Blogs

Pro Bowl Practice Week Wraps Up

The NFC and AFC squads wrapped up their week of practice on Saturday.  The practices were held at Lockhart stadium in Ft. Lauderdale and were open to the public.

Take a look at our photo gallery from Saturday’s practice.  It was a lighter, abbreviated session that featured the NFL cheerleaders.  NFC coach Wade Phillips was also miked up during practice and that sound was played over the stadium’s speakers so that all the fans could hear the interaction between Philips and the players.

Patrick Willis was replaced on the NFC roster by Panthers linebackers Jon Beason after he decided not to play because of a minor injury.

With the week of practice concluding, players will get the rest of the day off and resume preparation on Sunday for the 7:20 ET kickoff of the NFL’s all-star game.

There hasn’t been much adjustment for players like Jason Witten.  The Cowboys tight end didn’t have to learn anything new this week since the Cowboys coaching staff is heading the NFC squad.

“I think there are going to be some good plays,” Witten said.  “I know this offense pretty well so I’m excited about it and I look forward to playing tomorrow.”

49ers punter Andy Lee looks around at the rest of teammates and can only feel optimistic about his team in tomorrow’s game.

“The only thing I can say is I like our chances,” Lee said.  “We’ve been practicing well so we’ll see how it all goes tomorrow.”

This will be Lee’s second Pro Bowl.  He was selected to the team in 2007, but the only time he was on the field in that game was to hold on field goal kicks.

“I didn’t punt the last time, so I don’t know if I really learned anything from that game that will help me tomorrow,” Lee joked.  “I just have to go out there, do my job and show why I was chosen.”

Lee ranked 1st in the NFC in 2009 with a 47.6 gross punt average so he’ll definitely be an asset for his team if called upon on Sunday.  However, Lee laughed and said that he wants to be even more involved.

“I don’t think we have a fake in, who knows,” Lee said.  “We could throw something in, but we’ll see if I’ll have to actually punt this time around.”

It’s been an enjoyable week for Lee who was able to bring his wife Rachel as well as some of his family out to South Florida along with him.

“Yesterday was great,” said Lee.  “I went out to eat with the family and hung out by the pool.  The place we went to eat was called Truluck’s.  I got this big Alaskan crab from Dutch Harbor.  That what they have on the show Deadliest Catch.  It was great.”

For all of our coverage of the Pro Bowl, visit our Pro Bowl Central page.

Blog: Pro Bowl Practice Kicks Off

The AFC and NFC squads hit the field at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in South Florida on Wednesday for their first practices of the 2010 Pro Bowl.  The Cowboys and Chargers coaching staffs ran the drills for their respective conferences.

The NFC’s practice was a little longer than what I expected for a Pro Bowl session.  Players don’t go full speed during the drills, focusing more on mental reps and learning the offensive and defensive schemes.  The schemes are usually pretty basic so all of the players can pick things up during the week. (Click here to view a 49ers.com photo gallery of Wednesday’s practice).

Donovan McNabb was easily the most vocal player on the field, laughing and joking with teammates.  Every time McNabb would throw a pass to Cowboys receiver Miles Austin, Austin would bat it down, refusing to catch anything from McNabb.  The two kept laughing at each other for most of the morning.

He also joked with Vernon Davis.  McNabb seemed shocked to see Davis’ short hair.

“He told me he was glad I shaved of my six dreads,” Davis told reporters after practice.

Justin Smith was the only 49ers Pro Bowler not present at practice.  He learned that he would replace the Vikings’ Kevin Williams yesterday so he should be arriving by tomorrow.

It’s an especially meaningful week for running back Frank Gore, who hasn’t played in his hometown of Miami since his days at “The U.”

“It’s a great opportunity to play in front of my family,” Gore said.  “That’s the best part about this.  My family hasn’t been able to see me play since I’ve been in the NFL so that makes this week really special.  I wasn’t able to play last year when we came out to play the Dolphins so this is great!”

One of the family members Gore is most excited to play in front of is his son, Frank Jr., who is becoming quite a good football player himself.

“He’s really excited to see me play,” Gore said.  “He’s taking after his dad so far.  I’m proud of him because he’s continued working really hard.”

Gore grew up in Coral Gables and attended Coral Gables High School so it seemed weird to him to be practicing on the field of his former rival school, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Some of the high school students were allowed to take some time away from class to come out and watch the practice.  It also made the practices more lively the students would cheer after good plays and yell encouragement for their favorite players.

