The Dawn of a New 49ers Era

Cedrick Wilson Hits a Girl

2008-03-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Steelers have always been one of the NFL's classiest organizations, led by the esteemed Rooney family. After being arrested for sucker-punching his ex-girlfriend, former 49er Cedrick Wilson is no longer going to wear the black and gold.

Wilson entered the Patron Mexican Grill shortly before 8 p.m. and saw [his ex-girlfriend, Lindsey] Paulat sitting at the bar, according to a criminal complaint filed by Northern Regional Police. Paulat told police Wilson pushed her on the shoulder and, when she turned around, punched her in the left side of her face before leaving the eatery promptly.

What kind of stone-cold, psychotic shit is that? Hitting a woman is bad enough, but even if you hit a man this way, you would be considered a low-life coward. Cedrick Wilson rates somewhere between Omar Little and Rae Carruth as a criminal. But the Niners wide receiving "corps" is in such poor shape I bet McNoughlan strained their shoulders exploding for the phone to call up CW now that he is available again.

Mock Draft - James Hardy Early Front-Runner

2008-02-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

Most major sports sites have released their first (of 283) mock drafts leading up to April 26th. The Niners screaming need at WR is not lost on anyone.

FoxSports.com
Devin Thomas - Michigan State (WR / 6'2", 216)
The Niners need serious help. Their offense is horrendous. Their defense is disappointing. And it looks like there's no hope. The one thing San Francisco can do is give Alex Smith a deep threat who can make plays deep. With Sweed and Hardy off the board, Michigan State's Devin Thomas is the best big bodied, deep threat available.
(USA Today article on Thomas' scouting combine performance.)

SI.com
James Hardy - Indiana (WR / 6'5", 218)
The 49ers woeful offense needs receiving weapons for quarterback Alex Smith (or quarterback Shaun Hill), and Hardy emerged at the combine as a prospect with late first-round value. He's got prototypical NFL size and runs very fluid routes. LSU receiver Early Doucet is another name to keep track of.

ESPN.com (Insider protected)
Needs: WR, OT, OLB, DE, QB
James Hardy - Indiana (WR / 6'5", 218)
San Francisco needs a playmaker at wide receiver to take the attention away from TE Vernon Davis and pressure off QB Alex Smith. Hardy comes with some baggage and he needs some polishing, but no receiver in this class possesses a more imposing combination of size and natural athleticism.

Scouts Inc's overall assessment of Hardy:
Indiana red-shirted Hardy during his true freshman season in 2004. Hardy appeared in ten games during the 2005 season. In 2006, he appeared in ten games recording 51 catches, 722 receiving yards and ten receiving touchdowns. Hardy appeared in all 13 games of the 2007 season recording 79 catches, 1,125 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. Hardy lacks ideal suddenness and will struggle to separate versus some of the elite cover corners at the next level. He also comes with some character baggage that will cause him to drop a bit during draft weekend. However, Hardy possesses a unique blend of size, athleticism and reliable hands, which is why he could be selected as high as the second round.

CBSSportsline.com
Early Doucet - LSU (WR / 6'1", 210)
With Terry Glenn contemplating microfracture surgery and the mercurial Terrell Owens 34 years old, the Cowboys would be wise to add a receiver early. Manningham struggled with consistency at times at Michigan, and will have to prove better speed at his Pro Day than the 4.6s he ran at the Combine if he is to remain in the first round.
(Sheer laziness as he just copied the comment on Manningham since the Cowboys pick right ahead of us. And TO is 34?! Where has the time gone?)

Offseason Update

2008-02-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

With the start of the free agency signing period looming, the Niners have taken care of a couple of their own (Roderick Green and Isaac Sop"onarope"oaga). Don't expect a signing binge like last year but McNolan looks ready to make a play for some key pieces to stock the half-full talent cupboard. Here are some quick hits on the four key guys that may be wearing scarlet and gold at a press conference very soon.

