Coach Mike Singletary said it will be a game-time decision whether Gore suits up for Sunday's game in his hometown. More likely, it'll be a decision that'll be made Saturday. (And it does not look good.)
The deadline for the 49ers to make a roster move to promote running back Thomas Clayton from the practice squad is 4 p.m. (ET), 1 p.m. (PT).
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The 49ers expect punt-returner Allen Rossum to play for the first time since sustaining his ankle sprain Nov. 23 against
Zeigler did not return any punts at Baylor, and he said he might have handled one or two in high school.
"He's a guy we trust," Singletary said.
Rossum is listed as probable, meaning it's a near-certainty he'll be available for normal duty. Clements is probable to return to his regular starting job at cornerback. Center Eric Heitmann (abdominal strain) and cornerback Marcus Hudson (concussion) are also probable.
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Receiver Josh Morgan will be back on the field for the first time since that Monday night game against the Cardinals. Bryant Johnson will start at split end, though.
Second-year player Jason Hill will continue to work in the slot as the 49ers' No. 3 receiver.
With Hill, Zeigler and Morgan, the 49ers have reason to be encouraged for the future. Singletary praised those players, as well as the coaching they've received from Jerry Sullivan and coordinator Mike Martz.
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The Niners hit the road for an East Coast game against a playoff-contending team. Said Singletary, "Sounds a lot like
Yeah, except that the weather might be in the high 70s or low 80s on Sunday in
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Linebacker Patrick Willis was not fined for his big hit on Jets receiver Brad Smith, a league spokesman said. Willis has not been fined in his career.
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Glad Willis wasn't fined... not even sure why the league had to look at it. Marshall Faulk said it best last night on NFL Network, the NFL is losing the "big hit" part of the game because players are fined for hits that are legal. No matter how hard a hit is, if it's a legal hit, there shouldn't be a fine. Sounds obvious, but apparently it isn't...
I would hate to see Zeigler back there trying to return punts.
As for Gore and his ankle, I'd rather see him sit. Martz should get Robinson involved against Miami... He's a black and blue type of guy =)
The Niners are playing like a good 8 and 8 team. Without Gore they can't win in Miami--- unless Clayton proves the Niner "braintrust" have been wrong/ weak in their talent evaluation, once again. That is very possible! Zeigler looks like the real thing, and he was on the practice squad forever, and could have been claimed.So let's hope Clayton is a legit NFL running back who shouldn't have been on the practice squad all season.
Matt - What are your thoughts on Battle possibly being on his way out the door, esp. w/ the uprising of J. Hill, Morgan and Zeigler? Could there be a trade in order in the off season involving Battle? Maaaybe somehow, someway, for a certain corner back from accross the Bay???
Maybe just my opinion, but Battle is a good player and we don't have too many of those. He is 28 in his 6th year, so a nice blend of experience and youth. He has caught plenty of clutch passes over the years. With 3 young, inexperienced players coming up, can he be a leader and key contributor for years to come? I hope so.
Q: Matt - What are your thoughts on Battle possibly being on his way out the door, esp. w/ the uprising of J. Hill, Morgan and Zeigler? Could there be a trade in order in the off season involving Battle?
My response: I think Battle still has a lot of value to the 49ers. He's a very good receiver. Heck, he had more catches from the wideout position than anyone on the team before he was injured. He's 28 years old, and his contract is not outrageous. I'd think they would want to keep him around. Doubtful he would have a lot of trade value, anyway. As far as that corner with the Raiders, I'm assuming you're talking about Chris Johnson, who became the starter when DeAngelo Hall was released. Let me consider that one for a while. --Matt M.
Comment: Without Gore they can't win in Miami--- unless Clayton proves the Niner "braintrust" have been wrong/ weak in their talent evaluation, once again. That is very possible! Zeigler looks like the real thing, and he was on the practice squad forever, and could have been claimed.So let's hope Clayton is a legit NFL running back who shouldn't have been on the practice squad all season.
