49ersNews.com

Source: NFL tells 49ers that officials made mistakes

The NFL admitted this week to the 49ers that they blew at least three calls in the game against the Eagles, a league source said on Friday.

Niners coach Mike Nolan showed some restraint Friday when I asked him about his communication with the league office.

“I got answers back,” Nolan said of the questionable calls the team turned into the league office for explanations.

When asked what those answers were, Nolan turned to 49ers director of public relations Aaron Salkin and asked him, “Where should I stand on this?”

Salkin reminded Nolan that he would be subject to a fine if he divulged any information. “You’re not supposed to report on it,” Salkin told Nolan.

Here are some updates about possible contract extensions. RG Justin Smiley said the 49ers have spoken to his agent but no contract proposals were exchanged. However, one source said the 49ers made a “low ball” offer to lock up Smiley to a long-term contract, so it doesn’t appear as if anything will happen for a while.

FS Mike Adams and RB Maurice Hicks have both rejected the 49ers’ proposals that were characterized as “good backup money.” Both Adams and Hicks are scheduled to be restricted free agents at the end of the season.

Although the 49ers want to keep RB Frank Gore around for a long time, both sides agreed to hold off on any long-term deal because of questions concerning his durability and how that might affect the contract.

The 49ers do not plan to negotiate during the season with DL Bryant Young, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. If Young wishes to return for his 14th NFL season, the 49ers would love to have him back, Nolan said.

[Matt Maiocco]

Receiver Marcus Maxwell rejoined the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad Tuesday after getting cut right
before the regular season.

Maxwell, a seventh-round draft pick from Oregon in 2005, playedbriefly in four games late last season after spending the first 10 weeks on the practice squad. The Bay Area native was born in Berkeley and grew up in Hercules.

To make room, the 49ers waived receiver Cory Rodgers from the practice squad.

49ers received good news on Monday, running-back Frank Gore who suffered bruised ribs during the loss to the Eagles, is expected to play this weekend against the Chiefs. Also look for Michael Robinson to replace Gore in short-yardage and goal-line situations, due to Gore’s fumbling issues.

We somehow managed to find some highlights from the Eagles game. Not many but there are some.

Christ Breaks Leg?
by Erik Klackner

I don’t remember this being in the Bible.

The Son of God himself, disguised as 49ers 1st round draft choice Vernon Davis, will miss the next 4 weeks with a broken leg. The injury occurred on the biggest play of the 49ers/Eagles game on Sunday, when Christ Davis was attempting to run down Eagles DT Mike Patterson, a known sinner, following his fumble recovery at the 2 yard line. But a funny thing happened on the way to Patterson’s forgiveness…

Jesus pulled up gimpy.

How can the Lamb of God, Savior of all mankind (and the 49ers in particular) fail to save a soul in need? I asked Rabbi Aaron Berkowitz of Temple Beth El in Portland, OR for his opinion on the matter.

“We don’t view Christ as the Messiah or Son of God. We are still awaiting the arrival of the Messiah at a later date.”

Episode 6 of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. They discuss the first two games of the season, and Josh Gleason of NFL Draft Spot stops by again.

Ep.6 – Good, Bad, Ugly

Davis, the sixth overall pick in the draft, got hurt while trying to chase down Patterson from behind. Davis was taken off the field on a cart and is expected to miss four weeks.

“I was trying to tackle him and I just pulled up,” Davis said. “I didn’t make any contact. I felt something and just fell down.”

Davis said he bruised his calf in practice during the week and believed that might have contributed to the injury. Davis had no catches in San Francisco’s 38-24 loss to the Eagles and has five receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown this season.

Davis acknowledges it is frustrating to have a setback this early in his rookie season.

I’ve heard different nicknames for Frank Gore. Frank “The Tank”, Frank “Hardcore” Gore and some others, but I say until he figures out how to hold onto the ball he should be called Frank “Butterfingers” Gore. Don’t get me wrong I still say Gore has a chance to being one of the elite backs in the NFL, but not until he learns to not cough up the ball.

[Frank “Butterfingers” Gore] – 49ersNews Fanhouse

Another costly fumble by Gore hurts the 49ers chances.

Mike Patterson finished his stunning 98-yard fumble return at a walk, easing his 292 pounds into the end zone.

After an outstanding effort in San Francisco, the Philadelphia Eagles deserved a little rest – especially the big guy.

Brian Westbrook rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns, also catching a scoring pass from Donovan McNabb in the Eagles’ 38-24 victory over the 49ers on Sunday.

McNabb passed for 296 yards and Reggie Brown caught five passes for 106 yards as the Eagles (2-1) shook off last week’s embarrassing collapse against the Giants, emphatically protecting a huge lead this time with 416 yards of sharp offense.

And one kooky fumble return that will live for years on highlight reels.

Patterson, Philadelphia’s genial run-stopping defensive tackle, seized an unlikely moment when Frank Gore fumbled while trying to stretch over a goal-line pile of players in the third quarter.

Patterson scooped the ball out of the pile and lumbered away, getting to midfield before most of the Niners realized it. He eventually walked over the line for the longest scoring fumble return in Eagles history, surpassing a 32-year-old record.

The Niners also lost Gore, who fumbled at the goal line last week as well, and tight end Vernon Davis to injuries on the play.

Alex Smith passed for 293 yards and rookie Michael Robinson scored two touchdowns for the 49ers (1-2), but their good vibe from last week’s victory over St. Louis evaporated in a cloud of offensive mistakes and missed tackles.

[Full Story]

One day after signing corner-back Shawntae Spencer to an extension, the 49ers locked up another one of their young players. The 49ers signed offensive lineman Adam Snyder to a four-year extension, worth $10.5 million with a $4 million signing bonus. Snyder was set to become a free agent after the 2007 season, that is now on hold until 2011. Snyder was originally drafted by the 49ers in the third-round of the NFL draft out of the University of Oregon. His versatility is what makes him a valuable asset, he can play both guard and tackle positions. He has played in a total of 18 games in his two year career.

[Adam Snyder Inks Extension] – 49ersNews Fanhouse

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming to town, and are not to happy after a tough overtime loss last weekend against the New York Giants. The 49ers are coming off a solid win against the St Louis Rams and they are looking to carry that momentum into this week’s game. Both teams are starting off the 2006 rather well. Donovan McNabb is looking like his old self and they no longer have the T.O. drama to deal with. On the other side the 49ers offense is alive and the trio of Smith, Bryant, and Gore are causing defensive coordinators to lose sleep at night. Here are some of the things to look for when the 49ers face-off against the Eagles.

[Full Story] – 49ersNews Fanhouse

49ers signed CB Shawntae Spencer to a five-year contract extension through 2012.
Smart move by San Francisco, who reportedly locked up the improving corner for “only” a $6 million signing bonus. Exact terms aren’t available, but Spencer’s salary will top out at $3.2 million in 2012, which isn’t much. Spencer was one of the few surprise picks by former GM Terry Donahue that worked out well.

The 20-13 outcome Sunday at Monster Park was more a case of the Rams losing the game than the 49ers winning it. That’s the way a peeved Jimmy Kennedy saw it, anyway.

“We feel that they didn’t earn anything,” said Kennedy, the Rams’ nose tackle. “You have to respect them for the win, but we shot ourselves in the foot.”

[Rams’ defense laments errors] – St Louis Post Dispatch