The only move the 49ers made was placing fullback Zak Keasey on injured reserve. He was scheduled to undergo surgery today to reattach the torn biceps tendon in his right arm. Keasey should be ready to take part in all of the team's offseason work, he said.
The 49ers have not made a roster move to fill Keasey's spot. They can promote someone from their own practice squad, sign a player off another team's practice squad or sign a free agent.
Veteran fullback Moran Norris, whom Keasey beat out for the fullback job at the end of training camp, signed recently with the Detroit Lions.
The 49ers still have not replaced cornerback Shawntae Spencer on the 53-man roster. Spencer sustained a torn ACL on Sept. 14 against the Seahawks.
* * *
As for the trade deadline, the Lions did call the 49ers last week to see if there was any interest in receiver Roy Williams. It seemed odd that the Lions would make that call, knowing that Williams and Mike Martz did not seem altogether compatible when they were together for two seasons. Williams was not known as a player who was willing to put in all the extra time to learn the intricacies of Martz's system.
* * *
There was also a short-lived rumor reported elsewhere that linked the 49ers with Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis shot down that report last week.
"Boy, that's a bad rumor, huh?" Lewis said. "No. 1, you're going to get a club in trouble for tampering. That club has already been penalized once this year, very harshly.
"No. 2, what club in its right mind would trade for a player that's going to be an unrestricted free agent? Again, if you're going to start a rumor, make it a good one. OK? Make it something that makes some sense to people inside the NFL. It's unfortunate."
* * *
Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones' first game back from a suspension could be Nov. 23 against the 49ers. League commissioner Roger Goodell notified Jones today that he is suspended indefinitely without pay as a result of his most recent violation of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Jones will miss at least the next four games. Goodell will determine the final length of the suspension following the Cowboys' Week 11 game against
* * *
Sneak peak to Sunday's game: Dick Stockton and Troy Aikman are scheduled to call the action on the Fox-TV broadcast. Pam Oliver will be the field reporter.
* * *
Click here for the link to my 49ers Hot Reads, "Nolan under pressure after third straight loss."
* * *
Matt - Do you feel there is a chance JTO gets benched?
Give it up Onewhiner...
What is with the stack overflows on this site...
Whoever put this server together is LAME-0.
I digress, Why couldn't we trade Nolan and next year 5th to the Raiders...and get nothing in return. Thats the trade we should have made. Just get him out of there. He doing more damage than good now. What a joke!! The Bay Area must be so proud to have the worst coach currently in the NFL and the two worst Franchies! It a joke.
Nolan is the Steve Deberg of NFL coaches. Coaches good enought until crunch time...and oooooh...an interception.
Anybody remember those days? Hey looks like we might win this one...oh wait Deberg tossed another pick....
I am shocked MATT - What is going on here?....I just read your "Nolan under pressure after third straight loss.".....I am beyond SHOCK....Ok you talk about nolan under pressure but didn't write about why we actually lost....WHAT IS THIS?...You wrote about an Uwinnable challenge....Who gives a freaking F...about a challenge that wouldn't have made an impact on the game....WHAT IS THIS....Should we also talk about the winnable challenge?.....WHY don't you write about the common theme which has occured everytime we have lost this year...JTO IS HORRIBLE IN THE 4TH QUARTER. I can bet my life he his the WORST QB IN THE NFL HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO THE 4TH QUARTER. ...THIS IS A MAJOR NINER STORY.....We all saw him turning the ball over in pre-season, DIDN"T WE?.....And the response was, HE WOULD STOP MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES......WELL HE HIS STILL MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES AFTER 6 GAMES - ISN"T THAT A GOOD STORY TO WRITE ABOUT.......I would like to apologize in advance if you were planning on writing this after week 6, but even that I think the story after week 6 would be the fate of Nolan....WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO CALL JTO OUT LIKE YOU DID A.SMITH and DILFER?.....