“It’s a good opportunity for them to see a lot of NFL guys, especially players who made the Pro Bowl who are supposed to be the best at their position,” Gore said.

Gore said he’s really looking forward to see how his teammate and good friend Vernon Davis plays with the best players in the business.

“I want to see how Vernon does.  I think he’s going to play fast like he always does and turn some heads.”

Gore admitted he probably wasn’t playing as fast as he normally does during the first session of the practice.  During special teams drills, Gore lined up on kickoff coverage and proceeded to sprint down the field and get into tackling position on the return man.

“That was crazy,” Gore said with a grin.  “I had no idea what I was doing.”

I caught up with some of our guys after the NFC practice.  Watch the video below:

The AFC players had some interesting things to say following their practice as well.  Here’s my report following their practice:

For all of our coverage of the Pro Bowl, visit our Pro Bowl Central page. And for more videos like the ones above, check out our new YouTube page.

New Day, Different Honor for Patrick Willis

The honors keep coming in – but when you finish a 16-game season with 147 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles – would you expect anything different? 

A day after he was named to Sporting News’ All-Pro defense, Patrick Willis has added another significant achievement to his resume. Willis was chosen as a first-team member of the Associated Press’ All-Pro Team.

The 49ers three-time Pro Bowl linebacker was selected by a national media panel alongside Baltimore Raves linebacker Ray Lewis as the NFL’s top middle linebackers from this past season.

While Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, the AP’s Offensive Player of the Year, was a unanimous choice for the first-team, Willis was almost an undisputed selection himself.

He received 49 of 50 first-place votes, the most of any NFL player behind Johnson.

This is the third time Willis has been chosen as an All-Pro, and his second first-team selection. As a rookie he was the only member of his 2007 draft class to be named All-Pro. Last season, Willis missed out on the first-team by one vote, as Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason edged him out.

Punter Andy Lee was selected to the AP’s All-Pro team too, but as a second-teamer in a tie with St. Louis Rams punter Donnie Jones.

It’s Lee’s second All-Pro selection. Lee was a first-team selection along with Willis in 2007.

NinerCam: Pro Bowl Reaction

It was a hectic afternoon at 4949 Centennial Blvd. as the Pro Bowl rosters were released. Head coach Mike Singletary called Vernon Davis (1st Pro Bowl) and Andy Lee (2nd Pro Bowl) to tell them the good news.

Watch Singletary’s call with Vernon Davis

Watch Singletary’s call with Andy Lee

Singletary didn’t have success reaching Patrick Willis right away as he was on his way to visit children at a Santa Clara hospital.  Willis eventually received the news and TV49 caught up with him to get his reaction.

The 49ers also had several alternates – first-alternate Frank Gore and second-alternates Justin Smith and Michael Robinson.

Pro Bowl Update: Week 15

Pro Bowl balloting is open so make sure you go to nfl.com/probowl to send you favorite 49ers to South Florida.  For the first time since 1980, the Pro Bowl is being held somewhere other than Hawaii.

Several players are having great seasons such as Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and Aubrayo Franklin, but don’t forget to vote for special teamers like Andy Lee and Michael Robinson.  You can vote as many times as you want, so make sure to vote often!  Here’s a look at what some of the 49ers standouts have done so far:

TE VERNON DAVIS - Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with 66 catches for 815 yards and 11 TDs. His 11 TD receptions rank 1st in the NFL among all pass catchers and are the most by a 49ers tight end in a single-season in franchise history. He ranks 1st among NFC TE’s in yards. and tied for 3rd in receptions.

-“There should be no excuse for him not making the Pro Bowl this year because he is definitely, in my eyes, far and beyond any tight end in the league,” – 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, 11/30/09.

LB PATRICK WILLIS - Willis leads the 49ers in tackles to go along with 4.0 sacks, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD), 3 FFs and 11 PDs. According to NFL stats, Willis ranks 2nd in the NFL in tackles (132).

P ANDY LEE - Lee leads the NFC and ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 41.5 net punting avg. and 47.8 gross punting avg.

LB MANNY LAWSON- Lawson ranks 4th in the NFC among LBs with 5.5 sacks, while his 3 FFs rank tied for 2nd in the NFC among LBs.

