Gore best of ‘Canes
By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst
(Nov. 13, 2006)—A pipeline has carried great running backs from Miami straight to the NFL.
Edgerrin James turned into a star, as did Clinton Portis, as did Willis McGahee. Yet of all the great backs the ‘Canes have provided, none has been more productive this season than … San Francisco’s Frank Gore.
Already this season, Gore has piled up 831 yards—247 more than James’ 584, 252 more than McGahee’s 579, and 318 more than Portis’ 523.
Gore is now on pace to become the first 49ers running back since 2003 to post a 1,000-yard season. And even though he suffered a concussion during a victory against Detroit, San Francisco says Gore is probable for the Nov. 19 game against Seattle.
What has distinguished Gore is he can run between tackles as easily as he can break a long one to the outside. Gore also is a more-than-capable receiver, and he blocks well. He has an all-around game, and now, he has numbers that exceed other more well-known Miami backs.
The San Francisco 49ers backed up their talk and prevented the Detroit Lions from doing the same.
San Francisco kept Detroit in the game with missed opportunities, then made just enough plays for a rare two-game winning streak and its first road win.
Frank Gore set a franchise record with 148 yards rushing in the first half and scored on a 61-yard run before leaving with a concussion, and Joe Nedney made all four of his field-goal attempts to give the 49ers a 19-13 victory.
Keith Lewis intercepted Jon Kitna ’s pass at the 49ers’ 2 with 2½ minutes left and San Francisco (4-5) picked up the one first down it needed to seal the game, winning consecutive games for the second time since 2003.
Read more…
Bill Walsh is in the fight of his life. He is battling a form of leukemia, cancer of the blood or bone marrow. “If we continue the ongoing treatment the future could look very bright,” he said on the phone today.
The 74-year old Hall-of-Fame coach, who won three Super Bowls with the 49ers, has known about his condition for several years.
“There were indications as far back as 2004,” he said. “I was anemic. I was being treated. When they tested the bone marrow, they found I was deficient.”
He has been undergoing treatment the past month, which at times rendered him ill and weak.
“I’ve had a series of transfusions,” he said. “I’m no longer receiving them, which is working toward my recovery. The worst phase was three to four weeks ago. I’ve come back dramatically since and I’m better.”
How does he feel about his future?
Read more…
Update: Live Webcast of 49ers press conference at 10:30am today.
Live Press Conference
Owner John York broke off negotiations on Wednesday and informed mayor Gavin Newsom the 49ers may look elsewhere for a new stadium. The attention has now turned to Santa Clara, where the 49ers headquarters reside and where they have practiced since 1987. The 49ers are looking at a site close to Great America. It was also mentioned that if Santa Clara becomes a problem they may look to other California cities. York also mentioned that if they move to Santa Clara he does not want to change the identity of the team, meaning they would still be considered the San Francisco 49ers.
Brandon Moore was named NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Moore recorded a career-high 14 tackles (four of them for a loss), three quarterback pressures and 2 1/2 on his way to capturing his first Defensive Player of the Week award. The effort came in the Niners’ 9-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The dominating performance came in just the third start of the season for Moore, and a game in which 10 of his tackles were recorded within two yards of the line or scrimmage or behind. He also made a crucial play in the fourth quarter, assisting defensive end Bryant Young with a quarterback sack that forced a fumble. San Francisco recovered the ball and tacked on a field goal on the ensuing drive.
A five-year veteran, this is the first time Moore has captured the Player of the Week award.
The San Francisco 49ers announced that rookie LB Parys Haralson has been placed on injured reserve with a tear to his pectoral muscle that occurred late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Haralson underwent surgery today to repair the injury.
The 49ers replaced Haralson on the 53-man roster with LB Roderick Green. Green (6-2, 270) was claimed by the 49ers off waivers from Baltimore after the final cut this past summer. He played in a reserve role in the 49ers opening game at Arizona and was inactive against St. Louis before being waived.
