October 2009 Archives

When the 49ers began working toward a contract extension with third-year cornerback Tarell Brown in late September, it was apparent that he figured into the team's future.

Well, the future has arrived.

Brown is set to take over at left cornerback for Nate Clements because the 49ers' coaches believe he matches up better against the Indianapolis Colts' receivers. The Colts use a lot of three-receiver sets, so Clements will probably be on the field for most of the game, too.

In all likelihood, veteran Dre' Bly will be the 49ers' fourth cornerback on Sunday.

Several weeks ago -- I forget exactly when - you read my opinion here that the 49ers would win the NFC West and advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Today, I looked at the standings and schedule. Then, I came to a conclusion: The 49ers better get to work in a hurry.

I'm working from home today. The kids have missed several days of school, and I've felt better. So I figured it would be best to just be quarantined here for the day.

I quickly re-watched the 49ers' game Sunday against the Texans to provide the 49ers' 53-man report. But, first, I'd like to dispel a couple myths.

Alex Smith will re-enter the starting lineup on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, coach Mike Singletary said. In explaining his decision, Singletary said Shaun Hill gave the 49ers their best chance to win early in the season, but the team's best hope is with Smith at quarterback.

Here's what Singletary had to say during his Monday press conference:

--"I wanted to make a decision based upon who I feel gives us the best chance to win. And I think Shaun Hill at the beginning of the season . . .  (Now) I feel Alex Smith gives us the best chance to win, to use the tools we have going forward."

--"Alex has had a chance to regain some of the confidence, not that he ever lost it, it just gives him a chance to settle in. Having watched Shaun Hill, and there's something about watching a guy and looking at some of the mistakes he's made and how you'd do it differently. Looking at some of the things he does well and implementing those things in your game . . . learning the offense a little more. Develop that hunger and develop hunger and excitement."

--If the 49ers had put Smith in the starting lineup at the beginning of the season . . . "and you don't have success right away, then it's 'Same old Alex.' Well, I don't think it's the same old Alex. I think Alex has matured, I think he's grown, and I think he's ready to play. And we're going to find out. We'll find out next week."

Here is what some of the 49ers' notable players had to say in the locker room after the 49ers' 24-21 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Coach Mike Singletary was the last person on the 49ers' side to talk to the media today. Generally, the head coach is the first.

Singletary returned to his hometown today, and the 49ers were simply awful in the first half. They fell behind 21-0. Before heading to the locker room, he suggested to offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye that the 49ers make a change at quarterback.

Raye was certainly not going to push back. After all, Raye believes in having a quarterback who can get the ball down the field to augment his power-running game. Alex Smith's strength is the intermediate and deep ball.

Click here to join me during today's 49ers-Texans game.

When Norv Turner brought the "digit system" to the 49ers in 2006, it signaled a change in offensive terminology for the organization after more than a quarter-century with the Bill Walsh's fabled "West Coast Offense.'

In Walsh's old system, it might have been impossible for a wide receiver, such as Michael Crabtree, to show up after four games and then be expected to play at least half of his team's snaps less than three weeks later.

Watching Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford sustain a separated throwing shoulder against Brigham Young early in the season conjured memories of Alex Smith's injury, which he suffered early in the 2007 season.

I approached Smith today to ask him for his thoughts on what Bradford is experiencing. As it turns out, Smith spoke to Bradford on Wednesday to help him sort out his options.

Coach Mike Singletary placed most of the blame on the 49ers' offensive line when asked about the struggles in the passing game the day after the team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

But today during his opening remarks to the media, Singletary expressed for the first time that he expects better play from Shaun Hill. Might this mean that Alex Smith should be ready for his big chance?

Running back Frank Gore, who missed the past two games with a bum right ankle, went through a full practice today, as the 49ers began preparations to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. Gore had his right ankle taped as he went out to the practice field.

