Blogs

49ers Activate Joe Looney

The San Francisco 49ers announced that G Joe Looney has passed a physical and therefore was activated from the active/non-football injury list. Looney was a fourth-round draft pick out of Wake Forest in April after suffering a foot injury at the Senior Bowl, but has already garnered praise from coach Jim Harbaugh for his attitude and football knowledge.

Read more »

49ers Seek Christopher Milk Artifacts

With the future home of the San Francisco 49ers scheduled to open in time for the 2014 season, Team Archivist Jerry Walker continues to collect unique artifacts to be displayed inside the team’s museum at the new Santa Clara Stadium site.

Walker has already uncovered a number of cherished items from San Francisco’s proud history, but is now looking for a specific artifact that dates back to the franchise’s founding years.

Read more »

Morning Tailgate: July 31

Players have the day off, but that’s not stopping them from coming into the facility to work out. Donte Whitner just tweeted that he’s headed into 4949 Centennial Blvd. and doesn’t expect to be alone.

Headed to the facility...Bet there's a lot of guys there working on our day off...

—
TWHITNER (@DonteWhitner) July 31, 2012

The 49ers have gone through two padded practices, the second of which on Monday, resulted in several highlights from both the offense and the defense. In some cases, defensive players were making plays for both sides of the ball. So far, the 49ers have built strong camaraderie in camp. Take a look at the image atop this blog, two newcomers Brandon Jacobs and Leonard Davis, are already embracing each other before the start of practice like they’ve been teammates for years. Surely, they enjoyed the physical day at 49ers Training Camp presented by HP.

More on Monday’s camp standouts and the latest 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Read more »

Training Camp Report: July 30

Several nice catches were made Monday at 49ers Training Camp presented by HP. Some from players you’d expect, and some from players you wouldn’t.

Defensive end Demarcus Dobbs falls in the latter category. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman was already praised by coaches for transforming his body this offseason. Now, Dobbs has even more to offer. The second-year player gave coaches more to consider with two strong catches while playing as a tight end in team periods.

First, Dobbs snatched a high pass from Alex Smith out of the air, despite the tight coverage of All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. On the next play, however, Ahmad Brooks beat Dobbs’ blocking with an inside pass-rush move. Dobbs made amends later in practice with another strong catch, this time tracking in a deep crossing route from Smith that went for a 15-yard gain.

Let’s take a look at the other top highlights from Monday’s training camp session.

Read more »

49ers Safeties Play Unselfish

You’d be hard-pressed to find a harder-hitting duo of safeties than Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson. In their first year on the final line of the 49ers defense, Goldson and Whitner proved to be physically and mentally among the game’s elite.

But the two players aren’t one in the same. For one, you can look at their hair. Goldson’s long dreadlocks are often flying around the field as he’s making plays, while Whitner keeps his head crisp and shaved.

Then there’s the matter of their playing styles. While addressing the media on Monday, Whitner broke down the different approaches he and Goldson bring to the game.

“We’re not the same type of football player,” Whitner said. “He’s more of a center fielder, deep pass kind of guy who will take chances to get the football and still hit you. My job is to get a majority of the guys lined up to play extremely physical.”

Read more »

Tight End Tandem Pushes the Envelope

What’s better than having Vernon Davis on your team? Having Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker.

The 49ers are spoiled when it comes to talented tight ends, featuring one of the best duos in the league. Davis and Walker have grown tight as teammates in their six years together on the 49ers and have become a headache for opposing defenses.

While Davis’ prowess in run-blocking and the passing game is well-noted throughout the league, Walker has quietly become one of the most valuable players on the 49ers. Used in various roles on offense – on the line, split out wide or in the backfield – and also on special teams, Walker has gained the trust and confidence of his head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Read more »

Morning Tailgate: July 30

Real football, according to offensive coordinator Greg Roman, began on Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers. Pads were out in full-effect, as evidenced by All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Smith consistent manhandling of opposing offensive linemen.

Smith’s dominance was noted extensively by CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.

Other Sunday practice reports focused on the production of the team’s young wide receivers. After Jim Harbaugh defended A.J. Jenkins’ performance with the club this offseason, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reviewed the first-rounder’s first day with the pads and added this note on another young 49ers wideout: “Nathan Palmer, undrafted out of Northern Illinois, continues to impress and made several nice grabs today, starting with one against Carlos Rogers in one-on-one, press-coverage drills.”

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Read more »

A.J. Jenkins Welcomes Opportunity

The A.J. Jenkins that roamed around the practice fields on Sunday wasn’t the same A.J. Jenkins that the 49ers drafted in late April. He’s only a few months older, but the rookie wideout said he feels a whole lot wiser.

Rubbing elbows with talented group of veteran receivers that features Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams has only benefitted the first-round selection.

“That’s a great opportunity for me,” Jenkins said. “Coming in to this situation where you have players that have won Super Bowls, a future Hall of Famer – I don’t see the downfall in that. Obviously, if I have to wait a year, I’m going to gain so much insight from these types of players and I’m going to keep working hard.”

Read more »

Training Camp Report: July 29

Thuds, catches and crisp throws. All, taking place on a picturesque day. Yes, padded practice was back in a big way at 4949 Centennial Blvd. with 49ers players donning shoulder pads for the first time at 49ers Training Camp presented by HP.

Justin Smith provided the first “ooh” moment of camp, putting a vicious forearm to second-team center Daniel Kilgore’s chest on a pass-rushing stunt that left the unsuspecting second-year lineman on his back. Nothing to be down on, Smith’s made a living doing such devastating rushes on offensive linemen.

Randy Moss was back to his old tricks, too. A throw from Colin Kaepernick intended to the new 49ers wide receiver during an opening 7-on-7 period was cradled effortlessly by Moss with one hand and retrieved into his body before hitting the ground. Moss got both feet in bounds, too, despite the tight coverage of cornerback Tramaine Brock.

Let’s take a look at the other highlights and notable moments from the first padded camp session in Santa Clara.

Read more »

Morning Tailgate: July 29

San Francisco 49ers Training Camp presented by HP got officially underway on Friday, but the physicality of camp will truly begin today when pads will be worn for the first time of camp.

Even without pads, Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers coaching staff made the most of the early training sessions. “You can’t waste any time, not a single minute,” Harbaugh said on Friday.

Saturday’s practice session saw several standout plays, and the continued role reversal of select backup players. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee noted the position changes from several players on the roster: “Michael Wilhoite and Demarcus Dobbs were back to defense today; Will Tukuafu, however, played fullback … Cory Nelms has been playing safety the last two days. He also can play cornerback.”

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com noted it was a busy day for first-round pick A.J. Jenkins who saw more action due to Michael Crabtree’s absence from practice. “During the 11-on-11 session, Jenkins made three catches, including a nice grab to end practice,” Maiocco wrote. “On a previous play, Jenkins failed to hang onto a Scott Tolzien throw that was behind him. But Jenkins made the catch in traffic a short time later on a dart from second-string quarterback Colin Kaepernick.”

Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News offered this classic observation of 49ers All-Pro, All-World, defensive tackle Justin Smith: “Remember in the playoff win over the Saints how Justin Smith bulldozed left tackle Jerrod Bushrod and reached over him to grab the back of Drew Brees back near the goal? Smith did almost the same thing today, pushing his way into the pocket past rookie tackle Al Netter.”

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jumnp.

Read more »