Bernard Berrian - Granted Mike Martz is going to need WRs to help out Alex Hill or Shaun Smith or whoever is playing QB next fall. I'm just not sure that Berrian is the guy. He can definitely stretch the field vertically. But my lasting image of him is dropping a pass and hitting himself in the helmet. We already have enough guys that can do that for cheap. Frankly the draft holds more promise than free agency this year, since it has been touted as one of the deepest WR classes in a long time. Between the 29th and 38th picks, the Niners should be able to pick up some help there. BrownMagic Says: NO.

Justin Smith - Now this is intriguing. The Niners aren't exactly lining up Umeniyora, Strahan, and Tuck, so we need help all across the defensive line, especially pass rushers. Smith only had 2 sacks with the dismal Bengals D last year but that could have been a result of the other 10 guys around him. With a better secondary and linebacking corp, he could face fewer double teams and help out with the "elephant" pass rush position that Tully Banta-Cain never quite grasped. Keep an eye on this one. BrownMagic Says: If the price is right.

Calvin Pace - Although I can't really recall this dude, he actually had a pretty decent year (98 tackles & 6.5 sacks) on what was a surprisingly effective Arizona defense. As an added bonus, this would weaken a division rival. BrownMagic Says: Let's do this.

Lance Briggs - Sounds sexy but we is going to be wayyyyy too expensive for what he provides. Our run stopping is (currently) not as much of a concern as our inability to rush the passer. As sick as it would be to see Willis and Briggs patrolling the middle of the field for the next decade, I think the team's weaknesses on offense need to be addressed first. BrownMagic Says: I'd rather have Antonio Bryant if we're going to pay someone to destroy Lambos.

Free agency is a quick fix for teams that are in contention to make a Super Bowl run - not teams that are trying to get above .500 for the first time in a half decade. Last year's irrational exuberance was tempered by the disastrous 8-game losing streak and general ineptitude on offense. This year, let's let someone else jump in to the empty swimming pool headfirst.

Briggs By the Bay

2008-01-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

ChicagoSports.com is reporting that the Bears have resigned themselves to losing Lance Briggs to free agency, and it looks like he may land by the Bay. Briggs replacing Derek Smith alongside Willis? Everyone should be excited.

"I can go play with Bam Bam?! SWEET!"

This is an update from the scuttled trade deal the Niners and Bears worked on around the trading deadline, but that was scuttled. Hopefully McNolan can pull this off since this offseason will make or break their careers.

In other news, Nolan and staff will be coaching the Senior Bowl for the third straight year, which always helps get an upper hand in the draft. Of course, the coaching invitations go to the worst teams in the league. I think it's safe to say that this is Nolan's last appearance in Mobile - he'll either get this team out of the dumps in '08 or he won't be a head coach in January 2009.

It's Official - Willis Named DROY

2008-01-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

One of the few bright spots for the 49ers all season was the play of their present and future defensive anchor, Patrick "Bam Bam"Willis, who was officially named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Photo courtesy of NinersNation.com

Willis received 48 out of 50 total votes (2 going to the Panthers' Jon Beason). Even though Willis came into the league as a highly touted LB, it was probably his game-saving rundown of Sean Morey against the Cardinals and his monster performance against the Bucs that sealed the deal on this award. Congrats to Bam Bam and look forward to him wreaking havoc on the field for years.

Step 1: Cameron Fired

2008-01-03T10:32:00.001-08:00

Cam Cameron has officially been relieved of his duties as the Dolphins' head coach. Let's see if the McNoughlan Twins can make the right move and bring him in to tutor Alex/Shaun, properly utilize Gore, and get The Disease to stop flexing for the mirror and working on his hands.

Cameron is a good fit for the few offensive pieces we have and the system Norv Turner put in place. His time as OC in San Diego helped turn LT and Gates into the premier players at their respective positions. Let's hope we can get him in here to do the same for this sad-sack offense.

Hostler Out, OC Search & Rumors Begin

2008-01-02T15:34:00.000-08:00

With Jim Hostler now out of a picture he never should have been in, rumors are swirling around who the 49ers next OC will be. What used to be the most powerful coordinator position in the NFL (see Holmgren and Shanahan), it is now a coaching purgatory where the talent is useless and your boss will not hesitate to undercut your decision-making with his R2P2, early 1920s-era offensive mindset.