John from HB Cali - DUDE are you ok....we already have a Steve Deberg on the team ...his name is JTO
Oneniner- I completely agree that JTO is part of the problem with his performance the last few weeks. His turnovers have been heartbreaking. In New Orleans we probably win if we don't throw those INT's in the redzone. This past week, we have a slim chance to at least tie the game until he throws another pick. The fumble on the previous drive was more damaging. He needs to feel the pressure and step up into the pocket. Having said that, he is also one of the reasons this team has been successful on offense. Frank Gore is leading the league in yards from scrimmage. That doesn't happen if we can't fling the ball around a little. We all know that has been the case the past few years.
ONENINER - What are you 6 years old or something.
How long have you watched the game? JTO is maybe 5% of the problem. You can't ask the kid to carry the whole team!! The Defense has got to stuff somebody!! Make a statement! You can not put all the pressure on your QB in todays NFL!! Things are just to close talent wise...at least for 95% of the league.
That didn't take long. I seriously feel dumber after reading the comments on this site. Back to only reading Matt's posts.
John from HB Cali - dude you are the confused one. You forgot the defense actually stopped the eagles 3 and out in the 4th quarter giving us a chance to come back.....JTO - 5%...lol..ha ha ha...i think you meant with JTO we have a 5% chance of winning....he had 3....freaking 3 turnovers in the 4th quarter...in the words of an american hero John Mccain "my friend the guy is a SURGE BUSTER" -..his level of urgency in the hurry up offense was a disgrace to niner tradition and history......even the Morgan catch was all morgan.....JTO is worst than a BUST.....at least in the case of a bust, there were expectations...in JTO's case the league already said he was worthless....there isn't anything new here...HE HIS HORRIBLE!!.....one thing i hate the most is a loser who wouldn't admit he sucks....keeping saying, dammit , dammit, dammit....why his he wasting our time....just QUIT JTO...just quit
frank gore led in rushing with A.Smith in QB....i won't give JTO any credit for Gore's success....Gore is on his own.....i can't understand how dumb you can be as a QB when yu have a weapon as gore on your team...this is unacceptable
I know. The last few days/weeks saw a bounty of intelligent and/or insightful posts.
And some funny ones. JTO has shown Pro Bowl potential, something few could have expected from someone so unheralded. Sure he has had somewhat of a penchant for costly turnovers, but his positives are quite startling.
With year or two under his belt I feel he could be one of the best QB's in the NFC. Along with some experience, imagine how good he'd be with time to throw, and someone to throw it to. Our current crop of receivers are the best we've had in years, but they're still only average when compared with some other teams' weapons. Similarly, the OL must be one of the most porous in the league, JTO is often fleeing frantically in fear of being physically flattened. No, JTO is not the problem. The problem is the HC, and by extension the annual confusion about what system will be employed on offense, the problem with chronic game-day mismanagement (I still haven't forgotten that Rams game a couple of years ago), and the problem of, almost without exception, being outcoached every single week. 21 out of the 22 starters were brought in by Nowin, so this is his team. And it stinks.
JTO has shown Pro Bowl potential, - ha ha ha ha lol ha ha ha.....(I still haven't forgotten that Rams game a couple of years ago), - dude that is your problem ...get over it....I bet you Nolan stays another year.....
Matt,
I thought with the new registration system you would be able to deny access to those who abuse the "comments" section. Oneniner posts the same comment over and over and over again. Obviously many of your loyal readers are sick of it. ?Maybe it's time to do something about it.
Love this blog. Thanks.
You know I dig the blog, Matt, but it sure would be nice if links weren't the same color as text, with no decoration. I dislike that trend mightily. Links should pop!
Thank you for the suggestion. I don't want to silence people who express a different point of view. But I agree that the same comment over and over and over is very annoying. Those who run the blog have the power to prevent commenters from continuing to write the same things, regardless of the topic of my post. --Matt M.
Matt, without revealing names or betraying
confidences, can you give us ANY idea what sort of
"club sources" you rely on to get information about
probable owner/GM meetings re Nolan, as noted
in your article? Do you have contacts who would
get fired, or stop talking, if they were quoted?