Niners coach Mike Singletary said today he has yet to make a final decision whether Michael Crabtree will be in the starting lineup for the 49ers on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

"He's certainly going to play a lot, and that's the bottom line," Singletary said.

***UPDATE (1:24 p.m.): It's official. The 49ers did not make any trades today. The trade deadline was 24 minutes ago. The NFL trade period re-opens in March 2010.***

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There's about 45 minutes to go before the window closes on NFL trades until March. And there's nothing to suggest the 49ers will be making a deal.

The power is off here at the 49ers' team offices after a transformer - very loudly - went out in the area a couple hours ago.

In an unrelated event, the 49ers are trying to inject some power into their offense. Although it's not a done deal, coach Mike Singletary confirmed there is a "strong possibility" receiver Michael Crabtree will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Texans.

There is a "strong possibility" rookie receiver Michael Crabtree will be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Houston Texans, 49ers coach Mike Singletary confirmed this afternoon.

Josh Morgan started the first five games for the 49ers at split end. But Morgan told The Press Democrat today he has been informed Crabtree and Isaac Bruce will be the 49ers' starting receivers on Sunday.

Furthermore, Morgan remained at the 49ers' practice facility over the bye week to personally help Crabtree learn the position - and, in essence, take his job. Crabtree was the No. 10 overall pick but finally signed a six-year contract with the 49ers on Oct. 7.

There's a lot of news today around the 49ers, beginning with the team's decision to place linebacker Jeff Ulbrich on injured reserve because of his concussion problems.

Ulbrich, a popular player in the locker room who maximized his potential throughout his 10-year career, will remain with the club through the end of the season. He is ineligible to play for the remainder of the season, and this likely spells the end of Ulbrich's NFL career.

Ulbrich accepted a pay reduction from $2.23 million to $950,000 this season to return to play the final year of his contract on special teams. He sustained a severe concussion while covering a kickoff against the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 4

Running back Kory Sheets, an undrafted rookie from Purdue, said his good-byes in the 49ers locker room this afternoon. The Dolphins signed Sheets off the 49ers practice squad today, he told his now-former teammates.

Mike Singletary had just started his weekly press conference when cornerback Dre' Bly entered the room. He then issued a public apology for celebrating - a la Deion Sanders - when he was still 75 yards from the end zone.

Also, today, the 49ers informed return specialist Allen Rossum of his release. The 49ers needed to clear a roster spot to activate rookie receiver Michael Crabtree to the 49ers' 53-man roster.

Join me live before and during today's 49ers-Falcons game for our live blog/chat.

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Third downs are often cited as the critical plays in a football game, but that has not necessarily been the case for the 49ers this season.

It's all about first downs.

I sat down to speak with 49ers team president Jed York on Thursday to talk about various aspects of the Michael Crabtree situation, as well as several other topics.

The audio can be heard by clicking here. For those who don't want to sit through the entire 10-minute, 23-second interview, here is the transcript:

Michael Crabtree probably would have signed at some point before Nov. 17, the deadline for a rookie to get a deal done and be eligible to play this season. But one person in particular is responsible for the timing of his contract agreement with the 49ers.

This week, the 49ers and Crabtree synchronized their watches to Hammertime.

If you're wondering how Michael Crabtree looked today in the 49ers' offense, the answer is: He didn't.

Because Crabtree will not be in uniform for Sunday's game against the Falcons, there was no reason for him practice any of the 49ers' game plan. Instead, he lined up as a receiver on the scout team - in the role of Michael Jenkins.

Niners president Jed York spoke with me today for a podcast about "Hammer"-ing out a deal with Michael Crabtree. I also asked him if going through this process will affect how the 49ers draft in the future. He also addressed the current 49ers season and the team's proposed Santa Clara stadium. Also . . . on Tuesday, why did he avoid me at the hotel where the negotiations were taking place?

  (NOTE: This is a 9MB file and may load slowly on slower connections.)

DOWNLOAD MP3 (9MG)

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Agent Eugene Parker was nowhere to be seen today when his client Michael Crabtree was at the podium, forced to answer questions about his 72-day contract impasse that ended in the wee hours.

