My suggestion: "Touch-Down San-Fran-Cis-Co!"
No, Robinson takes a great deal of pride in being about the call the spontaneity of a live sporting event. He said he learned many years ago while broadcasting Twins baseball games that having a signature call just doesn't work for him.
He said no two home runs are alike, so why should every home-run call have the same description on the radio? The same is obviously true for touchdowns.
OK, but if wants, he can still borrow my suggestion.
"Touch-Down San-Fran-Cis-Co!"
Robinson said he called one 49ers game during his three-year run with Westwood One radio as a "utility man." He said Cody Pickett was the quarterback during his one 49ers broadcast.
(My smart-aleck observation: If Pickett was the QB in Robinson's only other 49ers broadcast, that probably means he has yet to call a 49ers touchdown.)
* * *
Robinson said he has not had a chance yet to speak with Joe Starkey, whose long run as 49ers play-by-play man ended at the conclusion of the season. He said he was driving around listening to Starkey's final broadcast when he heard the overwhelming response of the fans at Candlestick when Starkey was recognized.
"Obviously, that's an appreciation for what Joe did, and it's a validation of radio," Robinson said.
* * *
Where might former 49ers coach Mike Nolan end up? Connect the dots and it's pretty easy to see him working as defensive coordinator under coach Mike McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers.
McCarthy fired defensive coordinator Bob Sanders over the weekend, and Nolan definitely wants to coach this year.
* * *
I'm told former Rams coach Scott Linehan is definitely on the list of candidates for the 49ers' offensive-coordinator position. But no interview has yet been confirmed. To this point, I've heard no other names.
* * *
When do you suppose they'll start the interviewing process? I'm really surprised they haven't started already. What exactly is delaying the process?
Probably that all the good position coaches are still coaching. If they've really earned the right to take the next step I'd hope they made the playoffs.
Question: When do you suppose they'll start the interviewing process? I'm really surprised they haven't started already. What exactly is delaying the process?
My response: They've started the process. They've been making calls and doing homework on candidates. I'd think at this point Mike Singletary has spoken to several candidates. Maybe I'll know something more about "formal interviews" by the end of the day. --Matt M.
Matt- Do you think it is irresponsible that the 49ers front office is taking so long to put together their list of candidates for the OC job? After all, there are 6 coaching vacancies at the mooment, and my guess is once those start getting filled the OC candidates will be spread thin while interviewing/negotiating for several other jobs. My thought would be that they'd be interviewing their candidates by now.
Also, what is your take on an a quote from Richard Dent (back in October) that he's going to be the next D-Line coach. He said that Singletary told him he'd hire him as the DL coach. I hope they're not planning on firing Jim Tomsula for the inexperienced Richard Dent. Is there any reason to believe Tomsula is in the doghouse? I really hope it's not true.
Question: Do you think it is irresponsible that the 49ers front office is taking so long to put together their list of candidates for the OC job?
My response: You might have more information than me on this one. I don't know if they have or haven't put together their list of candidates. To my knowledge, no candidates for the job has been hired elsewhere. So, no, I don't think they're being irresponsible.
Question: Also, what is your take on an a quote from Richard Dent (back in October) that he's going to be the next D-Line coach. He said that Singletary told him he'd hire him as the DL coach. I hope they're not planning on firing Jim Tomsula for the inexperienced Richard Dent. Is there any reason to believe Tomsula is in the doghouse?
My response: There is no reason to believe Tomsula is in the doghouse. I'm sure when Singletary put his list together and had talks with Richard Dent, Singletary was thinking he'd be starting a staff from scratch.
--Matt M.
Off topic but since the season is over, do you take some time off to be with the family like the players or does the PD have you working at full throttle year round. Thanks, Matt. Can't wait to hear from you who the next OC will be.
Matt -
When can we look forward to the first Matt Maiocco mock draft? Or at least players that you think the Niners might target. I know the playoffs are going on, and the search is on for an OC, but for the 49ers it's the off season, which means draft time!
Matt, off topic, but do you know off the top of your head how the Niners 2009 schedule ranks in terms of difficulty among the rest of the league? I heard on that they have 10 home games. I didn't know that the schedule makers could do that.
