Blogs

Morning Tailgate: Oct. 9

The 49ers have moved past last week’s historic 45-3 win over the Buffalo Bills. When the reigning Super Bowl champions are coming to town, you don’t have much time to celebrate.

The New York Giants visited Candlestick Park twice last year, losing a heated 27-20 regular season matchup before escaping with a 20-17 overtime victory in the NFC Championship game. The contests were just the latest chapters in what’s been a decades-old rivalry between the two storied franchises.

Shortly after last week’s career day, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said there’s a little “unfinished business” to settle with the Giants given the recent history between the two teams. Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group previewed the NFC title game rematch and how both teams have evolved since January.

“The 49ers (4-1) are riding a wave of momentum into Sunday’s rematch against the Giants (3-2) at Candlestick Park,” Inman wrote. “As opposed to their last meeting, the 49ers look more capable of keeping pace with the offensive-minded Giants, who went on to win last season’s Super Bowl.”

Today’s Morning Tailgate also features news on Randy Moss, Jim Harbaugh and the NFC West’s impressive collection of defenses.

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Gameday Story: The Forty Niner Way

The first 49ers Gameday Magazine cover story of 2012 discusses this year’s incoming rookie draft class and their quest to learn “The Forty Niner Way.” Seven players from all over the country have been chosen to be the next batch of great players, but before they get there, coaches and veterans have schooled the NFL newcomers on what it takes to truly become a 49er.

This year’s rookies posed for the cover after a recent training camp practice. They also stood close to Jim Harbaugh’s “Forty Niner Way” street sign, recently installed by San Francisco’s coach prior to the start of camp. Graphic designer Ben Mayberry touched up the image to give the cover its final look.

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49ers Place LB Fleming on PUP List

The San Francisco 49ers announced that LB Darius Fleming has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list. G Joe Looney and RB Jewel Hampton have been placed on the active/non-football injury list. Players placed on either list count against the 90-man roster limit and can be activated at any time prior to the final cuts of training camp.

Morning Tailgate: July 23

In just a few hours, 49ers rookies and a few early arriving veterans will speak with the media to discuss their mindset heading into training camp. Rookies officially reported over the weekend, and many were in awe once they arrived at team headquarters to discover game jerseys hanging in their lockers.

The 49ers will utilize the game jerseys to increase practice tempo, and to allow players to get a feel for proper blocking technique in game equipment.

As for the veterans, many have already made their way to team headquarters in Santa Clara. The group, however, won’t officially report until Thursday. Practices begin promptly on Friday.

But before camp can officially get underway, let’s examine the top storylines heading into camp after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: May 16

Aldon Smith’s impressive 2011 season continues to linger into the offseason.

The outside linebacker who totaled 14.0 sacks as a rookie and broke the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie sack record in the process is out to prove he’s a complete player this offseason.

Smith’s working on his pass coverage and ball skills during the team’s offseason program, all while looking to make himself an all-around threat. Smith’s progress was discussed in two recently released news articles. Not only is Smith listed on NFL.com’s list of top 10 players under the age of 25, but two of the best performances from year’s No. 7 overall pick earned additional recognition.

More on Smith’s impressive rookie campaign, the latest 49ers headlines and more after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: May 9

If you’ve been following the Twitter accounts of the San Francisco 49ers 2012 draft class, you can sense their excitement as the team’s rookie minicamp is now just one day away.

The rookies will not be in the mix with their veteran teammates this coming weekend, but that doesn’t mean they’re looking any less forward to their first practices as members of the National Football League and the San Francisco 49ers.

Count Oregon running back LaMichael James, selected by the 49ers with the No. 61 overall selection in the second round, as one of the most eager players to get his NFL career started. According to a national football writer, James’ presence on the 49ers roster is one of the top minicamp storylines to track involving this year’s incoming draft class.

More on James and the latest team headlines can be found after the jump.

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Meet the Rookies: 2012 Edition

The 2012 49ers draft class is one marked with intrigue and excitement. From traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame to up-and-coming programs like Oregon and even Division II schools like Western Oregon, the new crop of 49ers bring their own share of interesting stories to the team.

In his third year at the helm of the 49ers draft room, general manager Trent Baalke was able to add some explosive offensive weapons while adding some back-end depth on the final day. Above all, the 49ers are excited to bring another group of high character players in the locker room at 4949 Centennial Blvd.

Baalke and his staff felt good about the 49ers prospect board heading into the draft and are even happier with the seven players they added to the roster.

“It creates competition,” Baalke said. “I can’t say it enough, that’s what this game’s all about, is competing and developing this roster from the top down and the bottom up. And as those things come together, that’s when you start to develop a team that we feel we can play long into the year with.”

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