Do you go through the trash, use hidden
microphones, bribe people, or-??? I'm just curious
how it works, to the extent that you can reveal it.
I hate Mike Nolan. Just wanted to get it off my chest.
Matt- I agree with imaginaryfriend. I skip over any posts from oneniner or Darren, as well as any replies. We've all seen everything "they" have to say ad nauseam. Anything you can do to improve the otherwise excellent comment section would be greatly appreciated!
OneNiner - It's time your momma puts your crayons away.
Eagles scored on every drive in the 4th, plus a gimme six to a iggles d man when the wide receiver runs the wrong rout on a drive to tie the game. 23 points unanswered points in the 4th for the iggles zero for the niners. They couldn't stop my 3 year old in the 4th. Last time I will address you. You seem completely void of any intellect regarding football or life.
TJ, I'm glad someone else sees the potential in JTO. He is an accurate passer when he gets average protection. He WILL be a Pro Bowl QB someday, bank on it. He has all the throws, has leadership qualities, and is bright. He has performed better than anyone could have hoped, given the horrendous O line, mediocre receivers, and a defense that generally has not given the ball back to the offense enough. Let's give JTO this year to make his statement. Six games is not enough. He is the least of our worries right now.
Mike must go. Has there been any coach in the NFL who has been this bad in the last 10 years?
What is the role of Mike Singletary? I understand His title is Assisant Head Coach. Why does Greg Manusky call the defense. Does He need a gallon of vanila ice cream?
I dont really read the comments to often to know where i stand on Darren or One Niner but i do know i agree 100% with One Niner about this JTO thing.I dont care if Bill Walsh is on the sideline with the 85 Bears defense.If your qb turns it over 3 times in the 4th quarter you will lose.I can see 3 times in a game as horrible as that would be,but 3 times in the 4th quarter is almost unheard of.Im not making excuses for Nolan he should be fired yesterday but this year the biggest problem is games we should have won we lost because of turnovers.The Eagles and Saints and Cardinals games were games we win without the turnovers even with Nolan coaching.Thats puts us at 5-1.Wishful i know but thought id point it out.....
Matt,
If Nolan is fired at the bye, do you still believe Manusky might get promoted to HC with the way the defense is playing?
Matt
I believe the right move is to fire Nolan after this week's game. Promote Singletary and give him a winnable home game against Seattle to start his head coaching career. Singletary will be more aggressive on defense, and has the strong personality to keep a short leash on Martz's play calling. The transition would be almost seamless. After the Seattle game, he can have 2 weeks to prepare the team to play the red hot Cards on the road on Monday night.
Wow, I can finally sign in now. Since Keasey is on IR, is this Michael Robinson' chance to continue getting more playing time?
Who meets with whom to discuss the GM performance evaluation? I would'nt want Mr. Holmgrem to get away. Any chance we make a big $$splash for "the chin" before someone else does?
Bobby Petrino for the Falcons 2006, Nick Saban for the Dolphins 2005 and 2006, Art Shell Raiders 2006, and the ol ball coach Steve Spurrier Redskins 2002 and 2003
Start the coaching search early, begin with a test drive for Singletary and see what he can provide to this defense.
KC and Herm may not last long together either, so get moving on the search before the end of the season and be ready to make an offer.
I'd consider Schottenheimer, Martz if the offense continues to improve, and couldn't argue with Billick, Denny Green, or rolling the dice on Kiffen or another young guy who has a desire to win at the NFL level.
It certainly can't go on with Nolan and I'm in total agreement that the BYE week is the time to say Bye Bye.
I was also informed that signs are not permitted within the stadium at the Meadowlands, so I'll consider having a Boot The Suit on display in the parking lot.
Again, if you're coming to the Meadowlands,stop by Parking Section 12C and say hello.
Support our team while we face a less then happy Giants team that took one on the chin in front of national audience.
Just what Nolan needs, another chance to stay close.
