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San Francisco 49ers News

NFL expands Thursday schedule
February 4
New York Post
 
"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"
49ers' stars could get more TV time on NFL award show
February 3
Sacramento Bee
 
"The NFL is trading in shoulder pads and chin straps for tuxedos and cummerbunds Saturday night. It used to be that the league's biggest awards were announced in news releases. This year, however, the NFL has gone Hollywood with an Oscars-like awards show. Alec Baldwin – whose "30 Rock" character was disappointed to learn he owned the Buffalo Bills in one episode – will host. The show will be taped Saturday night in Indianapolis and will air from 9 to 11 p.m. simultaneously on NBC and the NFL Network. Several 49ers, including quarterback Alex Smith, linebackers NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis, and tight end Vernon Davis are expected to attend. The seven awards, chosen by the"
NFL owners approve $200 million loan for 49ers stadium
February 3
San Jose Mercury News
 
"NFL owners used Super Bowl week to hand the 49ers the next best thing to a championship: $200 million in financial backing to help pay for the team's stadium in Santa Clara. By approving one of the largest contributions to a new stadium in NFL history, the league's owners on Thursday provided the long-awaited final piece of financing for the $1 billion project. 49ers owner Jed York revealed the deal in a tweet just after the NFL owners' vote during a meeting in Indianapolis, the city hosting the Super Bowl. The NFL already indicated last year that a 68,500-seat stadium in Santa Clara would be a strong candidate to lure a Super Bowl to the Bay Area."
Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams
February 3
CBSSports.com
 
"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."
NFL will help 49ers pay for new stadium in Santa Clara
February 2
NFL.com
 
