Joe Montana says he sees progress in the young 49ers offense, but something remains missing.
“They need a game-breaker somewhere, someone they can rely on, which I don’t think they have yet,” the former 49ers quarterback said during a Thursday conference call about the upcoming 25th anniversary of “the Catch.”“They’ve got some talented guys, but no one’s stepped up to be that Dwight Clark or Jerry Rice kind of guy that you can depend on all the time.”
As you might expect, the comment didn’t sit too well with the player the 49ers brought in this offseason to be that dependable receiver, Antonio Bryant.
“How do you establish yourself as the go-to guy when you don’t even have opportunities to do that?” the combustible Bryant said. “When the ball is thrown, I make the best of every opportunity. So for people on the outside to say that—you have never seen this team throw Antonio Bryant 10 passes. The most passes I’ve been thrown in a game has been seven passes.”
[Bryant looks for more touches] – Sacramento Bee
mike said:
In some ways Montana is right, but like he said our team is young and we will find the “Gambreaker”, and I agree A. Bryant is going well and will show everyone he can do the job.
3 hours after the fact.Aaron said:
I think A. Bryant will do just fine as our #1. With VD and Walker in the future two tight end sets and help from Battle and a developing Gilmore. Defenses soon will not be able to pay as much attention to Bryant as they would like to.
3 hours after the fact.Davis #6 Pick for President said:
Considering our pasts seasons, we’re doing just fine. I’m happy with the offense right now. Defense is another story.
5 hours after the fact.The Jason said:
Joe has a point, right now the offense is producing well, we just have to stay consistent and the playmakers will establish themselves over time. He didn’t say there weren’t any playmakers on the team, he just said no one has established themselves as that player, yet. Calm down AB, and let your play on the field speak for you.
6 hours after the fact.Crage said:
he can’t always get the ball because all the plays are designed to get the ball out of alex’s hands as quick as possible. now if alex smith had the skilsl of matt leinart, it would be a different story. leinart always gets the ball to boldin, regardless
7 hours after the fact.Scott said:
the future…like the deep future of this franchise is Smith, Gore, and VD and we all know it. This isnt about Bryant.
7 hours after the fact.Beall said:
Who gives him the right to say that? What the hell is Joe ever done
Sincerely
8 hours after the fact.Jim Kelly
Erickson said:
Crage….Leinart called and he was wondering if you’d remove your dick from his ass.
9 hours after the fact.crage said:
actually its leinarts dick in mouth, and no he hasnt. leinart is a hunk and i have no shame saying that i would literally suck his dick. especially after a game when their nice and salty! GO LEINART!
9 hours after the fact.Turner said:
I love Joe but he doesn’t know wtf he’s talking about. Clark was awesome but he was no gamebreaker! Gore is becoming a gamebreaker & A. Bryant has the potential if they would call his frickn number more often. He’s a physical player who can be another Bolden if you give him a chance!
10 hours after the fact.Samra said:
dude joe montana rooted against the niners in their last superbowl. I think he still has hard feelings towards us. Also wtf was up wit him not goin to the “Mvp honoring” in super bowl XL? I Still love him for all he has done for us, #1 in my book anytime
12 hours after the fact.Arock49 said:
I think the only ex Niners that are still down with the Niners are Steve Young and Ronnie Lott maybe Brent Jones too, but Both Rice and Montana are hate’n on the new school no doubt! but I still love’em just take what they say these days with a grain of salt.
13 hours after the fact.PS”: Hey Crage you Kwame Harris should hang out together.
Nick said:
Agreed, it is hard for Smith to have a go-to guy yet.
Leinart can throw to boldin every down because that’s one of his 2 options in every play. Smith’s plays aren’t scripted like that. And I’m glad they aren’t as that seriously hinders a quarterback’s development. If the 9ers ever have a healthy line that can pass block, he’ll have more time to scan the field nad hit Bryant even if he is the 3rd option.
For the person who said Bryant isn’t part of the 49ers future. He’ll probably be #1 or #2 for the next 5 years. That’s a pretty big part of the future. And he’ll probably be expected to mentor the younger receivers.
24 hours after the fact.——
If VD can get his hands together when he comes back, I don’t see how he won’t become the main target.
Moses said:
I really wish the old 49er players would shut up. We’ve got Rice calling Smith a bust, Montana & Young dumped on him too. Now we’ve got Montana putting down the WRs…
It really gets tiresome.
1 day after the fact.eddie said:
i think joe is right.frank gore is ower leading receiver in receptions.a.bryant is better as a#2 receiver and a.battle is a good blocker but would be better as a #3or4th receiver/he is no h.ward.
3 days after the fact.mario said:
i think montana showed how classless he is by continually resenting the niners since the day he left the niners. he didnt even go to steve youngs hall of fame induction and he is just saying stuff like this because he is an ego maniac and still thinks he could be a player in this league. thanks for the great times joe, but wake up and stop being a prick
3 days after the fact.