thats not against the nfl rules and teams cant be penalized for what pac is doing.......YET......so cry all you want about what happend....just from that report says there was no evidence....just like spygate goodell could of ruined the REAL evidence...apparently they did break some kind of rule because they wouldnt of charged em picks and swap picks if they didnt....no one is picking on no one...this is one report that could be off....its a done deal no heart ache is going to change it....
Niner News Thread
- Thread starter Chree
- Start date
isnt that what the patriot fans said to all of us? "everyone does it".......what did we all say......"your being punished because you got caught!!!"....
pacman being dealt a year long suspension when that was double what anyone else has gotten was goodell making a statement.......hes cracking down on all the BS and hes said that many times.....teams got to clean up there act or else.....whether you choose to like it or not is up to you....but goodell is the head honcho and he does what he wants.....period
pacman being dealt a year long suspension when that was double what anyone else has gotten was goodell making a statement.......hes cracking down on all the BS and hes said that many times.....teams got to clean up there act or else.....whether you choose to like it or not is up to you....but goodell is the head honcho and he does what he wants.....period
49ers Sign G Terry
http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4104§ion=PR News
March 25, 2008
The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that they have signed G Jeb Terry as a free agent. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.
Terry (6-5, 311) was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2004 draft out of North Carolina. He was a backup offensive lineman and special teams player for the Buccaneers for three seasons, seeing action in 30 games with one start at right guard in 2006. He went to training camp with Tampa Bay last season but was waived prior to the start of the regular season.
http://sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4104§ion=PR News
March 25, 2008
The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that they have signed G Jeb Terry as a free agent. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.
Terry (6-5, 311) was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2004 draft out of North Carolina. He was a backup offensive lineman and special teams player for the Buccaneers for three seasons, seeing action in 30 games with one start at right guard in 2006. He went to training camp with Tampa Bay last season but was waived prior to the start of the regular season.
What the 49ers can do to make up for lost pick
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2176526
There seems to be pretty decent depth in this draft at a couple positions of need for the 49ers, most notably at offensive line and wide receiver. So if the 49ers can find a dance partner, they might be able to trade back to pick up a couple more selections.
Currently, the 49ers have six draft picks after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stripped the 49ers of their fifth-round selection with his ruling that the club violated the league's anti-tampering policy. (We're calling it "NegotiGate.")
If the 49ers have a chance to get pass-rushing outside linebacker Quentin Groves of Auburn with the No. 29 overall pick, they might be wise to take him. Otherwise, they could look to bail out of the first-round slot in the draft.
If the Falcons are looking to move up, the 49ers could trade pick No. 29 to the Falcons to move back to No. 37 overall. Using the draft-pick trade chart, the 49ers would be owed 110 points.
Therefore, the 49ers could receive the Falcons' fourth pick of the fourth round, as well as one of the Falcons' seventh-round selections.
If such a trade were to happen, the 49ers' would have no first-round picks, but two seconds (Nos. 37 and 39), one third (No. 75) and two fourth-round picks at Nos. 4 and 8 in that round, as well as one sixth-round pick and potentially two seventh-round selections.
* * *
Not only do the 49ers forfeit a fifth-round pick, their swapping of third-round selections is the equivalent of losing a high sixth-round pick, John Clayton and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times point out.
* * *
This has not been a good couple days for the 49ers, so I'm sure fans of the team will be pleased to learn owners Denise and John York have been named recipients of the 2008 Silicon Valley Exemplary Community Leadership Awards. Dr. Richard Levy, chair of Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and the Yorks will be honored on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at a Gala dinner benefit at the Fairmont San Jose.
Denise and John York are being honored for the San Francisco 49ers RESPECT community outreach campaign, created to leverage the power of the 49ers brand and the players and coaches to demonstrate the importance of showing RESPECT. The campaign teaches Bay Area youth about the importance of demonstrating RESPECT for their families, schools and communities.
* * *
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2176526
There seems to be pretty decent depth in this draft at a couple positions of need for the 49ers, most notably at offensive line and wide receiver. So if the 49ers can find a dance partner, they might be able to trade back to pick up a couple more selections.
Currently, the 49ers have six draft picks after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stripped the 49ers of their fifth-round selection with his ruling that the club violated the league's anti-tampering policy. (We're calling it "NegotiGate.")
If the 49ers have a chance to get pass-rushing outside linebacker Quentin Groves of Auburn with the No. 29 overall pick, they might be wise to take him. Otherwise, they could look to bail out of the first-round slot in the draft.
If the Falcons are looking to move up, the 49ers could trade pick No. 29 to the Falcons to move back to No. 37 overall. Using the draft-pick trade chart, the 49ers would be owed 110 points.
Therefore, the 49ers could receive the Falcons' fourth pick of the fourth round, as well as one of the Falcons' seventh-round selections.
If such a trade were to happen, the 49ers' would have no first-round picks, but two seconds (Nos. 37 and 39), one third (No. 75) and two fourth-round picks at Nos. 4 and 8 in that round, as well as one sixth-round pick and potentially two seventh-round selections.
* * *
Not only do the 49ers forfeit a fifth-round pick, their swapping of third-round selections is the equivalent of losing a high sixth-round pick, John Clayton and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times point out.
* * *
This has not been a good couple days for the 49ers, so I'm sure fans of the team will be pleased to learn owners Denise and John York have been named recipients of the 2008 Silicon Valley Exemplary Community Leadership Awards. Dr. Richard Levy, chair of Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and the Yorks will be honored on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at a Gala dinner benefit at the Fairmont San Jose.
