Oh crap, here come the Vick rumors again.

I feel good about most of the candidates that they have interviewed. I like this combo of Jackson and Johnson. I'm hoping if this happens, They will place emphasis on a physical style of play, AND develop the Niners Q.B.'s the way Jackson helped Flacco in B more this season. The Ravens had a fantastic running game through this year with a three headed monster(McGahee, Rice, McClain).

This is great news. I really like Hue Jackson. Put the Vick rumors away but believe all the hype behind the T.J. Houshmanzadeh rumors. He loved playing for Hue, he is a West Coast guy, and the niners need a solid go to game changing receiver.

Last time we had one of these candidates in for a 2nd interview, we offered him the O.C. job. The Niners seem interested enough to bring Jackson back for a second round. We may have found our man. Let's sign him and get focused on other off-season issues. Go Niners!

One thing to consider... I don't think we should worry too much about the OC taking off after one year, whoever it may be. Say it's Jackson. Even if the Niner offense is in the top 10 next year, names like Holmgren, Cowher, Shanahan, Gruden, and Herm Edwards are out there. For that reason, you'd say we'd be safe, at least for next year, right?

Except that Hue Jackson never actually coached Michael Vick, but don't tell Adam Schefter. That's a man who never lets reality get in the way of a story.

YES!! YES!! YES!! Jackson is who I have wanted all along (well, either Jackson or Jagodzinski)! This whole mess will have a happy ending if we sign Jackson! I'm stoked!!! Make it happen!

I thought all along that it should be Jackson. Sign him!

Sorry, should have put a :P in there or something. It was a joke. I know Jackson has no real ties to Vick, nor does Jimmie Williams. It was more poking fun that the last time Jackson interviewed all the Vick rumors went crazy. In fact if you go read the first reply to Schefter's blog entry you will see a very similar account name (hmmm)

I'm glad we have POSSIBLY found an OC and QB Coach but might we be losing our DC?

Matt, have you heard anything about these rumors?

http://www.star-telegram.com/306/story/1164767.html

http://startelegramsports.typepad.com/cowboys/2009/01/who-will-wade-hire-as-defensive-coordinator.html

Hudd07 - Matt shot those rumors down in his last blog

Oh no. Does this mean Singletary will only last one year as head coach? Well, if you have some people making a Vick connection, I might as well make the connection to Hue's two separate years as an OC, both times coming in at the HC's last year.

Say, while I'm in a joking mood... Jackson and Johnson? Do you know how close that is to copyright infringement? Three letters off from being The Baby Shampoo Crew.

Now in seriousness, I do like the idea of having Hue and this has got to be Hue's best opportunity to prove himself as an OC. To come in during a HC's first year instead of his last should be a refreshing change of pace.

NO!!! This guy was fired as the O.C. for each of the two years he performed those duties. And for good reason. He was the O.C. for the '03 Redskins and the '07 Falcons. Both were only ranked 23rd in total offense for those respective seasons. In my opinion...I think this is a bad choice.

Dirk 2 – You are right but more wrong. The head coaches of the '03 Redskins was Steve Spurrior who got fired and they cleaned house of that coaching staff to allow Joe Gibbs return. The head coach of the ’07 Falcons was Bobby P, who left as head coach with 3 games remaining in the season. Mike Smith came in and brought his own coaches. I would say he was not “retained” by two new coaching staff’s much more than I would use words like Fired. Spurrior and Bobby P left both coaching staff’s in shambles. Not Hue’s fault. Hue Jackson has a VERY good reputation in the NFL.

I'm glad to see the reporters in Dallas are just an nuts as the players. Where did these Manusky firing rumors come from? I think the defense improved last year after Nolan was gone and all indications have been that Manusky would be back.

That said, Manusky is under contract and since he is not interviewing for a promotion I belive (Matt can correct me) the Niners have the right to block the Cowboys from interviewing him.

Hudd07 - Here's something that should shoot down those rumors as well. From the first link you provide:

"The name of the moment is former 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, who coincidentally was the guy Wade wanted all along before settling on Stewart. And luckily now he is available, since Mike Singletary booted his butt."