Razoreater I'm wondering if anybody meets about anything important with this team?
It's looking pretty damn dysfunctional to me.
To all those slating JTO: We all stood behind Alex in Alex's rookie year...and he was many times worse than JTO.
Considering this is his first year as a starter, in a new city, on a new team. His targets are all new to him, and he's never played with this OL before. The only knock on him are the turnovers, and they are something that will diminish with experience and familiarity. Remember that this is one of the most complex offenses in the NFL.
With more time, with better targets and with some OL protection, JTO will be more than adequate to win with, providing he quells the turnovers. But that's not gonna happen so much in his rookie year, as in his future years But, if you compare him with Alex in Alex's first year, man, he's 10 times better. At least we look like we can score, now. Alex had 1 TD and 10 INTS in his rookie year (if memory serves), and we set a new record in 3 & outs, en route to our worst offensive showing ever. JTO is giving us far superior QB play, in even his first year. Any half decent and mildly knowledgeable
fans can see this.
To all of the JTO apologists: are you serious?
Anyone that refers to this as JTO's rookie year or compares him to a rookie needs a reality check. He's been in the league for six seasons and had the time to play in two World Bowls(NFL Europe). JTO has had enough seasoning, he just makes bad decisions (which seemed obvious in the preseason).
Was the OL better for Smith?
The receiving corps?
The offensive coordinator?
Answer Key: 1)NO 2)Heck NO and 3)maybe.
Pray that the Yorks become inspired, fire Nolan and then make more good decisions.
Right you are TJ Hooker, the coaching staff should simplify the playbook and knock off the 7 step drops and pay more damm attention to protection and ball control. Once you do that, you buy JTO some time to make the throws, while slowing the pass rush and forcing the defenses to plan for different looks. We motion to waste time it seems.
This is more about schemes and play calling. It's embarrassing to watch.
Nolan = Predictable.
To the Nolan Haters - "Just remember that Nolan isn't the only cause. Remember the paralysis in January when it looked like Nolan would be fired but wasn't. Remember that those same conditions exist now, and that the next move will be made by the same people who will have made this move....Firing Nolan will make you feel good for a couple of minutes, but you'll still have the same nausea, the headache, the limp and the backache by the time Nolan's car leaves the compound for the last time....In short, you're nowhere now, and you'll be nowhere later. The scenery simply will be different."
I agree with TJHooker. The offense is still in the early part of development and can already score enough points for us to win. JTO will get better, but we can already win with him.
Matt, if Nolan gets canned during the bye week, who do you think would get the call as coach?
Thanks Marc and RK, nice to know that I'm not taking crazy pills. Re: Nowins interim replacement for if and when he is sacked soon, Matt mentioned a few threads back that Manusky is in pole. Now, needless to say that surprised many of us on here, so we asked if that was Matt's hunch or if he had inside info on it, to which I don't believ clarification has been forthcoming. Might be wrong on that, but I'd also like to know why manusky was mooted. Seems to me like Singletary is tailor made for it. He's already been touted and earmarked as an NFL HC in waiting, so it makes sense to give him the reins for a trial run before a) installing him permanently here, or b) letting him go coach somebody else to a SB win. Martz and Manusly should have their hands full with their respective co-ordinating positions, and we can ill afford any disruption with either unit.
of course you are taking crazy pills, especially when you agree with the opinion "we can already win with him."...him being JTO...dude what drugs are guys on...we are 2-4 going 2-6....
I am in complete agreement that we should not fire Coach Nolan until we have a plan in place to improve the team. Just firing Nolan as a knee jerk or emotional reaction makes no sense. Typically, teams that fire a coach during the season, get worse not better. The key to this is whether or not the team is still responding to Nolan and can get better. JTO is a rookie as far as an NFL starter. Give JTO some time to improve and cut down his turnovers. Mix a strong short passing game with the deep passes and heavy emphasis on the running game. Help JTO get better. Stop all the emotional reactions that do no good. Let's emphasize the positives and go forward to the end of the season.
