Judging by the emails and comments section of this blog, Clayton might be the most popular player on the team after leading the 49ers in rushing yards each of the past two exhibition seasons. He was among the 49ers' final cuts both years, but was immediately brought back to the practice squad.
Clayton has been promoted to the 53-man roster. He will be in uniform for tomorrow's game with running back Frank Gore all but ruled out with an ankle sprain. It is uncertain how much - or even if - Clayton will play tomorrow. DeShaun Foster and Michael Robinson are ahead of Clayton on the 49ers' depth chart.
To make room on the 53-man roster, the 49ers placed Arnaz Battle on injured reserve.
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This is it for the 49ers. This is really the final chance for the 49ers to leave a real impression.
Although the club has three games remaining, this is probably the only one in which the opposition will be motivated to bring its "A" game. The 49ers face the Dolphins, who are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East.
Next week, the 49ers face the Rams, who are again looking at a top-five draft pick. The 49ers wrap up the season Dec. 28 against the Redskins, who appear to be coming apart at the seams and will likely not have anything riding on the final game of the season.
By the way, that's my fancy way of saying, "Don't necessarily expect these matchups the final two Saturdays of the season when I could devote my time to other areas of my life." (I can hear the cries now, "What? You have a life?")
49ers running back DeShaun Foster vs. Dolphins strong safety Yeremiah Bell: Foster is likely to get the starting assignment with Frank Gore hobbled by an ankle sprain. Foster is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry on his 37 rushing attempts this season. That won't be good enough against the Dolphins.
Tight end
Center Eric Heitmann vs. nose tackle Jason Ferguson: Heitmann has gotten a lot of attention recently for his strong performances against the Cowboys' Jay Ratliff and the Jets' Kris Jenkins. Heitmann might actually be having the best season of any of the 49ers' offensive players.
Free safety Mark Roman vs. wide receiver Ted Ginn: The Dolphins' passing game just hasn't been the same since Greg Camarillo was lost for the season due to an ACL tear. It's amazing that the Dolphins have been able to function at all. (OK, in full disclosure, I had to write those two sentences. I was on the same flight today with
Right end Justin Smith vs. left tackle Jake Long: Smith has been as good as advertised this season, in his first season after coming to the club as a high-priced free agent. Long, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, is having a solid rookie season. He figures to be in the league for a long, long time. Smith is a relentless, snap-to-whistle player who will undoubtedly give Long all he can handle.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin vs. center Samson Satele: Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky seems to have
Outside linebacker Parys Haralson vs. right tackle
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Normally I'd be worried about our Free Safety vs Ted Ginn Jr matchup. But it's Pennington's arm so there's no need. But wait it's ROMAN out there SO I AM WORRIED. When are we finally going to put this guy on the pine? Seriously that's a day I look forward to & it can't happen soon enough.
Us armchair QB fans have been pretty good about pushing & predicting who we want out there & their play...the young ones & Vets. Jason Hill, Chilo, Baas, & the one who caught me by surprise big time is for Sean Hill & his backers. Big props there esp to Sean. Let's hope we stay on a roll with Clayton. It would be a bonus if he showed us he has the speed & pop to go on sweeps which isn't Gore's forte but we would be lucky if he could just show signs that he belongs. There should be some good hitting & football in this game. IS IT SUNDAY YET??? NINERS!!
the deshaun foster match up doesn't sound too good haha. what ever happened to coaches making their players carry a football with them everywhere until they could hold it right? from the jets game, clearly Singletary needs to bring back that practice haha.
It's really a shame frank can't play this game, it was probably the game that he most wanted to play in.
Protect the QB and we will have a chance to win it tomorrow.
I wonder if Clayton can catch kickoffs or punts since Awsome Rossum is out. The 9ers should watch for the delay blitz from Porter, VD can blow this guy away in coverage though. Baltimore stopped the wildcat pretty good by closing the gaps, just got to watch for the flee flicker and not allow the big play. This is going to be an amped up game, it just depends on which team is going to be over amped and make mistakes and fall off in the 2nd half.