Denise and John York are being honored for the San Francisco 49ers RESPECT community outreach campaign, created to leverage the power of the 49ers brand and the players and coaches to demonstrate the importance of showing RESPECT. The campaign teaches Bay Area youth about the importance of demonstrating RESPECT for their families, schools and communities.
* * *
Hill and Sled Training
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4107§ion=PR News
Chrissy Mauck
March 26, 2008
At 6-2, 280 pounds, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain hardly meets the description of being little, but that’s the classification he falls under in Duane Carlisle’s off-season strength and conditioning program.
For the first part of the 49ers program – the general conditioning phase - Carlisle has devised separate outdoor workouts for his big and little groups. So at least once a week, while the big guys (offensive and defensive linemen) utilize sleds in their outdoor routine, the little guys like Banta-Cain are hitting the man made hill that was built along the border of one of the team’s practice fields.
“Our hill is one of our best features of our training program,” said Carlisle. “It’s about an 8-10 degree incline and the purpose of the low incline is so that guys don’t over stride when they run. When you have a really steep hill, guys have a tendency to strike the ground way in front of their center of mass which puts a lot of torque and stress on their hamstring. What we want to accomplish is to get them to run fast while maintaining the normal running action. That’s the key for us.”
Hill training is nothing new to the 49ers. Roger Craig and Jerry Rice’s steep hill training was well documented and supposedly brought many of their teammates to their knees, but this innocuous looking hill that Carlisle had built in the 49ers backyard has offered its own share of pain for the current crop of 49ers.
“It’s deceptive,” said Banta-Cain. “Once you get up to the top, you are definitely feeling it. It’s at an angle just enough to get your legs tired and it’s also helping you work on your explosion.”
Even one of the team’s fastest runners and a true “little guy” in cornerback Marcus Hudson tires out during a hill workout.
“The hill tests your endurance and you always feel the hill after a couple of reps,” said Hudson. “It’s always been a burn out experience for me. It might not look like it, but it’s something to be reckoned with.”
Carlisle typically has the players work on their straight ahead running on the hill, but this year he’s also incorporated backward running and zigzags.
“As a DB, running backwards up the hill helps you keep low and use your legs versus bending over with your back,” said Hudson. “It emphasizes your hamstrings and quads and it’s basically a back pedal which is what we do most of the time.”
Meanwhile, wide receiver Jason Hill applauded the benefits of the zigzag reps.
“For me, it’s perfect to get out and do some zigzags,” said Hill. “I had a nagging groin injury so actually cutting on it felt good. As receivers, our coach is always on us about getting in and out of our breaks so working on planting and cutting is great work for us.”
While the hill has become a staple in the 49ers off-season program the last few years, the sled training has a new twist. The past few years, the players have pulled sleds with weights piled on them. This year, Carlisle placed an order from a company in Michigan and groundskeeper Rich Genoff helped assemble the 200-pound sleds in time for Carlisle to implement them during the first week of the program. Instead of pulling the weights behind them, players start in a football stance and push the sleds.
“When you are in a game, you don’t ever really have someone pulling on you from behind, you are always trying to push someone back, so it’s getting you acclimated to playing football,” said defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison. “It is more football specific versus just working out for working out sake.”
Carlisle took it easy on his big guys at the start, having them first take a few reps pushing the sled by itself. After a few of those, the task became exponentially tougher with a player hitching a ride and adding on his weight.
“When they were driving initially without anyone on them they were pushing it like it was a rag doll, but when you put someone up there, they had to exert a lot of force in the first three or four steps,” said Carlisle. “They really had to dig in and drive to get that thing moving, which is what you want.”
You also want to always win the battle in the trenches, which is an endeavor that Carlisle and these 49ers offensive and defensive linemen firmly believe sled work can help them with.
“We did sled work in college so I was accustomed to it, so the biggest thing I think you can gain is explosion,” said tackle Joe Staley. “Those sleds are heavy and you are trying to drive them back so you really learn to use your legs and your center of gravity to gain momentum and really explode out of your stance. You get used to pushing already heavy sleds with a 300 pound plus lineman on it and then you go play a game and I think coming out of your stance and getting a push is going to seem a lot easier.”
One thing that never seems to let up regardless of the workout is a very intense level of competition. Whether it’s linebacker Jeff Ulbrich trying to outrace return specialist Allen Rossum on the hill, or Justin Smith and Adam Snyder going at it on the sleds, these 49ers players are set on out-doing one another.
“Young guys keep getting faster and if you are not careful, you keep getting slower so you have to push yourself constantly,” said Ulbrich. “Allen once won the fastest man competition over at the Pro Bowl, so I figure he’s a pretty great pace car out there for me. We all want to push ourselves and push each other so that we get better as a team.”
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4107§ion=PR News
Chrissy Mauck
March 26, 2008
At 6-2, 280 pounds, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain hardly meets the description of being little, but that’s the classification he falls under in Duane Carlisle’s off-season strength and conditioning program.
For the first part of the 49ers program – the general conditioning phase - Carlisle has devised separate outdoor workouts for his big and little groups. So at least once a week, while the big guys (offensive and defensive linemen) utilize sleds in their outdoor routine, the little guys like Banta-Cain are hitting the man made hill that was built along the border of one of the team’s practice fields.
“Our hill is one of our best features of our training program,” said Carlisle. “It’s about an 8-10 degree incline and the purpose of the low incline is so that guys don’t over stride when they run. When you have a really steep hill, guys have a tendency to strike the ground way in front of their center of mass which puts a lot of torque and stress on their hamstring. What we want to accomplish is to get them to run fast while maintaining the normal running action. That’s the key for us.”
