl...

49ers Minicamp Link Dump/Open Thread - Niners Nation

  USA - He was arguably the hardest-hitting defensive back in NFL history. A Dr. Seuss book about his 49ers career might be called "Slam I Am." But, tonight, ...

Gilmore: Star-to-be Willis stays humble - Inside Bay Area

Star-to-be Willis stays humble - Inside Bay Area

More: San Jose Mercury

By Fooch Y.A. Tittle (1951-1960): While Tittle spent plenty of time in Baltimore and New York, his formative years came with the 49ers as a 4-time Pro Bowler.  Considering the slowly developing passing game back in the day, 16,000+ yards in San Francisco is nothing to sneeze at.

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) Fullback: Moran Norris has been the starter. But how much will Martz utilize the fullback? Probably not much. Might the 49ers go with Zak Keasey ahead of Norris? We already know the 49ers plan to use Frank Gore and Michael Robinson together in the backfield some of the time. Other times, they c...

By Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Martz's red 49ers cap is still crisp and clean. His new players don't know him quite well enough to be sure when he's joking and when ...

NFL: Mike Martz easing into new job rebuilding Niners' offense - Honolulu Advertiser

Gore catching on fast to Martz's offense - San Jose Mercury

More: FOXSports.com | San Jose Mercury News | International Herald Tribune | Examiner.com | rtsports

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) OK, here it goes . . . but through my set of eyes, Smith looked the most impressive of the three quarterbacks during the five minicamp practices over the weekend. While neither Nolan nor offensive coordinator Mike Martz revealed their rankings, it was clear both men were impressed with what th...

By Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A classical medley of NFL Films music blared through the on-field speakers Friday at the San Francisco 49ers ' first minicamp practice. The ...

49ers' Smith, Hill begin QB competition - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Smith, Hill begin QB competition at Niners' minicamp - KTNV

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By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) Nolan admits the team got ahead of itself. At the end of the 2006 season, Nolan said it would be a disappointment if the 49ers did not make the playoffs in 2007. Several players said the 49ers would be upset with anything less than a Super Bowl appearance.

De La Salle grad Colvin is trying to stick with 49ers - Inside Bay Area

Super Bowl XLII blog: Allen has eye on 49ers - INSTANT 49ers

Who's the strongest of them all? - San Francisco Chronicle

By Samuel Lam S Lewis Baker (Oklahoma), G John Booker (San Jose State), LB Lance Brandenburgh (Nebraska), LB Ezra Butler (Reno), WR Cam Colvin (Oregon), G Brian De La Puente (California), TE Joe Jon Finley (Oklahoma), DE Louis Holmes (Arizona), WR Robert Jordan (California), S D.J. Parker (Virginia T...

Niners sign 11 undrafted free agents on eve of minicamp - INSTANT 49ers

Opinion: The Steel Tradition Recap: The Steelers Strike Gold Against the 49ers - The Steel Tradition

More: Sacramento Bee | Akron Beacon Journal

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) 7:23 a.m.: The Chargers trade up to 69 to take RB/FB Jacob Hester (LSU). He's a guy the 49ers might have considered, too. The Bears -- using the 49ers' pick -- are on the clock. Let's see if they take someone the 49ers could have used. 12:43 p.m.: Nolan is coming up live on the NFL Network.

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) You really have to wonder about cornerback Donald Strickland's future with the 49ers after allegations of drunk in public and resisting arrest levied by the San Jose Police Department. If true, this is the kind of stuff that is completely unacceptable. It is also worth noting 49ers player...

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) By the way, here's a save the date. On Sunday, June 1, at World of Sports in San Jose, there will be a booksigning of "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone." The event is a build-up to a gala event honoring R.C. Owens in late-September. Among the former 49ers who have committed to being there are...

By SFI staff Former NFL scout Russ Lande, draft expert for The Sporting News and author of GM Jr’s Guide to the NFL Draft, answers questions for SFI regarding the upcoming college lottery. Can the 49ers strike gold as they did in the first round last year? What must the Niners get out of this draft and how m...

