Matt, I know the orginization is being tight lipped, but how long do you think they will wait to hire an oc...next few days, weeks?

Also, I think Brian Dawkins is a free agent after this year. He is old, but head and shoulders above the niners safties. Any chance of a one year deal for the Niners?

Question: I think Brian Dawkins is a free agent after this year. He is old, but head and shoulders above the niners safties. Any chance of a one year deal for the Niners?

My response: I would not think so. Dawkins is still a fine player. But he is 35, and I think the 49ers would like to get somebody younger. Lewis is younger and he does a very good job close to the line of scrimmage. And Dawkins has only two more interceptions the past two seasons than Roman. --Matt M.

Any chance the 49ers interview Al Saunders? He fits that Air Coryell/Run first mentality Singletary loves.

You need to stop being such a jerk about the Cardinals. They are a good team with some great players that's playing very well right now. Copycatting the east coast biased national media in singing the "they're not deserving a playoff berth" should be beneath you. My favorite whiner is Peter King whose suggest rule changes would have put all playoff games on the east coast. No self serving there.

So stop with the grudging praise, admit you were wrong and give the Cards your 100% support.

well it can't be helped when our division has a terrible record and the cardinals were getting lit up in the last few games of the season. Not to knock what the cardinals have achieved in destroying the nfc south in the playoffs, but noone except a cardinals fan could have expected the cards defense to own del homme, and the panther run game so hard. You, just like everyone else on the face of the earth except the cardinals thought it was over when the panthers were ripping off those huge runs on them.

The Cardinals will get a reality check next week. It will be interesting to see what happens with them and some of their players this off season. They are nothing without Warner. Screw the Cards!

Hey Matt,

Would you be able to do a rundown of the top free-agents and your opinion on how they'd fit with the Niners/whether the Niners would pursue them? Specifically, TJ Houshmandzedah, Albert Haynesworth, and Nnamdi Asomugha...or do you think Niners fans should forget about a big signing like the last couple years?

I know they will most likely answer the running back question in the draft or sign foster back, but isn't brandon jacobs a free agent next year. The only reason I mention him is that he fits the power running style, would give gore a break, and he is already used to sharing carries. On a side note I can't believe that Roger Craig gets neglected each year. His importance to the 49ers shouldn't be undervalued, and the other part is that a lot of his numbers came as a fullback.

so if Singletary had saw "that look in their eyes" in Chudzinski Linehan or Christensen do you think one of them would've been hired already? he seemed to have a quick trigger on hiring Rathman.

I don't think they need to worry about pulling the trigger on anybody we've talked to so far. We're not going to see much movement on OC's until the open HC positions start to fill.

In reading of the OC hiring process that is going on, I'm reminded of the America's Game Forgotten Teams episode of the 1988 Bengals. Sam Wysche is being interviewed about how he received a turn-down letter from a high school to be their head coach due to lack of experience. About an hour later Wyche gets a phone call from Bill Walsh asking if he'd like to be the 49ers' QB coach. So much for the hiring by committee approach.

Hi Matt, When a team doesn't score an offensive TD in six games red flags have to go up. Chdzinski should be scratched on that count alone. Linehan has the resume and seems a safer bet. The team should get a good pick at #10. As far as the new stadium goes it appears in the immortal words of Mel Allen it's going, going, gone.

I'm surprised that you mention Vernon and Manny as guys we would extend this year. I would think they would be more concerned about Baas and Bryant along with Haralson.

Obviously, Bryant is a decision that will be based on several factors including Bruce's willingness to play another year as well as his inclination to want to stay with us for a reasonable price.

Are there any specific reasons you mentioned Davis and Lawson?

Comment: I'm surprised that you mention Vernon and Manny as guys we would extend this year. I would think they would be more concerned about Baas and Bryant along with Haralson.

My response: I mentioned Haralson, Lawson and Davis because they're draft picks whose contracts expire after the 2009 season. I didn't mention Baas because everybody knows the 49ers' philosophy on signing guards to big-money deals. I didn't mention Bryant Johnson because he is scheduled to be a free agent in March, and I don't project him as a starter in 2009 even if he returns. --Matt M.

Comment: You need to stop being such a jerk about the Cardinals. . . . admit you were wrong and give the Cards your 100% support.