The early front-runners for the job are Mike Martz (aka Newman), Brian Billick, Chan Gailey, and Cam Cameron (if Bill Parcells decides to fire him in Miami). Let's just say I'm not tickled pink by any of those choices.

Change Are Not A-Comin'

2008-01-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Despite my optimism that something would change with this team to give the Faithful even a glimmer of hope for next year, the Yorks continue to fiddle while Ninerdom burns. Actually I guess ashes can't burn so maybe "weakly smolder" is more appropriate. In case you haven't heard, Nolan remains head coach and Scot McCloughan is the new GM. This duo does not inspire any confidence so let's just meet back here in a year to discuss who our new coach will be for the 2009 season.

Highlights of the press conference from ESPN are below.

My favorite line from Nolan: "This will allow me to focus some more on football issues." As opposed to when you were focused on trying to solve climate change or designing your Reebok suit and dress shirts last offseason? You coach a sub-par football team. Getting back to .500 would be considered a miracle. I can't take another season of his "stiff upper lip" bullshit.

Mutiny Is In The Air

2007-12-24T17:50:00.000-08:00

Insubordination has never been something Mike Nolan has looked upon with mercy. He's had a history of "disappearing" players (Barlow, Winborn, Jennings) in order to maintain his authority and aura of command. This year the facade of team unity was cracked when he threw Alex Smith under the bus at midseason and the dam burst several weeks later.

Looks like the captain has lost control of his ship and Alex isn't the only one that's fed up. Today's Chronicle has an article where two unnamed defensive starters are strongly critical of this administration...errr, staff.

Both players said they wanted a coaching change, citing numerous issues with Nolan they said have been setbacks for what they consider to be a strong defense: questionable personnel schemes, such as abandoning the base 3-4 scheme too often in favor of nickel and dime sub packages that left the edges and middle of the field exposed; favoritism that determines playing time; poor game and clock management; poor communication that extends beyond the Nolan-Alex Smith injury flap.

It's good to know that this team isn't full of mindless automatons of the type that Coach Nolan prefers. Hopefully this also catches the attention of the Youngstown ownership group and these meaningless wins at the end of a meaningless season don't cover up the fact that this entire year has been an unmitigated disaster.

Wrong Ball

2007-12-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

What a play. Of course it would only work in high school, but neat nevertheless.

In other news, this team went on to lose the game 35-7. At least they didn't get skunked.

BYe BYe - 49ers 21, Bucs 19

2007-12-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

The 49ers 2007 season has been over for several weeks now. But I'll give a little credit where credit is due. The team has put together a win streak (what are those?) and Nolan still has the guys playing tough.

Today's game was a hard-hitting, defensive battle with the Niners hanging on to win 21-19 (despite getting outgained 434 to 213) when Michael Clayton's heel came down over the end line. The Bucs quickly realized that having the Niners' pass rushers smack Jeff Garcia around was not worth the risk and basically conceded the game when they put in Luke McCown at the start of the second half. Shaun Hill continues his run of adequate QB play, which should ensure him a couple million dollars and a shot at the starting job next summer in training camp. Frank Gore had another good game and has gone over 1000 yards for the season. Clements had a pick that he returned for 62 yards and celebrated with the Niners Noise drum team afterward. Game ball definitely goes to (guess who?) Patrick "Bam Bam" Willis. 20 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. Unreal.

However the real story today was the final home game for 49ers legend and eight-time Len Eshmont Award-winner, Bryant Young.

A couple weeks ago, the lone remaining link to the glory years quietly let on that this was going to be his last home game. The tributes have been coming from every corner since then. He will truly be missed. The guy suffered one of the most cataclysmic leg injuries short of Joe Theismann (video of Theismann's injury - So gruesome, it made Lawrence Taylor cry). Fans of other teams will remember that over all else, which is a damn shame. BY was an absolute monster of a defensive tackle.

The Patrick Willis joke about him sacking a QB before the ball was snapped is something BY actually did one time. Against the Bears in 2001, he literally timed the snap so well, he was on top of the QB as soon as the ball was in his hands, forcing and recovering the fumble. He shifted to DE when Nolan came in and tried to implement the 3-4 and has had very productive seasons. He is probably still our best defensive lineman on a weekly basis.