I think Clayton will get at least a carry or two--Why not? I just hope someone reminds him to hold on to the g--d-- ball.
PS--Matt, we know you have a life, it's the"other areas" stuff that confuses us.
Matt, seems like the Niners national attention has gotten a little boost lately. Has the network up'd the viewing audience for the Miami game? (You know how you show us those colored maps w/ the coverage of who's watching which games.)
http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/2008-15-FOX.html
Nice link! pretty decent coverage. feel bad for redskins/bengals and pack/jags such a small market
Regarding Vernan Davis, it wouldn't take very many passes to be more than usual. I hope they do throw to him often!
RK - 3 games left & we're still pleading with Martz. That ones been tough to swallow 'cause it's right in front of him & he EASILY could add more plays for Davis. So frustrating as a fan & I could only imagine what VD is going through. Totally UNDERUTILIZED. That's the only real sore spot I have with Martz this year. There's no excuses now that we need him back for pass pro because we've gone to many 3 & 5 step drops & Hill gets rid of the ball quick. Martz still goes to the 7 steps but there's plenty of plays to go around. He's just too WR oriented period. Not a bad thing but he's clearly ignoring Davis' talent. Maybe we can sell & train him into thinking of Davis as a WR & not a TE. Give him a WR numbered jersey instead (but I think 85 is already.) Man we need to get this guy the ball. 5 plays is not too much to ask. Give this guy some love would you Martz?? He's busted his ass all season long making you look good sacrificing for your pass pro the least you can do is RETURN THE FAVOR.
well some of the complaints about VD before was that he wasn't running routes right, but i think with shaun hill at qb, that shouldn't be too much of an issue anymore since hill seems to make gold out of uh broken plays. Also before hill came in, JTO needed some serious help getting blocks. In this next game though, I don't really see VD going out for passes too much since he'll be needed to block porter alot. Even with hill's ability to scramble, porter is a tough customer to get away from. As much as I love seeing VD get plays, since they often end up pretty big, the receiving core of late has been doing so well, VD doesn't have to get that many plays called.
I'm wondering whether Martz is going Inspector Gadget in this one?
With the Wildcat formations and reverses Miami tends to use, Martz may actually have a few elements of surprise in the gadget bag himself?
MRob a former QB, Isaac a good arm, Jason Hill excellent reverse speed etc.
Hoping for a good rhythm to develop today, spread it around and Squish Da Fish!
Shield_B - all I can say is 1 pass in what, now 3 games? (Could be 2 in the last one.) We'll see who wins the shifting game today....moving VD to Porter's side then Porter countering going to VD's vacated side & so on. You could also get creative here with an idea being once VD does match up with Porter & gets a block on him the next time you get lined up with him you fake the block & go out for a short pass similar to a screen play.
I'm just frustrated. I've watched VD run some routes & I admit he their not Bruce crispy & he could improve. He doesn't cut well. Could he improve that agility with work? I think so once you understand the routes & relax when you make your moves/cuts. But I remember he had a "breakout game" a while back catching 7 or so passes & what happened after that? Back to the same recording & he was ignored in the passing game. He proved he could get open & make plays, case closed....he should be getting the ball more. My point is when your in a war you use all the weapons you have & VD CAN do some significant damage. He's one of the better weapons, you don't leave it on the shelf. Hey that's the only REAL complaint/sore spot I have on Martz. The others he's figured or is figuring out. (Use more Gore, Red Zone Offense, going to 3/5 step drops vs 7 to a ball control O even though he was forced to with Hill....as far as clock management we'll just have to swallow his deficiency here. Singletary will have to fix that & take over if Martz is back next year which I hope he is.) For the record MARTZ HAS BEEN AWESOME in my book. HUGE IMPROVEMENT NO QUESTION.
Good lookin out on the link Randy!