Singletary fired Manusky?? Where did that notion come from? If people are to report rumors, at least gets facts straight before bringing those rumors up.

Jackson & Johnson. No confusion there. No opportunities for jests or japes.

McSingSon ?

Thank God!

I was getting scared for a minute.

TJ Whosyourmama come on down!

I approve this hire ;-)

Thanks Matt!

Mike,

Thank you. I just saw it on ESPN Sando's Blog and I was like OMG!!!!!

Anybody concerned about the rumors and speculation we will have EVERY year from now on about losing our OC to a HC opportunity. Jackson will get an interview every year under the Rooney Rule. Am I just paranoid or what? I HAVE been having a wierd day today....

Looks like Jackson and Johnson might be a done deal. I like this package, and I hope the announcement comes soon so that the teeth gnashing from some of the "fans" here stops. A couple of more points:

1. Manusky isn't going anywhere. The 49ers don't have to let him go, so relax.

2. For everyone who thinks we should have kept Mike Martz...has his name even surfaced as a candidate for any NFL coordinator job?? He hasn't even gotten a sniff, and he won't. I think Martz's days as an offensive coordinator in the NFL are over. Too high risk, too much baggage, too difficult to work with. He looked good because Hostler was so bad in 2007. Until Singletary reigned Martz in at the end of the year, his offense was a joke; riddled with turnovers and sacks. The 49ers are better off without him, and everyone should just let it go. He's not coming back.

I hope Hue is the guy. Dont know much about him so I don't hv much of an opinion.

As for TJ, isn't he a complimentary guy? He's MJ's Pippen, Obama's Biden, Pitt's Aniston... oh wait - maybe that last one is a bad example.

Anyway, I'd love to have TJ but still feel the need for a #1 guy. Maybe one of our young guys steps up or maybe TJ replaces #88.

Honestly, I think it's a shame no other team has taken a look at Martz. We didn't get rid of him because of any poor performance. Of course, I guess the reason no one has looked his way is for the same reason we fired him. Most teams like having a run game at their disposal and running is Martz's kryptonite.

Still, Martz is a good commodity to any team that wants an offensive style that he'd fit well in. Sadly, the teams that he would fit well in already are happy with what they have.

I like it! I like it!

I think TJ would compliment Morgan. I think he is a #1 guy down the road. TJ would be our big possession receiver and Morgan or Hill would stretch the field. And remember Houston 9er, TJ was NOT a complimentary guy last year. He was the #1 and Ocho was a distant 2nd.

Hopefully Matt doesn't mind, but this post about Hue had me stoked!

Hmmm interesting...if Hue is hired, we might be looking at a QB in the 1st rd.

It would be a smart move to sign TJ Houshamadilly so that we have 2 good WR's for our QB to throw to

And the bid to become the San Francisco Ravens continues...

LOL!!!!!

Do it...

i feel like hue jackson would be a good fit. i feel like he would work well with singletary and also bring new life 2 alex smith if we keep him. only thing that worries me is if he has alot of success he will probably be considered for a head coaching job.

And the bid to become the San Francisco Ravens continues...

Ravens went to the AFC championship game. Not a bad model...

Dirk 2 - Another thing to note about his time with Spurrier was that it is well known to many of the fans out here in Wash DC area that Spurrier was the main play caller most of that year. Spurrier "supposedly" gave the play calling over to Hue but it really wasn't as simple as that. Spurrier did not let Hue control the whole game and would take over play calling DURING the games. Then hand control back randomly during the games. Spurrier had never allowed another person to call the plays for him his whole career as a coach until that year, so it kinda makes sense why Spurrier did it. But it is unfair to hold Hue responsible for that seasons record or their offense's status.

The year before he had been their running backs coach and coached Stephen Davis to over 1400 yds. Davis was on pace for another great year the following year if not for a season ending injury. This guys got something that they see obviously.

He's been with the ravens for 1 season mchamp.

