Blogs

Morning Tailgate: Aug. 28

All offseason we’ve heard commentary and prognostications from members of the local and national media as it pertains to the San Francisco 49ers.

Now, we know how Hall of Famers from the team’s storied past feel. In a recent appearance on ESPN’s NFL Live, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana joined host Trey Wingo to discuss to their former team’s outlook in 2012.

“I think with that defense they can (be successful) because they brought all the guys back,” Rice, an ESPN analyst, said. “It’s going to be up to the offense. They brought in some additional weapons to help Alex Smith out, so now he has to put the ball in the hands of the playmakers, this team is going to go far.”

Montana said he was really impressed by Smith’s 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis in the team’s Divisional Playoff win over the New Orleans Saints.

“That showed me confidence in his ability to throw the ball,” Montana said of Smith. “He can make those throws, now it’s about managing the game.”

The legendary 49ers quarterback stressed that Smith has to distribute the ball to the playmakers and let them create big plays.

“They should be settled in, they understand what it takes to operate,” Montana said.

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Morning Tailgate: Aug. 24

The 49ers players have the day off, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be heard from this Friday on 49ers.com.

Our latest Niner Talk podcast features an interview with starting cornerback Tarell Brown who discussed the team’s Sunday preseason contest against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Brown said the first-team defense is excited for the challenge and as always, looking to hit everything moving.

The interview also covered Brown’s road trip necessities which included Welch’s fruit snacks and a round neck pillow for long cross-country naps. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, a writer frequently linked in the Morning Tailgate, also joined the latest podcast to discuss 49ers storylines heading into Week 3 of the preseason and the frontrunners for his yearly “Iron Bee” award.

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Morning Tailgate: Aug. 10

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: Gameday. The 49ers will begin the 2012 preseason schedule tonight when the Minnesota Vikings come into town for a 6 p.m. kick-off at Candlestick Park.

It figures to be an important night for many on the 49ers roster. As for the players photographed above, All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Smith will likely take part in a limited number of plays. Second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick, however, will get an opportunity play a lot more than Smith, last season’s team MVP.

If you’re unable to catch the game on in person, or locally on CBS 5, don’t worry, NFL.com’s Preseason Live subscription service offers complete re-broadcasts of every preseason game with plenty of unique features for the die-hard football fan to enjoy.

If you’re heading into “The ‘Stick” tonight, check out the latest 49ers.com’s Niner Talk podcast, featuring interviews with rookie wide receiver Nathan Palmer and CSN Bay Area’s 49ers Insider Matt Maiocco. Download the 49ers Gameday Live App and listen to the podcast on your way to the game.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: Aug. 9

The 49ers are one day away from kicking off the 2012 preseason, and it appears as though first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins is putting together some of his best practices leading up to Friday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

According to CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco, the No. 30 overall pick had the best day of any 49ers receiver in training camp on Tuesday. Jenkins caught six passes in team and 7-on-7 drills, and told Maiocco he still found areas he can improve on following his solid day of practice.

Jenkins’ steady improvements won’t be seen today. The 49ers will have a “Mock Game” this afternoon without media in attendance. After, coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Alex Smith will speak with the reporters.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: Aug. 7

You know you’re getting closer to the start of the preseason when the 49ers first depth chart is released. Such was the case Monday afternoon when the team released its first depth chart for Friday night’s exhibition opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Download the official preseason game one press release by clicking here.

The battle for San Francisco’s No. 2 quarterback remains fluid according to coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s looking forward to see how things shake out after his team’s first preseason contest.

One player looking to make an impact, defensive back Cory Nelms, received special permission to temporarily leave practice on Monday. Not to worry, it was for a great reason. Nelms dashed off the field to watch a live stream of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Summer Olympics. Nelms’ girlfriend, T’erea Brown, qualified for a spot in Wednesday’s final by posting a personal-best time of 54.21 seconds. CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco learned of Nelms’ brief absence from practice and shared the details.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

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Tarell Brown’s Patience Pays Off

While position battles heat up at training camps across the NFL, much of the attention is placed on the snap breakdown at particular spots on the field.