There was an official changing of the guard today. Patrick Willis is the new heart and soul of this defense. But the year he has spent learning from BY is going to be invaluable down the road. Thanks for the memories BY and enjoy our retirement....after taking out the Browns next week.

Offseason Starts Early This Year

2007-12-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

Clearly this is another lost season for the 49ers' franchise. Despite this weekend's matchup between defensive and offensive RoYs (Willis v. Peterson), it's time to think about January and beyond...in a bad way.

Rumors are flying that the Niners came close to acquiring Lance Briggs close to the trade deadline. But the deal hit a snag at the last minute due to NFL rules on signing franchise players. Same thing happened with Clements and he's now in Scarlet and Gold. Could we look forward to a Willis-Briggs core for the following several seasons? We shall find out.

ESPN.com's first mock draft is out (Insider protected) with the Pats selecting Darren McFadden (ARRRGH!!!) with the (projected #2 overall) pick they got from us last April. It also has the Niners picking up LSU's standout WR, Early Doucet, with the first rounder nabbed from the Colts (projected #30). Here's what Todd McShay has to say about Doucet.

Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, OL, S
Projected pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Obviously, the 49ers would like to have that No. 2 pick back from the Patriots, but they'll have to make due [sic] with the 30th pick. Doucet has been bothered by a nagging groin injury, which prevented him from emerging as a reliable No. 1 weapon at LSU this fall. But a couple fast 40 times and a big week at the Senior Bowl could help affirm his big-play potential for NFL decision-makers.

With the way both LSU WRs taken this year, Dwayne Bowe (KC) and Buster Davis (SD), have played, Doucet should be an immediate upgrade from our current pitiful receiving "corps." We'll have to wait and see how things shake out. I also predict a QB taken with our still-handy second-round pick (#33 overall). Dennis Dixon anyone?

Smith May Be Finished For Year, Faithful Yawn

2007-11-30T13:27:00.001-08:00

ESPN.com is reporting Alex Smith's shoulder isn't improving and he may be shut down for the season. Honestly, does it matter? Lost season for him and the team. He now gets through week 8 next year to prove himself otherwise look for our 2nd round pick or free agent QB signing to start getting reps.

Irrational Exuberance

2007-11-29T13:21:00.000-08:00

The Niners just snapped an eight-game losing streak and remain the worst offense in the NFL by a wide margin. But apparently they are a trendy pick this week. Niners Nation takes a look at the Scouts Inc. preview of this week's game against the Panthers, which conveniently ignores the past two months of futility this team foisted on its fan base. And the typically down-on-the-Niners Peter King expects them to stuff the Panthers for a second straight road win.

What the hell is going on here? Has everyone just been mind-wiped or are we really that gullible. This team's offensive problems can't be swept aside with one win. Can we also forget the more than troubling 484 yards of passing the secondary, the team's supposed strong point, gave up last week?

This is a matchup of two of the NFC's biggest disappointments this season. It will be interesting to see if the offensive explosion from last week carries forward into a winnable game, or if the Dilfer-led O regresses to previous form. I'm not holding my breath at this point (there's no reason to), but am hoping for an entertaining contest. Hopefully that isn't too much to ask.

VICTORY!!! - 49ers 37, Cardinals 31

2007-11-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

What a ridiculous game. There were at least a dozen moments on Sunday afternoon when I thought, the offensive explosion notwithstanding, the Niners were headed for their franchise-record, ninth straight loss. After Gore rumbled 35 yards to give us the lead with 1:03 left, I felt good. Then the defense came out in a prevent to let the Cards march right down the field. When Donald Strickland gave up the 30-yard pass to the 1, I was ready to call this the newest low of a trying season.

Then a funny thing happened: this team showed some resilience. Strickland bounced back on the very next play to save the game with his textbook defense. The defense shook off a career passing day from Kurt Warner to stall the Cards' first drive in OT. Patrick (21 tackles?!) Willis saved the game with his hustle by chasing down Sean Morey and forcing Neil Rackers' miss. Andy Lee continued his All-Pro year by pounding a punt inside the Cardinals' 5-yardline that helped set up the defensive sack and Tully Banta-Cain's fumble recovery to end the roller-coaster game.