HI MATT I ALWAYS WAIT FOR YOU TO COME OUT AND DISCUSS WHAT IS HAPPENING. YOU ARE THE BEST AND I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR. DO YOU THINK WE HAVE ANY CHANCE ON GETTING TIM TEBOW. I REALLY THINK HE WOULD BE AWESOME. HE CAN PLAY DIFFERENT POSITIONS H BACK AND TIGHT END AS A QUARTERBACK I THINK HE WOULD BE UNREAL WITH GORE .THE OTHER TEAMS WOULDNT KNOW WHO TO STOP.AND I READ AND I REALLY DISAGREE THAT HE HAS NO ARM. I THINK HE WOULD DO FINE. I LOVE HIM HE IS AWESOME.WHAT DO YOU THINK.
Question: When can we look forward to the first Matt Maiocco mock draft? Or at least players that you think the Niners might target.
My response: The first and only Maiocco mock usually comes the day before the draft. As for when I'll start making educated guesses on whom they might take, it'll probably be some time after the combine. Many of the readers of this blog are well ahead of me when it comes to suggestions of whom the 49ers should target in the draft. --Matt M.
Comment: Matt, off topic, but do you know off the top of your head how the Niners 2009 schedule ranks in terms of difficulty among the rest of the league? I heard on that they have 10 home games.
My response: I hate to brag, but through my dogged determination, I have an exclusive. While tapping into my wide array of NFL sources, I have learned that the 49ers will have 16 games in the regular season in 2009.
Here's the kicker: Eight of those are road games and eight are home games.
Their road games are against the Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Texans, Colts and Eagles, while their home games are against the Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Bears, Lions, Jaguars, Titans and Falcons. --Matt M.
HI MATT ANY LUCK THAT WE GET TEBOW? THANKS
Comment: ANY LUCK THAT WE GET TEBOW?
My response: WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT ME?
Are you thinking about: a) Tim Tebow, fullback; b) Tim Tebow, tight end; c) Tim Tebow, quarterback; or d) all of the above?
Seriously, at this point, I don't know what position he would play in the NFL.
--Matt M.
AS A QUARTERBACK.BUT I BELIEVE HE CAN PLAY ALL OF THE POSITIONS IF HE DIDNT GET THE QUARTERBACK JOB.I THINK HE IS PERFECT FIT IN MANY WAYS.AND I AM SORRY I AM NOT YELLING.THANKS
Dude, homey, buddy, guy. Switch off the caps lock and step away from the keyboard. You're only annoying everyone and ensuring no response from the great Maiocco in the sky.
In other news, I like your Nolan-as-GB-DC assertion, Matt. Do you think he harmed his reputation with all the gimmicky hybrid junk he pulled with the Niners though?
10 home games, I knew they were pullin my leg. Road games against the Rams, Seahawks AND Cards??? Seems like they do this to us every year!!!
Thanks for getting me puzzled stares while I chuckle in my cubicle MM!
10 home games: 8 regular season, plus the divisional playoff game and the conference championship. Sounds right to me. ;)
Wow, Stampede really? Not to be rude but how old are you? How long have you been watching the NFL?
10 home games? Seriously?
Cards, Seahawks and Rams on the road every year? That is honestly your question?
These types of statements shouldn't even be dignified with a response! You my friend and this not meant to be rude, but you should not post on any NFL article until you've watched at least 3 years of NFL football and understand the rules and the game...
WOW
Happy New Years MM. The other rumblings I have heard about Mr. No-win is getting the DC job in San Diego under Norv. If I'm not mistaking, they had some sort of DC switch mid-season and I'm guessing Norv may hire Nolan again. I'm sure he will over-scheme some other team's defense in 2009 and then blame it on Alex Smith. I would love to hear his babbling spin on why the Niners D was more effective once they simplified things. Then image if Smith also ended up playing back home in San Diego for Norv. Ha ha. Those two cannot get rid of each other.
One last tidbit - the 49ers will not take partake in either SB this year: The Bengals and Jaguars coaches will work the 2009 Senior Bowl.
Tebow's not even a senior, he should stay another year.
Besides, do we really want another Urban Meyer spread offense QB. The last one really worked out great.
What's this "NFL" you speak of?
I like how you prefaced with "not to be rude," and then turned around got mad rude. Classic.
Matt - This illustrates why minority coaches are so frustrated, even as coordinators (fast track to HC jobs). The very idea that a BAD retread like Mike Nolan has an inside track for any DC job is laughable - unless the NFL is the buddy system that everyone knows it is. The way Manusky and Singletary turned around this defense mid-year, with the same players, totally exposed Nolan as an empty suit. His years in Balt. proved to an aberration from Was. and SF. And Ravens' defense was great before and after Nolan coached there. What does he bring?
