January 2009 Archives

Niners coach Mike Singletary and new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye got together with the local media on a conference call this afternoon.

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It's been a hectic morning. I have what my wife deems to be an unhealthy passion for St. Mary's basketball. Last night and this morning were difficult.

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It was Bill Walsh's idea to create an intern program for minority football coach. And, fittingly, the NFL announced today the program will be renamed The Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship.
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There has still been no announcement from the 49ers, though the word last night from Tampa, Fla., site of the Super Bowl, is that longtime NFL assistant Jimmy Raye will be the club's new offensive coordinator.

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The 49ers have signed a coordinator, all right.
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Here's a closer look at how Jimmy Raye has fared as an offensive coordinator through the years.
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The 49ers have hired longtime NFL assistant Jimmy Raye as offensive coordinator, the NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported, citing league sources.
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Jets assistant Jimmy Raye, a 32-year coaching veteran, is in Santa Clara today to interview for the club's vacant offensive-coordinator position.
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Billy Wilson, 81, passes away

Billy Wilson, who led the NFL in receptions three times in the 1950s despite playing in the shadow of the 49ers' famed "Million Dollar Backfield," died this morning. He was 81.
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The 49ers' search for an offensive coordinator might be reaching its conclusion.

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The 49ers' future offensive coordinator will have an advantage many of his predecessors did not experience.
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Apparently, there was some competition for Dan Reeves' services, after all.
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Apparently, there was some competition for Dan Reeves' services, after all.
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The 49ers have interviewed seven individuals for the club's offensive-coordinator position, but those seven have dwindled to four possibilities.

 

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The Great Coordinator Search is on Day 28. The 49ers do not have any candidates scheduled to formally interview for the position today. But we can only assume the work continues behind closed doors.
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The Q&A is now over.

 

Earlier this evening, I answered as many questions as possible -- more than 20 -- in the comments section down below. Obviously, I don't have a whole lot of new information in the 49ers' search for an offensive coordinator, but I tried my best.

 

(To make it easier to read, I deleted all the questions as they were sent in as comments. I also edited some of the questions for brevity. I apologize that you'll be forced to gaze at my mug all the way down the page.)

 

* * *

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This game of connect the dots is a fool-proof way of figuring out what is going on with your favorite NFL team. It works a little something like this . . .

 

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After a busy day at 49ers headquarters that saw Ravens QBs coach Hue Jackson and the venerable Dan Reeves interview for the offensive coordinator position, there will be no new candidates entering the building today.

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Reeves is in the building

Update: Here's the article on Reeves and Hue Jackson for Saturday's paper.

 

* * *

 

Dan Reeves is in Santa Clara at this moment, interviewing with coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan for the 49ers' offensive-coordinator position.

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Just like we've been speculating all along, the 49ers have reached out to Dan Reeves to interview for the offensive coordinator position, according to Jay Glazer of foxsports.com.
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Scott Linehan has reportedly agreed to become the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, and my faith in humanity has been restored - at least until I learn something different.
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Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson is currently at the 49ers' team headquarters in Santa Clara to interview for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position.

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It took two trips to the Bay Area for Scott Linehan to come to the conclusion that he did not want to coach for the 49ers. He cited family reasons for turning down Mike Singletary's offer.

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The 49ers have signed cornerback Jimmy Williams, a second-round pick of the Falcons in 2006. Williams was the No. 37 overall selection in that draft out of Virginia Tech.
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All's quiet . . .

The 49ers' coaches are back from the Senior Bowl. GM Scot McCloughan is returning today from Mobile, Ala., too.

 

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The 49ers want quarterback Alex Smith to return to the club in 2009. Smith said he wants to return. Therefore, the only thing that will keep that from happening is the 49ers' ability to work out a contract agreement with Smith's agent, Tom Condon.
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The 49ers will be represented for the second consecutive year during the Super Bowl coin toss ceremony prior to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa on Feb. 1
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Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson is a candidate for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position, it has been learned.

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Former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski will interview with 49ers coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan for the coordinator job this evening in Mobile, Ala.

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Mike Singletary knew what he wanted, even if he did not know whom he wanted.
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Bryant Young might be heading back to Notre Dame.
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Coach Mike Singletary said today he plans to remain patient in filling the team's vacancy at offensive coordinator.
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Scott Linehan turned down the 49ers' offer today to become the team's offensive coordinator. It was a decision he described as "excruciating."
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Linehan declines 49ers offer

Scott Linehan has declined the 49ers offer to become the team's offensive coordiantor.

 

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Niners greats Ronnie Lott, Dwight Clark and Roger Craig will be among the Bay Area sports celebrities taking part Tuesday in a celebration of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration while supporting several local charities.
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Scott Linehan is expected to notify the 49ers of his decision by the end of the weekend. The 49ers offered Linehan the position of offensive coordinator Thursday night, sources told The Press Democrat.
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Q&A time

Earlier today, I solicited questions and supplied some answers. Thanks to everyone who took part. Read the questions and answers in the comments section below.

 

The Q&A has concluded for the day.

 

* * *

 

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Linehan mulls 49ers' offer

Niners coach Mike Singletary offered former Rams head coach Scott Linehan the position of offensive coordinator, it was learned this evening. Linehan met with Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan on Thursday. It was his second interview for the job.