I can't remember being this entertained by a Niner game in a couple years. Even when Rackers' first OT FG attempt went through the uprights, I was left thinking "Well, at least we scored some points." Hopefully Nolan learned that sometimes opening up the offense and scoring points can actually win games.

Let's not lose perspective though: the Niners season is still a disappointment. The way they celebrated at the end of the game, one would think they had just clinched the division, rather than moved to 3-8. I still think this team will finish with 4 wins for the year, Nolan should be stripped of some power, and there are gaping talent holes at certain positions. But actually winning a game for the first time in over 2 months makes it a lot easier to think about that stuff.

Changes. They Are A-Comin'.

2007-11-21T11:14:00.000-08:00

"I see no changes. Wake up in the morning and I ask myself, 'Is life worth living? Should I blast myself?'" -Tupac

I think every 49er fan has had the same thought running through their head at the same point this season. While someone answered Tupac's question for him (he's not alive on Mars, idiots), looks like Denise DeBartolo York has finally heard the fans' cries.

It sounds like Alex Smith (out for at least 2 more games) may have longer left as a Niner than Mike Nolan. Bringing in Ted Tollner to "mentor" Hostler isn't going to help the situation for our fearless "leader". At this point Nolan isn't even rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic - he's asking more people to jump ON the ship. Amazing. Nolan's public comments over the past few weeks have been puzzling. Throwing the injured franchise QB under the bus and sticking by clearly useless assistant coaches doesn't make much sense. Maiocco points out that sometimes "coaches can talk themselves out of a job." Nolan has clearly lost control of this team. The only question now is how much it will cost him.

Bringing in a GM to take the wheel is a good start - but for God's sake, Paraag Marathe is not the answer. No offense to him, but this team needs someone with experience and a track record of (even modest) success. Paraag has been with the team through its longest stretch of futility in three decades. Train him, groom him...but don't give him the keys to the car.

In any case, whenever a back-seat owner makes public statements like this, heads will roll. As dull as this team's been on the field, looks like there's more excitement coming in the boardrooms and offices at 4949 Centennial Boulevard than on Bill Walsh Field. And who doesn't get excited about bureaucratic shuffling and corporate doublespeak? That's why I love the NFL.

Strengthen the Core

2007-11-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

The "football is won in the trenches" cliche is a cliche for a reason. After 8 straight losses and 2 unimpressive wins, we have MASSIVE problems on both sides of the ball. But

The last three weeks, the Niners have been unable to convert pivotal short-yardage plays. While Hostler's an idiot for running the same damn play in each situation, the execution is also a problem. A decent O-line can line up, tell the D what play is coming, and laugh while pancaking LBs into the turf. Instead the middle of the Niners' O-line - Allen, Heitmann, and Smiley - gets blown up off the ball on every single play. By the time Gore (or Robinson or Norris) has the ball in his hands, the line is already moving backwards into his lap. For a north/south runner like Gore, this is death. The biggest tragedy is that the middle of the O-line was the strength of the team last year, and is now its biggest liability. On pass-protection, these three clowns have blown so many blocking assignments that I've lost count. There is no excuse since they are veterans that have played together for at least two full seasons now. This line needs wholesale changes up front.

A similar issue exists on the D-line. Sopoaga and Franklin are not going to cut it. These guys create no push up the middle and are routinely handled 1-on-1 allowing opposing guards to get to our LBs without any trouble. We have switched back to a hybrid 4-3 since this was such an issue for several weeks, but that's not the long-term solution.

This offseason, this team needs to shore up the middle to being solving its problems. Time for York to open that checkbook again...

Fracture

2007-11-14T18:11:00.001-08:00

Team unity is officially gone. When the starting QB and head coach are sniping at each other in the press, count on one thing: this isn't the only strained relationship. Alex Smith says he's "bothered" by the coaching staff repeatedly saying that he's healthy when in fact his should and now his forearm are hurt. Nolan then proceeded to make a veiled threat to Smith's status with the team, saying that everyone is expendable.