Hill training is nothing new to the 49ers. Roger Craig and Jerry Rice’s steep hill training was well documented and supposedly brought many of their teammates to their knees, but this innocuous looking hill that Carlisle had built in the 49ers backyard has offered its own share of pain for the current crop of 49ers.
“It’s deceptive,” said Banta-Cain. “Once you get up to the top, you are definitely feeling it. It’s at an angle just enough to get your legs tired and it’s also helping you work on your explosion.”
Even one of the team’s fastest runners and a true “little guy” in cornerback Marcus Hudson tires out during a hill workout.
“The hill tests your endurance and you always feel the hill after a couple of reps,” said Hudson. “It’s always been a burn out experience for me. It might not look like it, but it’s something to be reckoned with.”
Carlisle typically has the players work on their straight ahead running on the hill, but this year he’s also incorporated backward running and zigzags.
“As a DB, running backwards up the hill helps you keep low and use your legs versus bending over with your back,” said Hudson. “It emphasizes your hamstrings and quads and it’s basically a back pedal which is what we do most of the time.”
Meanwhile, wide receiver Jason Hill applauded the benefits of the zigzag reps.
“For me, it’s perfect to get out and do some zigzags,” said Hill. “I had a nagging groin injury so actually cutting on it felt good. As receivers, our coach is always on us about getting in and out of our breaks so working on planting and cutting is great work for us.”
While the hill has become a staple in the 49ers off-season program the last few years, the sled training has a new twist. The past few years, the players have pulled sleds with weights piled on them. This year, Carlisle placed an order from a company in Michigan and groundskeeper Rich Genoff helped assemble the 200-pound sleds in time for Carlisle to implement them during the first week of the program. Instead of pulling the weights behind them, players start in a football stance and push the sleds.
“When you are in a game, you don’t ever really have someone pulling on you from behind, you are always trying to push someone back, so it’s getting you acclimated to playing football,” said defensive lineman Atiyyah Ellison. “It is more football specific versus just working out for working out sake.”
Carlisle took it easy on his big guys at the start, having them first take a few reps pushing the sled by itself. After a few of those, the task became exponentially tougher with a player hitching a ride and adding on his weight.
“When they were driving initially without anyone on them they were pushing it like it was a rag doll, but when you put someone up there, they had to exert a lot of force in the first three or four steps,” said Carlisle. “They really had to dig in and drive to get that thing moving, which is what you want.”
You also want to always win the battle in the trenches, which is an endeavor that Carlisle and these 49ers offensive and defensive linemen firmly believe sled work can help them with.
“We did sled work in college so I was accustomed to it, so the biggest thing I think you can gain is explosion,” said tackle Joe Staley. “Those sleds are heavy and you are trying to drive them back so you really learn to use your legs and your center of gravity to gain momentum and really explode out of your stance. You get used to pushing already heavy sleds with a 300 pound plus lineman on it and then you go play a game and I think coming out of your stance and getting a push is going to seem a lot easier.”
One thing that never seems to let up regardless of the workout is a very intense level of competition. Whether it’s linebacker Jeff Ulbrich trying to outrace return specialist Allen Rossum on the hill, or Justin Smith and Adam Snyder going at it on the sleds, these 49ers players are set on out-doing one another.
“Young guys keep getting faster and if you are not careful, you keep getting slower so you have to push yourself constantly,” said Ulbrich. “Allen once won the fastest man competition over at the Pro Bowl, so I figure he’s a pretty great pace car out there for me. We all want to push ourselves and push each other so that we get better as a team.”
No one tackles like Willis -- rookies and vets alike
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/21635.html
The San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis is already an outstanding player, and the numbers prove it. His instinctually physical style is reflected in his astounding tackle stats, which would have impressed had they been put up by a player with a decade of NFL experience. Compared to veterans, Willis is already in a class of his own, and compared to his fellow top rookie linebackers, of whom two others particularly excelled. . . he's slightly better.
Many Niners fans are undoubtedly aware that Willis led the league in tackles with 174 total. He didn't just squeak into the top spot, either: The next closest player, Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, lagged behind with 141. Some players arrive in the NFL and find that the game's speed is immensely faster than it was during college days; in Willis' case, there may have been pro veterans begging him to slow down.
What's surprising is that the second-best rookie, Carolina's linebacker Jon Beason, finished third overall with an impressive 140 tackles of his own. That said, Willis outdid him: It's not fair to Beason, but the new Niners' star finished far ahead and showed that he was in his own category. While both started every game of their respective rookie seasons, Willis had 135 solo tackles to Beason's 106 in addition to the large overall total disparity; the Niner also managed four sacks, while Beason didn't get any.
Further, Beason plays in a 4-3 defense, which means he theoretically has to cover more ground but also gets more chances for stops than an inside 'backer would playing in a group of four. The counter to that counterargument is that 3-4 linebackers get more opportunities to step close to the line and make tackles; instead of playing volleys back and forth, it's fair to claim that, while that Beason is already very good, Willis is currently in a class of one.
David Harris, who made 127 stops for the Jets, was the only other rookie in triple digits; he had 90 solo tackles and five sacks while starting only nine games. An inner member of a four-linebacker scheme like San Francisco's, he may offer the most suitable comparison.
In that regard, Willis is aided by the fact that he was out there starting from Week 1 instead of Week 9; on the other hand, it's an indication that he was not only ahead of but also past the curve, shining from his first game. Again, it's not to say less of a player like Harris who did a lot with less time on the field, only more of Willis.