NT AUBRAYO FRANKLIN - Franklin leads the D-Line with in tackles and TFLs. He recorded a crucial INT against Chi. (11/12) and has a career high 2 sacks. Franklin has helped limit opponents to 3.7 yards per carry (3rd in NFL) and the 5th-fewest rushing yards per game (95.0).

RB FRANK GORE - Despite missing nearly 3 games due to an ankle injury, Gore has still managed to rush for835 yards and 7 TDs, while ranking tied for 2nd in the NFC in scoring among running backs (60 points).

Pro Bowl Update: Week 14

Pro Bowl balloting is open so make sure you go to nfl.com/probowl to send you favorite 49ers to South Florida.  For the first time since 1980, the Pro Bowl is being held somewhere other than Hawaii.

Several players are having great seasons such as Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and Aubrayo Franklin, but don’t forget to vote for special teamers like Andy Lee and Michael Robinson.  You can vote as many times as you want, so make sure to vote often!  Here’s a look at what some of the 49ers standouts have done so far:

TE VERNON DAVIS - Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with 63 catches for 781 yards and 10 TDs. His 10 TD receptions rank 1^st among NFL TE’s, tied for 1st in the NFL among all pass catchers and are the most by a 49ers tight end in a single-season in franchise history. He ranks 1st among NFC TE’s in yards and tied for 2nd in receptions.

“There should be no excuse for him not making the Pro Bowl this year because he is definitely, in my eyes, far and beyond any tight end in the league,” – 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, 11/30/09.

LB PATRICK WILLIS - Willis leads the 49ers with 136 tackles to go along with 3.0 sacks, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD), 2 FFs, 9 TFLs and 11 PDs. According to NFL stats, Willis ranks 2nd in the NFL in tackles (123).

P ANDY LEE - Lee leads the NFC and ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 41.8 net punting avg. and 48.3 gross punting avg.

LB MANNY LAWSON- Lawson ranks 3rd in the NFC among LBs with 5.5 sacks, while his 3 FFs rank tied for 2nd in the NFC among LBs.

NT AUBRAYO FRANKLIN - Franklin leads the D-Line with 68 tackles and 7.5 TFLs. He recorded a crucial INT against Chi. (11/12) and has a career-high 2 sacks. Franklin has helped limit opponents to 3.6 yards per carry (4th in NFL) and the 5th-fewest rushing yards per game (95.8).

RB FRANK GORE - Despite missing nearly 3 games due to an ankle injury, Gore has still managed to rush for 668 yards and 6 TDs, while ranking tied for 3rd in the NFC in scoring among running backs (54 points).

Pro Bowl Update: Week 13

Pro Bowl balloting is open so make sure you go to nfl.com/probowl to send you favorite 49ers to South Florida.  For the first time since 1980, the Pro Bowl is being held somewhere other than Hawaii.

Several players are having great seasons such as Vernon Davis, Patrick Willis and Aubrayo Franklin, but don’t forget to vote for special teamers like Andy Lee and Michael Robinson.  You can vote as many times as you want, so make sure to vote often!  Here’s a look at what some of the 49ers standouts have done so far:

TE VERNON DAVIS – Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with 57 catches for 670 yards and 9 TDs. His 9 TD receptions rank 1st among TE’s and tied for 1st in the NFL among all pass catchers. He ranks 1^st among NFC TE’s in yards and is tied for 2nd in receptions.

“There should be no excuse for him not making the Pro Bowl this year because he is definitely, in my eyes, far and beyond any tight end in the league,” – 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary, 11/30/09.

LB PATRICK WILLIS - Willis leads the 49ers with 120 tackles to go along with 3.0 sacks, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD), 2 FFs, 7 TFLs and 11 PDs. According to NFL stats, Willis ranks 2nd in the NFL in tackles (107).

RB FRANK GORE - Despite missing nearly 3 games due to an ankle injury, Gore has still managed to rush for 643 yards and 6 TDs, while ranking tied for 3rd in the NFL in scoring among running backs (54 points). Gore is 2nd on the team with 36 catches (234 yards and 3 TDs).

P ANDY LEE - Lee ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 41.6 net punting avg. and 48.1 gross punting avg. (48.1). He is tied for 4th in the NFC with 20 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.