My response: Was somebody on my blog being a jerk toward the Cardinals? Let me at 'em. Who was it? I know it wasn't me, unless you consider admitting I thought a 10-point favorite was going to win on their home field. For what it's worth, a week from now, I would not at all be suprised to see the Cardinals representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. --Signed Matt M. (aka RealfanAZ).

thanks real49 fop admitting the cards are a good team.i don/t think i got any blowback from my post last night ,but the haters usually come with their attacks when isay we need a few horses to be as good or better.the logic goes that we were competitive against the cards so next year we should soar.an extension of such fuzzy logic would have the seahawks cheering that the niners payed the cards well,and are injury-plagued team beat the niners twice,so we should be a lock for the playoffs.

Forget about the passer rating. Flacco is heads and shoulders above JTO - WAY WAY superior - just watch this guy throw one pass. I'm gonna be repeating the following a few times. You DO need a dynamic/superior passing game (if not the QB) to win a SB and to consistently contend (only the Dilfer team is the exception in 30 years). Looks what's happened this weekend already. Titans lose with Collins (nice QB, no great one), Arizona beats the great rushing team (Warner 5 times the QB Delhomme is) and Giants lose with Manning playing poorly. More next post.

I'm disturbed when I hear about ANY de-emphasizing of passing in favor of running. The really GREAT defensive coaches who become great HCs ALWAYS emphasize passing - Parcells has had I think 3 different QBs pass for over 4,000 yards in a season, Seifert had great passing teams, and do I have to go over what Belechik's team has done? Of course, it's great to have the fine running game as well (Walsh had numerous teams which were at the top of the league in rushing) - San Diego and Denver pass AND run well. So when I hear "run first", I get nervous, because when a running team can't run, they get beat. When a passing/running team can't run, it passes. We MUST have a dynamic passing game and an up and coming QB (would love to get a hot prospect at QB who can play behind Hill for a year - or trade for Cassel if we can).

Hi, Matt. If we assume Singletary has his eye on one or more coaches on teams in the playoffs (before this weekend's action) to interview for the OC position, who would you speculate is on that list?

there is no guarantee the cards can win ten games in a season, they are not a playoff team, they are winners of a weak division......the only reason they are winning is cuz of matchups, K. Warner is a legit NFL QB, Fitz is a top 3 WR in the nfl, and average coaching, both atlanta and carolina beat them selve ...i am glad they are winning, it is a reminder to the niners - if the cards can make it there is no doubt we can too cuz we are better than the cards.

The Cards have already won 11 games this season...

I know this will strike a nerve with most fans but if Norv gets axed what do you all think?? I would seriously consider bringing him back if we could land him. He shouldn't be a HC anytime soon & he's only a 10 hr drive away, an easy move for him & the family. I'll probably get blasted for bringing this back out. Let 'er rip!

Any takes on this Matt, what do you think? If he's let go do you think this could be possible?

Matt: If Coach Singletary is going to have an offense that imposes its will on opponents, that can line up and run the ball down your throat even when you know it's coming, do you think the 49ers will be more ready to pay up for a good guard?

I'd like to see them extend David Baas. As a player who's never made the pro bowl, and who even had some trouble cracking the starting lineup, just how expensive could he be?>br>
If they were to extend Baas, they could concentrate on other needs in the draft, such as tackle.

Matt, don't you think Singletary will convince McCloughan to pay Baas?

great minds, Rich. Great minds!

Marc if your out there just wanted to tell you I was more impressed with Duke Robinson than I was with Loadholt. And that's by a long shot.

I read a lot of reports on Loadholt & heard from some bloggers how good he was + I got taken in by his measurables. That was the first time I saw him play at the BCS Championship. He looked unpolished & unsure at his LT spot. Scouts say he should be a RT so maybe he'd do better there. But Robinson looked outright DOMINATING & aggressive. He was always taking on somebody with attitude & he sticked his blocks. He's lower half (legs) look way more solid than Loadholts. I wonder if he has the quickness/athleticism to play tackle? He looks like it.

I'm unsure about Baas. I would hate for us to say we have a busted pick again by letting him walk. (Not the case for Smiley which was all about price.) I don't think he's ever played a full year healthy. He probably wouldn't get the big dollars because of that. I'm unsure at this point about extending him but can we afford to have to look for another starting guard + develop him? When healthy, Baas has done a good job.