Of course, linebackers are going to have the most opportunities for tackles. That's particularly true for interior players, who are literally in the center of the action. In fact, Willis' teammate -- safety Michael M. Lewis -- was credited with the most tackles in the NFL last season for a non-linebacker; with 104, he didn't come in until 30th place. It is fair to point out that a defensive tackle or cornerback with Willis' corresponding skills wouldn't have put up the same level of numbers as the Niners' rising star.
Still, that's not to take away from the seasons other rookies put forth, and at the same time it's certainly not to imply that Willis is only good thanks to the position he mans. The point is that, judged against stellar efforts from either established players or other first-year men, Willis was incomparable.
For a team that finished last year ranked 25th in defense, Willis brings hope that turning the corner is possible; few other players in the league could provide that kind of evidence on their own, but both his totals and his play style indicate that he's in that spectacular category. In fact, this team could eventually consider switching to a defense where he would be the only middle linebacker on the field.
Willis might have to cope with more coverage responsibilities in a 4-3, although he did defend five passes last season; while that might take him slightly out of his element, the sole overriding factor is that he's a difference-making player who's a beast at attacking anywhere on his ground and has earned the right to be granted as much responsibility as possible, something he's proven after only 16 games.
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/21635.html
The San Francisco 49ers' Patrick Willis is already an outstanding player, and the numbers prove it. His instinctually physical style is reflected in his astounding tackle stats, which would have impressed had they been put up by a player with a decade of NFL experience. Compared to veterans, Willis is already in a class of his own, and compared to his fellow top rookie linebackers, of whom two others particularly excelled. . . he's slightly better.
Many Niners fans are undoubtedly aware that Willis led the league in tackles with 174 total. He didn't just squeak into the top spot, either: The next closest player, Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, lagged behind with 141. Some players arrive in the NFL and find that the game's speed is immensely faster than it was during college days; in Willis' case, there may have been pro veterans begging him to slow down.
What's surprising is that the second-best rookie, Carolina's linebacker Jon Beason, finished third overall with an impressive 140 tackles of his own. That said, Willis outdid him: It's not fair to Beason, but the new Niners' star finished far ahead and showed that he was in his own category. While both started every game of their respective rookie seasons, Willis had 135 solo tackles to Beason's 106 in addition to the large overall total disparity; the Niner also managed four sacks, while Beason didn't get any.
Further, Beason plays in a 4-3 defense, which means he theoretically has to cover more ground but also gets more chances for stops than an inside 'backer would playing in a group of four. The counter to that counterargument is that 3-4 linebackers get more opportunities to step close to the line and make tackles; instead of playing volleys back and forth, it's fair to claim that, while that Beason is already very good, Willis is currently in a class of one.
David Harris, who made 127 stops for the Jets, was the only other rookie in triple digits; he had 90 solo tackles and five sacks while starting only nine games. An inner member of a four-linebacker scheme like San Francisco's, he may offer the most suitable comparison.
In that regard, Willis is aided by the fact that he was out there starting from Week 1 instead of Week 9; on the other hand, it's an indication that he was not only ahead of but also past the curve, shining from his first game. Again, it's not to say less of a player like Harris who did a lot with less time on the field, only more of Willis.
Of course, linebackers are going to have the most opportunities for tackles. That's particularly true for interior players, who are literally in the center of the action. In fact, Willis' teammate -- safety Michael M. Lewis -- was credited with the most tackles in the NFL last season for a non-linebacker; with 104, he didn't come in until 30th place. It is fair to point out that a defensive tackle or cornerback with Willis' corresponding skills wouldn't have put up the same level of numbers as the Niners' rising star.
Still, that's not to take away from the seasons other rookies put forth, and at the same time it's certainly not to imply that Willis is only good thanks to the position he mans. The point is that, judged against stellar efforts from either established players or other first-year men, Willis was incomparable.
For a team that finished last year ranked 25th in defense, Willis brings hope that turning the corner is possible; few other players in the league could provide that kind of evidence on their own, but both his totals and his play style indicate that he's in that spectacular category. In fact, this team could eventually consider switching to a defense where he would be the only middle linebacker on the field.
Willis might have to cope with more coverage responsibilities in a 4-3, although he did defend five passes last season; while that might take him slightly out of his element, the sole overriding factor is that he's a difference-making player who's a beast at attacking anywhere on his ground and has earned the right to be granted as much responsibility as possible, something he's proven after only 16 games.
49ers’ tampering story: There’s definitely more damning evidence than just 2 phone ca
http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawa...ore-damning-evidence-than-just-2-phone-calls/
By Tim Kawakami
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 3:50 pm in 49ers, NFL.
I’m hearing a lot of detail floating around the NFL about what really led to the 49ers’ guilty verdict in the Lance Briggs tampering case.
Surprise: The evidence is more than what the 49ers are admitting and spinning.
The additional evidence apparently involves NFL investigation of internal 49ers’ e-mail between front-office folk during key moments in the Briggs’ timeline.
My understanding is that the e-mail discussions highlight the significance of the phone calls to agent Drew Rosenhaus (though, as the 49ers point out, there were no actual discussions during the calls).
This is what is confirmed by several sources: There’s more evidence than the 49ers are saying. It’s definitely more than just 2 stand alone phone calls to Rosenhaus.
Because the NFL can put those phone calls in context.
Some of the most fascinating, detailed stuff I heard is from just one source, so it’s not totally confirmed–though it’s not completely denied by other reputable sources, either. (Still, I’m leaving most of it out of this entry.)
And all of it makes more sense than the 49ers’ spin yesterday, and the 49ers have a habit of attempting spin that is rather easily debunked.