HAHAHA too funny. Someone has already put into wikipedia that he signed as 49ers new OC today 1/27/2009

mchamp- In other words no real ties to the old Ravens staff that I disliked.

On the note of Housh:
I would love to see a guy with the integrity that Houshmanzadeh has come to the 49ers. He would blend very nicely with Sing's "team first" ideology.

Anything that went wrong with the Redskins when Jackson was there is all on Spurrier as far as I'm concerned. And Daniel Snyder. But Spurrier was a lousy pro coach.

I see your points [yours and Mike in SF #2]. Both years he was an O.C. there were a lot of distractions.
It sounds like the player's really relate to him, hopefully he'll have some "hand on" with coaching the players and not just design game plans. He still hasn't proven he can do that in the NFL.

No chance Manusky walks. His job is safe, and if I'm not mistaken, he's not allowed to make a "lateral" move without 49ers permission (from a DC to a DC.)

As a fellow UOP alum, I say hire Mr. Jackson. He was a fine quarterback indeed during the 80's in Stockton, CA.

Would it still be considered a lateral move if Dallas were to give him a title like Asst HC / defense, where he was really a DC, but didn't have the title? Just thought of that, kinda curious.

Nice, hopefully they agree to terms. Lets go get TJ Hoshmezode...and Nnamdi Asomugha.

From the looks of it the NFL is going to have ~ 126MIL Salary Cap and after Likely to be earned Incentives are calculated we are going to be ~26 MIL under that cap. Work in another say ~5-7 mil for a restructure or Cutting of A. Smith and we are sitting at over ~31 MIL in cap space. That amount would put us in the top 5 as far as cap space to work with. Before Smith reneg/cut we are 9th best space to work with. Plenty to pursue viable Free Agents with. I would really like to see us get Houshmanzadeh I hope he and our team thinks the same if we get Hue Jackson.

i feel like hue jackson would be a good fit. i feel like he would work well with singletary and also bring new life 2 alex smith if we keep him. only thing that worries me is if he has alot of success he will probably be considered for a head coaching job.

It looks like we're becoming the "Ravens West" Singletary, Raven's LB Coach, Forester, Raven's O Line Coach, potentially Hue Jackson and Mike Johnson and that guy in the suit who's name we wont utter who pretended he was the Raven's D-coordinator. Hope it all works out.

Hi everyone....longtime reader, first time poster, blah blah blah.....

FYI, I was trying to do a little research on Hue Jackson on Wikipedia, and his entry states that he has been signed as OC. I know it's Wikipedia, so take it for what you will...

The same Wikipedia that for a few hours after the Eagle's elimination, had a picture of a walrus in Andy Reid's profile.

Hey Matt! Are you on a steak-out in front of 49ers headquarters? I have this image of you camped out in your car with a thermos, a bunch of fast food wrappers, and three days worth of stubble......

Sure hope Iron Mike has found his man. Or, as it may be, men. That Raye rumor just about convinced me that we were in deeeeep doo-doo.

If Jackson is the guy, and Flacco is any indication, turnovers will NOT be costing us the playoffs next year.

I think Jackson, if hired, would do wonders with any of the Niners quarterbacks. I would like to see what he could do with Alex Smith if Smith sticks around. I think we'll be hearing an announcement about the new hire any hour now....

I like Singletary a lot so let him take his time to select whomever he wants. He knows the truth. He has to be above .500 percent next year as the days losing are over for the fans and York knows it as does Singletary.

Six straight losing seasons mean win or else. I like Samuri Mike's chances.

Hi Matt, What is the latest on the Niners uniform switch? I heard they are thinking of going to purple because the coaching staff is more familiar with it! Ravens West, only without any real good players. Meanwhile, Gruden and Shanahan are sitting at home... travesty!

I would rather have Singletary at this point than Shanahan, but especially Gruden. The players responded so well to Singletary here, but all we heard in the days after Gruden was fired was how the players had grown tired of his act. And both were fired long after Singletary was hired, so they didn't really have that choice.

Uh, in case no one noticed, Baltimore has been to the playoffs a bit more than we have in recent years.

