Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean passes along this quote from Fisher's press conference today. Fisher was asked about Titans running back Chris Johnson appearing to slow down on a touchdown run.
"I think he knew once 52 (Willis) was nowhere in the vicinity that no one was going to catch him," Fisher said. "Willis on the field yesterday was the only one that could catch him. I have to compliment him and his play because I have not seen an effort out of a linebacker like I've seen out of the effort out of him.
"C.J. would have had three more touchdowns yesterday had he not been on the field. It was an outstanding defensive effort by Patrick Willis."
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Click here to watch a video recap of yesterday's game. Ace photographer John Burgess put the segment together.
And here's another video, this one from Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area. Mindi Bach interviews some clueless dude about the 49ers' chances of making the playoffs.
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From the pages of Tuesday's Press Democrat, here is more on Mike Singletary facing his former team, the Chicago Bears, on Thursday night. Also, Joe Montana is selling his Calistoga home for . . . you guessed it, $49 million. Hmmm, that's pretty tempting.
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The 49ers remind all fans that traffic conditions are expected to be heavy. The club recommends fans consider using public transportation or carpool. Parking will be limited. Rush-hour traffic, coupled with an influx of regular game day traffic, will overload the freeways and roads surrounding Candlestick Park. Allowing an extra 45-60 minutes of travel time and arriving earlier than normal we help fans be in their seats before kickoff so they do not miss a minute of the action.
Alternate transportation routes include:
From the South Bay: From 101 North, take northbound Bayshore Boulevard through Brisbane. Follow the signs to Candlestick Park by way of Third Street and Gilman or Carroll Avenues.
From I-280 North, take the Cesar Chavez exit. Turn right onto Cesar Chavez Street. Follow the signs to Candlestick Park by way of southbound Third Street.
From the North Bay and Bay Bridge: From 101 South, take southbound 3rd street. Follow the signs to Candlestick Park by way of Carroll Avenue.
From 101 South, take the Silver Avenue exit. Follow the signs leading to Candlestick Park by way of San Bruno Avenue, Silver Avenue, Bayshore Boulevard, Carroll Avenue, Phelps Street, Williams Avenue and/or Third Street.
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Niners defensive back Marcus Hudson has a new Web site. Check it out at MarcusHudson.com
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The 49ers announced their November 2009 community relations events and theme: Respect for Family. During the month of November, the 49ers will focus on spending time in the community to demonstrate respect for families through various events across the Bay Area.
Throughout November, the 49ers will participate in several community-related, hands-on volunteer projects in the Bay Area. The featured event of the month will take place on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, when the team will participate in Serving Thanksgiving Meals at the Ray and Joan Kroc Salvation Army Corps Community Center and Railton Place in San Francisco from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Players and their families will be serving a Thanksgiving meal to youth who have aged out of the foster care system as well as chronically homeless adults, veterans, and low-income seniors.
On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, the team will participate in Stocking the Food Bank at the San Francisco Food Bank. Players and their families will help sort Thanksgiving food and load the items into vehicles for delivery to needy families in San Francisco. The event will take place at the San Francisco Food Bank located at 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, Ca, 94107 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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A.) Who isn't a fan of Patrick Willis?
B.) Who hasn't been impressed with Patrick Willis when they played the 9ers?
Question: Who isn't a fan of Patrick Willis?
My response: Uh, let's see . . . how 'bout Brad Smith?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZiHzZgottA
--Matt M.
I guess your right about that one. I would add that Brad Smith's Mom is probably not a fan either...
Matt,
You discussed in the last article that the coaches would be discussing the depth chart at WR and deciding what would be the best thing moving forward. Do you think that if Bruce is not in the plans they would release him? There may be some teams that are looking for a veteran receiver for some depth.
If the 9ers don't plan on using Bruce the rest of the year he may want a chance to go to a top team in need of WR's, Indy maybe?
They would have 5 WR's and can use both TE's split out wide... I think that they could use another RB on the roster with Coffee banged up and ineffective, Frank Gore has been banged up, and MRob is not much of rusher (great Special Teamer)
Well Hellz Bellz Add every coach GM and anyone who knows football to the list of people who like WIllis.
PATRICK WILLIS is the best MLB in the NFL.
If the 9ers add a RB to the roster this week would it be Lattimore or possibly another player?
Romo mentioned on Chronicle live tonight that the 9ers need more speed on offense and defense. They have VD, Gore and Willis. Seems our DB's have average speed at best. Another RB and PR/KR with speed would be ideal.
"Vince Young had time to make a sandwich back there"
LOL. Good one, Matt. Very true. How did our defense confuse Peyton Manning in Indy one week, then let Vince Young stand up and pick them apart at home the next week?
Right on Coach Singletary! Don't take any sh_t from any of those journalists. Especially that Maiocco character.
Matt,
Lowell certanly nailed the HD today at his presser. It is about time some one from the press started to ask the tough questions. The coach was very defensive in his answer... Oh, by the way, great theater.
Rich Cannon commented during calling game on CBS early 3rd quarter:
"When you make a QB change you can't expect miracles overnight, this is a process, it's going to take time...you want to see more production and efficiency out of that position as the season goes along".
Lowell baited him-to me it was utterly objectionable under the circumstances imo.
Can anyone explain how or why the 49ers are 3 point favorites against the Bears? There is going to be some big money lost with that spread.
