Matt, great coverage as usual. I was a little surprised at Pascoe not making some form of the team but in watching Finley in practice and in the exhibition games he seemed to do the little things right while Pascoe looked bewildered at times. I was really pulling for the kid and hope that hooks on somewhere. I like him a lot.

Do you think the 49ers will be looking to sign someone like Pashos?

I'm glad we locked Sheets up........One never knows what injuries could happen however the long term prospects of Sheets help us next year and he will have an opportunity to learn.

Not at all surprised JJ Finley made the team over Pascoe.

In addition to improving his blocking, Pascoe also needs to learn how to catch.

Matt,
Does leaving a slot mean that the 9ers anticipate signing an OL or TE or FB and that RJF/Briggs/Curtis may get cut to the PS?
Presumably if Carbs does sign one of the other six WRs would get cut completely?
Do you think if Jones hadnt been injured we would have only kept 5 WRs?
cheers

Compared to last years practice squad, this years is a vast improvement. This team is getting better.

Razor, I agree. Our PS now seems to be less a "developmental" squad and more of a "3rd stringer" squad.

I don't know much about Collins but it seems all players signed can help sometime down the road. Ziegler was somewhat of a surprise being cut because he's shown good hands the last two preseasons as well as becoming a 'text-book' type receiver according to receivers coach Jerry Sullivan. Anyway its good to have him clear waivers. Sheets may be the diamond in the rough, i just hope he deosn't become the next Thomas Clayton.
Are the Niners willing to part with one of their first round draft picks for aa established pass-rusher (ala the Raiders)?

Hopefully, we dump Sims and sign Pashos.

So Skeebers. If you are so damn smart why did the 1st unit O and D get pummeled most of preseason? Do we just stink straight up, or were we beat up and tired from running our asses off all the time?

I am looking for threads of hope because right now we baically have the same team as last year minus Nolan with another new offense. Mind you the O coach is about as much of a tired old dog as you get. BTW, I would love it if our draft class could not make the team. We might actually have talent if that were the case.

Our team and draft classes have been so good because our #1 WR was a FA signing (he is old and worn out). 3 if 4 starting DB'a were FA's. Our top DL player is a FA signing. Hmmmm the only proven thing we have drafted is a great MLB, a better than average LT and based on recent history and average RB on rebuilt knees.

Last time I checked to be a good team in the NFL you need playmakers. One good QB, WR, CB, and pass rusher. Everyone else can probably be average and you will win a lot of games. As of right now I can't say we have any of the above. Maybe we will have a bunch of guys step up this year but that is a long shot. My life plan is not based on hope but actually acomplishing something.

For the last decade what do we have to be proud about as Niner fans?

Well played Scotty !!! Everything worked out great for the Niners! Almost all the players that everyone was sorry to see cut were all brought back onto the PS !
And it even looks like Scott is getting that OT that we thought should be sought after !

I agree. Our o line has not convinced me at all. Our pass protection is subpar. Pashos would be a huge upgrade over Barry "Matador" Sims.

The rumors I heard during minicamps seemed to suggest that Pascoe might even challenge for the starting job soon. I suppose maybe this illustrates the difficulty evaluating players in shells.

Ryan: When has the starting O line been in there to try to convince you of anything ? Not during this entire preseason have they started together.
Their protection was pretty good last year after they played together for a while with hill at QB. (after Sing made the changes to Baas and Rachael et). But as just about any observant fan knows,Sims being replaced by a decent backup is a very good thing.I just hope it IS Sims that is let go(or roman).

The Pats are looking so good with that trade. At DT Ron Brace & Wilfork with Mayo as MLB. We could have had something like that, but instead we still have this dream of running a 3-4, but we do not have a quality NT. B-check has someone offer up the farm for a guy with an expiring contract in an uncapped year. He jumps on it and then converts to a 4-3. This is a dude always looking to get ahead and I think he may have hit a grand slam. Would Scot M. and this staff come up with something like that? Hell no.

I thought for sure Sheets would've been picked up somewhere else. So glad to be wrong.

All in all guys we'll be 8 and 8! The team will have to average 200-250 yards rushing a game to win. We do not have a QB, besides Davis, who can get the ball to an outside receiver. Shaun Hill probably played less time in pre season than any of the QB's and he still looks likes he needs the most work. I don't understand the way they handled him in pre season? He's not one of the Mannings or Drew Brees. The team better hope Gore, Coffee, Robinson or Norris don't get hurt.
Defense...enough said! Just about same as last year! Lawson has let me down. I thought he would change the pass rush! But I'm not seeing it. No pass rush = 300 plus yards passing by opponents QB's. Yea! They'll be standing back in the pocket for 8 seconds again!
After the first few games when the opponents see what the 49ers have on offense and defense, we'll be finishing at 8 and 8!

Our starting o line is comprised of the same guys who were at the bottom of the league in sacks allowed the past few years. Snyder had 9 sacks allowed in 13 starts. Yeah, Martz killed our guys, but you can't argue with a straight face that our o line is not a question mark.