Matt in SR, please explain yourself. Why are Gruden and Shanahan sitting at home a travesty? Because they didn't come to the 49ers to be the OC? Did you really think they would? WHY in the world would guys like Gruden and Shanahan, guy that have been Super Bowl winning head coaches, drop down and be an OC? You do know that they are still collecting their checks from the Bucs and Broncos right? And by the way, if you haven't noticed the Niners have tough time keeping OCs around, and I'm pretty sure both of those guys will be in demand next year.

So COME ON!! Pull your head out!

I'm pretty sure the earliest they could change their uni's is 2010, but Matt said a while back it is very low on their list of priorities.

For everyone wanting a QB in the middle rounds, take a look around. Look at every NFL team, when did they get their QBs? Either in the 1st round or in the 6th and later. Why is that? My theory is that proper scouting will allow the best QBs to rise to the top of the draft -- Payton and Eli Manning, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, McNabb, Cutler, Flacco, Pennington, etc. Or you take a chance on a guy that may not WOW you with physical skills but show leadership, and what it takes to be a winner. That is why guys like Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Matt Hasselbeck, Marc Bulger, Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Jake DelHomme, Jeff Garcia, Tyler Thigpen, Derek Anderson, etc., all have good, long careers. Guys in the middle just don't seem to work. Just my own thoughts on taking a QB in the middle.

There was a QB taken in the 3rd round named Montana...

This is awesome because a: we're hiring a qb coach for a smash mouth, run first offense and b: hes the qb coach of the ravens who are known for there awesome qb play (sarcasm). Might we go 8 in 8?

PatBU - Name the last first round draft pick rookie QB to take his team to the AFC championship game. Then try to name three? You cannot... oh. Why don't you give the guy a little credit for the job he did do with the QB in Baltimore. I would give anything to have the 49ers in the Championship game or even the playoffs for that matter.

Perhaps TJ was #1 for the Bengals this year. Maybe thats why the Bengals had the 30th ranked passing offense in the NFL. TJ's a very good #2 receiver. I hope the 9ers sign him but he's not a #1.

That had nothing to do with TJ and everything to do with injuries to Carson Palmer. If this isn't #1 receiver numbers please tell me what is:

2008 - 92 catches, 904 yards, 4 tds (without Carson Palmer). All better numbers than Chad Johnson.
2007 - 112 catches, 1,143 yards, 12 TDs (#85 only beats him in yards, but had less catches and TDs).
2006 - 90 catches, 1,081 yards, 9 TDs. (again #85 only beat him in yards, he had less catches and same TD's).

Mike in SF #2...I should have added that little asterisk, but before Flacco (who imo wasn't the reason at all Bal got to the AFC championship game, however impressive for a rook) Dilfer was the greatest QB for the franchise and thats not saying a whole lot. I'm not sure how long hes been there (Jackson) but over the years they've been terrible at QB....plus I think I'm fed up w hiring Bal coaches/players from the Nolan days. (another asterisk is Singletary obviously)

Reeves, 65 years old and out of football for years, comes out, takes a look at the organizational structure and the lack of QB talent, and runs for the hills. Does anyone get the feeling that the boy-king, Scot and Mike are rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?

Just you and your buddy Terry, moron.

I don't get that feeling at all. It wouldn't take a plane ride to SF and an interview to see all of that in a team, if it truely was the case. By that logic ("organizational structure and lack of QB talent"), we should expect him to turn down the Fowlboys offer too, right?

Possibly, if he was going there as an OC, but according to the reporting, he is going there as a consultant, which the Cowboys can certainly use. Then again, so could our 49ers!

I, too, am fed up with getting Baltimore coaches and players from the Nolan days. Thankfully, Hue isn't a Baltimore coach "from the Nolan days". Hue was in Washington and Cincinnati during Nolan's time in Baltimore.

Not to mention that he's been a Baltimore coach for only one year. Long enough to place such a stigma on him?