Tarell Brown is a prime example of the importance in getting those reps. Just ask Vic Fangio.

“I don’t think he played a whole lot prior to last year,” the 49ers defensive coordinator said as he met the media Saturday morning. “From day one he was focused, he was learning and he was competing … I think he just took advantage of a new opportunity. Obviously when Shawntae Spencer got hurt early in camp and he missed all of camp that gave (Brown) a new opportunity and he took advantage of it. Then we just left him in there because he was playing so good.”

Brown, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound cornerback, took his chance early last camp and ran with it starting all 16 regular season games in 2011 after just five spot starts in his previous four years in the NFL.

“Patience in this league is a lot harder when you are used to being the guy,” Brown said. “A lot of times coming from a big university you are known to be that guy and when you come to the NFL a lot of times you have to wait your turn.”

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Carlos Rogers Embraces Nickel Corner

Like many of his fellow defensive teammates on the San Francisco 49ers, Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers wants to master Vic Fangio’s complete system.

The starting cornerback who re-signed this offseason for four more seasons in San Francisco, said on Wednesday that he wants to get a better understanding of his defensive teammates’ full responsibilities now that they’re all experiencing a second season under the respected defensive coordinator’s guidance.

It’s important especially for Rogers, who lines up inside as the team’s nickel cornerback against multiple receiver formations.

“Nickel is something tough,” admitted Rogers, a 6-foot, 192-pound cornerback who recorded a career-high six interceptions for the 49ers last season. “You have to know crossing routes, working with the linebackers, sometimes they take the routes deep. There’s a lot of stuff. Sometimes you’re blitzing, sometimes you may have a run gap.”

Fangio considers the position to be a linebacker-type of role. Rogers, fearless when it comes to tackling, thrived in such a role, posting 57 tackles and 18 pass breakups in 2011.

Rogers performed well in the role because of his quickness, Fangio said.

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Morning Tailgate: June 18

The 49ers Faithful celebrated Father’s Day this weekend and shared their favorite photos of their #NinerDads on Twitter. Check out @49ers to see some of the best pictures submitted on Sunday.

The holiday also held a special meaning for sixth-year CB Tarell Brown, who lost his father to a heart attack shortly before being drafted by the 49ers in 2007. Brown spoke to Nate Kuester of National Football Authority recently and spoke about the strong relationship Brown had with his late father, who inspired him to play football at a young age.

Things are a bit quieter now around 49ers headquarters with the conclusion of veteran minicamp, but 49ers.com has you covered with a wrap up of the last team-wide action until training camp. Those headlines — plus a trip down memory lane with Joe Montana and Steve Young — can be found after the jump.

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Morning Tailgate: May 30

With Organized Team Activities in full swing at 49ers headquarters, there’s plenty of headlines to examine.

Bay Area media attended Tuesday’s and provided several details from the voluntary workout. Without wasting time, let’s get right to the “deets” as the beat writers like to say.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passes along notes, including insight on a two-minute drill that concluded practice. Maiocco: “Quarterback Alex Smith hit Randy Moss on a 45-yard pass down the right sideline against unsuspecting rookie cornerback Deante’ Purvis. Moss gave no indication the ball was en route and Purvis never turned around as Moss gently reached up to catch the pass and stepped out of bounds. The 49ers’ first-team offense scored on Smith’s short-pass to Kyle Williams on fourth down.”

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, writes that Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams have been the best-looking wide receivers in the offseason.  Barrows: “Williams looked quick and fluid last year. If it’s possible, he looks more so this year. Having said that, first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins appears decidedly more comfortable than he did during the rookie minicamp three weeks ago. He made a nice diving catch in traffic on a throw from Scott Tolzien during 7-on-7 drills.”

Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News shares his notes and quotes from practice, too. Inman: “ Odd scene: Patrick Willis returning a kickoff. No, seriously, he did. But don’t make anything more of it than a fun sideshow on a May day.”

More 49ers headlines can be found 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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