Marc-NJ49er --
A few weeks ago my 12 y.o. son tried to bring a "Fire Nolan" sign into Candlestick. Even tho' signs are allowed, when security saw the content of the sign it was prohibited.
P.S. Am a graduate of Fort Lee High School, living here on the left coast
49er Oldtimer... Nolan deserves to be fired simply because we know he cannot improve the team or prove that he can win. His repetitive ramblings at press conferences are unbearable. Teams might be worse after a mid-season firing of the HC but realistically the season is already done after last week's lost to the iggles. The only thing we as fans want now is some immediate change. Firing Nolan at the by week will show that the Yorks still care about this city, its fans, and the franchise.
Matt, is there a way to implement the "ignore" option? Oneniner is polluting this blog with his mancrush of Nolan and Smith and it's getting old.
i am not getting this excuse...."JTO is a rookie as far as an NFL starter."....i know most you guys are intelligent to know...."He's been in the league for six seasons and had the time to play in two World Bowls(NFL Europe)."....2 freaking world bowls!!!!!....
...ʎnb ǝɯɐs ǝɥʇ ǝɹɐ uǝɹɹɐp puɐ ɹǝuıuǝuo ʞuıɥʇ ı
I suggest that serious readers simply skip the comments left by obvious idiots/children, and not elevate them by responding. As to coaching changes--I like the Herman Edwards possibility, but I do not have much faith in the owners of our beloved niners. When they hired Dennis Erickson, who had never had a wining season, I thought they were probably on crack. Has anything changed???
Whether readers like it or not, Nolan, Yorks, JT have taken turns ruining it. And I have no association with One Niner. I just agree that Alex Smith needs another fair chance before you 'get rid of him.' HE's still under a contract, look, people, you cut Smith, you take a cap hit, you don't get that FA player like Haynesworth! You want to cut players, cut ones like battle.
Oneniner... Seriously dude, can you just wait til next season to startup the JTO bashing and the worship of Alex Smith and Nolan? Oh nvm they both will be gone next year. "JTO is a rookie as far as an NFL starter" That statement still holds true. The last time I checked, NFL Europe is not the NFL. You are brilliant.
oneNolan,
Once you are fired in two weeks, will you quit posting on this board as well??? JTO, with a good defense is doing well enough to at least win the NFC WEST this season. The DEFENSE SUCKS, it's terrible, JTO is scoring 20+ points a game, which is good enough to win in this league. Problem is the defense is giving up 30+ and allowing the other team to hold the ball for 40+ minutes. If NoWIn can't coach the defense, which is his "specialty" then what is he here for?? What are the 49ers really going to miss when he's gone in two weeks??? NOTHING, MARTY, MARTY, MARTY!!
Who's OneNolan? I never seen him.
OneNiner, chill out about JT. He's doing fine in his first 6 games as captain of the ship. He's making throws and moving the football, DESPITE having some really lousy pass protection. Try making reads and throws when your guard or tackle is pushed back into you. If you knew what the phrase "a developed pocket" or "time to throw" really were about, you'd start being impressed with the numbers being put up. The offense will not be good...it will be GREAT if the O-line could learn to pass protect effectively.
The defense is the sob story of the team right now and I think that the problems are the D-Line and the "most experienced" secondary. That phrase typically means "old and needing to be replaced". I say promote all the young guys and put them in. They'll learn fast/
"JTO is a rookie as far as an NFL starter"
This is the type of comment that makes me wonder if I'm on crazy pills. I could understand talking about JTO being nervous in his first start but it's been a third of a season and he's getting worse. Traditionally Rookie QB's have been left on the bench for a couple of years to learn, but JTO has been riding the pine long enough to earn his Phd.
The defense clearly isn't working and deserves it's own post.
Matt,
It's obvious that Nolan is not an NFL HC my question is once Nolan is mercifully relieved from his duties wether it's now or at the end of the season who is going to want to come in here who has the ability to turn this thing around?