Blogs

MT: Minicamp Day 1 Recap

The 49ers opened up veteran minicamp with C.J. Spillman taking first-team reps on defense alongside Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner.

Second-year wideout A.J. Jenkins turned in the best offensive play of the day, snagging a high pass during a team period from second-team quarterback Colt McCoy.

Jenkins continues to improve this offseason and is looking to make a case to start Week 1 along with veteran Anquan Boldin.

More 49ers headlines and minicamp reviews can be found in today’s Morning Tailgate.

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2012 Plays of the Year: Takeaways

We need your help in selecting the top plays from the 2012 season. We’re asking our Faithful fans to choose the top takeaway, touchdown, sack, big play and biggest hit of the season. Next, the winning five plays (one from each category), will move on to the championship round to determine 49ers.com’s “Top Play of 2012.”

Watch our “Top 5” video highlights on the best plays for each category, then vote in the poll section of the corresponding blog post to see which top play will reach the championship.

Help us crown the top play of 2012 by first choosing your favorite takeaway from this past season. You can vote for your favorite takeaway up until Thursday at noon. Let’s take a look at the five nominees.

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Niner Talk: 49ers-Patriots Week 15

The San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots will face-off in a nationally televised game Sunday night, something that seems quite insignificant in light of today’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn. The 49ers expressed condolences to all those affected by the senseless act and will continue to honor those who lost their lives along with the Patriots. Football is not the most important thing at this time, but when it comes time to play, the healing process will continue with a showcase game for many of the top players in the National Football League.

To discuss this week’s 49ers matchup, we welcomed one of those of the laundry list of talented players, special teams standout C.J. Spillman, to this week’s Niner Talk podcast.

San Francisco’s talented coverage units are highlighted by Spillman’s play, a big reason why he leads NFC Pro Bowl voting for special teams play. Spillman’s role on the 49ers comes into greater focus this week with his appearance on the Week 15 edition of Niner Talk.

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Week 10 #Vote49ers Pro Bowl Update

The 49ers are back in the building following last week’s bye. As the team gets ready for its Week 10 home matchup against the St. Louis Rams, the 49ers Faithful should be getting ready to send their favorite players to the 2013 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Eight members of the 2011 49ers were voted to the NFL’s annual all-star game last year, and there are even more players making their cases to play in the Pro Bowl this season. Faithful Fans can vote for the 49ers in all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams.

Quarterback Alex Smith has established himself as one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks through eight games, leading the NFC with a 69.4 completion percentage and ranking No. 3 in NFC passer rating (102.1). Smith also earned praise from Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who wrote, “Smith didn’t play Sunday; the 49ers had their bye this weekend. But I didn’t want the week to get away from us without extolling his virtues after his performance last Monday. His numbers were alarmingly good: 18 of 19 for 232 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions — and the one incompletion was a clear drop by Delanie Walker.”

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Morning Tailgate: June 1

Justin Smith’s run of under-the-radar dominance is slowly starting to fade.

With NFL writers taking the time to acknowledge the efforts of San Francisco’s All-Pro defensive tackle, it’s clear that Smith’s name will continued to be mentioned in greater detail throughout the 2012 season.

In the latest offering of praise, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah listed Smith atop his interior defensive linemen rankings because of his ability to play the run and the pass.

“Against the run, he is too physically strong to move off the line of scrimmage and quick enough to shoot gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield,” Jeremiah, a former NFL scout, wrote.

“As a pass rusher, he might have the best bull rush of any defensive lineman in the league. He constantly pushes the pocket and forces the QB off his spot. He was always a solid player in Cincinnati, but he has taken his game to new heights in San Francisco. In four years with the 49ers, he’s compiled 29 sacks and made each of the last three Pro Bowls.”

In addition to NFL writers acknowledging Smith’s presence on the field, teammates have shed light on Smith’s behavior off of it. In fact, several 49ers have called Smith the funniest player in the locker room.

This is what Michael Crabtree had to say in a 49ers.com live chat when asked to name his funniest teammate.

“Justin Smith,” Crabtree said. “You know when you go to a comedy show and they’re telling the truth? He’s like that. It’s better when the truth is funnier than jokes.”

Fullback Bruce Miller had a similar response in his chat earlier this offseason.

“The funniest person on the team by far is Justin Smith,” Miller, the second-year player said. “He might be one of the funniest persons I’ve ever met. He’s so clever.”

It’s doubtful opposing offensive linemen find Smith to be so humorous, they’re too busy finding ways to slow down his never-ending motor.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

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49ers S Spillman Signs Tender

The San Francisco 49ers today announced that S C.J. Spillman has signed a one-year deal. The team tendered a one-year contract to exclusive rights free agent Spillman on March 2.

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49ers Announce Roster Moves

Late Tuesday afternoon, the 49ers announced they have claimed S C.J. Spillman off waivers from the San Diego Chargers. In order to make room on the roster for Spillman, the team waived CB Tramaine Brock. FB Jehuu Caulcrick has also been released from the team’s practice squad.

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