Shane thanks! I wasn't sure how lond he'd been there, that actually makes me feel al ot better

It looks to me that McSing does not know what is going on with the Offense, Surprise? He appears to be continuing with NOlans ideas of a West Coast transplantation of the Baltimore Ravens. We are not, nor will we ever be the Ravens even if he hires their discarded coaches We are the 49ers and McSing had better recognize that his job is on the line with the FAITHFUL. Tough talk does not impress me. We are tired of being losers, and losing our history. I can only hope he realizes that Martz and Sean Hill are the reason he is Head Coach, not vice-versa. He has abandoned both of them, I guarante you I will do the same with the same speed as he did to them.

Hey "Sing" Club president??
Hue Jackson must be your next greatest OC in ALL the NFL!! Right?

Hey president?
Why don't you go for the OC? Then you could be the greatest OC in history!! Maybe you and "Sing" could both pull your pants down and bend over at the same time at the pres conference!!! And next throw some reporters out of the room!
I'm sure that's the ritual to enter the "Sing" Club!

Toby Your argument about QB's is very weak. Heck here are 6 that are arguably in the top QB's of all time list.

Brett Farve 2nd Round
Fran Tarkenton 3rd Round
Joe Montana 3rd Round
Sonny Jurgenson 4th Round
Don Meredith 3rd Round
Dan Fouts 3rd Round

I don't see how anybody could think that Houshmandzadeh would be anything but the #1 receiver on this team. Sure Morgan and Hill show flashes of potential at times, but nothing compared to the proven play that Houshmandzadeh has put up

There's no 'magic round' for picking QBs... or any other position for that matter.

As for Housh... I'm not sure if they should be dumping that much money into a receiver. With so many needs on the team, it wouldn't seem to make much sense. I like the guy, but the niners have some VERY promising young receivers and far too many holes to fill. The FA class for receivers is very thin, so if Housh opts to leave Cincy, he's probably going to command a HEFTY price tag.

Tackle, D Line, and safety. Unless they can wrangle Asomugha.

For now, let's focus on the OC.

Yes! They must make a push for Nnamdi.

I think you meant lets focus on a DT haha.

Aloha Matt,

Do you think that if they hire Jackson and Johnson and if Jackson experiences some success and gets a HC job that he will take Johnson to be his OC. Is this why Sing hired Rathman to eventually take over?

Martz is laughing is butt off right now, this team is painfully depressing.

-Prozac

Terry, since we provide you with such laughter and enjoyment as we share speculation on the first OC hire in the Sing Era, why don't you enlighten us with your perfect candidate?
Easy to rebuff the optimists, why not bring something original?

Add Boomer Esiason and Ken Stabler to the list of middle round QBs who had successful careers.

Not saying I agree with the idea that picking a QB in the middle rounds is a bad idea, but that list of great QBs picked in the middle rounds is all from the 70s or earlier. It seems to be fairly accurate that in recent history, teams haven't had much success with middle round QBs.

There are some exceptions: Schaub, Garrard, Orton (not like any of these guys are all that great)

This is encouraging news. As I said yesterday, if he wasn't invited back for a second soon, he'd be effectively eliminated. Plus, bringing Johnson in as well indicates that we are nearing another possible decision.

I'm not enamoured with Jacksons credentials, but it doesn't seem like anyone better is available or will come here. The most important thing is to get a structure in place which can develop OC's from within. People keep talking about not hiring somebody who will leave within a short period of time, well guess what, success brings opportunity. So, it's not a case of hiring somebody who won't leave...it's a case of hiring somebody who can install a system which will facilitate promotions from within.

Technically they could do that, but I don't see why they would. Offering an assistant Head Coach job might work, but what if the Niners, once asked for permission to speak with him, decline and then give him the job of Assistant Head Coach. Then it would be a lateral move, and the Niners would have the option to turn them down.

Remember, I believ the 49ers chose Giovanni Carmazzi in the 3rd round the same year that Tom Brady was taken in the 6th. It is a crapshoot

I agree wholeheartedly Shootme -particularly if we are going to attempt a power running game in our Offense- a dominant RT is imperative and bolstering DL(Raji anyone?)/safety high on the needs list!I'm propbably in the minority here but I'm OK with S.Hill and our rec. core...but their success will be predicated on OC choice.(I still think Norm Chow should be considered!)