Hi all,
A few thoughts/questions on a back up RB, DT, and pass rushing DE/OLB. RB: I agree with MM that Foster is a proven commodity, which is nice to have as an insurance policy. If however, the 9ers are heading on a smash-mouth course as Singletary is indicating, couldn't they really use a hammer for short yardage/ball control situations? Someone along the lines of a Le'Ron McClain? Don't get me wrong, I love Gore and think he's one of the toughest backs in the league, but he can only take so many hits and it seems like many of the most successful running teams employ backs with different running styles (e.g. Williams & Stewart, Jacobs & Ward, Johnson and White ...)
DT: Would Haynesworth fit as a 3-4 NT? Would the 9ers a) want anything to do with him, b) have any shot of getting him? If not, how did Balmer progress this year? Does he look like someone who can contribute in the future? Any other big, clogging, 2-gapper prospects either via free agency or the draft?
Pass rush: Seems like the 9ers have been searching for a consistent (play to play and year to year) pass rush ever since Charles Haley left. Peterson might have been the closest thing they had, but we don't need to get into that. Any ideas where they might look next to try and fill this void? Seems like free agent pass rushers are rarely available and often overpaid.
Sorry for ramblin, but I'd be curious to read any thoughts/comments on any of this ...
"Matt - This illustrates why minority coaches are so frustrated, even as coordinators (fast track to HC jobs). The very idea that a BAD retread like Mike Nolan has an inside track for any DC job is laughable - unless the NFL is the buddy system that everyone knows it is. The way Manusky and Singletary turned around this defense mid-year, with the same players, totally exposed Nolan as an empty suit. His years in Balt. proved to an aberration from Was. and SF. And Ravens' defense was great before and after Nolan coached there. What does he bring?"
So I take it you wouldn't be in favor of signing a BAD retread like Scott Linehan as OC? A guy who had all his star players literally quit on him and call him out publicly
Tebow has not declared for this draft. Why would you draft him? The team has many other needs.
Matt - Can you comment on why Scott Linahan might be a Singletary kind of guy? Seems like Linahan had some character issues: he alienated his QB Bulger, cut CB Fakhir Brown (who was resigned after Linahan was fired), he tossed in the towel and some of his players under the bus. Also, Al Saunders deserved credit the Ram's offense.
IMO - Greg Knapp would be a better fit.
The players is STL literally quit on Linehan in his last game there after he benched Bulger. One of his loudest critics was Steven Jackson whose numbers flourished under Linehan's reign. Jackson saw the biggest benefit personally from the change of Martz to Linehan yet he still despised him.
Rarely in the NFL do you see a team intentionally lose but I really think the players on the Rams did just that losing 31-14 at home to Buffalo in Week 4.
If Linehan is the guy he is a severe downgrade compared to Martz. It would be somewhat ironic if Linehan directly replaced Martz twice in a row. The first time it turned out badly for the Rams. I doubt it would turn out any better in SF.
Fair assumption. I just didn't see any true magic from Linehan at Miami, Minnesota, or Univ. of Washington. What's special about him? He got that tag as "up-and-comer", and drones like us just start buzzing without actual facts. Former Ravens OC and current OL coach Chris Foerster will get a long look. He's not better than Martz, but he did a great job after Warhop was finally canned and fits the Singletary checklist. I'm most worried about a fishing buddy from the '85 Bears getting a call.
p.s. To other posters and local beat writers, Greg Knapp is not the answer to any offseason 49er question. Run on all 2nd downs is not a playbook.
Maybe, whoever told you there are 10 home games is including the two preseason home games. That is all I could think of.
Oh, also I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt about the NFC west road game comment. I know you were joking, at least I hope you were.
I'm going to try to refrain from getting so wrapped up in mock drafts this early. There are so many variables...FA's, combine, etc. In our case, whomever our new OC is will have a voice in what offensive players we draft. That said, I hope we go either OL or DL with our 1st pick. Two guys that seem likely to be available are B.J. Raji (DT) and Carl Monroe (OT). Either guy would be a good pick.
Matt: "My smart-aleck observation: If Pickett was the QB in Robinson's only other 49ers broadcast, that probably means he has yet to call a 49ers touchdown."
I suppose Robinson did not call a 49ers touchdown. Yet. In the two games Pickett started he led the team to five FGs. (Nov 6, 2005, NYG, 6:24; Nov 13, 2005, @CHI, 9:17). At Chicago he threw the same number of completions and interceptions: One each in thirteen pass plays (46 runs). I don't miss him.
Taylor Mays. Taylor Mays. Taylor Mays. Just youtube him.
They were hoping SD would lose, cause if they did, Turner would've been available. BUT now ....... the 9ers are having to rethink everything because that one win may have saved Norvell.