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The 49ers are in the process of cutting "a handful" of jobs on the business side, vice president of communications Elisabeth Lang confirmed today. However, she said there will actually be a net gain in total 49ers employees.

 

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Scott Linehan is the leading candidate for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position, and there is a strong chance he will be offered the job this evening, a league source said.
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Former Rams coach Scott Linehan is back at the 49ers' team offices right now for his second interview for the team's offensive-coordinator position.
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In a lot of ways, Mike Singletary does not control his own fate as 49ers head coach. The same could have been said about Mike Nolan. Defensive coaches must find the right coaching fits on the other side of the ball.
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Things are in a holding pattern for the 49ers. The club had no offensive-coordinator candidates in the building today to interview for the vacant job.
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Browns assistant head coach/quarterbacks Rip Scherer met with coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan about the 49ers' opening at quarterbacks coach.

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So much for the item about Jeff Jagodzinski interviewing for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position. Word is that Jagodzinski is not a candidate for the job, after all.
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Mike Singletary hired a former teammate and his nephew to positions on the 49ers' coaching staff today.
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Former Raiders executive Michael Lombardi reports for the National Football Post that the Boston College coach who was fired last week for pursuing the head-coaching job with the New York Jets will interview for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position.

 

* * *UPDATE (8 p.m.): Since I posted this intial report from National Football Post, I've received information that Jagodzinski is not interviewing for the 49ers job, after all. Click here for the latest update.

 

 

 

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2009 NFL Calendar

If you want to plan ahead for your football year, here are some key dates for the coming year:

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Former Broncos offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Rick Dennison made his flight and is in Santa Clara meeting with 49ers coach Mike Singletary and GM Scot McCloughan about the team's vacant offensive coordinator job.
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The 49ers are scheduled to interview (former?) Broncos offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Rick Dennison on Monday at the team's Santa Clara facility.
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Some news, notes and observations . . .
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Former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski today became the third candidate to interview at the team's offices in Santa Clara for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position. He met with coach Mike Singletary and general manager Scot McCloughan.
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Former Rams coach Scott Linehan became the second person to interview today for the 49ers' offensive coordinator position. Earlier in the day, Colts receivers coach Clyde Christensen interviewed for the post.
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Clyde Christensen, who completed his seventh season as wide receivers coach of the Colts, interviewed for the 49ers' vacant offensive coordinator position this morning. He is the first official candidate coach Mike Singletary has interviewed for the position.

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New(old) 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman joined local reporters on a conference call just minutes ago to talk about rejoining the organization.
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The NFL Network is reporting the 49ers are scheduled to interview Scott Linehan and Rob Chudzinski this weekend for their offensive coordinator position. The 49ers are saying the report is "speculation at this point."
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Tom Rathman has signed on the dotted line, officially beginning his third stint with the 49ers. The club announced the deal just moments ago. Rathman will be the team's running backs coach.

 

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Mike Singletary has the contractual freedom to hire and fire assistant coaches. It should come as no surprise that is what the 49ers' coach is doing.
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Rathman accepts 49ers' offer

Tom Rathman has accepted the 49ers' offer to take over as the club's running backs coach, he confirmed just moments ago as he was leaving Alameda after clearing out his belongings at the Raiders' complex.

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Former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman interviewed today for the vacant position of 49ers running backs coach, a position he held with the organization under Steve Mariucci from 1997-2002.

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The 49ers have yet to conduct any interviews for the offensive coordinator position, but that could change in the next day or two.
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Forum added to the page

Perhaps you've already noticed, but there is a new feature to the blog these days. There is now a forum.

 

In the past, the comments section under my blog posts has been open season to discuss all topics. Now, there is an actual forum in which subjects involving the 49ers, the NFL, the draft and miscellaneous sports can be freely discussed.

 

Feel free to get the ball rolling. Hopefully, the ball rolls smoothly. As always, there will be zero tolerance for inappropriate language and remarks.

 

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The 49ers were pretty good statistically against the run this season, as they tied for 13th in the league in yards rushing allowed per game. They were eighth in the league in rushing average, surrendering just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.

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*Includes updated 2009 Senior Bowl rosters*

* * *

There is big news out of Mobile, Ala.

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Ted Robinson, the new radio play-by-play voice of the 49ers, has not been working on his touchdown call.
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Ted Robinson will become the fifth radio play-by-play announcer in the 63-year history of the 49ers, the club announced this morning. Robinson replaces Joe Starkey, who announced his retirement last month.
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Head coach Mike Singletary made it clear last week that he wants the 49ers to be a running team.

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The 49ers were the second-best team in the NFC West this season. The best team in the division is getting ready to show the world what the NFC West is all about.

 

So while we all get prepared to watch the Cardinals put an NFC West-style whipping on those poor, unsuspecting Falcons, I figured I'd tackle a few questions from the studio audience.

 

* * *

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The nucleus of the 49ers roster should remain intact as only two starters in 2009 have contracts set to expire at the end of February.
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Mike Singletary said a list of candidates for the 49ers' offensive coordinator vacancy has been compiled. They are going through the process of whittling down the list to a manageable number. There don't figure to be any interviews this week, but the work continues behind the scenes.
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