NT AUBRAYO FRANKLIN - Franklin leads the D-Line with 65 tackles and 7.5 TFLs. He recorded a crucial INT against Chi. (11/12) and has a career-high 2 sacks. Franklin has helped limit opponents to 3.6 yards.

Pro Bowl Update: Week 12

The 49ers players need your support to get to the 2010 Pro Bowl in South Florida.  Here’s a recap of what some of the 49ers top Pro Bowl candidates have done through the first eleven weeks of the season.  You can vote as many times as you like at nfl.com/probowl.

TE Vernon Davis - Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with 51 catches for 601 yards and 8 touchdowns. His 8 touchdown receptions rank 1st among tight ends and is tied for 2nd in the NFL among all pass catchers. He ranks 1^st among NFC tight ends in yards and 3rd in receptions.

LB PATRICK WILLIS - Willis leads the 49ers with 107 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs (1 returned for TD), 2 FFs, 6 TFLs and 10 PDs. According to league stats, Willis ranks 2nd in the NFL in tackles (96).

RB FRANK GORE - Despite missing nearly 3 games due to an ankle injury, Gore has still managed to rush for 610 yards and 6 TDs (tied for 4^th in NFC), while ranking tied for 2nd in the NFC with 5.4 yards per carry. Gore ranks 3rd on the team with 29 catches (220 yards. and 2 TDs).

P ANDY LEE - Lee ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 42.0 net punting avg., 2nd in the NFL in gross punt avg. (47.9) and tied for 7th in the NFL with 19 punts downed inside the 20-yd. line.

NT AUBRAYO FRANKLIN - Franklin leads the defensive line with 60 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. He recorded a crucial INT against Chi. (11/12) and has set a career-high with 2.0 sacks. Franklin has helped limit opponents to 3.5 yards per carry (3rd in NFL) and the 6th-fewest rushing yards per game (94.7).

RB MICHAEL ROBINSON - Robinson ranks 4th on the team in special teams tackles (16) and has led the team in special teams tackles in three different games. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008.

Pro Bowl Update: Week 11

The 49ers players need your support to get to the 2010 Pro Bowl in South Florida.  Here’s a recap of what some of the 49ers top Pro Bowl candidates have done through the first ten weeks of the season.  You can vote as many times as you like at nfl.com/probowl.

TE Vernon Davis: Davis is having a career-year, leading the team with 45 catches for 493 yards and 7 touchdowns. His 7 TD catches rank 1st among tight ends and tied for 3rd in the NFL among receivers. He ranks 3rd among NFC tight ends in both yards and receptions.

LB Patrick Willis: Willis leads the 49ers with 98 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions (1 returned for TD), 2 forced fumbles, 6 TFLs and 9 PDs. According to league stats, Willis ranks 2nd in the NFL in tackles (88).

RB Frank Gore: Despite missing nearly 3 games due to an ankle injury, Gore has still managed to rush for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns (tied for 4th in NFC), while also leading the NFC with 5.2 yds. per carry. Gore ranks 2nd on the team with 26 catches (211 yds. and 1 TD).

P Andy Lee: Lee ranks 2nd in the NFL with a 41.7 net punting avg. He also ranks 3rd in the NFL in gross punt avg. (47.6) and tied for 5th in the NFL with 19 punts downed inside the 20-yd. line.

NT Aubrayo Franklin: Franklin leads the defensive line with 56 tackles and 6.5 TFLs. He recorded a crucial interception against Chicago (11/12) and has set a career-high with 2.0 sacks. Franklin has helped limit opponents to 3.3 yds. per carry (1st in NFL) and the 3rd-fewest rushing yards per game (87.7).

RB Michael Robinson: Robinson ranks 2nd on the team in special teams tackles (16) and has led the team in special teams tackles in three different games. He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008.

Singletary and Teammates Applaud Franklin

A day after beating the Chicago Bears 10-6 at Candlestick Park, Mike Singletary said nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin has been his most consistent player this season.

That’s certainly high praise, considering the player who lines up behind Franklin is two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Patrick Willis. But Singletary meant what he said in complementing the play of his nose tackle, who took points off the score board by intercepting Jay Cutler at the Bears 1-yard line.

Known in the locker room for being one of the best dressed players on the team, Franklin became a new kind of trendsetter by becoming the first of five different players to intercept Cutler last night.

“It was fun,” Franklin said of his first-career interception. “But I’m just glad they didn’t get in the end zone.”