This is why the Niners won't be top contenders anytime soon, they make bad personel decisions with regularity. Alex Smith, Barry sims, and Mark Roman are the three most dissapointing keepers in my eyes. We will never be a solid football team with losers like these around. Too bad we let go of Sheets and Zeigler, glad to see Spurlock out there as well as Briggs...

You just lost all credibility calling Gore an "average RB." You obviously haven't a clue as to what you're talking about. Not only did Gore break a franchise rushing record in '06, but he's rushed for over a 1000 yards the last 3 seasons -- first Niner back to do that as well.

You fickle fans kill me. BTW, the Pats are full of bandwagon fans... You'd fit right in.

Mike in Sac: The first team O has never really played together one series and really not even on down this entire preseason,in a game.
Baas and Snyder did play some for the first time together in that last game but Bruce did not play and hasn't hardly played at all in preseason.
Hill hardly played at all during Preseason,Bruce almost not at all and gore as little as Bruce. And VD hardly at all...see the trend here Mike?
Look at the starting lineup and it might shock you to see how little any of them had on the field with ANY of the other starters.
And then almost faster than you can sit on the couch,the 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th stringers were in at every position.
This coaching staffc is really old school about using the preseason for looking at prospects and for letting Jimmy Raye get to know what his players can and cannot do,so he can call the best possible plays for them ,when it counts.
Hopefully the injurys and the resting of players and the early substitutions,will not make for a slow start because of rust and because of them not being in synch with each other. If they start slow,THAT might be a valid complaint against Sing's handling of the preseason.But saying you have not seen much good or anything that gives you encouragement,etc,from the starting offense is rather silly,since you have not seen the starting offense all play together FOR EVEN ONE PLAY this entire preseason !

Brutal, but honest. . We will soon know better what Coach's off season did with this basically the same team. As Jaws said the other day going from 7-9 to 10-6 is very tough in the NFL. I look to QB play and we are behind the Cards & SeaHawks in that category which will probably be our end of year standing.

Here's to the players who did make the team. It is a very tough job to get and quite the accomplish to play one down in the NFL.

Not sure the first team even scored a td all pre-season. They will need to jell fast with the Cards

Longsnapper: All those players you mentioned are only being kept as emergency backup players and it is hoped that none of them ever see the field. But they needed to keep Sims and roman and Alex(although it makes me wince to say that because I feel all 3 are in their last time with the team and should have been replaced,and will be soon).
And Sheets is still with the team on the PS ! So it looks like scotty and sing know exactly what they are doing,and they are doing it vert well !

"For the last decade what do we have to be proud about as Niner fans?" (Mike in Sac)

Again, Mr. Negativity, you lead the fray in having NOTHING good to say about the 49ers! I think you need a new team to cheer for, friend. The 49ers don't seem to do anything right for YOU! Bye-bye.

I had just finished my dissertation in the previous comment and then read the PS announcement. So, I'm a happy camper now! We got back just about everyone I was disappointed we had lost in cuts. Thanks to all the "gods and little fishes" swimming with our team!

Now, if we only get the PASHOS guy that everyone seems to be holding their breath about. I plead ignorance on this one...

Niner MOM

! think our o-line starters are real solid,they just need to develop the chemistry required of all great lines.However,we desperately need a strong back-up tackle so our season won't be over if the LT or RT goes down.I hope we get Pashos because Sims definitely can't get it done.Regardless of what Sheets needs to learn,he needs to be on the field if only to force defenses to game plan for him.

Marco: If you think this is basicly the same team and don't see the improvements,then that is your problem,not the GM or HC of the Niners problem.

I don't believe the great Kurt Warner threw a TD this preseason either. In fact, he looked horrible as did their whole offense. They're really missing Haley. Billy Davis has also made that D look worse than when Pendergast was there.

Am I saying they're gonna be an easy win? No. But we've proved we can play them to the wire. We have just as much a chance as winning it as they do. Should be entertaining as usual :)

Truth: I think that is the best and most positive post of yours I have ever read ! That indeed is real truth peddling !(keep it up !)

The last time I looked the roster is basically the same at starting positions with a few changes from end of season.

But we will soon find out. We should know what kind of team we have at the Bye week.

Sheets is never going to be a starter in the league...too small, can't block and there is a reason he wasn't signed by anther team...He's a practice squad player fo two years and then we won't remember him...AKA...Thomass Clayton...runningbacks like him are a dime a dozen

Tony Pashos has already signed with the Seabags. The niners will get to see what they missed in a couple weeks. Seattle also signed Lawyer Milloy at Safety. Meanwhile we have Barry Sims and Mark Roman

New offense and coordinator and an extra year for VD and Morgan and WR Hill and QB Hill and new starters Rachael and Baas and Snyder. Then add Coffee and the big addition of Spurlock.
So,there is a definate difference ...

and if you are saying there is not much difference from this time last year and now,then there is really no hope for you !