Did the 49ers really think smart people would buy that the only evidence Commissioner Roger Goodell had was two phone missed calls to Briggs’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus? Without Rosenhaus being at the hearing last week?
Does that seem plausible in any way? Just two random phone messages, some surface circumstantial evidence: GUILTY! Lose draft picks! It’s not plausible.
It feels like a 49ers’ spin/exaggeration/mischaracterization… and whether they mean to or not, the act of doing it basically challenges Goodell’s judgement and his credibility.
Fine, if the 49ers are on the side of angels on this one. But if they’re not correct–if they are guilty of something and trying to cover it up for PR purposes–firing a shot at Goodell is so wholly stupid it goes well beyond even the stupidity of getting caught with Briggs.
Are the 49ers arguing that the new commissioner is dumb? Unfair? Vindictive? Silly?
None of that goes over well on Park Ave., as far as I know. And I pretty much do know that.
I’ve talked to people. I’ve asked the 49ers to clarify their posture–and yes, the 49ers’ stance gets fuzzier and fuzzier the more you focus on the exact facts and the more you ask about e-mail evidence.
It’s very possible that the 49ers and their top supporters are going to have to retreat to this convenience: There’s no literal paper trail.
Well, guys: Of course not, if it’s all e-mail evidence.
From what I hear, NFL investigators collected 49ers’ internal e-mails involving the Main Front Office Folk (you know all or most of their names) during the Briggs time-frame.
The content of the e-mails and their timing (plus some other circumstantial evidence) apparently are why the commissioner concluded that those missed phone calls to Rosenhaus involved a potential Briggs contract during last season and not, say, an attempt to check up on Taylor Jacobs.
I’ve heard who it was who made the fateful calls to Rosenhaus and who sent most of the allegedly damning e-mail, but I won’t name him here, since I’m not 100 percent on it.
See, there’s tons of detail. Fascinating detail.
(Again: I don’t think tampering is a serious event in the NFL since everybody does it. The problem for the 49ers: They were dumb enough and did it clunkily enough to get caught–costing them a 5th round pick and a flop of 3rds with Chicago. And now, possibly the ire of the commissioner’s office.)
Oh and there’s more:
Some of the internal e-mails from front office people reveal that the top lieutenants to John and Jed York possibly aren’t quite totally all best friends and totally on the same page.
It’s probably never good for power people to see each other’s private intra-office e-mails. But, thanks to the investigation, now they all know who thinks what about whom. And the commissioner’s office knows it, too.
Gee, that doesn’t sound like the 49ers’ braintrust I know!
Now you can say that, even if the 49ers were slightly guilty, this is much ado about nothing and that the Bears over-played their hand and were silly to pursue it this far.
I’m not totally disagreeing with that. Again: Tampering is done by every smart franchise in the NFL.
But it’s just like the 49ers to be the ones who get caught… and who get their dirty laundry aired out before the commissioner.
And it’s just like the 49ers to try to spin it, unaware that the gory details always come out eventually.
http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/kawa...ore-damning-evidence-than-just-2-phone-calls/
By Tim Kawakami
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 3:50 pm in 49ers, NFL.
I’m hearing a lot of detail floating around the NFL about what really led to the 49ers’ guilty verdict in the Lance Briggs tampering case.
Surprise: The evidence is more than what the 49ers are admitting and spinning.
The additional evidence apparently involves NFL investigation of internal 49ers’ e-mail between front-office folk during key moments in the Briggs’ timeline.
My understanding is that the e-mail discussions highlight the significance of the phone calls to agent Drew Rosenhaus (though, as the 49ers point out, there were no actual discussions during the calls).
This is what is confirmed by several sources: There’s more evidence than the 49ers are saying. It’s definitely more than just 2 stand alone phone calls to Rosenhaus.
Because the NFL can put those phone calls in context.
Some of the most fascinating, detailed stuff I heard is from just one source, so it’s not totally confirmed–though it’s not completely denied by other reputable sources, either. (Still, I’m leaving most of it out of this entry.)
And all of it makes more sense than the 49ers’ spin yesterday, and the 49ers have a habit of attempting spin that is rather easily debunked.
Did the 49ers really think smart people would buy that the only evidence Commissioner Roger Goodell had was two phone missed calls to Briggs’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus? Without Rosenhaus being at the hearing last week?
Does that seem plausible in any way? Just two random phone messages, some surface circumstantial evidence: GUILTY! Lose draft picks! It’s not plausible.
It feels like a 49ers’ spin/exaggeration/mischaracterization… and whether they mean to or not, the act of doing it basically challenges Goodell’s judgement and his credibility.
Fine, if the 49ers are on the side of angels on this one. But if they’re not correct–if they are guilty of something and trying to cover it up for PR purposes–firing a shot at Goodell is so wholly stupid it goes well beyond even the stupidity of getting caught with Briggs.
Are the 49ers arguing that the new commissioner is dumb? Unfair? Vindictive? Silly?
None of that goes over well on Park Ave., as far as I know. And I pretty much do know that.
I’ve talked to people. I’ve asked the 49ers to clarify their posture–and yes, the 49ers’ stance gets fuzzier and fuzzier the more you focus on the exact facts and the more you ask about e-mail evidence.
It’s very possible that the 49ers and their top supporters are going to have to retreat to this convenience: There’s no literal paper trail.
Well, guys: Of course not, if it’s all e-mail evidence.
From what I hear, NFL investigators collected 49ers’ internal e-mails involving the Main Front Office Folk (you know all or most of their names) during the Briggs time-frame.