Franklin was asked if defensive lineman such as himself imagined scenarios where they intercept a pass and the 6-foot-1, 317-pound nose tackle admitted such things were in fact true.

“I think anybody does on the defensive line,” Franklin revealed. “We’re the guys who rarely get our hands on the ball; we’re trying to knock the ball down. Fortunately, God blessed me to get a pick and I held on to it.”

It was Franklin’s first interception since his high school days at Science Hill High in Johnson City, Tennessee. Back then Franklin was an all-state linebacker who recorded 180 tackles as a senior. Franklin said he would send the ball back home to his mother, Chantini Carter who lives back in Tennessee.

Franklin received even more praise from teammate Jeff Ulrbich who was recently placed on injured reserve. Ulbrich, who remains around the team in a daily basis, interrupted Franklin’s media session to openly share his thoughts on one of the 49ers most underrated players.

“I’m putting this out there right now, anybody that doesn’t recognize that he is one of the top-3 nose tackles in the game right now, doesn’t know anything about football. You know nothing and you shouldn’t be writing,” said Ulbrich as he put his right hand on Franklin’s shoulder.

Ulbrich was asked if Franklin should be in the Pro Bowl this year, to which the 10-year veteran said, “He should, without a doubt.”

More Monday Notes

-After having their longest injury list after the Tennessee game, the 49ers have a shorter injury list following last night’s game. The injury list is: Michael Lewis (stinger), Arnaz Battle (quad), Mark Roman (knee), Adam Snyder (AC sprain), Takeo Spikes (hamstring) and Isaac Bruce (ankle).
-Out of the names mentioned above, all figure to be active for the 49ers next game against the Green Bay Packers. Singletary added that the team will need to monitor Spikes on a day-to-day basis.

-Singletary made a decision in regards to the starting wide receivers for the duration of the season. Josh Morgan will remain in the starting lineup when Bruce regains full strength in his ankle. But Singletary reiterated that Bruce will remain a factor in the offense and will see plenty of playing time.

-One are of concern to Singletary was the kicking game. Joe Nedney missed a 39-yard field goal which could have been a useful three points given the close circumstances at the end of the game. Singletary also said that wind played a factor in him not letting Nedney attempt a 50-plus-yard field goal on the 49ers final possession. Singletary elected to let punter Andy Lee pin the Bears inside the 10-yard line, but Lee was unable to do so. “We have to make those kicks,” Singletary said.

- Singletary was pleased overall with his defense and how they were able to execute the game plan for the Chicago game. “I thought our defense did what we focused on which was creating turnovers,” he said. But Singletary found areas for improvement after watching the game again last night. “We have to continue to work on our tackling on the perimeter,” he added. “We have to continue to keep working at that.”

-In addition to Franklin and others on his defense, Singletary singled out linebacker Matt Wilhelm who filled in nicely for Spikes. “Matt has experience and that helps tremendously.” Wilhelm finished the game five tackles, one of which went behind the line of scrimmage.

-A day after he completed two impromptu shovel passes for big gains, Alex Smith said he too found himself asking himself why he was doing it too. “Those things seem to come in spurts like that. You don’t get them, then you do two or three of them and you even ask yourself the same question, ‘Why am I doing it?’ It just kind of happens when you’re playing in the game, you’re not thinking, you’re just reacting. And sometimes it’s just a quicker way to get the ball out. You can’ always set up and have a form throw so it’s easier sometimes just to shove it to the guy.

-Smith praised backup running back Michael Robinson, who converted two first downs on the 49ers final offensive drive. “It was huge, especially when you’re trying to run down the clock,” Smith said. “We had the lead and it was important for us to change field position and take as much time off the clock as we could. To get those third down conversions to eat up quite a bit of that clock… in the end, those are things that help you win the game.”

-The maligned 49ers offensive line put together a solid performance, helping Frank Gore surpass the 100-yard mark for the 17th time in his career.

-“I think as the game went on we got better,” left tackle Barry Sims said. “It would have been nice to finish some drives off, we moved the ball well at times, but we needed to finish drives better than we did and give our defense a better chance where they do not have to win it on the last play of the game.”

-Sims, an avid golfer, will not step foot on a golf course this weekend with the 49ers having the weekend off. “I’m just going to relax, keep my body fresh and get ready for Green Bay,” he said.