A scout's eye view of 49ers draft, Part I - FOXSports.com News for 49ers

2008 NFL draft - San Francisco Chronicle

More: SF Illustrated

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) Sept. 7 Arizona Cardinals 1:15PM FOX Sept. 14 @ Seattle Seahawks 1:05PM FOX Sept. 21 Detroit Lions 1:05PM FOX Oct. 12 Philadelphia Eagles 1:15PM FOX Oct. 26 Seattle Seahawks 1:15PM FOX Nov. 16 St. Louis Rams 1:05PM # FOX Dec. 28 Washington Redskins 1:15PM # FOX

By erickson@49ersnews.com The NFL released the schedules for all teams this season today and the 49ers will start the season again facing the Arizona Cardinals. Sept. 7 Arizona Cardinals Sept. 14 @ Seattle Seahawks Sept. 21 Detroit Lions ...

San Francisco 49ers 2008 Schedule - NFL Analysis - berecruitedsportswrap (Feedburner)

2008 NFL Schedule - postgamepub.com

More: San Francisco 49ers | easiairsvc.com

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) 49ers' 2008 schedule Sunday, Nov. 2, BYE WEEK Monday, Nov. 10, at Cardinals, 5:30 p.m.: What? A Monday night game? Against the Cardinals? This is the second year in a row the 49ers have played against the Cardinals on Monday night. It worked out pretty well for the 49ers last season.

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) It's interesting that Nolan said offensive line and linebacker were probably the team's most pressing needs. Offensive line is pretty obvious. The 49ers have five starters: LT Joe Staley, LG Adam Snyder (still no word from Larry Allen whether he wants to play this season), C Eric Heitmann...

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) INSTANT 49ERS: Thank you for the question. When I first started writing articles about the 49ers, the following daily papers had reporters who regularly covered the team: Press Democrat, Marin Independent Journal, Oakland Tribune, Hayward Daily Review, San Mateo Times, Peninsula Ti...

By undisclosed@pressdemocrat.com (49ers) Then, the 49ers traded their second-round pick (No. 42) to the Colts, who used it to select left tackle Tony Ugoh. The 49ers received the Colts' first-round pick in 2008 (No. 29), along with the Colts' fourth-round pick (No. 126), which the 49ers used to select safety Dashon Goldson.

By Michael David Smith The punishment: The 49ers will forfeit their fifth-round pick in this year's NFL draft, and the teams will trade their picks in the third round of the draft, meaning Chicago will get the seventh pick in the third round while San Francisco will get the 12th pick in the third round.

Niners Forfeit a 5th & Swap 3rds in Tampering Case - 49ersnews.com

Did The 49ers Tamper With Lance Briggs? - The FanHouse - AOL

More: Chicago Tribune | INSTANT 49ers

By erickson@49ersnews.com The 49ers and DE Justin Smith (Bengals) have reached an agreement, but nothing has been signed. Deal is believed to be $32.5 million in the first four years of the contract, overall 6-years, $45 million. The signing of Smith immediately improves the 49ers horrid pass rushing defense. Smith was the fourth overall pick back in 2001. During his seven year career Smith has recorded a total of 43.5 sacks. The 49ers and DE Justin Smith (Bengals) have reached an agreement, but nothing has been signed. Deal is believed to be $32.5 million in the first four years of the contract, overall 6-years, $45 million. The signing of Smith immediately improves the 49ers horrid pass rushing defense. Smith was the fourth overall pick back in 2001. [...]   [read the full post]

Niners & Smith Close to a Deal - 49ersnews.com

49ers Sign Former Bengals DE Justin Smith - The FanHouse - AOL

More: INSTANT 49ers

By erickson@49ersnews.com Kwame Harris still can’t block worth a crap. Jerry Jones is still dicking around and now is set to interview Ron Rivera and possibly Jim Caldwell. New Cowboys coach to be named sometime around August. Fred Dean didn’t make the Hall of Fame, but Cokehead Irvin did.