Archive for June, 2010

Strong Safety: Michael Lewis vs. rookie Taylor Mays The match-up between Lewis and Mays has many factors.  Most importantly is Lewis’ health.  He suffered three concussions last year, two in the preseason and the last one in week 5.  Even though Lewis only missed one game his health will be a concern as the next concussion he suffers could be the end of his career. Taylor Mays is a hard hitting physical stud but needs to better develop his coverage and footwork.  The 49ers brought in Ronnie Lott in the off-season to help Mays with his development.  Lewis just needs [...]

The next important date on the 49ers off-season calendar is August 2 when all the players report to Santa Clara for the start of training camp.  Here is a list of five training camp competitions the 49er Faithful should keep an eye on starting in August. Tomorrow I will post five more intriguing training camp competitions. Wide Receiver: Josh Morgan vs. Ted Ginn Jr. At the start of the 2009 season Josh Morgan was in the starting lineup opposite Isaac Bruce.  He won the starting job with his talent but with Michael Crabtree holding out the first five games of [...]

Former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan was hired by division rival Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday.  McCloughan will be the senior personnel executive and he has history with the Seahawks having previously worked for the team from 2000-2004 as director of college scouting.  Read more at the Seahawks blog 12th Man Rising for more about the hire: Scot McClougans Title With Seahawks: Senior Personnel Executive While with the Seahawks McCloughan was an integral part in putting together the Seahawks Super Bowl team in 2005.  The 49er Faithful know quite well about McCloughan’s success in assembling a good and deep roster.  We [...]

After being enshrined into the NFL’s Hall of Fame on August 7 wider receiver Jerry Rice will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame on September 20.  During halftime of the 49ers Monday night home opener against the Saints Rice will be honored as the newest member into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., Hall of Fame.  Rice will also have his #80 jersey retired.  This will be a great honor for Rice after going into the NFL’s HOF and it will give the 49er Faithful one last chance to cheer for Rice while he is on the field. Not [...]

Running back Anthony Dixon who was drafted out of Mississippi State signed a four-year deal with the 49ers.  Dixon was drafted in the sixth-round at pick number 173 of this year’s draft.  At 6-1, 235 pounds Dixon was one of the top power running backs available in the 2010 draft even though he slipped down to the sixth-round.  He is expected to challenge current backup running back Glen Coffee who did not have an impressive year last season even when he started in replace of an injured Frank Gore.  I envision Dixon being the short-yardage and goal-line running back as [...]

Santa Clara city voters approved Measure J with 60% of the vote June 8 meaning the 49ers have jumped their first big hurdle of moving the team to the South Bay.  The 49ers plan to keep the name San Francisco 49ers.  It was clear from the moment the York’s took full control of the 49ers that they had no interest in keeping the 49ers in San Francisco where they have called home since 1946.  Pushing aside stadium plans in San Francisco at Candlestick Point and the newest one at the redevelopment site Hunters Point the 49ers went all-in in Santa [...]

The time has come as to whether or not your San Francisco 49ers will become the Santa Clara 49ers, Santa Clara 49ers of San Francisco, San Francisco 49ers of Santa Clara,  Bay Area 49ers or some other moniker.  Citizens of Santa Clara County will vote yes or no on Tuesday, June 8 to use public funding to help build a new stadium for the 49ers.  The 49ers have said that if Measure J is approved and they move to the South Bay the team name will remain the San Francisco 49ers.  That is not a for sure thing as I [...]