Niner News Thread

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Feb 12, 2004
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'Honey Badger' wants to play for 49ers

The fiery but diminutive Tyrann Mathieu is an intriguing draft day name. If he had things his way, he'd answer an important April phone call from 49ers GM Trent Baalke. The man called the "Honey Badger," while waiting for his baggage at LAX, was interviewed by TMZ and had an interesting answer when asked who he would like to be drafted by.

"It'd have to be the 49ers, just as a fan," said Mathieu. "They got a pretty good organization and they got a pretty good dynasty that they're trying to pursue."

See video here - 'Honey Badger' wants to play for 49ers | CSN Bay Area
hell yeah ill take mathieu.
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
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Skuta looks to help 49ers on special teams, defense ... and offense

Dan Skuta, who signed a two-year contract with the 49ers late Thursday, is listed as an inside linebacker.

With All-Pro inside linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman on long-term contracts with the 49ers, the team hopes Skuta remains on the sideline when the defense is on the field.

But Skuta, who played his first four NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, still can big a big contributor as one of the 49ers' core special-teams players. And Skuta also figures to get a chance to contribute as a short-yardage blocker at fullback on offense.
He played 15 snaps on offense for the Bengals in 2010 in such a role. Skuta played running back in high school, and also saw some action there while at NCAA Division II Grand Valley State.

When asked if he might play some offense, Skuta had a long pause before answering.

"That's a conversation they've had," Skuta said. "I'm not really sure. I'm going to come in and if that's something they have for me to do, I'll be happy to do it."

Since Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman arrived on the scene in 2011, the 49ers have used a number of defensive players on offense, including Isaac Sopoaga, Will Tukuafu, Justin Smith and Demarcus Dobbs.

Skuta's main responsibility will be to help shore up the 49ers' coverage units. The 49ers ranked 31st in the NFL last season, allowing a 26.9-yard average on kickoff returns. The opposition returned six kickoffs 40 yards or more.

The biggest -- and most costly -- meltdown on special teams occurred in Super Bowl XLVII when Jacoby Jones had a 108-yard kickoff return to open the second half in the Baltimore Ravens' 34-31 victory.

Skuta spent four or five hours at the 49ers' Santa Clara complex on Thursday, during which time he got the impression the 49ers are a "top notch" program.

"I just want to just contribute," he said. "We saw it the same way, contributing any way possible, running down the field on special teams, backup linebacker, (and) a number of different things they talked about doing with me."

Skuta said he is not bothered that there will be no opportunity to start, as long as Willis and Bowman remain healthy. He said he is eager to learn behind two of the best inside linebackers in the league.

He said he expects to move to the Bay Area as quickly as possible to begin working out at the team's facility. He will take part in the 49ers' offseason program.

"Seeing them on TV and word around the league is that the guys here are strong, always in shape and ready to go," Skuta said. "That speaks a lot of training staff and guys in the weight room. The guys are all hard workers."

Skuta is likely to take the spot of Larry Grant and/or Tavares Gooden, both of whom play inside linebacker and play special teams. Grant and Gooden are both unrestricted free agents.
 
Oct 23, 2009
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I hope this guy isn't meant to replace Dashon...

Craig Dahl is almost universally reviled by Rams fans. He struggles in coverage, misses the tackles he should make and generally looks lost on the field.

Adrian Peterson exposed Dahl in a late season loss, burning him for big plays in one of his biggest games of his historic season.

The truth is that Dahl is somewhere in between. He was never meant to be a starter, just a role player, but the Rams lack of depth pressed him into the starting job. Dahl works hard, for whatever that's worth, and can contribute some as an in-the-box safety, in a role more like an extra linebacker.
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
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49ers Sign WR Marlon Moore

The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Marlon Moore to a one-year deal.