Niners general manager Scot McCloughan was then left to try to speculate on Parker's strategy during the holdout that lasted into its 72^nd day.

Michael Crabtree is signed and will be on the practice field this morning. He is also expected to take part - I'm told, reluctantly -- in a press conference to announce his arrival.

The 49ers are expecting a two-week roster exemption, thus buying them some time before they are required to release a player to create a spot on the team's 53-man roster.

It seems highly unlikely Crabtree will be in uniform for this week's game against the Falcons, but look for him to have a strong chance to get on the field after the bye week, Sunday, Oct. 25, when the 49ers face the Houston Texans. (As was pointed out in scasmflop's comment, if Crabtree were in uniform, that would end any roster exemption, as the team would have to create a roster spot for him.)

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The details of Crabtree's contract have not been made public, but keep in mind that the six-year equivalent of the five-year contract the 49ers offered him in late June would be $24 million total base with $18.2 million guaranteed.

Most of the picks in front of Crabtree, the 10^th overall selection, signed five-year deals. That's why his contract will probably look more lucrative than the Packers' contract with ninth selection B.J. Raji, who signed a five-year, $22.5 million deal with $17.7 million guaranteed.

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Now, onto this week's matchup. We just had Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on a brief conference call. Here's what he had to say about watching the 49ers' defense on film:

They're very good," Ryan said. "First and foremost, I think their front seven is as good as anybody in the league. They do a great job of disrupting the run game and getting pass rush. The linebackers are phenomenal. (Takeo) Spikes and (Patrick) Willis do a great job of coming up in the run game, dropping into coverage, blitzing the quarterback.

"They're a very complete defense. I think in the secondary they've got guys who are physical on the edge and can make plays. Their safeties can come up and support the run, so I've been impressed with their defense. They're rock solid, and playing disciplined football, and playing physical."

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It's a done deal.

The 49ers have announced they have reached a six-year contract with rookie receiver Michael Crabtree, ending a contract impasse on its 72nd day. Crabtree was the No. 10 overall pick in the draft.

He is expected to be on the practice field this morning. Let's see if the guy can play a little football.

More details to come after I wake up. The 49ers have a while to make a roster move to create room on the 53-man roster for Crabtree. I'll have that news a little later.

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Here's what would typically happen during a meeting like what happened earlier today and continues:

With Crabtree in the room, York, the team president, tells him how much the 49ers want him to be a part of the organization for many years to come. McCloughan would talk a little about how excited he is for Crabtree to fit into the football side of the operation.

The 49ers would express how much they want Crabtree to be part of what's shaping up as a special season. Crabtree would express a desire to join the 49ers so he could make an immediate contribution.

Everybody would get on the same page. The 49ers want Crabtree; Crabtree wants the 49ers. Everybody would feel upbeat and express a desire to make it happen.

And then it would be left to negotiator Marathe and Parker to work out the details of the contract that would bring Crabtree into the fold.

That's where I think this is right now. The sides are working toward making Crabtree a part of the organization.

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The highly anticipated negotiating session involving the 49ers and Michael Crabtree is taking place today.

Team president Jed York, general manager Scot McCloughan and chief negotiator Paraag Marathe are representing the 49ers with Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker, on the other side of the table. The meeting is not taking place at the 49ers' team headquarters in Santa Clara but at an undisclosed Bay Area location.

Hopefully, there will probably more news throughout the day.

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UPDATE (3:40 p.m.)

Jed York left the hotel where the meeting is taking place at about 1 p.m. It might be that Marathe and Parker are continuing the nuts-and-bolts contract talks.

This is a sign that progress is being made for the first time since the 49ers submitted their proposal in late June. The Crabtree camp is showing a willingness to get a deal done. Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to continue these talks.

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As 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan left the building last night, he said he had yet to speak to anyone in Camp Crabtree. He said a meeting today was "possible" but that one had not yet been set up.

