Blogs

Morning Tailgate: April 5

The NFL regular season feels like its right around the corner now that the league released the 2012 preseason schedule for all 32 clubs. Oh, and mock drafts, those are coming out fast and furiously with the NFL Draft just three weeks away.

As for the preseason, the 49ers will face the Denver Broncos on the road in the important third preseason game, viewed by many to be a team’s true dress rehearsal for the regular season. The game will also be televised nationally on Aug. 26 on FOX.

San Francisco opens up the preseason at home against the Minnesota Vikings and then travels to face the Houston Texans and Broncos, before finishing the preseason at home against the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers and 49ers will meet in the preseason for a 26^th consecutive season.

More analysis on the preseason schedule release, a few of those mock draft offerings and highlights from Patrick Willis’ day at ESPN can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: April 4

In the biggest uniform unveiling in professional sports history, Alex Smith donned the new-look 49ers threads at Wednesday’s NFL uniform launch.

At the event, Smith was all smiles (and not looking as menacing as his Nike photo shoot) when speaking with NFL Network about the changes to the 49ers uniforms. The 49ers quarterback was supportive of the changes and especially pleased with the improvements made to the uniform collar.

Smith also gave an interview with Sirius/XM satellite radio where he discussed his offseason as well as some of San Francisco’s offensive additions in free agency.

Smith’s comments, more fallout from the uniform unveiling and a pair of mock drafts can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: March 30

The biggest takeaway from Carlos Rogers’ conversation with the Bay Area media on Thursday was the Pro Bowl cornerback’s astonishment over all 11 defensive starters returning to the 49ers in 2012.

“This is a first for me and I’m pretty sure it’s rare for a lot of guys,” Rogers said.

In fact, several media outlets analyzed the 49ers offseason efforts to retain its starting defense. More on San Francisco’s free agency scorecard and additional headlines can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: March 16

All six of the 49ers teams represented in the NFL.com’s greatest team of all-time tournament have advanced to the second round.

However, Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young will be pitted against each other as the 1988 team quarterbacked by Montana will face the 1994 team quarterbacked by Young. Both teams won Super Bowls.

The 49ers vs. 49ers matchups don’t end there.

In addition, the 1989 team faces the 1990 team.

More on the tournament, 49ers free-agency headlines and 49ers players attending that other March tournament after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: March 8

Some say it’s a gift, and some say it’s a curse.

But still, finding out which player will grace the cover of EA Sports’ Madden football video game remains a time honored tradition of the NFL offseason.

Some see it as a means to jinx yourself with a poor season or in some cases falling victim to injury. Others look at it as great recognition for a football player, his team and region of the country.

It just all depends on who you’re talking to.

This year, the folks at EA have taken it to a whole different level. Instead of fans voting on individual players in a bracket-style tournament like last year, they’re having fans vote between two players from each team first. Then, those selected 32 will take part in this year’s fan vote tournament.

Representing the 49ers is none other than five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis (who advanced to the final eight last year) and famed postseason tight end Vernon Davis, who probably won’t receive many votes from the Bayou but from many other places as he’ll be remembered for some time for his game-winning touchdown catch against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Playoff round.

Find out how to vote for Willis/Davis (tough call, I know), the latest on the upcoming free agency season and more team news after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: March 6

Now that we know who’s been tagged and who hasn’t, the NFL’s free agency season is starting to shape up.

But before we get into franchise tags, the latest free agency rumblings and team-related headlines, let’s take a look back at a busy Monday at 4949 Centennial Blvd.

First, the 49ers made big news by announcing the hiring of Kunal Malik as the team’s Chief Technology Officer. Malik previously led the creation of Facebook’s IT department and will be instrumental in leading the team’s technological efforts for the new Santa Clara stadium.

49ers.com also began our “49 in 49” series which will examine all the key 2012 NFL Draft prospects. We kicked-off SEC Week with a look at South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who is one of the top perimeter prospects in this year’s draft.

More on receivers and the 49ers can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: Feb. 29

Leap day here at the Morning Tailgate happens to cover a lot of leaping from the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine.

With the league’s annual pre-draft audition officially over, we’ve compiled analysis on who hurt and helped their draft stock with their respective performances in Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, the Bay Area is buzzing over the six-year contract extension given to outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who’s coming off a career-year where he posted 7.0 sacks and 59 tackles in his first year as a full-time starter.

We spoke with Brooks exclusively about his continued progress on and off the field. TV49’s Scott Kegley sat down with Brooks as well to discuss his outlook on his future with the 49ers.

More on Brooks, combine highlights and other team news can be found after the jump.
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NFL, Smith Honor Jim Harbaugh

On the eve of Super Bowl XLVI, the National Football League held its inaugural postseason “NFL Honors” award show Saturday night. The primetime television event, hosted by Alec Baldwin, saw a blend of current and former stars of pro football being highlighted throughout the show.

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Greetings from Hawaii

HONOLULU – After a long flight from San Jose and a quick stop at the rental car center, 49ers.com has made it to Hawaii for a week of exclusive coverage of the 2012 Pro Bowl.

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Monday’s Locker Room Talk: Jan. 23

He’s been as a player and now as a head coach. And in both cases, it ended in defeat.

Even still, Jim Harbaugh comes back with plans to compete for the game’s ultimate prize: The Vince Lombardi Trophy.

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