New HC,new Coordinator on offense,DC can run his own show now,New owner/President,new RG,new RT,new LG,2 new starting WR's(Morgan,Spurlock...and Jones when he gets back !!!),New inproved VD,with a new TE oriented offense,Healthy and in shape Gore with finally a great rb in coffee to keep him that way,LT with a year under his belt at the position,New starting QB with a 90.5 QB rating who won more games in his starting time last year than any QB in the NFC,good depth everywhere except tackle...and NO NOLAN to mess up at HC or to mess up Manusky or to mess up McGloughan !!!
Looks like a different team to me ! Doesn't mean they will win,especially with this tough schedule,but the roster is very improved and the future looks bright both on the field and in the front office and ownership !

And I will add Goldson on the FS spot, Justin Smith not playing everywhere but only at RDE, and mention again what you said... NO NOLAN!!! Manusky deciding what to do and no JTO fumbling at every snap or throwing an interception!!!
It is easy to forget about last year, but we were in really bad shape right from the beginning of 2008...

So it looks like if Sims ever needs to actually go into a game,we will need to run 95% of the time,because if he tries to block for a pass it is all over for Hill.
Too bad,with sims in there ,the only option is to keep VD in to block. That takes away one of Raye's favorite options in the passing game.
Anyone out there that is available in trade ? I am pretty sure Scotty would giveup a 6th or 7th rounder that could turn into a 4th or 5th rounder,depending on playing time(or depending on who and how good the players is.
But I wouldn't want to do as the raiders just did and trade for a player that is only staying one year and then becomes a free agent.

Got a link regarding the Pashos signing? Milloy will need a walker in the next year or so, so no sweat there.

Thanks Monterrey ! And I also forgot no Martz and his 7 step,slow developing pass plays !And his inept mess ups at end of games that cost us 2 games last season !

I dont want to go over optimist, however, how many times have you seen that even the same group of players achieve much more with just a different coaching. We actually saw it last year after Singletary took over.
We have to believe in this guy. It is not true the team has not improved. It has improved in some areas, we are lacking some others, but now we have a consistent strategy between the coaches and a WAY of playing that has been set from the beginning. Last year between Martz and Nolan and all the players being moved around in the defense all led the team to disaster.
This team is much better than that and we will see it this year.

And since you brought up the defense,how about Bly and a mature and now ready Brown and Reggie smith !!! (and as you mentioned ,a new starting FS !),healthy Lawson,couple of new pass rushers etc.
This team is soooo different than it was at this time last year it is hard to believe anyone thinks differently.
Much more talented roster,but we will need to wait to see if that translates into more wins.(have you looked at the schedule lately !!!,you would have thought we had won the SB last year with the degree of difficulty we have in our schedule this year.).

I like what the Front Office has done this offseason, from the draft, to the tone set during training camp, even the uniforms. Crabtree situation being handled very well from my view.
However, I think we need to push for the tampering situation with Crabtree... what do you know Matt about the 49 Front Office position on that situation?
Check this site, I agree we need to push for that...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/06/niners-should-insist-on-tampering-investigation/

Ive seen the schedule, but I believe we can go 9-7 or better... of course I am 100% 49er fan, so the fan optimism side is in there I have to accept, but it is achievable with this roster and this HC in my opinion... I look very much at the Falcons from last year and I think we can do the same...

I agree. Problem is, Goodell isn't going to do a damn thing about it in this East Coast league...

The down side of our players landing on the practice squad is that no other team views them as useful. This means that players the we value highly are viewed as sub-par throughout the league. That said, I am very excited to have Sheets back and look forward to great things from him. He could sure help out on those goal line opportunities with his leaping ability.

Regular Season
Sun 9/13 @ Cardinals 1:15p - SB TEAM LAST YEAR

Sun 9/20 Seahawks 1:05p - WON DIV LAST $ YEARS IN A ROW BEFORE INJURY PLAGUED SEASON.

Sun 9/27 @ Vikings 10:00a - SB FAVORITE

Sun 10/4 Rams 1:15p - *

Sun 10/11 Falcons 1:05p - DIV WINNER LAST YEAR

Sun 10/25 @ Texans 10:00a - *

Sun 11/1 @ Colts 10:00a - YIKES !

Sun 11/8 Titans 1:15p - TOP TEAM

Thur 11/12 Bears 5:20p - ANOTHER SB FAV.

Sun 11/22 @ Packers 10:00a - ANOTHER SB FAV.

Sun 11/29 Jaguars 1:05p - *

Sun 12/6 @ Seahawks 1:15p - SEE ABOVE

Mon 12/14 Cardinals 6:30p - SEE ABOVE

Sun 12/20 @ Eagles 10:00a - YIKES !

Sun 12/27 Lions 1:05p - HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF !

Sun 1/3 @ Rams 10:00a - *
All Times Pacific

---------------------------------------

So,we have about 5 games that are not with SB favorites or division winners or top contending teams !
You would have thought by looking at this schedulemthat we won the SB last year fir sure.
Good luck !We will need to be twice as good as last year to win a couple more games ans win our division. It's possible with this roster and staff,but WOW,would I love to have an easy schedule this year instead of this headache.