I sure like the cards chances next week. An all Penn SB would be a blitz crazy qb pounding feast. What about the Ravens-Cards? Cards! What about Pitzpuke Cards..Cards!! Their O is rollin.
No matter what I think the next Superbowl winner will be from the NFC and BTW I pick a Charger Eagles Superbowl right after the chargers won against the Donkeys. Now I see a Cards Pitzpuke final.
But only if Boldin is playing...No Boldin next week all bets are off and it is going to be Pitzpuke vs Iggles. Iggles win

The "Cards" is the Super Bowl!! Yep, a real possibilty playing at home. I hate to say it but they have been drafting so low for years so they do have talent and now with Ken Whisenhunt as Head Coach the NFC won't be such a push over.

They are well coached with a QB and future QB in waiting. Singeletary knows we have to improve.

Matt, I found your niner salary cap insite very usefull. I was also wondering if you can shed some light on some of the potential/likely releases of players currently on the team but not performing up to salary expectations. Spencer has his injury and 3 mil due next year. TBC is NOT worth the 3 mil he's due. Ulbrich is scheduled to make 2.5 mil as 3rd/4th stringer. Barry Sims 2 mil. Mark Roman 1.5 mil. Based on performance alone those two should be sent packing.

Thats an additional 10 mil on top of 19 mil from Smith and jennings. Add in the 25 mil already under the cap and where lookin at around 40+ mil.

I remember hearing Sott M and Jed saying that the team was going to be more cautious in free agency this time around. I totally agree with that approach but with that much money and the talent likely to be available, how can they not be big players in free agency?

Yes we overpaid for clements/ j. smith/ M. Lewis but EVERY team over pays these days. Hell, lets face it, these guys are factors out there and besides willis, they are the best guys on our defense. We should be content with them at their respective positions and focus on the GLARING needs we have on D. NT, OLB/ DE, FS and yes in that order. I truly believe if you bring in a force in the middle it will make EVERYONE'S job that much easier. J Smith and Haralson will get around the edge alot cleaner if the NT is getting doubled.

I have a feeling Tennessee is going to let Haynesworth test the market. Should that happen, the niners would be fools to pass him up. We have the money, it fills a HUGE need for this team and with singletary's guidence i believe it could work.

Hi Matt:

According to Mike Sando on ESPN's blog the Niners are interviewing Denver's OC Rick Dennison Monday. He has been an OC for the last 3 yrs there apparantly and Sando thinks he might fit what the Niners are looking for. Have you heard anything about this guy?

Here is the link to Sando's blog http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest

Glad you picked up on him Mike, he's all over the field laying people out.
I'm now waiting anxiously to see the big kid from LSU, Herman Johnson during Senior Bowl Week.
The philosophy I have on Baas is he's replaceable. He doesn't hit moving targets in space and that's what you pay an OG to do.
They call the gifted lineman, 'light on their feet', he doesn't show me that.
I'd be inclined to Draft another, (like Duke), and wait for Baas to move on. A comp pick is fine by me.
I believe there is fantastic depth this year for OG/OT options and trust we'll grab at least one of each.

Agreed on the NT ryski, but adding an OLB that can play in space is another glaring need in 3-4.
Though he's hurt now, Terrel Suggs in Baltimore is a beast on the edge. He plays the run and the pass and can get to the QB.
The NT class is getting a little deeper for the Draft this year and we should be able to address it early.
Even if we don't land Haynesworth, we need to Draft an inside guy to hold the point.
That said, depth at LB and S is also a high demand area for us too.
Watch the Cards and realize how much a good secondary is needed to get past these guys next year.
If we don't find a press cover CB to man up on Fitz we're not doing our job. I'm tired of seeing Nate giving 6-8 yds of cushion and letting them release cleanly.
With any luck, we either sign Boldin as a FA or someone outside our Division will and that solves half the problem.
But either way, Haynesworth or Boldin can play for me in a heartbeat.

What about the following for the OC position:

Pete Carmichael Jr (Saints) - He is currently the QB coach and passing game coordinator. Not sure if he has the run first mentality, but he has would be a good offensive mind and could also double as QB coach.

Craig Johnson (Titans) - QB coach who has experience calling plays from college. He was OC at VMI back in the late 80's/early 90's and his offense ranked 5th in the country in '90 and was 1st in rushing offense in '91.

Jeremy Bates (Broncos) - QB & WR coach who called plays for the Broncos this year.

Pat Shurmur (Eagles) - QB coach who has worked with McNabb and helped get Garcia get his career back on track. Could be effective in getting the ball more to Gore, ala Westbrook.

Mike McCoy (Panthers) - QB coach & passing game coordinator. He was on our roster in 1997 for 1 game.

John Ramsdell (Chargers) - QB coach. Has experience in the Norv Turner type offense.