The content of the e-mails and their timing (plus some other circumstantial evidence) apparently are why the commissioner concluded that those missed phone calls to Rosenhaus involved a potential Briggs contract during last season and not, say, an attempt to check up on Taylor Jacobs.
I’ve heard who it was who made the fateful calls to Rosenhaus and who sent most of the allegedly damning e-mail, but I won’t name him here, since I’m not 100 percent on it.
See, there’s tons of detail. Fascinating detail.
(Again: I don’t think tampering is a serious event in the NFL since everybody does it. The problem for the 49ers: They were dumb enough and did it clunkily enough to get caught–costing them a 5th round pick and a flop of 3rds with Chicago. And now, possibly the ire of the commissioner’s office.)
Oh and there’s more:
Some of the internal e-mails from front office people reveal that the top lieutenants to John and Jed York possibly aren’t quite totally all best friends and totally on the same page.
It’s probably never good for power people to see each other’s private intra-office e-mails. But, thanks to the investigation, now they all know who thinks what about whom. And the commissioner’s office knows it, too.
Gee, that doesn’t sound like the 49ers’ braintrust I know!
Now you can say that, even if the 49ers were slightly guilty, this is much ado about nothing and that the Bears over-played their hand and were silly to pursue it this far.
I’m not totally disagreeing with that. Again: Tampering is done by every smart franchise in the NFL.
But it’s just like the 49ers to be the ones who get caught… and who get their dirty laundry aired out before the commissioner.
And it’s just like the 49ers to try to spin it, unaware that the gory details always come out eventually.
Smith pumping iron, throwing pigskins
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/011405.html
Alex Smith said he hoped to be back at full strength when the 49ers hold their first minicamp in early May. The 49ers’ quarterback said he is progressing nicely from his December shoulder surgery and that he is doing almost everything he normally would in the weight room save a few “over the head” exercises. As far as throwing, Smith said that process has been very regimented and likened his situation to that of a pitcher. He says he has been throwing three times a week, starting with a few light warm-up tosses and eventually working his way to 40-yard throws. “I’m definitely not out there gunning it yet,” he said. As far as the throwing motion itself, Smith said it’s far smoother than what he was experiencing last season when the shoulder was separated and the ligaments holding the joint together were stretched out. Last season he would hear clicking noises when he threw. So far this spring, the shoulder sometimes feels a little tight, but the movement, he said, is much better than a year ago. “There was so much movement,” he said. “You could hear it and feel it. That’s definitely gone, which is good.”
Smith, of course, will be trying to hold off Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan for the starting job in 2008. He said he welcomed the competition and should be able to do everything that Hill and O’Sullivan do as they begin to learn the offense over the next few weeks. He said he already has begun working with quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and offensive coordinator Mike Martz on the new offense.
As for his relationship with coach Mike Nolan, well, that also is on the mend, Smith said. He said he and Nolan have spoken several times about their feud last year and that both were eager to put the conflict behind them. If you’ll recall, Smith told the media midway through the season that Nolan was underplaying Smith’s shoulder injury and later said that he thought Nolan tried to undermine him in the 49ers’ locker room. Nolan, who has a low tolerance level for injured players, on more than one occasion referred to Smith’s shoulder problems as mere soreness and wasn’t happy that Smith took his problems to the media. On Thursday, Smith said the episode was “not a reflection of us. We’re better than that.” He said he and Nolan are intent on “erasing” what occurred last season.
Smith also said he was excited about running Martz’s offense. He said he wasn’t concerned that Martz’s system often leaves the quarterback exposed (Detroit, for example, allowed 54 sacks last season) arguing that he played in a similar system at Utah. Overall, he sounded excited, optimistic and eager to put his nightmarish 2007 season in the rearview mirror.
****
A number of you have been asking for a Takeo Spikes update. Spikes, it seems, is taking his time in choosing a suitor. The 49ers, Browns, Saints and Patriots all are interested in his services. The linebacker visited San Francisco earlier this month, and the 49ers were not scared off by the torn rotator cuff that ended Spikes' 2007 season prematurely.
****
I feel bad about Heath Benedict, the Newberry College offensive lineman found dead on his sofa Wednesday night. (Officials do not yet have a cause of death). Benedict, 24, was a member of Nolan’s South squad at the Senior Bowl and seemed to handle himself well against players from bigger schools. I have no idea whether the 49ers were considering drafting him, but he was projected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
You never think a young athlete in the prime of his life is going to die, and the situation with Benedict brings back memories of Thomas Herrion’s passing in 2005. Herrion’s death raised all sorts of questions about health risks for 300-plus pound football players and I imagine Benedict’s sudden passing might re-raise some of those same issues.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/011405.html
Alex Smith said he hoped to be back at full strength when the 49ers hold their first minicamp in early May. The 49ers’ quarterback said he is progressing nicely from his December shoulder surgery and that he is doing almost everything he normally would in the weight room save a few “over the head” exercises. As far as throwing, Smith said that process has been very regimented and likened his situation to that of a pitcher. He says he has been throwing three times a week, starting with a few light warm-up tosses and eventually working his way to 40-yard throws. “I’m definitely not out there gunning it yet,” he said. As far as the throwing motion itself, Smith said it’s far smoother than what he was experiencing last season when the shoulder was separated and the ligaments holding the joint together were stretched out. Last season he would hear clicking noises when he threw. So far this spring, the shoulder sometimes feels a little tight, but the movement, he said, is much better than a year ago. “There was so much movement,” he said. “You could hear it and feel it. That’s definitely gone, which is good.”
