Coach Mike Singletary said he does not want to use Nate Clements as his punt returner. Clements returned 35 punts in 2004 while with the Bills. He seems to be the 49ers' best bet to handle the position cleanly with Allen Rossum out of action.
However, the 49ers might turn to Arnaz Battle (if he's healthy enough to play) or Josh Morgan (if he's healthy enough to play). Or, the punt returner might be first-year player Dominique Zeigler, who never even returned a punt in college.
Zeigler has tremendous hands, but Singletary would certainly open himself up to second-guessing on Sunday if things go awry.
Walt Harris is questionable with a hamstring strain. If he can't play, there's a "strong possibility" second-year player Tarell Brown would get his first NFL start. That would be a good opportunity for the kid to show what he can do.
Receiver Jason Hill went through the entire practice today, but he was added to the injury report after feeling tightness in his groin.
Linebacker Patrick Willis (ankle) returned to practice, as did Takeo Spikes, who was given a rest from Wednesday's work.
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Just a Thanksgiving Day observation: Watching the first half of the Seahawks-Cowboys game, I'm left to wonder if the 49ers and the Seahawks are the same team. There does not seem to be a lot of difference between the game today and what we witnessed on Sunday.
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Happy Thanksgiving to all.
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Happy Thanksgiving Matt, hope it was enjoyable.
Thanks for keeping us informed.
As you've no doubt seen my opinions here, I'd love to see Tarell and Reggie get there feet wet before the end of the season.
This is certainly the time to experiment with the personnel packages and evaluate options for next season.
Pack the thermals, I understand snow showers are in the forecast for game on Sunday.
BTW, after watching Detroit play today, I think I understand why Thanksgiving is their gameday.
It gives the rest of the league good reason to be thankful.
Too bad we couldn't restructure Alex, then ship him to Detroit for Calvin Johnson. Throw Battle in too?
Culpepper isn't doing them any favors.
That had to the most painful game to watch for anyone other then TN fans.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Family, Food, and Football! What a day!
Detroit plays every Thanksgiving because it's tradition. They actually have a winning record on that day. Not too long ago it was great to see Barry Sanders every Thanksgiving.
Happy thanksgiving Matt, et al.
Marc: Smith and Battle for Calvin Johnson?
Sounds like something the Lions would go for...seeing as it'd be the worst trade in history (to go with the worst team in etc).
Re: Ziegles returning punts, while I concur that he has great hands and that we are desperately thin, I don't think a 6'3" returner would last too long. It's why there are few RB's over 6'2", coz there's too much to hit on them coz it's hard to get their pads down low. Sure, there are always exceptions, AP, and old James Wilder was pretty productive back in the 80's. Defenses are much faster now though, as evidenced by the near disappearance of the old "sweep" play.
...or those who backed the Titans to win!
It was effectively 59 minutes and 2 seconds of party time for me!
Oh yeah, the other reason that tall PR's don't tend to excel is because they are longer geared, in terms of stride, and take longer to maneuver, typically. There are always exceptions, notably Jacoby Jones of Houston and of course the great Deon, but they both have/had blinding speed as their not so secret weapon...Ziegler doesn't.
Jon, it's been a long time since the days of Barry Sanders to be sure.
Was just throwing a little levity on a pretty pathetic picture there in Detroit.
TJ Hooker, Calvin is probably the only piece they have worth anything right now on offense.
They'd make a great trade partner this April with all the high end picks they'll be holding.
Marc: Oh, you were being serious when you suggested the Smith & Battle for Calvin J. trade? I thought you were poking fun at the Lions, hinting that they are so dim they would trade away their only true star, for next to nothing (which is harsh on Alex and Arnaz, but close to the truth, I'm sorry to say).
Did you see Dwight Smith whiff on Chris Johnsons long TD burst? I've crossed him off my list of potential FA's we might be interested in next year. Mark Roman is capable of not getting within 3 yards of someone, so we don't need D.Smith...
Matt, the Seattle-Dallas game shows just how lucky the Niners, Cards, and Rams really are. Although the Seahawks are an awful team, there's no reason to beleive that Holmgren and Hasslebach wouldn't turn it around fairly soon. But no. Not only are they separating the QB and Coach, they are bringing in a CEO-type defensive coach. I guess they want to be more like the current Niners.
Hi Matt:
Why doesn't the NFL schedule the 49ers to play on Thanksgiving at either Dallas or Detroit? The NFL needs to seriously consider one of the 2 in 09, the 49ers get NFC North anyway. I'm so tired of worthless football, thank God I worked yesterday to get away from it.
Any chance the NFC West is realigned? put Arizona back in the NFC East. I'm so embarrassed of our #4 playoff division every year. There's no excitement. The NFC West let the AFC East/NFC East DOMINATE them all around, even the South/North opposition had their way (with exception for Detroit).
The 49ers D should try to take away the running game from the Bills and play zone with outside blitzes. The O should try to play conservative with running the ball and short passes until the get a rhythm in bad the weather or wind in their favor. Running outside the tackles may work with TEs blocking or screen plays, or something with a quick change of direction like pump fakes or delay handoffs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSsT58meRdQ