Blogs

Morning Tailgate: Feb. 1

It’s February and the 49ers are still playing football. It can only mean one thing: Super Bowl.

Jim and John Harbaugh took literally took center stage on Friday morning, as they held a joint press conference which marked the first time in Super Bowl history that both opposing coaches spoke together before the big game. As expected, the dueling styles of both brothers were on display, along with their similarities.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com offered his take on the unique press conference and the contrasting personalities of the Harbaugh brothers.

“The brothers and opposing coaches in Sunday’s championship game stayed true to form in the first press conference in Super Bowl history that involved the coaches for both teams,” Maiocco wrote. “John took the microphone and made the opening remarks, pointing out his parents, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, as well as other relatives in the audience.”

The 49ers are also proud to share the story of 9-year-old Ty Crouch, who’s visit to the 49ers is currently featured on the Make-A-Wish foundation homepage.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks at the Harbaughs and Super Bowl XLVII storylines.

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Morning Tailgate: Jan. 25

As the 49ers make their Quest for Six, it’s appropriate to remember the central figures who were behind previous five Super Bowls in franchise history. Along with former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., coach Bill Walsh was the face of the 49ers as they became one of the NFL’s most storied organizations.

Walsh, who was also a friend and mentor to Jim Harbaugh, has left his fingerprints all over the league. From his teachings of the West Coast Offense to his impressive coaching tree of former assistants who have shaped the NFL over the years, Walsh will always be remembered as one of the sport’s greatest innovators.

Seth Wickersham of ESPN the Magazine detailed Walsh’s legacy and how a book written by Walsh captures the coach’s dedication to his craft.

“Walsh began writing alone at his beach house in Monterey, Calif., always at 8 a.m., on yellow legal pads, in pencil, in all caps, his penmanship so clean that it could be its own font,” Wickersham wrote. “He would tear off sheets and stack them neatly in piles on the floor. This was in 1995, and Walsh didn’t know what kind of book he wanted. A leadership guide? A playbook? A coaching manual? A blueprint for front offices? Walsh told (Roger) Craig he wanted it to be a ‘real football book,’ not some light autobiography, waxing poetic about Super Bowls and Montana-to-Rice touchdown passes. He wanted his first book to motivate coaches, not delight fans.”

The 49ers would also like to announce that the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority is offering a Super Bowl special on pet adoptions. Select cats can be adopted for $4 and select dogs can be adopted for $9.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate also features the latest Super Bowl headlines, Patrick Willis’ strong relationship with his foster family, a historical look at the biggest games in 49ers postseason history and more.

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Morning Tailgate: Jan. 11

In the past seven games, Colin Kaepernick has led the 49ers to a 5-2 record and closed out their run as NFC West Champs and the No. 2 seed in the conference. But it’s a whole new ballgame now.

Heading into his first postseason action, Kaepernick will have a chance to show why Jim Harbaugh elected to make the quarterback switch to the young, athletic signal-caller in Week 11. Kaepernick has approached the 5 p.m. Saturday kickoff as business as usual, but realizes the magnitude of the NFC Championship bid that’s on the line.

Daniel Brown of the Bay Area News Group said it’s time to see if Harbaugh’s decision will pay off for the 49ers in earnest.

“Harbaugh pushed in all his chips this season with a midseason change of starting quarterbacks and, on Saturday against the Green Bay Packers, the coach finds out if lucky No. 7 comes up a winner,” Brown wrote. “That’s the jersey number of Colin Kaepernick, the boundlessly talented, minimally experienced quarterback who earned Harbaugh’s endorsement over the cautiously efficient Alex Smith.”

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate features all the latest links on the Packers matchup, Eddie DeBartolo’s bid for the Hall of Fame and the 49ers kicker situation.

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Morning Tailgate: Oct. 25

Pro Bowl safety Dashon Goldson has eight interceptions dating back to the beginning of the 2011 season, including last week’s pick against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. NFL.com put together a behind-the-scenes, black and white photo gallery of the Week 7 victory for the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

Goldson has maintained his status as one of the game’s most complete safeties in 2012 with his hard-hitting ability and knack for forcing turnovers. Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group wrote that Goldson figures to play a big role in the upcoming Monday Night Football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

“His contribution in preventing deep passes, plus his efforts on run defense and punt coverage Thursday, earned him a game ball from coach Jim Harbaugh,” Inman wrote. “Goldson also made a fierce stop on running back Marshawn Lynch that Harbaugh called ‘one of the best front-up tackles I’ve ever seen.’”

Today’s Morning Tailgate also features a look back at Eddie DeBartolo Jr.’s legacy, Delanie Walker’s contributions to the 49ers and more.

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Ronnie Lott Receives 49ers HOF Blazer

The San Francisco 49ers are set to induct Gordy Soltau this weekend as the 23^rd inductee into the team’s Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame.

Soltau will be inducted at a private event Saturday night and introduced in front of the 49ers Faithful during a halftime ceremony at the 49ers Week 6 game against the New York Giants.

One of the other 22 members of the 49ers Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, recently accepted his red 49ers Hall of Fame blazer this past week in a private ceremony at team headquarters.

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49ers Up for Weekend Honors

The 49ers are hoping for good news to come out of Indianapolis this weekend, as several members of the organization are in the running for prestigious honors. Former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., and three other former 49ers (Charles Haley, Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene) are among 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which will announce its 2012 class at 2:30 p.m. PT Saturday on NFL Network.

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