Montana 1: But the purpose of the PS is to be able to keep project players to develop and that will be usefull and desired after they PRACTICE and get better and experienced. These guyus have talent and skill,now they need to become usefull and schooled.

and Monterrey: I believe the front office is playing this like a poker player.They will be quiet and will keep things to themselves ,until they need to make a move to file charges,if that time ever comes up .Right now is a time to gather evidence . The team already knows Deion is full of baloney,when he said 2 teams had contacted the Niners ,seeking a trade for Crabs,so right now they are probably just laughing at Deion and at Parker's lame attempt to TRY to put pressure on the Niners through the media.

Hi Matt,

The practice squad all seems to make perfect since, except WR Dobson Collins. I don't remember much from him in the preseason and it seems we are deep in WRs on the roster and already have Zeigler on the practice squad. Seems like another position were we are thin would make more since. But I sure as heck don't know much about running a team can you make since of this for me?

Garageman: Zeigler can't practice yet because of his sprained ankle. So they needed another WR on the PRACTICE squad,to run plays in PRACTICE,until Zeigler can come back.
Practice squad players often are used to pretend to be the opponent and run the opponents plays during that weeks practice. They needed someone to pretend to be fitts,I guess,lol.

Tampering investigation is critical and this should be started immediately. This might force Crabtree and his band of sub-IQ thugs. ***Funny, I was the only one at the 49ers draft party groaning when Crabtree dropped. I wanted Orakpo or second choice Oher. The double O's. Crabtree has the potential to the the biggest mistake since the Donahue era and we just can't afford to lose a #1 pick. If we had Orakpo he would be starting and showing results immediately. Now, we blew it on Marvel Smith and blew it on Crabtree. He's clearly an absolute idiot and it appears unlikely he will land on this team. He most likely does not want to be here anyway. Anyone for Crabtree sucks T-Shirts? Vernon Davis and Patrick Willis tole their managers to get them into camp because these are men of character.

Crabtree tampering investigation begins. I am putting this here for search engine reasons to get the ball rolling. :-) Crabs, take off your tutu and get in and get to work! Trying to have a little fun as I am truly disgusted with this punk. I hope he proves me wrong.

Top_Cat. I never said Mac was an idiot. This is more a case of bad luck but we've been having too much of that lately. My issue is if Scott is so smart then why did we trade away a pick rather than grabbing a backup for Marvel? Everybody knows Simms is the worst tackle in the NFL. Your last paragraph I've been hearing for 8 years. I come from a results oriented business and I'm pretty sure the NFL is as well. I'm fine with Scott......I'm disgusted with Crabs.

This is how I get it:
Beat Rams twice, beat Cards once, beat Seahawks once (maybe twice? would be great). We have to dominate the division otherwise no chance.
Beat Falcons at home (tough one I know), beat Jaguars, beat Lions, beat Texans on the road.

Then beat ONE more from the super though ones. I say it is the Bears or Titans at home, otherwise has to be the Packers or Vikes on the road.

That is how I get my 9-7 optimistic scenario.

The actual 49ers have to be able to accomplish that, however there is no room for mistakes I know.

Last year we competed with the Eagles and the Patriots at home but too many mistakes, plus we gave the Cards that MNF game.

I still think positive and I hope the one we get from the Cards is next week!!!

Pardon me Montana 1,I miss read your post and thought you were calling Scotty an idiot,not Crabs.
Crabs may be an idiot,we don't know. He may just ge a young naieve kid being influenced by a barraccuda of an agent and a big ego of a former player?
We shall see.

Crabtree has not said anything. Looks to me he will go the way of Jamarcus Russel. We'll wait and see how this plays out but the Crab think is obviously not looking good and I believe we're past the point of a win-win scenario. Crabs comes in week 4......limited play in week 8..... Again, my worry about him is that he appears to have Michael Jackson quality advisors and we all know how that went. :-)

Once again Montana1,

SORRY ! My mistake !

As long as he playes at a high level for us for the next 10 years and acts like a good team mate and good citizen,as he always has before,then I don't care if he doesn't come in for another month etc.

I'm still a Scotty fan but it is beyond me how we did not address our main needs of O-line, Pass Rush.....out line play was horrendous in pre-season so we are now being asked to have faith that the same old team will be better this year because Sing is yelling at them. This is a hell of a stretch for a logical thinker but again, we'll get a taste week one against the Cards. My feeling is that ultraviolence will be the key (like they did to the Jets last year). Most of the stat guys see the 9ers going 6-10 this year. You never know....maybe the Cards will go back to being the cards but they have something we don't, 2 #1 receivers. Come on Nate Clements.....we'll need you next week! Go 9ers. PS, begin Crabtree tampering investigation now.

You make good points to Mike in Sac! The issue I have is that the 49ers opponents weren't playing their first teams either in the preseason. All teams were holding out some of their good players in any given game.
The 49ers let go of Huard who was the only QB to actually get the ball to the outside receivers, so can Davis but he's a rookie. Matter of fact, I think we'll be able to see Davis on the field by mid season. I don't know if it's the OL that's playing so nothing, or Hill and Smith are just looking at who's coming in and starting to scramble too early. I think it might be a case of both things happening. Kind of like last year.
I can't understand why Hill didn't play more often than he did. It's like the coaches had come to the conclusion they knew what they had in him and he didn't need the reps. I think he needed a LOT more reps.
From watching the team, of course it was preseason, when the first team (even if they were missing some good guys) it has some possibilty of being better. Running should definetly be a plus, I hope. But when the opposing defenses figure that out as the season progresses, they're going to force the pass. That's when we'll see how good we are.
I think 8 and 8 would be a good guess.