Even at 8:08 this morning, team president Jed York, when asked if there was a meeting involving the 49ers and Crabtree, answered "not that I know of."

But Pro Football Talk and others peg the 49ers meeting today with Michael Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, today at a secret location in the Bay Area.

Such a meeting would likely include 49ers chief negotiator Paraag Marathe and McCloughan. It does not appear York will take part in the face-to-face sessions. He said he has a stadium meeting at 9 a.m., a 49ers Foundation meeting at 11, and an investment meeting at 6:30 this evening.

When the sides finally get to the negotiating table, the 49ers are not expected to make any concessions to get Crabtree signed. The 49ers might want a sixth year added to the contract because Crabtree has already been missing for 70 days, so the money would rise accordingly with the addition of another year.

One club source said the 49ers would likely add some "fluff' to the contract with incentives and escalators that would only be reached if Crabtree became one of the league's top-producing wide receivers. That way, the deal would appear larger, thus allowing the Crabtree camp to save face.

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The whole 49ers-Michael Crabtree saga just took another bizarre twist.

The 49ers do not have a meeting set up with agent Eugene Parker, who is coming into town tonight. Furthermore, the sides did not speak today, 49ers GM Scot McCloughan said as he left the 49ers' offices this evening.

"It's all speculation," McCloughan of the ESPN report that the sides are scheduled to talk about a contract for Michael Crabtree, the No. 10 overall pick.

McCloughan said the club has learned that Parker is coming to the Bay Area through other parties, but nobody with the 49ers has spoken with Parker or Crabtree.

When asked if the 49ers are scheduled to meet with Parker, McCloughan said no. He said a meeting might take place, but the sides have not set up any kind of negotiating session. McCloughan said he has not talked to Crabtree since the impasse began 70 days ago.

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***UPDATE: ESPN reports Michael Crabtree and Eugene Parker are coming to the Bay Area to reopen contract talks with 49ers. Actually, they're opening talks because there has been no negotiations up to this point.

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Game balls all around for the 49ers!

Well, almost all around.

At 12:45 p.m., I'm jumping over to the live blog, where I will answer a selected number of questions before and during the game. Click here to join the live blog.

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Warning: If you don't want to be reminded of the 49ers' last-second loss to the Vikings, try to occupy yourself for a few hours until I post something new.

It's time to turn the page on Brett Favre's game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Lewis . . . just as soon as we try to figure out what happened on the play.

Through the first 23 games of his NFL career, 49ers receiver Jason Hill - and San Francisco native -- caught just one pass for 6 yards and was inactive 11 times.

All that changed in the second half of last season when Arnaz Battle's foot injury gave him the opportunity to get significant playing time as the 49ers' No. 3 receiver. Hill seemingly took advantage of the situation, catching 30 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns.

So much for carrying momentum from one year to the next. Hill thought he might be among the team's final cuts. Well, he made the 49ers' 53-man roster, but he has been a healthy scratch for each of the first three games.

Coach Mike Singletary said Hill's inability to practice during a good portion of the 49ers' offseason program with injuries put him at a disadvantage at the beginning of training camp.

"Jason Hill was injured with a hamstring, a groin, a this, a that and missed a lot of time," Singletary said. "The thing in the National Football League is the things you did the year before is outstanding, it's great, but it only counts last year. Going forward, everybody has to earn that spot."

Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said the 49ers are not going to change their offensive approach with Glen Coffee taking over for injured halfback Frank Gore.

He said if the 49ers end up throwing more to the wideouts on Sunday against the Rams, it'll not be due to the fact that the 49ers have a rookie playing the bulk of the snaps at running back.

Niners special-teams captain Michael Robinson might see a more signficant role on offense Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, as he becomes the backup at halfback and fullback with Frank Gore out for a couple games.

Robinson is the subject of today's podcast as he discusses the changes he had to make with his eyes after moving from quarterback at Penn State to running back in the NFL.

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