There you have it folks. Nolan has lost the team. Part of me wishes we had someone like TO to snap on the sideline and just make an example of some position coach. That lack of fire has been the most troubling aspect of this team's collapse. In any case, mark down 11/14/07 as the beginning of the end of either Alex Smith or Mike Nolan. Place your bets now as to which of these two will be somewhere else in 4 months.

Tim Keown Article Nails It

2007-11-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

Former Chronicle writer Tim Keown keeps an eye on the team he used to cover and thinks it's not Alex - it's everything.

Staying the Course

2007-11-13T15:27:00.001-08:00

President Bush and Mike Nolan are clearly reading from the same leadership manual. If shit looks broke, just say it isn't. The boat is sinking and the captain will go down with it. Doesn't mean the rest of us can't run for lifeboats while we have time.

Worst. Team. Ever. - Seahawks 24, Disgraces 0

2007-11-12T22:20:00.001-08:00

It's official. The 9th game was even worse than the previous eight and won't change this fact: this year's 49ers are one of the worst teams in NFL history according to Football Outsiders' 2007 rankings (through week 9). Needless to say, tonight's crapfest won't improve things when comparing this squad to the 2004 team (-46.5 total DVOA) and 2005 team (-65.9% total DVOA).

I started comparing the 49ers' stats from 2004 and 2005 to what this current team has put up - and then I threw up on my keyboard. In almost every single category, this team is worse. The defense is slightly better and is getting screwed week after week by having to stay on the field for close to 40 minutes a game, as they were tonight. Alex Smith's passer rating is 57.2 through tonight's game. Steve Young absolutely bashed him during the 4th quarter of tonight's game. I've made my position clear. I think the most telling stat is the number of games (five) the 49ers have lost by more than 20 points this season. In 4 of those (they were in the Steelers game through three quarters) this team has not even been competitive. Even against other awful teams (Baltimore and Atlanta) there this sense of foreboding gloom that this team will find a way to lose. The only players from this team worth keeping are Willis, Clements, Gore, Staley (since he cost us a top-5 pick) and Andy Lee. That's it. Everyone else is free to join Jonas Jennings as a forgettable part of a thoroughly forgettable era that seems like it will extend into the next decade.

Many players are quitting (see: Darrell Jackson), Nolan has his own personal struggles to get through, and the season is officially over. The only question now is where do we go from here? Each week feels like bottom - and then this team finds a new circle of hell to take its fans to. Next stop - Satan's throneroom.

R.I.P. - Dick Nolan Passes Away

2007-11-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

3 months after the Niners mourned the loss of one former coach, another - Dick Nolan - has passed away.

Mike Nolan has taken a lot of heat recently, and I feel like a real a-hole for piling it on (see: past several posts below this) but moments like this remind us that this is just a game and behind the lightning rods that attract fans' ire, these are still people with lives beyond the few hours we see them on Sunday. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Nolan family and R.I.P. Coach.

No Longer Rollin' With Nolan

2007-11-05T23:41:00.000-08:00

Mike Nolan no longer looks like a man in charge and certainly doesn't sound like one. See his responses from today's press conference, especially two-thirds of the way down (starting at Re: Timeout management). What in the hell is he talking about? His rambling answers don't make anything clear and it's obvious there is poor communication between QB, OC, and head coach. The defense also can't get the right personnel on the field. This is a team in complete disarray that cannot even take care of the basics. These are high school football mistakes being made by an NFL team.

Overheard Today

2007-11-04T23:09:00.000-08:00

On KNBR's broadcast, toward the end of the game, they came back from commercials a little early and the audience heard Joe Starkey and Gary Plummer discuss who to name 49ers player of the game. Starkey clearly said, "Patrick Willis I guess, but doing that every week is just getting silly." Even he's losing it.

Gary Plummer: LOL. Hostler's playbook is written on toilet paper!!!
Joe Starkey: So's Nolan's resume....

Will It Get Worse?

2007-11-04T23:01:00.000-08:00

All signs point to yes.

Oh...and Willis is hurt. God hates us.