Moore (6-0, 190) originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2010. In three seasons with the Dolphins, he has played in 29 games (two starts) and tallied 12 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

A 25–year-old native of Sacramento, CA, Moore starred collegiately at Fresno State. He finished his career as a Bulldog with 90 catches for 1,374 yards and 10 touchdowns.
49ers Sign K Phil Dawson

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed K Phil Dawson to a one-year contract.

“We are excited to add an accomplished veteran like Phil to our team,” said 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke. “Phil has performed at a high level throughout his career and has a lot of experience managing the elements, which is a valuable asset."

Dawson (5-11, 200), a two-time All-Pro selection, joins the 49ers after spending the last 14 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. In his career, he has played in 215 games and has scored 1,265 points, connecting on 305 of 365 field goal attempts (84.0 percent) and 350 of 358 PATs. Dawson’s 84.0 field goal percentage ranks ninth in NFL history. He holds the Browns franchise record for most field goals made (305), field goal percentage (84.0) and ranks second in points scored (1,265). In 2012, Dawson earned his first Pro Bowl selection, connecting on 29 of 31 field goal attempts and all 29 PATs.

Dawson originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on April 24, 1998, and was later waived on August 18, 1998. He was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots on August 21, 1998. Following training camp, Dawson was signed to the Patriots practice squad on August 31, where he spent the entire season. Dawson then signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 25, 1999, where he remained for the next 14 seasons. His special teams coach during the 2009-10 seasons was current 49ers assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Brad Seely.

A 38-year-old native of Dallas, TX, Dawson played at the University of Texas and scored 459 points in his career, hitting 59 of 79 field goal attempts and 162 of 170 PATs. As a senior, he earned First-Team All-America and All-Big 12 honors.
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Jun 6, 2008
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San Jose, Ca
It will now be a 15-yard penalty if a player who is more than 3 yards downfield or outside of the tackle box delivers a blow with the crown of his helmet. If both the offensive and defensive player lowers his head and uses the crown of the helmet to make contact, each will be penalized.

I was hoping this rule didn't go thru, this is all Frank Gore what he's made a living on. I've always liked the fact how he lowers his upperbody and delivers a blow keepin defenders away from those knees.
 

PoLLo LoC831

NINER EMPIRE
Mar 20, 2005
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Breaking the "Curse of T.O." - 49erswebzone.com

For the first time in over a decade, the 49ers look to have a pair of wide receivers that are one of the top tandems in the NFL. That's the way it used to be. That's the way it should be. For a football fan like me who grew up in the 1980's and 1990's, it seemed like a God given right for the San Francisco 49ers to always have great wide receivers. From Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon, to Jerry Rice and John Taylor, to Rice and Terrell Owens the team trotted out some of the best the game had to offer (with Rice being the greatest of all time). No matter the era, it seemed like the 49ers would always be able to find another great wide out to step in the spotlight. That all changed in 2004.

Jerry Rice and the 49ers amicably parted ways after the 2000 season, leaving Owens to be the star wide receiver and franchise player. But over the next three years, he became discontent and by the end of 2003, he was a cancer in the locker room. Owens called out his quarterback, argued with coaches and was all but gone considering he was able to void the final years of his contract. But a paperwork screw up caused the 49ers to retain his rights, forcing the team to have to make a decision. Having no intention of keeping Owens around, general manager Terry Donahue ultimately traded the star wide out to Philadelphia for defensive lineman Brandon Whiting and a draft pick. The 49ers went into a tail spin after that. Salary cap issues forced them to have to gut the team and the roster was in shambles. The team struggled for the next seven pre-Harbaugh seasons, especially on offense. One of the biggest issues was at wide receiver.