Smith, of course, will be trying to hold off Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan for the starting job in 2008. He said he welcomed the competition and should be able to do everything that Hill and O’Sullivan do as they begin to learn the offense over the next few weeks. He said he already has begun working with quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and offensive coordinator Mike Martz on the new offense.
As for his relationship with coach Mike Nolan, well, that also is on the mend, Smith said. He said he and Nolan have spoken several times about their feud last year and that both were eager to put the conflict behind them. If you’ll recall, Smith told the media midway through the season that Nolan was underplaying Smith’s shoulder injury and later said that he thought Nolan tried to undermine him in the 49ers’ locker room. Nolan, who has a low tolerance level for injured players, on more than one occasion referred to Smith’s shoulder problems as mere soreness and wasn’t happy that Smith took his problems to the media. On Thursday, Smith said the episode was “not a reflection of us. We’re better than that.” He said he and Nolan are intent on “erasing” what occurred last season.
Smith also said he was excited about running Martz’s offense. He said he wasn’t concerned that Martz’s system often leaves the quarterback exposed (Detroit, for example, allowed 54 sacks last season) arguing that he played in a similar system at Utah. Overall, he sounded excited, optimistic and eager to put his nightmarish 2007 season in the rearview mirror.
****
A number of you have been asking for a Takeo Spikes update. Spikes, it seems, is taking his time in choosing a suitor. The 49ers, Browns, Saints and Patriots all are interested in his services. The linebacker visited San Francisco earlier this month, and the 49ers were not scared off by the torn rotator cuff that ended Spikes' 2007 season prematurely.
****
I feel bad about Heath Benedict, the Newberry College offensive lineman found dead on his sofa Wednesday night. (Officials do not yet have a cause of death). Benedict, 24, was a member of Nolan’s South squad at the Senior Bowl and seemed to handle himself well against players from bigger schools. I have no idea whether the 49ers were considering drafting him, but he was projected to be a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
You never think a young athlete in the prime of his life is going to die, and the situation with Benedict brings back memories of Thomas Herrion’s passing in 2005. Herrion’s death raised all sorts of questions about health risks for 300-plus pound football players and I imagine Benedict’s sudden passing might re-raise some of those same issues.
All players healthy enough to take part in offseason program
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2177065
In checking with the 49ers, all of the players who were injured last season are participating in the team's offseason conditioning program.
That goes for everyone, including cornerback Tarell Brown, who sustained partial tears of the ACL and MCL in his right knee in the season-finale against the Browns. The injury did not require surgery, and Brown is back running around.
The same goes for Joe Cohen, Jay Moore, Melvin Oliver, C.J. Brewer, Manny Lawson, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.
* * *
Jonas Jennings is dealing with a personal family issue. Coach Mike Nolan and GM Scot McCloughan are aware of the situation and have excused him from being in the Bay Area, so he can be with his family.
As previously reported, McCloughan has stated he envisions Jennings being on the team and competing for a starting job on the offensive line this season. It will probably be at right tackle, as the team's stated plan is to move Joe Staley to left tackle.
* * *
I've been trying for several months, and it looks as if I'll finally hear Alex Smith's voice again. I requested to speak to him this week. He will make himself available for a scheduled noon conference call with reporters.
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2177065
In checking with the 49ers, all of the players who were injured last season are participating in the team's offseason conditioning program.
That goes for everyone, including cornerback Tarell Brown, who sustained partial tears of the ACL and MCL in his right knee in the season-finale against the Browns. The injury did not require surgery, and Brown is back running around.
The same goes for Joe Cohen, Jay Moore, Melvin Oliver, C.J. Brewer, Manny Lawson, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.
* * *
Jonas Jennings is dealing with a personal family issue. Coach Mike Nolan and GM Scot McCloughan are aware of the situation and have excused him from being in the Bay Area, so he can be with his family.
As previously reported, McCloughan has stated he envisions Jennings being on the team and competing for a starting job on the offensive line this season. It will probably be at right tackle, as the team's stated plan is to move Joe Staley to left tackle.
* * *
I've been trying for several months, and it looks as if I'll finally hear Alex Smith's voice again. I requested to speak to him this week. He will make himself available for a scheduled noon conference call with reporters.
Smith says he and Nolan are 'both better than that'
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2177084
Quarterback Alex Smith resurfaced today after keeping a pretty low profile since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on Dec. 13.
Oh, sure he made a cameo at the Super Bowl, but I did not see him. He also participated in a crab-cracking exhibition on the second day of free agency, but I was too busy trying to track down Justin Smith to make the trek into San Francisco.
Today was the first day I've heard his voice in several months. Smith took part in a conference call with several reporters who wished to speak with him for a state-of-the-quarterback update.
For the first time, Smith addressed the rift that developed last season involving himself and coach Mike Nolan. Here is what he had to say on the topic:
"I think we're both looking forward to putting last year behind us," Smith said. "I've talked to him several times and we're both excited about it. I know I definitely am. Because I know that's not a reflection on either of us. We're both better than that, and I think we're looking forward to erasing that and proving to people, not only in this building but everywhere, that we're definitely going to move on."
Smith and Nolan did not seem to communicate very well last season. Smith said they spoken openly to each other.
"We talked, and we continue to talk about it and understand what happened last year and we're moving on," Smith said. "We both understand each other. There were things I look back at and wish I could have over again. (The) thing to do is to learn from it and not let it happen again and letting coach Nolan know that he can expect different from last year."
Smith was asked if Nolan has also apologized for the way he handled the situation last season.
