Blogs

On the Phone with Spagnuolo and Atogwe

The 49ers are yet to say which Smith will be their starting quarterback on Sunday, but St. Louis Rams’ coach Steve Spagnuolo isn’t fretting over the upcoming announcement.

He’s faced this situation before.

When his team played at Candlestick Park in Week 10 the 49ers were deciding whether to start Alex Smith or Troy Smith. And just last week Spagnuolo wasn’t sure if Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Matt Cassel would be healthy enough to start less than two weeks after he underwent an emergency appendectomy.

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49ers Put San Diego Loss to Rest

The show goes on.

Even after the 49ers lost 34-7 last night, at 5-9 with two divisional games remaining, they have not yet been eliminated from playoff contention.

St. Louis and Seattle will have to lose this weekend to keep the 49ers playoff hopes alive. But there’s a possibility that both could do just that.

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Alex Smith to Start Sunday vs. Seattle

The 49ers will play the Seattle Seahawks for a second time this season on Sunday. And Alex Smith will be under center as the 49ers starting quarterback against Seattle for a second time as well.

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Monday’s Locker Room Talk: Dec. 6

The 49ers are too familiar with the havoc created by Seattle’s rowdy fan base known as the “12th Man.” But as linebacker Patrick Willis told me Monday afternoon, it’s time to turn the tables on the Seahawks with the support of the 49ers Faithful when the two sides meet this Sunday at Candlestick Park.

“We’re going to need our fans big-time,” Willis said a day after the 49ers dropped to 4-8, two games out of first place with four left to play. “Good or bad, don’t give up on us until the season is done and we’re out of it. We have faithful fans. We know we’re not proud of where we are now and we certainly wish we could be in a better situation than where we are now.

“We got four games to finish strong. We’ll see what happens, but continue to be behind us.”

Beyond the 12th man, the 49ers haven’t named their 11th man on the offensive side of the ball yet.

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Singletary Appreciates 49ers Passion

When ESPN cameras showed the 49ers before the start of Monday’s game against Arizona, tears were running down the face of tight end Vernon Davis.

The 49ers emotional leader was rallying his teammates at midfield much like he does every week. But this time was different.

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49ers Talk Turkey Day

The staff at 49ers.com spoke with several players this week about their favorite aspects of Thanksgiving. Here’s what they had to say.

On Thanksgiving…

TE Delanie Walker says:

“The best part is family getting together, telling old stories about when you were kids. I remember playing in a Turkey Bowl. It wasn’t with the family, but it would be the kids in my neighborhood against another neighborhood. We’d go to an elementary school, meet up and get a big football game going on. This year, my girl is going to do the cooking. Most likely, I’m going to chill. The coaches are giving us most the day off so I’m going to get off my feet. I don’t know if we’re going to have turkey this year, we might do some catfish just to do something different.”

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Monday’s Locker Room Talk: Nov. 22

In his Monday press conference, Mike Singletary repeatedly took the blame for his team’s 3-7 record with six games remaining. After opening his remarks with the injuries from Sunday’s 21-0 loss to Tampa Bay, Singletary took full responsibility for the team’s performance Sunday too.

“As you look at our team, in particular as we talk about the game yesterday, why we lost the game? That would be on me.”

“Anything that happened in the game is on me because it all ultimately comes back to me. I understand that.”

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On the Phone with Morris and Freeman

Raheem Morris had nothing but praise for Troy Smith.

After all, Morris is one of just two current NFL head coaches Smith has won games for. The other will be lined up across from Morris on Sunday afternoon.

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Monday’s Locker Room Talk: Nov. 15

“Well, as of right now, Smith will be the starter,” Mike Singletary said with a chuckle at the start of his Monday press conference. “We’re going to go with Troy.”

There’s pretty much all the talk you need to hear to understand the theme of Monday’s locker room availability. Troy Smith will be the 49ers starting quarterback this Sunday when the 49ers host the 6-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Instant Analysis: 49ers 23 – Rams 20

The 49ers persevered, overcoming injuries and a seven-point defecit en route to a 23-20 overtime win over the St. Louis Rams who began the day tied for the lead in the NFC West.

Joe Nedney injured his right knee on the opening kickoff and there were a host of injuries on the offensive line.  First, Adam Snyder went down with a sprained shoulder so when Anthony Davis had to leave the game for one play, Tony Wragge came in at right tackle.  Then, Joe Staley went down and was carted off the field with a leg injury.  Wragge again came in and held down the fort at left tackle for the majority of the rest of the game.

“I’ve never played left tackle in a game,” said Wragge.  ”I practiced it, maybe eight or nine years ago, but I’ve never played left tackle in a game.  That’s my role, which is be a multiple position guy and come in and contribute.”

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