"The NFL has approved a decision to loan $200 million to the San Francisco 49ers to help finance a new stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., where the team's headquarters are located. Team president and CEO Jed York said the construction timeline -- which was part of the proposal to the NFL -- projects that the stadium will be built by 2015, but added that the stadium could be done by 2014. I asked York if there are any plans to share the stadium with the Oakland Raiders. He said the stadium has been approved to house two teams but the 49ers are the only team going in for now. York also said the 49ers will get in on bidding for a Super Bowl."
49ers sign two more to reserve/future contracts
February 1
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers signed offensive tackle Kenny Wiggins and guard Garrett Chisolm and to reserve/future contracts today. Wiggins (6-6, 314), 23, was released by the 49ers following training camp and ended the season on the Ravens' practice squad. A native of Elk Grove, Wiggins was a two-time all-WAC selection at Fresno State. Chisolm (6-6, 299), 23, was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent and spent the season on the practice squads of the Dolphins, Panthers and Ravens. He earned second-team all-SEC honors at South Carolina in 2010."
49ers' primary concern: free agents Rogers, Goldson
January 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"On the first day of their offseason, 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown and safety Donte Whitner were already looking ahead to next season. Less than 24 hours removed from playing, they were pitching. Both players were lobbying for their partners in the secondary to return to San Francisco in 2012. Asked about his fellow cornerback, impending free agent Carlos Rogers, Brown said, "He's a tremendous player, a tremendous competitor and a tremendous teammate. I would love to play with him next year. We have a great thing going here. We have a special team.""
Jim Harbaugh ready to tee off at Pebble Beach
January 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Now we know why Jim Harbaugh made all those nautical references at the end of the 49ers' season. He kept up the theme even after the loss to the Giants in the rain. The head coach was prepping for his rounds at the often soggy AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament the week after the Super Bowl. Harbaugh's professional partner won't be officially announced until today, but a quasi-Stanford reunion has been ruled out. Tiger Woods, honorary captain of Harbaugh's Cardinal team at the 2009 Big Game, is matched with Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who handed the 49ers their first loss under Harbaugh."
Santa Clara says voters can't rescind 49ers deal
January 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The California Constitution says all political power "is inherent in the people," laying the foundation for the voters' near-absolute right to make or unmake laws at the ballot box. But that right might not apply to opponents of an $850 million city loan for a proposed Santa Clara stadium for the 49ers. A group called Santa Clara Plays Fair has submitted 5,500 signatures on each of two referendum petitions challenging the City Council's development and financing plans for the stadium, apparently more than enough to qualify for the ballot. Last week, however, the council voted 5-2 to discard the petitions on the grounds that its actions were immune from referendum. The legal rationale,"
Smith was swerving before his DUI arrest
January 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"Aldon Smith was observed swerving in and out of lanes on the MacArthur Causeway in Miami Beach before being pulled over at 4:33 a.m. Saturday, a police spokesman said. Smith was taken to the Miami Beach Police Station where he was given two beathalyzer tests to determine his blood-alcohol level. The first was .194. The second was .176. The legal limit in Florida is .08. According to the police report, other drivers had to brake abruptly to avoid hitting the red Mercedes Benz Smith, 22, was driving as he left the City of Miami Beach on the causeway. The officer who wrote the report said he turned on his emergency lights but Smith did not repond. The officer then turned on his sirens, at"
Ex-49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo deserves to be in Hall of Fame
January 30
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"Eddie DeBartolo has plans for Saturday. He will be in Florida, near his home, attending his 8-year-old grandson's flag-football game. Between plays, he would be advised not to turn off his cell phone. Hundreds of miles away, in an Indianapolis meeting room on Super Bowl eve, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's selection committee will meet to decide this year's inductee class. DeBartolo, the former 49ers owner, is one of the 15 finalists. From that list, a minimum of four and a maximum of seven will be chosen and announced that evening. "When that list of 15 finalists came out, I was totally humbled," DeBartolo said Sunday by telephone. "I sat down with my wife and just thought of all those"
Sign Peyton Manning? Heck no
January 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Kevin Lynch
"Sports editor Al Saracevic did a fine job outlining the potential pratfalls and positives of the 49ers signing Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. After perusing the pro and con and adding a few more cons, it's clear that signing a 36-year-old with a severe neck injury to a team that doesn't pass protect well is a bad idea and here are the reasons why. 1. BAD ASSUMPTION: In assessing Manning-as-Niner perspectives, the assumption is Manning will pick up right where he left off in 2010 as an intelligent sharp shooter capable of throwing 30 touchdown passes a year. But can we automatically assume Manning will have the same strength as before, and at 36, he will likely be more immobile than"
49ers defensive rookie of year hopeful Aldon Smith arrested in Miami DUI case
January 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"Aldon Smith, the 49ers' first-round draft pick and a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Miami Beach early Saturday morning. According to a Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitations spokeswoman, Smith was arrested at 4:33 a.m. and was booked into the county jail at 9:18 a.m. He posted a $1,000 cash bond and was released at 12:42 p.m. A Miami Beach police spokesman was not able to provide any information about the arrest. Smith, 22, led all rookies during the regular season with 14 sacks, and he added two more in the playoffs. He set a rookie franchise record for sacks in a season and came within a half-sack of"
49ers may have to work on a new formula for 2012
January 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers relied on a simple formula in 2011: A heaping of takeaways + an excellent defense + a cautious offense = wins. The equation was sound throughout the season and took the 49ers to within a step of the Super Bowl. But in the NFC Championship Game, the formula failed. The 49ers nailed the defensive part of it – Justin Smith and company were relentless as the game went on and frustrated New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning into a ho-hum 74 passer rating after halftime. The offense played to form, too, committing no turnovers, taking the lead in the third quarter and then tying the score with David Akers' field goal in the fourth. It was the takeaway portion that didn't come"
49ers' Aldon Smith arrested on DUI charges
January 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"49ers rookie standout Aldon Smith was arrested Friday night in Miami Beach, Fla. and charged with driving under the influence. The 23-year-old Smith, who who nearly broke the NFL record for sacks as a rookie, was booked into jail by Miami Beach Police at 9:32 a.m. EST Saturday morning, according to various reports. Smith's bond was set for $1,000 and he is expected to make an appearance in court on Sunday."
Peyton Manning as 49er makes sense, but not enough
January 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Al Saracevic
"Peyton Manning in red and gold? It's not as crazy as it sounds. The talk shows have been buzzing for weeks, if not months, saying the longtime Indianapolis Colts star is looking for a new helmet next season. And the future Hall of Famer has done little to dispel the rumors. This past week, he complained publicly about seeing the Colts clean out the coaching staff and front office, and he then went on to say it wasn't a good environment for healing the injured neck that kept him out all season. By the end of the week, Manning and his owner, Jim Irsay, made a public show of making up, saying they would do what's best for the team. But it's clear the quarterback's not happy. With Stanford's"
49ers' primary concern: free agents Rogers, Goldson
January 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"On the first day of their offseason, 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown and safety Donte Whitner were already looking ahead to next season. Less than 24 hours removed from playing, they were pitching. Both players were lobbying for their partners in the secondary to return to San Francisco in 2012. Asked about his fellow cornerback, impending free agent Carlos Rogers, Brown said, "He's a tremendous player, a tremendous competitor and a tremendous teammate. I would love to play with him next year. We have a great thing going here. We have a special team." Similarly, Whitner made a pitch for safety Dashon Goldson to re-sign when he becomes a free agent on March 13: "We have real good chemistry"
49ers' star rookie Aldon Smith accused of DUI
January 29
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Rookie defensive end Aldon Smith of the 49ers was arrested and booked into jail on DUI charges Saturday morning in Miami. According to various reports, Smith, 22, was booked into jail at 9:32 a.m. EST and released on $1,000 bond. The 49ers released a statement saying they were aware of Smith's arrest: "We take these issues very seriously, but will reserve further comment at this time, as this is an ongoing legal matter. The 49ers will continue to gather the facts and monitor the developments closely.""
49ers' Aldon Smith charged with DUI
January 28
ESPN.com
 