Check out Drew Brees selected in the second round in 2001 and throwing for 5069 yards in 2008 with a QB rating of 96.2.

Drew Brees!!! Solid pull I had missed him. I was thinking of all time best QB's so I missed him as well as any other current or recent players. I had Boomer Esiason but pulled him thinking people would debate him being worthy of being on the list of other names.

My view is this. You can not get too excited about an early round draft QB. It is a crap shoot. ESPN did an article a while back about this they took QB's from 89' - 03' and rated bust vs success.

Most notably during that time 53% off drafted 1st rd QB's were considered busts. This is NOT taking into account those that were not necessarily busts but were not really successful either.

Only 1 in 3 had at least 1 pro bowl appearance.

For comparison: In the same period:
Percentage of first-round RB busts: 49%
Percentage of first-round WR busts: 45%

As a matter of fact almost all the other skill positions drafted in the first round have panned out with better success rates than the QB position.

If history tells us anything, either Brady Quinn or JaMarcus Russell will be an abject failure at the next level.

To survive in the league at QB, you must make wise decisions with the football. To thrive, like many of the multiple Pro Bowl QBs, a 2/1 TD/INT ratio is standard.

But thriving is in no way a given, with quarterback grading out as the riskiest offensive skill position. The Lions (Ware, Harrington), Seahawks (McGwire, Mirer) and Bengals (Klingler, Smith) each had two busts in the study cycle, and the Lions, yet again, find themselves in need of a signal-caller.

Buyer beware.

90' - 02' Signal Callers from the first round.

02' Class
Patrick Ramesy
Joey Harrington
David Carr

01' Class
Michael Vick

00' Class
Chad Pennington

99' Class
Daunte Culpepper
Cade McNown
Akili Smith
Donovan McNabb
Tim Couch

98' Class
Ryan Leaf
Peyton Manning

97' Class
Jim Druckenmiller

Others in the 90's
Andre Ware
Jeff George
Dan McGwire
Todd Marinovich
David Klingler
Tommy Maddox
Drew Bledsoe
Rick Mirer
Heath Shuler
Trent Dilfer
Steve McNair
Kerry Collins

Yeah, Martz is laughing his butt off sitting around hoping a high school team might even call him, yet the phone remains silent... Looks like your Prozac isn't working, huh?

Alex Smith is a bust. McGM needs to swallow his pride and hit the reset button with the #10 pick – the kid from SC.

New coach, new OC, new quarterback. Wipe the slate clean.

End of discussion.

This is horrible, this idea. Wait until next year when the QB class is deeper and [hopefully] there's a rookie cap.

Matt, please don't have a blog entry "Jackson Mulling offer".
Also, on the draft I would agree with some of the other readers, defense is the way to go in the 1st round this year (not at free safety, we need to replace that like you said, in free agency).

My question is around the later rounds (3-7): Who looks good for the niners at WR/QB/RB (I know we have Gore, but in the theme of Deangelo Williams and Micheal Turner, we need Gore's Stewart or Norewood)? Also, at WR we need to go back to the West Coast style receivers (we should probably keep Johnson if the price is right), big receiver who can block for a run first offense. Do you think Patrick Turner will be available in the later rounds, maybe even after the 3rd round?

Could not agree more. This years QB crop is very mediocre, next year is the year to get a guy early. There are some later round guys worth taking a shot on but not with the #10 pick. We have so many holes to fill and can not afford another wasted pick. Maybe we can finally start drafting guys that fit a / our system instead of getting another hybrid player. How's that 1st rounder from last year doing? I hope if one of the top OL's fall to us we take one. And I agree with others about not taking Housh, we don't need to spend a ton of money on a 31 year old possession receiver. He is good but remove Palmer and CJ and he's not going to be as good as the money it will take to get him.

I think you are right on! Many later round QB's turn out to be the best! Examples: Montana and Cassel just to name a couple!
Great Email!