I guess I'm worried that Crabs isn't coming. I'm afraid, and I hope I'm wrong, that he actually might be that stupid. I really hope not, it would be a waste for everyone involved. Regardless, he'll be a non factor this year so we sally forth and hope Morgan steps up. I don't expect Hill to play as poorly as he did in the pre-season as long as he can stay off his butt. Snyder blew a bad one against the Chargers and I could not tell which receiver missed the blocking assignment on the other Hill hit.

T-shirts? How about a #15 jersey with a circle and slash through it?
You might have thought JaMarcus' experience with the Raiders could've been a teachable moment for 1st Rounders, but not this guy Crabtree. Of course if $$ is your only criteria, maybe JaMarcus looks good 'cuz he got his payday even though he hasn't provided even 10% return to his employer and/or fans.
Deion as your mentor? Why not Amy Winehouse?
Sorry! Now I'm ranting.

We really do need to grab another tackle....otherwise we better carry 4 QBs. Be great if we could bring someone in. If we can play keep away we could seal a couple. Go 9ers!

Terry: But we have a new offense and new OC,we will not know if it looks good or bad until the regular season is well underway. We can't possibly judge anything by preseason,since none of the starters on offense got much real playing time and they were never all together for even one play all preseason.

The offense might stink,but the time to judge that has not begun yet. I am just a little disgusted by some fans who want to jump off the bridge already and want all the rest of us to follow them,lol

Maybe in a few weeks you will need to talk me down off the bridge? lol

I don't think it was snyder who missed Merryman,I think it was Staley,who was looking the other way or something,very strange .

Hey Top Cat, I don't think anyone's jumping off a bridge, but in the preseason you do want to see your team win some man on man battles. These wins came few and far between on both sides of the line, even against the Charges #2's. I was petrified by the play of the normally reliable Nate Clements who continued to say he would improve yet had his worst play in the last game. Nate should not have been celebrating all his picks against the lowly Raiders who would be more suited for the CFL than the NFL (I am not a Raider Hater but they are looking bad). ***All of this said, we have to take heart that the veterans will step up in real games and play as professionals should. I have high hopes for Snyder getting a chance to play in one spot finally. Heitman got manhandled a couple of times in the pre-season but I am hopeful he can improve. Chilo Rachal seems to have the ability to hurl people across the field like the Incredible Hulk which is very encouraging for the run game. Our line averages 320 which bodes well for wearing out opposing defenses and finishing at the end of the game. I'm not going to get all rah-rah here but there are plenty of things to be hopeful about. The good things we don't have to fix which is why people tend to discuss what need fixing........

...Merriman must have thought S. Hill was his girl friend or something,the way he tackled him and threw him to the groung,lol. (hopefully you have read the story about Merriman's personal problem and know what i am talking about?).

Montana1: Yep,Nate Clemments is trying to make us sweat,and I am !
But Brown looks great ,so if Nate has lost it then we have brown.
And as far as Heitmann,As far as I am concerned,he always gets manhandled and has for years. I have been complaining about him for years and hoping every year that he would come into camp bigger or stronger or with better tecnique,or something. The coaches seem to love him,so what the heck do I know (except that he seems to be getting pushed back too often,lol).

The Merriman hit came after the hit(sack?) i am talking about and it looked like Staley had his guy but Merriman came unblocked where a receiver ran right past him. On an earlier play Snyder and another player tied up a D player, the receiver or tight end broke away to go out for a reception and Snyder couldn't hold the block. In his defense, Hill was forced to step forward in the pocket when the defensive player ran backwards and around another linemen (Rachal?) who was tied up to nail Hill. Hard to explain but I review a lot of film. If you have a copy you can check it out.

I have not watched it over again yet,but the other night when Merriman sacked Hill I said to someone that it looked to me like the receiver didn't block him,everyone told me it was Staley;s fault and I didn't argue. So are you telling me that I was right ? It wasn't Staley? That would be good because I can understand maybe one of thje rookie TE's or another inexperienced receiver doing that in preseason (and maybe getting himself off the team a bit faster,lol),but Staley doing that would have been ,like I said,strange.

Hill looked very sharp and decisive on his 4 throws. *Note: Ill have to go check my flat panel later but on my small screen it looks like Staley could have come out but then it would have left a double for Bass. On the next sack the defender runs around Snyder, knocks a receiver off his rout, then runs back to he middle to nail Hill. Pretty impressive actually.

Wasn't the receiver supposed to chip the pass rusher on that play ? And was it a receiver or a RB who missed the chip?

Top Cat, it looks to me like you're right. Again hard to see on my smaller TV with this coverage but it looks like the receiver just didn't see him. Somebody correct me if I am wrong and later tonight I'll check on bigger screen. Mostly just reviewed the first drive a couple times.