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. That is the approach Mike Nolan is taking this week with his defense. After holding the Minnesota Vikings to three points and the first time in his tenure a defense has held an opponent to under double digits. Mike Nolan has decided to stick with the defense that started against the Vikings. This means that Brandon Moore will start over Jeff Ulbrich and Keith Lewis will start over Mike Adams. Lewis and Adams however will continue to split time, while Moore gets to play all game.
I stole this breakdown from someone else, from Nolan’s latest press pass. Enjoy.
*Win means nothing if they can’t get back to back wins.
*Impressed with effort from defense and special teams. Hopefully builds confidence.
*Better tackling, Swarming to ball.
*Better at 3rd down defense (still struggled early in the game)
Key to get offense back on field.
*Outstanding onside kick.
*Turnovers very important. (Should score after them)
Read more…
By: Nick Newton 11/6/06
Do you realize that if Seattle (who is playing Seneca Wallace tonight) loses to a surging Oakland (yes, I know, unlikely) then we will have a good shot at the divisional lead. Check it out: Seattle is 4-3 and St. Louis is 4-4. Both teams are on a 2 and 3 game losing streak respectively. If the Hawks lose tonight then they are tied with the Rams at 4-4. Next week Seattle has to play the Rams in Seattle, who they should easily handle even if they start Seneca Wallace. That would put the Rams at 4-5. After we beat the Lions (not to overlook them, but it is a very winnable game for us) that will put us at 4-5, technically ahead of the Rams because we defeated them in week 2. Our very next game is in San Fran against Seattle and that would be for the division lead. Think about it.
Are you buying or selling Nick Newtons theory? Leave your comments below.
Even when Joe Nedney’s kicks weren’t perfect, his lobbying was flawless in a surprising win for the San Francisco 49ers.
Nedney kicked his third field goal with 7:15 to play after convincing the officials to give him another chance, and San Francisco’s maligned defense improbably shut out the Minnesota Vikings in the final three quarters of a 9-3 victory Sunday.
The 49ers (3-5) managed just 133 total yards in a miserable offensive performance, but still eked out their third home victory with outstanding defense from the same unit that gave up 41 points by halftime last week at Chicago.
Alex Smith passed for just 105 yards and Frank Gore rushed for only 41 as San Francisco hung on for its eighth straight home victory since 1988 over the Vikings (4-4), who’ll be shaking their heads all the way back to the Twin Cities after failing to mount any significant offensive attack.
Read more…
Finally. Harris was riding the pine during the 2nd quarter. There is a God.
Derek Smith who has the lazy eye syndrome has decided against surgery which basically would have ended his season. Smith tried last week to wear a helmet shield which would have helped corrected his vision problem, but he felt it didn’t help at all so he removed it. The 49ers and Smith both feel the eye condition has resulted in his poor play. So instead of opting for surgery and letting someone else fill his spot and make tackles, Smith has decided to stay on the field and play through the eye condition.
Newcomer Donald Strickland had a chance Wednesday to do something he has dreamed about since he was little—put on a 49ers uniform.
“It was a blessing,” said Strickland, a defensive back who grew up in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood a block and half from Monster Park. “The 49ers are an organization I grew up with. I always envisioned myself playing for the team.”
Strickland said he sneaked inside the stadium several times as a boy but has yet to step onto the field as a player. The 49ers want him to focus on free safety, where they have not been satisfied with starter Mike Adams’ play. As for playing time, Strickland said it would depend on how fast he picks up Mike Nolan’s defense.
“As soon as I learn it, I think I can be a contributor,” he said.
[Sacramento Bee]
Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat reported that around the trade deadline the 49ers targeted only one player. That player was Nate Clements. The 49ers however did not want to give up a 2nd round pick to acquire Clements. Clements is a free agent after this season, so if the 49ers still want him they’ll have to go out and pay him.