Willis is the obvious cornerstone of the franchise. I still wonder if the 3-4 over the 4-3 cultivates his talents the most effectively. I understand the "moneyball" aspect of the 3-4 but seeing as though this team has only made limp attempts at solidifying the two most important positions in a 3-4, NT and OLB, is the 3-4 system really the best defence for this team and Patrick Willis?
Hi Matt, PWillie is the Real Deal. He could start for any team in the NFL and be their top defender.
The point spread does not reflect who the bookmakers expect to win, it reflects how much money they expect to come in on the respective teams. The books in Reno/Tahoe/Vegas know that x amount of money will come in on the Niners no matter who they play because they get a lot of NorCal 9er fans as customers and fans tend to bet with their heart, not their heads. The spread is set to try to get money in on the Bears, or whoever. With a short week, the spread probably won't change much, but in a 'normal' week, when the 'smart' money starts coming in on Saturday night/Sunday morning you might see the spread adjust to reflect it. Again, bookies don't make money based on who wins, they make it on the 'vig'. If you bet straight up against the points the payoff is 11/10. If you have an equal amount of money on both teams the books make money no matter who wins. That's the objective. That's why in the old days you'd have 'bag men' going from one book to another to lay off money if they had too much bet on one team.
RenoRoy, thanks for the reply.
I also think Cohn baited Sing to increase his web hits and improve his stature as a reporter. MM's popularity must be very difficult for another sports reporter to compete against.
Having said that, Singletary is rarely asked the tough questions in my opinion. There's an intimidation factor with the media and it's obvious when you watch the press conferences. I'm glad someone finally challenged him, even if it came off as a little pre-meditated.
For the record, I am a Singletary fan as a man. He walks the walk. As a coach, I'm still not sold. He seems to be more style than substance. Sure he's a great motivator but his football coaching ability is very much in doubt.
You're welcome, Lodi. I don't comment much any more. Got a little too chippy, but if you want to know about gambling, I've got a long, sad history for you.
Cohn did not bait Singletary. I watched the press conference, and Singletary was spounting gibberish and nonsense, talking about praying with his wife for direction, and knowing which of his kids would have slapped or spit on Cohn. It was an embarrassment to the 49ers.
whenever i watch any 49er game, i see 52 in every shot, whether he is making the tackle or coming into help. at the beginning of the season there were a few other guys, but i think they have faded out. willis on the other hand is always around the ball.
i agree with you .....didn't it look like willis was the only player on defense last game....
Where is my TED?
Lack of speed hurts the entire team, but especially on defense. I'm not complaining about our front 7, but the DBs have below average speed. I like Michael Lewis a lot, but I will have a hard time forgetting the angle he took on CJ. I like Spencer and Goldson, and hopefully Brown adds speed, but Roman and Lewis are too slow. Given Lewis' concussions, we're due for an upgrade. I want Taylor Mays!
We're also missing meanness on defense. Anyone see Harrison stick Buckhalter last night. You knew the Broncos were done after that hit. We need a bad attitude!
Basically, I want Harrison and Polamalu. Get to work Scotty!
Thats why losing Sheets to Miami from the PS is particularly frustrating. He could have given the 9ers some speed from the RB position. He could have been the ideal 3rd down back IMO, and played a role similar to Kevin Faulk or Norwood.
I know it's a cliche, but I wish we had 11 Patrick Willis on defense. I have no doubt that he would be our best pass rusher as an OLB and our best safety.
Matt, you were there. Where was the "all shook up" part that Cohn blogged?
I saw the video. Cohn asked a fair question and Sing answered it in a low-keyed manner. Sing wasn't shouting or talked w/ lips quivering or tearing up, Was he? LOL
Tabloid headline and sad to have a "journalist" playing mind games. IMHO
"but I will have a hard time forgetting the angle [Lewis] took on CJ."
Not to defend him... but he's damn sure not the first person to misjudge the speed of Mr. 424. And he damn sure won't be the last.
Of course Willis could start for any team in the NFL Andrew. He is the best linebacker in the league, not just the best middle linebacker, the best period.
MM - Is today like a Wednesday practice? Are you guys not allowed to watch?
I like Cohn. He sometimes gets under the skin of coaches like Singletary and Don Nelson.
I think we need that.
Kind of balances out the lap dog types on talk radio. He probably says things the "beat reporters" would like to say, but can't.
Singletary is a rookie head coach. Next time, I hope he ignores the bait. He stayed away from it on KNBR this morning. Smart move.
Lowell Cohn and his friend Ira Miller go back to the days of pre Walsh and really put HC Walsh and his teams feet to the fire with questions and some of their columns in the Chronicle. Some of their articles even fired the 49er teams up to beat opponents.
Lowell is and old style journalist who doesn't care if he asks uncomfortable questions whether those interviewed like them or not!
I like it because he NEVER kisses the ass of those who think they're untouchables. He uncovers the personality of people in sports power positions. I like the old style journalists like Lowell, even if they bug me from time to time!
Nothing wrong w/ Cohn's question. But his follow up blogs try to squeeze every milligram out of that situation and over-dramatize it. He tried to needle Sing some more for what, to taunt Sing or to distract him from real football? Matt's the one who's doing all the heavy lifting. Why not 2 Matts, instead of 1 Matt and 1 Renaldo Rivera. Pretty soon Sing would reply w/ canned answers, not good.
If Willis stays healthy he will be in the HOF someday, no doubt.