Strange seeing how he was just now signed up and probably had to learn as much of the offense he could.

Miami that worried about our offense that they want an insider? Sounds like a Parcells move to me.

Just what are you insinuating here, Mr. Maiocco?

I was trying to figure out why grant sounded so familiar and I remembered he was the guy in the last preseason game making all those goal line stops. Glad some team picked him up, he seemed like he was hungry to play.

Matt, when a player is claimed off waivers by another team, who pays for the travel and lodging expenses? With so many players being swapped back and forth, I'd imagine it'd be a logistical nightmare and, depending the amount of expenses the player is responsible for, a financial one as well.

During one of the training camp practices the linebackers, Grant included, were doing a drill with Singletary. Grant was presumably doing something wrong, or maybe it was just rookie hazing, and Singletary had him continue the drill for several more minutes.

Singletary started with gentle encouragement and, in time, graduated to, "Come on, Larry! Let's go Larry! Come on!" Of course this was going on in front of the fans in attendance, so after a while the crowd started cheering and chanting too.

Through all of that - running a drill for several straight minutes, getting yelled at by a Hall of Famer, performing in front of a crows chanting your name - he never so much as slowed down. If anything it made him go harder.

It's a shame to see him go, especially to a division rival, but at the same time I'm glad to see him get his shot. I hope he plays hard, especially against Arizona, and earns a long-term deal.

Matt, do you know why the Press Democrat no longer publishes the NFL team and individual leader stats on Wednesdays? I enjoyed following them, and often there is little other NFL news in the Wednesday paper.

If they are not going to be printed, could they be posted online, through your blog or elsewhere?

Of course, in the good old days it was fun seeing so many 49ers listed in the individual stats; now we have to settle for just a couple.

Thanks.

Hannon will be able to tell the Dolphins about the 49ers tendancies very well.

Well, that should help the 49ers go 0 and 3. Sad really.

Gary Radnich is reporting that Mike Martz will interview for the San Diego State Head Coaching position. You, nor Barrows, have reported on this yet.

Any truth to this?

Martz interviewing for HC with a college team??? A marriage made in you know where. He will not be able to deal with recruting, parents and the younger generation. Mike, the college gig is for the young at heart (ages 35-48). The San Diego State gig needs a young energized HC who loves recruiting and dealing with parents and school administrators. Martz's managment will last one week.

The team for which he currently plays covers his costs. So, obviously, the Dolphins would pay for his travel to South Florida. I believe the team pays for his lodging for a short period of time before he must cover it on his own. --Matt M.

......"The 49ers' revolving cast of offensive coordinators has repeatedly been cited as a reason for Smith's unsteady development as a quarterback. But in the bigger picture, Gore's career might be damaged far more. If Smith's shoulder heals, he could have at least 10 years to learn the job and find the right place for him. (Rich Gannon's long wait and MVP award should be an inspiration.) But running backs wear out quickly. Gore may not have too many more opportunities to duplicate 2006, when he rushed for 1,695 yards, or to play for a winning team. That would be a pity, because talent like his is rare."
......

So far as I remember Gore hasn't played on a winning season with us yet. And what is hurting Gore is not all these offensive coordinators coming, but having an offensive line that doesn't open up holes and trips him up when they pull for him. if you're looking for why Gore was so successful in 2006 look at Larry Allen. too bad Allen was toward the end of his career, that guy was a beast on the line.

In 06, Gore had a very good lead blocker. In all their wisdom, the 9er management decided they didn't need a true fullback. They could open holes for Gore with a converted college linebacker or a converted tight end. I think that decision alone has hurt Gore more than anything else. In addition, IMHO the offensive line play has dropped off dramatically since 06. I know Matt has studied the line play and doesn't believe they are playing that bad but I just don't see any push whatsoever. On both sides of the ball it looks to me like our line gets pushed back, especially on short yardage plays.