My response: Seems to me regardless of how Zeigler and Clayton performs, the 49ers were right in their evaluations. After all, they managed to keep both players with the organization despite exposing them as part of the practice squad. The 49ers apparently had a pretty good idea that neither would get picked up. Zeigler was needed only on the 45-man game-day list after a couple injuries. And Clayton would've been wasting away on the sideline behind Frank Gore, anyway. --Matt M.
That's so true that he would be wasting away, but I like that the niners play with an everydown back, especiallya guy like gore who shows by example and plays hard from snap to whistle everytime. his latest injury came when he pushed a pile 4 yds for a first down, that's some serious effort.
I'm just wondering though, how do other teams get a look at the guys on the practice squad? do they have scout watching them practice?
matt, i think the niners should take a RB at least in the mid-rounds of the draft. all the teams with a good ground game (min, car, ten,...) have TWO good RBs sharing the load. as we seem to try to install such an offense under coach singletary (and as foster doesn't seem to be the answer) i think it would be a necessity to find another strong RB (either through draft or FA) to complement gore and help this team become a very good running team in 09
what are your thoughts??
Thanks for the response Matt. I agree, I've alway been a fan of Battle, he's been a rock for this team since he was drafted. But the CB I was refering to was Nnamdi Asomugha. It may be a dumb question though cus I have no idea what his contract status is.
Battle is gone for the year. Placed him on IR to make room for Clayton. Hope our WRs will do well without him.
Comment: I've alway been a fan of Battle, he's been a rock for this team since he was drafted. But the CB I was refering to was Nnamdi Asomugha. It may be a dumb question though cus I have no idea what his contract status is.
My response: I know. I was just being cute. After all, Battle is a solid No. 3 who is signed through 2009. Asomugha is one of the absolute best cornerbacks in the business who is scheduled for free agency. --Matt M.
Oakland would be on crack if they don't franchise Asomugha. If Al let's him slip away he's definitely lost it. McCloughan should be steps ahead & on the horn as soon as that clock hits midnight. This is NO DOUBT one of the guys we should breaking the bank for. (Haynesworth is another.)
A CB tandem of Asomugha & Clements with a legit pass rush would be UNBELIEVABLE. Plus we have a good core of young up & comers, good depth here. I already see TBrown as being at the very least a legit solid nickel corner.
Oakland isn't on crack. Well... not the WHOLE city anyway.
As for Al Davis... what can you say? This is the guy who sat Marcus Allen on the bench because he hurt Al's feelings. Who let Shanahan, Gruden and now Kiffin go because they wouldn't bend over and kiss Al's ring. Who actually took in Kwame Lame Harris. Any level of craziness is possible from that senile old geezer.
Getting Asomugha or Haynesworth for nothing would be like winning the lottery... like getting Fred Dean and Hacksaw Reynolds for next to nothing. It isn't going to happen very often; and if it does, you just thank god for stupid people and receive what is offered with both hands.
Matt, thanks again for the info. And btw I got the Chris Johnson joke, I was just makin sure you were on YOUR toes.
Mike in MD, I couldn't have said it any better. Nnamdi and Nate?!?! Man, lock down city, population 2. With Al Davis' liberal spending in the last off season, I wonder if they would have the money to franchise him.
Grumpy - what is going on over there in Raider land?? I grew up liking both teams believe it or not. When I got in the military a ways back I took pride in rooting for my California teams. It's close to being as painful as watching our old HC operate & run our team everyday. Javon, DeAngelo, & Kwame at LT???? What is this dude thinking?? I'm a bigtime Shanahan fan & he found a good home in Denver. His aggressive playcalling is awesome.
Stampede - damn good point about the $$ available. It didn't even hit me 'till you mentioned it. Asomugha played his high school, college, & now pro career in CALI so he's a West Coast guy even though he was born in Louisiana.
It's OFFICIAL....just got off the WIKI hit. Asomugha was franchised in February. Man that really went under the radar. I wonder if Walker got an injury settlement giving them more cap space this year? Got to hope for 2010. I think we have a very good chance being right across the bay.
Mike in MD, thanks for the info! So if they franchised him in Feb, then does that mean he was franchised for this season? And if so, would the tag expire after this season and he becomes an unrestricted free agent? I don't really know how these franchise tags work.