If it's the same play I might be thinking of,it might have been sheets goingv out for a pass and missing his block(or maybe if the guy was coming he was supposed to stay in and block ?).

No official word on Pashos yet huh ?

I miss being spoiled in the Walsh years where killer players were just popping up left and right straight out of the woodwork. Ill never forget when some interviewer told Walsh that Spurrior was going to come in and show the NFL how to throw the ball down the field. Walsh said, 'wait until the peel their quarterback of the ground for a season, then come back and tell me about throwing it down the field. The defensive backs in the NFL are just too fast.' The back that got around Snyder and back up to the Center to nail hill was freaking moving. I'll try to grab his number as well but the shots are all from the side. Good talking with you Top Cat. Catch you later on.

As far as Bridges go I have jumped off a number of them starting with the Dallas-SF NFC Champiuonship game in 1972. I still remember walking out dejected after that game and so close to the Super Bowl.

Some of us have just had our hearts broke too many times. But then again I remember being at Super Bowl XIX chanting We're number 1 at the end. It made up for a lot!

Ignorance is bliss. IMO it is not a good thing that players like Sheets, Boone, et al. end up on our PS. It really means that players we think are hot aren't wanted by any other team. I'm looking at 6 wins this year because:
1) pathetic pass rush
2) mediocre and thin O line
3) below average QB
Pessimistic? I'd call it realistic, and remember that the definition of a pessimist is an optimist with experience. I'll be watching every game hoping that the Niners prove me wrong.

Oldgiantfan: Players that are good but raw are in the right place when they are on the PS. Remember that other teams may think these players are really talented and they may wish they had them,BUT they can only keep 53 and if they claimed any of our PS playersmthey would need to cut one of their own off the 53.
They are not allowed to take from our PS and put them on their PS,if they were I am sure some teams would have gladly claimed Sheets etc .

CaT! I hope you're not on the Bay Bridge! They found a huge crack in it!
I'm for sure waiting for the season to go a little while before I give it serious conclusions. I'm speculating, just like everyone is doing.
You sure were right on about Nate, so your opinion has weight with me. Nate only seems to be a little slow footed but I think that is from being a rookie trying to pick his spots. But he does have a powerful arm and makes all the throws already!
Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
And get off that bridge!

And Matt Barrows just got back to me and answered my question about Pashos.He said that he did NOT believe the Seahawks had signed him but they did sign a tackle named Ken Adams.
We are still in the running for Pashos

I think there should be a separate league for NFL castaways and it would include all the players cut from each team.....plus whatever players they had from previous years. First year they would have to bring in more. You could watch from time to time the players that left your team and see how they are doing. Dreaming of course but it might be an interesting slant on a UFL (I love this, the Redwoods!) or Arena. Move Arena outside if it comes back! :-)

Another Tackle we should look at besides Pashos is Kirk Chambers who was cut by Buffalo. Definitely need to get a body for the O-line.

Terry: I have also noticed that Nate looks a little slower of foot than he did in college. Maybe once he stops needing to think so much(as all rookies do) he will be a bit more natural and get that quickness back? At least he is quick enough to move arond and get away from the initial pass rushers. But when he decides to run,he seems slower than I remember.Maybe he is trying to be a passer and not a runner,to prove a point ? Steve Young started doing that for a while and it actually hurt his game.

Right on! Forget about Crabs for the moment, we NEED this tackle. Give him the $$. If I am to be honest I must admit that following the initial good medical report on Marvel Smith I was extremely optimistic that this line could protect and really turn this season around. Losing his potential was a crushing blow in my opinion and if you see Sing discussing it you can tell he feels the same. But, what can you do? Do you really think they declared Snyder the starter because he 'had such a great camp?' Of course not, although I do believe the reports that Snyder had a great camp. Get us this tackle Scotty! Then beam me up!

PS, thanks for the 411 Top Cat. Now I better bust loose or my girlfriend is going to leave me and take the dog! lol :-)

Rick: I certainly hope your loyality is rewarded this year and every year from now on !
It looks like we are on the way to at least being a consistent contender in the near future and ahead !

Good PS signings - just saw Mike Reilly was waived by the Steelers, Scott spoke highly of him during draft time (he, by the way,did quite well in preseason and led all the Steelers QB's in pass percentages!)-how about adding a QB to the PS.

Jeez trying to forget that Dallas game-my Dad and sat stunned in our seats for a prolonged time after that game shaking our heads-took the the CATCH some years later to break that spell.

What a waste of a sixth round pick.

Question: just saw Mike Reilly was waived by the Steelers, -how about adding a QB to the PS.

My response: No, I'm sure they're not going to want to cut into any practice time Nate Davis is going to get this season. Remember, Shaun Hill will take most of the 49ers' practice reps, while Alex Smith will take most of the reps for the scout team. They'll want to get Davis some work here and there, too. The last time the 49ers had a fourth QB, they used Cody Pickett to run routes as a wideout. --Matt M.

Thanks Top_Cat.

