Blogs

MT: Harbaugh to Drive Pace Car at Indy 500

Jim Harbaugh will drive the pace car on Sunday at the 97th installment of the  Indianapolis 500.

The 49ers coach, who is a racing fan and has a principle role with Panther Racing, said it will be a “tremendous thrill” according to a news release sent out by track officials.

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MT: Patton Rejoins 49ers for OTAs

The rookie class will join veterans at Organized Team Activities on Tuesday. The NFL newcomers have been working with their new teammates at San Francisco’s “Football School” workouts, but now they can all practice together with helmets at OTAs.

The rookies will also have fourth-round draft pick Quinton Patton in attendance. The Louisiana Tech wide receiver was the only draft pick who couldn’t remain at the team’s facility following rookie minicamp. Patton had to wait until the conclusion of Louisiana Tech’s graduations ceremonies on Saturday.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke with Patton who’s set to join veterans at OTAs.

Patton’s initial arrival to San Francisco was pretty epic. He shouldn’t have any problem sticking around the facility now that graduation is over.

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MT: Marcus Lattimore Puts on Jersey

Fans might have to wait until 2014 to see Marcus Lattimore playing in a 49ers uniform, but they can get an idea of what San Francisco’s fourth-round draft pick looks like in his No. 38 uniform.

It’s not known if the former South Carolina product will be healthy in time for the 2013 season, but the popular running back put on his red 49ers uniform over the weekend at the 2013 NFL Rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles.

A photo of Lattimore and fellow fourth-round selection Quinton Patton was posted on Instagram by Patton, the rookie wide receiver out of Louisiana Tech.

Patton seemed to be having a great time at the photos hoot event as evidenced by this video appearance.

Lattimore, too, had a good time. He even did an impersonation of his new coach, Jim Harbaugh.

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MT: Lattimore Inspired By Gore

They’ve just started working together on the 49ers practice fields, but it seems like a perfect mentoring relationship between Frank Gore and Marcus Lattimore.

San Francisco’s four-time Pro Bowl running back and fourth-round pick are hitting it off just fine at 49ers offseason workouts. Although Lattimore is taking a calculated approach in rehabbing his well-documented knee injury, the South Carolina running back has been picking up constant information from Gore, San Francisco’s all-time leading rusher.

“He’s a very detailed guy,” Lattimore said via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “You can see why he’s so successful.”

Lattimore and the 49ers are off on Friday. The rookie running back is with a few teammates at the NFL’s Rookie Premiere event in Los Angeles.

Gore and the veterans return to work on Monday. The veteran running back did make glowing statements about the incoming rookie to 49ers.com, too.

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Morning Tailgate: Competitive Secondary

Out of all the upcoming competitions set to take place on the 49ers defense, secondary roles will be most coveted. Cornerback and safety spots will feature the most spirited battles.

That’s the opinion of 49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

San Francisco’s front-seven appears to be set, other than the starting spot at nose tackle. Ian Williams and Glenn Dorsey are two of the top contenders to fill Isaac Sopoaga’s role as the anchor of the 3-4 defensive alignment.

On the back end of the defense, cornerback and safety will be the position battles to watch. Eric Reid, Craig Dahl and Trenton Robinson are some of the players who will have the opportunity to start at free safety opposite of Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner. At cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha’s arrival in San Francisco signaled an interesting competition for defensive back roles in the team’s base and nickel personnel groups.

The upcoming competitions will be intriguing all offseason and should only intensify when Organized Team Activities take place starting next week.

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MT: 49ers Reach 90-Man Roster Limit

Following a third week of “Football School,” the San Francisco 49ers will finish the month of May with two sets of Organized Team Activities (May 21-23, May 28-30).

Those voluntary workouts are expected to have a great turnout. The 49ers offseason program has been heavily attended every step of the way from many of the team’s veterans. Now, the rookie class can participate in the offseason schedule. With the signing of fullback Jason Schepler, the 49ers are at a 90-man roster.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee analyzed San Francisco’s personnel and noted the holdovers from the 2012 NFC Champion squad. Wide receiver and inside linebacker are two positions with the most change heading into 2013.

More 49ers headlines and upcoming appearances can be found in today’s Morning Tailgate.

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Morning Tailgate: Frank Gore Turns 30

Happy Birthday Frank Gore.

The San Francisco 49ers all-time leader in carries (1,911), rushing yards (8,839) and rushing touchdowns (51) is coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season and has much to celebrate over the course of his eight successful seasons in the NFL.

Gore has rushed for more than 1,000 yards six times and had a hip fracture end his 2010 season after 11 games. He was on pace to surpass the 1,000-yard mark that year, too.

The 5-foot-9, 217-pound running back continues to prove doubters wrong. It started when he was a third-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and has continued all throughout his time with the 49ers. Gore’s 30th birthday should only serve as more motivation for the physical runner to continue his dominance.

According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, Gore ranks 34th on the NFL’s all-time rushing chart with 8,839 yards. He is No. 3 on the active list behind Steven Jackson (10,135) and Adrian Peterson (8,849).

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Brown Named USA Football Ambassador

Sixty (60) youth football leagues in the San Francisco area have committed to the future of youth football by adopting a new USA Football program dedicated to making the game better and safer. The Heads Up Football program ensures a positive youth football experience and advances player safety by providing league-wide coaching education and teaching resources that benefit players, parents and coaches.

USA Football is the official youth development partner of the NFL, the 49ers and the league’s other 31 teams. These youth leagues are among more than 900 youth football organizations that will incorporate Heads Up Football into its 2013 season.

Former 49ers defensive end Dennis Brown will work alongside select leagues throughout the 2013 season as an NFL Ambassador. Brown played 1990-96 in San Francisco, compiling 24½ career sacks.

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Morning Tailgate: Rookie Camp Recap

San Francisco’s rookies had a successful introduction into the “Forty Niner Way” over the weekend.

Three days of a rookie minicamp at 49ers headquarters saw the 2013 class learn the basics of San Francisco’s offensive, defensive and special team systems. It also saw the newcomers get to know each other and their coaching staff in perfect climate conditions.

The going will only get tougher for the rookies, like Sergio Garcia on the 17^th tee box of Sawgrass, tough.

That’s because the rookies join forces with their veteran teammates this week for the third installment of “Football School.” The helmet-free fundamental work will take place this week to prepare the entire squad for upcoming Organized Team Activities.

49ers.com will check in with the rookie class after they get to work with the veterans, but for now, let’s look back at the opening impressions from rookie minicamp in today’s Morning Tailgate.

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MT: Levi’s Stadium is Born

The San Francisco 49ers have a name to their future home, Levi’s® Stadium.

Thanks to a unanimous, 7-0 vote buy the Santa Clara City Council, the $220 million stadium naming rights deal between the iconic Bay Area brands is now official.

“It’s a testament to why we always thought this project would work,” 49ers CEO Jed York told the San Jose Mercury News. “To anybody who ever doubted this project would happen, these numbers speak for themselves.”

York spoke at the city council meeting along with Levi’s® CEO Chip Bergh, who wisely wore 49ers-colored Levi’s® jeans.

Following the approval, both CEOs shook hands with big grins. Soon after, they posed for photos with members of the City Council and members of the 49ers front office.

LevisStadium.com is now the place to learn all about the team’s future home. Book your tour of Levi’s® Stadium today.

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