"We both feel the same way," Smith said. "It was such a crazy situation last year. At the same time, we're both excited to move on from it."
* * *
Here are some of the things he talked about:
--Smith was in a sling for about six weeks. He has gotten to the point where he is lifting "almost full-go." He still can't do overhead lifting with a lot of weight. And he's following a pretty regimented throwing schedule, a lot like a pitcher's schedule, he said.
--Currently, he is throwing three times this week and will continue to pick it up. He is still in a toss and playing-catch phase. "I'm just trying to work my arm back into throwing shape," he said. The projected goal is to take another month to get it where it needs to be.
--The last time he threw, he was tossing a football 40 yards. That's from a warmup and progressing up to 40 yards and then back down. "They're decent (throws)," he said. "I'm not out there gunning these things. To throw the ball 40 yards, you have to be throwing." He estimates he's throwing anywhere from 60 to 80 passes during a session.
--The forearm hasn't been a problem. (Because of overzealous work in the weight room last season, Smith forearm developed tendinitis and it bothered him as much as his shoulder.)
--There is no difference in his throwing motion, he said. "There's definitely not a lot of the clicking and different things that were going on before," he said. "From having surgery and being in the sling, the main thing was to work out that tightness. I'm still tight in some areas, so I have to loosen that back up."
--New O.C. Mike Martz has not work with Smith on his throwing mechanics, but he has worked with Smith in meetings and on his drops.
--As far as learning the system: "It's still early, but it's definitely started." Coaches were off this week, but the week prior, they worked on some things. It's started with QB coach Ted Tollner and coach Martz - "at least the initiation of installing all of this stuff. And what's going to be expected of us and what to expect. We're in that installation phase right now."
--Smith said he is excited about the chance to work with Martz as his offensive coordinator. After all, Martz is "a guy who understands quarterbacks and the fundamentals of the position. To pick his brain, gain that knowledge, and have him coach us is a big opportunity."
--Is this a make-or-break year for Smith? "It's definitely important, absolutely, without a doubt," Smith said. "Especially for me, coming off last year and really looking forward to this year and trying to put everything into it. Every year is a big year. But this one, because it's the only one in front of me, is the biggest."
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2177084
Quarterback Alex Smith resurfaced today after keeping a pretty low profile since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery on Dec. 13.
Oh, sure he made a cameo at the Super Bowl, but I did not see him. He also participated in a crab-cracking exhibition on the second day of free agency, but I was too busy trying to track down Justin Smith to make the trek into San Francisco.
Today was the first day I've heard his voice in several months. Smith took part in a conference call with several reporters who wished to speak with him for a state-of-the-quarterback update.
For the first time, Smith addressed the rift that developed last season involving himself and coach Mike Nolan. Here is what he had to say on the topic:
"I think we're both looking forward to putting last year behind us," Smith said. "I've talked to him several times and we're both excited about it. I know I definitely am. Because I know that's not a reflection on either of us. We're both better than that, and I think we're looking forward to erasing that and proving to people, not only in this building but everywhere, that we're definitely going to move on."
Smith and Nolan did not seem to communicate very well last season. Smith said they spoken openly to each other.
"We talked, and we continue to talk about it and understand what happened last year and we're moving on," Smith said. "We both understand each other. There were things I look back at and wish I could have over again. (The) thing to do is to learn from it and not let it happen again and letting coach Nolan know that he can expect different from last year."
Smith was asked if Nolan has also apologized for the way he handled the situation last season.
"We both feel the same way," Smith said. "It was such a crazy situation last year. At the same time, we're both excited to move on from it."
* * *
Here are some of the things he talked about:
--Smith was in a sling for about six weeks. He has gotten to the point where he is lifting "almost full-go." He still can't do overhead lifting with a lot of weight. And he's following a pretty regimented throwing schedule, a lot like a pitcher's schedule, he said.
--Currently, he is throwing three times this week and will continue to pick it up. He is still in a toss and playing-catch phase. "I'm just trying to work my arm back into throwing shape," he said. The projected goal is to take another month to get it where it needs to be.
--The last time he threw, he was tossing a football 40 yards. That's from a warmup and progressing up to 40 yards and then back down. "They're decent (throws)," he said. "I'm not out there gunning these things. To throw the ball 40 yards, you have to be throwing." He estimates he's throwing anywhere from 60 to 80 passes during a session.
--The forearm hasn't been a problem. (Because of overzealous work in the weight room last season, Smith forearm developed tendinitis and it bothered him as much as his shoulder.)
--There is no difference in his throwing motion, he said. "There's definitely not a lot of the clicking and different things that were going on before," he said. "From having surgery and being in the sling, the main thing was to work out that tightness. I'm still tight in some areas, so I have to loosen that back up."
--New O.C. Mike Martz has not work with Smith on his throwing mechanics, but he has worked with Smith in meetings and on his drops.
--As far as learning the system: "It's still early, but it's definitely started." Coaches were off this week, but the week prior, they worked on some things. It's started with QB coach Ted Tollner and coach Martz - "at least the initiation of installing all of this stuff. And what's going to be expected of us and what to expect. We're in that installation phase right now."
--Smith said he is excited about the chance to work with Martz as his offensive coordinator. After all, Martz is "a guy who understands quarterbacks and the fundamentals of the position. To pick his brain, gain that knowledge, and have him coach us is a big opportunity."
--Is this a make-or-break year for Smith? "It's definitely important, absolutely, without a doubt," Smith said. "Especially for me, coming off last year and really looking forward to this year and trying to put everything into it. Every year is a big year. But this one, because it's the only one in front of me, is the biggest."