I know I have been negative (some would say realistic) over the off-season, but now that the season is about to begin, all the negativity is being locked away. I would like nothing better than to eat a heaping helping of crow come January. Come on Niners, prove all the naysayers (including me) wrong.

No more criticism of the team, Singletary, Raye, McCloughan, or York until the end of the season. Of course, if we stink again then all bets are off come January.

Go Niners. Crush Warner and the Cards on Sunday.

Hi Matt, Bear had the name the looks the cowboy backround and don't forget the blog. The only thing missing was he couldn't play with the big boys. I'm seeing the same mistakes over and over with this organization, they are (in random order) inabilty to draft a pass rusher, giving lottery money to injured free agents, no mentor for QBs, and there are many others but we should keep it short.

Tell me that I'm not the only one who checks Matt's blog several times a day hoping for the "49ers sign Crabtree" post.

That's the spirit, Rick, and I hope you are glad that you retained your season tickets. I think you'll see some exciting games this year. If not, I will dust off my flak jacket next January and expect a spirited assault from the man holding four seats, if memory serves, just beneath Matt at the Stick.

Is it just me or does TOP_Pussycat own every other comment...Get a life dude...meet me at the flagpole week 2 so I can kick your A$$...1 or 2 comments then go to another website dueche

Put down the crackpipe and slowly walk away from the computer.

On Sheets being too small--I know stats published by the 9ers may not be 100% correct but check the following:
Gore 5'9" 217 lbs
Coffee 6'0" 209 lbs
Sheets 5'11" 208 lbs

Looks like Gore is too small, maybe we should cut him.

Can someone explain to me why we're letting other teams get get the players we need? Were in need of a player or two still to really compete for something this year. I know everyone seems to be fine with what we got but really we needed a good player on O line or D line but other team are swoopin up these players. Like the weakhawks and raiders! What's up with that!

I wouldn't say he's too small. His blocking ability at this point leaves a lot to be desired though. Good thing he's on the practice squad. I think he has a bright future with us. In fact, I'd love to see him return kicks at some point. I think he could be great at punt returns as well. Once he's able to make a mark on STs, I think he'll get his opportunity on the 53. After all, Rossum isn't going to be around much longer.

That's the thought that came to my mind when I read of the Patriots-Raiders trade this morning.

yes you are...glad to see you got nothing else to do...like work

don't be a retard, he got cut because he is not good enough, I know thats hard to understand because you just said cut Gore

The SeaChickens got a backup tackle and the Raiduhs got bent over by belicheat in that trade. We do have interest in RT, Tony Pashos... I'd have no problem if we happened to acquire him...

For most of us with professional jobs, this is a three-day weekend. Walmart isn't giving you time off?

Walmart never gives me time off...I need a professional blogging job like you, wondering if CRAPTREE will sign...Dude is worthless and will never be Jerry Rice or Mike Wilson for that matter...might want to return the #15 Jersey, home and away...

A homie I feel u on comment happy top cat. Sorry dog you are mr positive and all but do u have a job? Cuz most if your comments take toooooo much space. Sorry dude! It's kinda obssesive! Your a true FANATIC!

The raiders did give up to much but they made the move. If pashos is as good as people say then we should have him signed already otherwise he won't be there tomorrow. I'm just saying we should be more agressive right now not hope there's gonna be someone there.

We have no idea what is happening. For all we know he could have a visit scheduled to Santa Clara tomorrow. It's good to be aggressive, but you also have to be smart. It's not like we're desperate here...

your right we gotta be smart. I'm not saying we need to give up a number one pick but really desperate isn't the word I would chose but we are in need. Were already starting a backup in sims that's not exactly an ideal situation. But I hope your right and maybe they're already workin out a deal. I just want my team to win! Damn I can't wait till Sunday!

I do apologize, I failed to realize that there are no educational qualification tests to participate in this blog. Next time I use S-A-R-C-A-S-M I'll make sure to spell it out.

Actually Snyder and Baas are both back and both played Friday at SD. Aside from NT, we're pretty set at DL. We need help at RT (Hopefully Pashos) and OLB (Next year).

Yep, Snyder and Baas are back :)

And speaking of Mr. Pashos... Hopefully he takes Sims' place.

Reilly is tall and lean probably decent hands...er ah as Gilda used to say ''nevermind"!

Yeah I hope baas is playing at 100% we need him back on the line permanently. I'm hoping Sop, Franklin, start rushing the passer better not enough penetration when we need it. Either that or we need to run more 4-3. Lawson really let me down. I liked him till I started to notice what people were saying bout him was true. He gets man handled alot. Also clements seems to get burned on the deep routes alot. He needs more consistency. Granted they should get better during the season. I'm sure they know they need to fine tune their game.

I really wanna see snyder instead of sims. I guess it's a matter of them gellin as a unit. Both those guys were hurt at different times.

I wonder if the Niners would be interested in making a trade for a pass rusher?

I mean, please don't pull an al davis and trade a first round pick for an aged player like Seymour! But maybe a second or third rounder for a guy who can put some pressure on the QB.

There has be somebody out there who wants to play ball.