A lot of people want to call it the "Curse of T.O." You could definitely make an argument for curses considering that from Owen's last season in 2003 up until Michael Crabtree's 2012 campaign, the 49ers did not have one single 1,000 yard receiver. Let's put that in perspective. In order to gain a 1,000 yards over a 16 game season, a player must average 62.5 yards per game. In those 8 seasons, 167 players gained 1,000 yards or more and only one other team (the Bears) failed to have a receiver eclipse 1,000 yards. Looking deeper, the 49ers were the only team to not have a wide receiver gain at least 900 yards in that span. The 49er wide outs were only able to break 800 yards twice. Here are the wide receiver leaders for San Francisco from 2004-2011 (tight ends excluded)

04: Cedric Wilson: 641 yards

05: Brandon Lloyd: 733 yards

06: Antonio Bryant: 733 yards

07: Arnaz Battle: 600 yards

08: Isaac Bruce: 835 yards

09: Michael Crabtee: 625 yards

10: Michael Crabtee: 741 yards

11: Michael Crabtee: 874 yards

The "Curse of T.O." has gone beyond performance and even jinxed his old number, 81. Any wide receiver who has taken that number since Owens left has been a colossal failure in a 49er uniform. It started immediately after Owen's left. The 49ers attempted to replace him by drafting a wide receiver in the 1st round of the 2004 draft. Terry Donahue, apparently unhappy with what was on the board, continued to trade back until he settled on Rashaun Woods out of Oklahoma State. Woods was more interested in fishing than playing football and in his time with the 49ers he totaled 7 catches for 160 yards and 1 garbage time touchdown against the Rams.

Woods was traded to San Diego for cornerback Sammy Davis after the 2005 season and 81 went to free agent pick up Antonio Bryant. Bryant signed a 4 year/14 million dollar deal to be the team's top wide out. Bryant started out playing well gaining 245 of his 733 yards in the first two games but production fell way off after that. He began to clash with then head coach Mike Nolan, was arrested for drunken driving in November and never saw year two of his contract. He was released by the team after one season.

The number then made its way to a couple of Brandon's. Former 3rd round pick Brandon Williams took 81 for the three games he lasted in his second season with the team in 2007. He never recorded a catch. Brandon Jones came on board in 2009 after signing a 5 year/ 15 million dollar deal and donned 81 that season. Jones was a decent role player in Tennesee and the 49ers agreed to pay him almost 6 million dollars in guaranteed money. Jones caught 1 pass in 8 games after returning from a shoulder injury. He was also released by the team after one season.

No wide receiver has worn number 81 in the regular season since Jones. Braylon Edwards wore it in the preseason and was cut before the year was over as he battled injuries and never fit in with team. Currently, the number is worn by backup tight end Garrett Celek but that could change in 2013, along with the fortunes of the number. The sort of elephant in the room is Anquan Boldin has worn 81 his entire NFL career with both the Cardinals and the Ravens. One would think he'll end up with it again in San Francisco. Boldin (barring injury) could be the player to break the curse and, along with Michael Crabtree, give the 49ers the complete pair of dominant receivers they've been lacking. This whole "Curse of T.O." thing probably had more to do with how the organization was run from 2004-2010 more than anything else. The 49ers are now a well-oiled machine that may be the class of the NFL at the moment. That's not a curse, it's a blessing.
 

Chree

Medicated
Dec 7, 2005
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Can't tell you how bummed I am that Niners fans can't chant #BeatLA at home games.... Nice W #Dubs
by Jed York on Mar 25, 2013 at 21:53:15
 

DVS ONE

Spanish Springs
Jun 21, 2003
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Vista and Hubble
The Browns have discarded another quarterback. Colt McCoy will start over as a backup in San Francisco.

McCoy, who became expendable when Cleveland signed veteran free agent quarterback Jason Campbell last week, was traded Monday to the San Francisco 49ers for two draft picks.

The Browns confirmed the deal on the same day new coach Rob Chudzinski welcomed more than 60 players - including McCoy - for the start of the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program.

The Browns only said they received two ''undisclosed'' draft choices, but a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press the team got a fifth- and seventh-round pick in this month's NFL draft in exchange for McCoy and Cleveland's sixth-round pick.
 
Props: Tony