Our lack of an effective Pass Rush has as much to do with lacking a true NT, as it does with the edge speed guys.

Jamie Dukes has a cliche` 'Power Pig', but we simply need a Fat Man that can command a double team and collapse the pocket.Aubrayo is adequate for run support but he doesn't collapse as well as you'd like.

For now, Manusky is likely banking on blitz schemes or packages which is fine, but I'd still look for a Wilfork/Ngata-type guy that holds the point and clogs things up. Likely high on the list for April with 1 of those 2 picks we're holding.

To think, we had a shot at both of them when they came out. Go figure?

Yep. right on the 50, and high enough to see the plays developing. The worst seats in the house are the ones at ground level. All you see are the back of the players jerseys.

You won't need a flak jacket comne January. Any criticism will be directed at McCloughan, and Singletary. Frankly, I have no doubt you will be as tough on Singletary as you have previously been on Nolan if the season crashes and burns once again.

Go Niners. Put some pressure on Warner. Once he starts dancing around in the pocket he is an average QB. Come on Manusky, the vanilla pre-season is over. Come up with some creative blitz packages. It probably means leaving Clements one on one against Fitz, but Clements needs to start earning his money.

NT doesn't seem to be high on McCloughan's list. He didn't go after any of them in the last Draft even the ones that went undrafted. Could be the other teams got to them before we did. Chris Baker / Denver played well against us getting 1 sack & pressuring our QB. Antonio Dixon went to the Skins who was a projected 3rd RD prospect before injuring his knee then came back this year & struggled. We have nothing to lose to take a swing & see how they looked in TC. (We traded our 4th RD’er where Sammy Lee Hill & Vaughn Martin were taken.)

You’d think that Manusky who had his stud Jamal Williams dominating the middle in San Diego would be really pushing & demanding for one ever since he arrived here. Maybe he is but we’re still trying to fill our many needs? On Defense I see our biggest needs as THE NT(S), & PASS RUSHERS/PASS RUSHERS/PASS RUSHERS.

If we can finally get our franchise NT I really believe Franklin could be a dominating DE. My theory is he’s never had the opportunity to play that position. In Baltimore I think they had a lot of talent/depth at DE but they needed a backup NT to Kelly Gregg so he became the one & was thrusted into that spot where Gregg mentored him. Anyone who follows the Ravens out there? Fill me in if I’m wrong here. Then Nowin snatched him up to be the starting NT here. He’s quick & has had his time mastering leverage & technique playing in the middle. I’d like to see him drop down to say 310 lbs (or closer to it) from 318 where he’s at now & take those skills he’s learned from playing NT & transfer them to DE where I envision him being dominating. I think his quickness & smaller size projects him to be a more ideal 3-4 DE than NT.

pashos to the 49ers...that is what profootballtalk is reporting

1 year less than 2 mill.

see crabtree thats how you go about signing a nfl contract

OK... Schefter is reporting Pashos is ours. I honestly think that will gives us adequate depth at OL. Now let´s see who gets cut or sent to the PS. I just hope we don´t have to cut a guy like Spurlock or Hill that don´t have PS eligibility.

http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter

That's GREAT news Zurdo & BK. Shefter is reliable. We'll take it although I would have liked 2 years as more insurance while we develop our future RT Draft pick. I look forward to the official announcement by the 2 Matts.

FWIW - heard the same on ESPN radio. Sounds like it's official.

Gore had the great year in 06, but has been average ever since. 1000 yard seasons became the measure of a good RB back when they played a 12 game season. Later they extended the season to 14 games, then 16 and people still maintained the same standard.I suppose that when they extend it to 18 or 20 games people will still be judging RB;s as great because they rush for a 1000 yards.

Tony Pashos / 6-6, 325 lbs / 29 years old / Drafted in 5th RD in 2003 (by Baltimore)

From Sando at ESPN.

Scouts INC:

Pashos has been with two teams during his seven year career, four seasons with Baltimore and the past three with Jacksonville. He started all 16 games at right tackle for the Jaguars in 2008 and does a good job of anchoring that side of the offensive line. He is a massive tackle with long arms, excellent strength and adequate athleticism. He is a POWERFUL DRIVE BLOCKER THAT OFTEN SIMPLY ENGULFS OPPONENTS AND USES HIS LONG ARMS TO LOCK UP OPPONENTS AND DRIVE THEM OFF THE LINE. He is not a natural knee bender and has to work to keep his pad level down to leverage his blocks. He tends to grab wide to engulf opponents and has just enough foot agility to work his way around and seal opponents off. He has limited lateral range in pas protection and often has to turn his hips to run rushers on by the pocket. He is susceptible to counter moves but can sink his hips to hunker down versus the bull rush.

LINK: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest

Sounds like a GREAT fit for our power running game. Nice last minute save by the FO.

Thanks NinerDoc. It's looking good. Looking forward to hearing him signing on the dotted line.

Great call Marc NJ9er!!

...:).....

What's hilarious is I saw a guy at yesterday's Giants game rocking a Niners' Bear Pascoe jersey. Ouch!!!!