"San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested and charged with DUI early Saturday morning in Miami. According to a police news release, Miami Beach Police arrested and booked the standout rookie into jail at 9:32 a.m. ET Saturday."
7-year-old 49ers fan commiserates with receiver
January 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"On Sunday night, as some 49ers fans fired off death threats to Kyle Williams on Twitter, 7-year-old Owen Shure of Los Angeles began his own correspondence to San Francisco's wide receiver. Instead of anger, though, Owen's words were filled with empathy. "Dear Mr. Williams," the first-grader began writing through tear-filled eyes to the goat of the NFC Championship Game, "We just watched the Playoff game. I feel really bad for you but I wanted to tell you that you had a great season. you sould be very proud, so I wanted to say thank you." Those words were in stark contrast to the hate-filled messages Williams received after his two fumbles led to the Giants' final 10 points in their 20-17"
49ers to target receivers as area for improvement
January 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"It appears the 49ers might have missed a spot in their extreme makeover this season. And that area was impossible to miss for those paying attention during the postseason. In two games, the 49ers wide receivers managed eight catches for 51 yards and one touchdown. In their 20-17 overtime loss to New York in the NFC Championship Game, Michael Crabtree's 3-yard catch was the only reception by a wideout. Much has changed in San Francisco, which had its first wining season and postseason victory in nine years. But the lack of production from wide receivers remains the same. The Niners and Bears are the only teams without a 1,000-yard wide receiver since 2003. It's a position San Francisco will"
Like the 49ers' year? Players say best yet to come
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Not long before the 49ers' memorable season ended, rookie fullback Bruce Miller recalled the forgettable way it began. On Aug. 12, the Niners visited the Saints in their preseason opener and Miller, a college defensive end who had never played fullback at any level, was completely lost. His primary problem? The seventh-round pick kept breaking the huddle without knowing the play call. "I was just so new to offense in general," Miller said. "Especially our play calls, they're pretty wordy and lengthy. So by the time I'd realized what the first part of it was, he'd already said the second part and I'd miss it every time. I was trying to keep up and I would skip over things.""
It's time for SF to say goodbye to the 49ers
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"We are still receiving complaints from fans who say it took over three hours to get to Candlestick Park for Sunday's 49ers playoff game. There would probably be more, but we hear some are still stuck in traffic. The gripes ran from simple outrage to deep, mysterious conspiracy theories. One reader seriously suggested that the whole logjam was orchestrated by the York family, to boost the owners' case for a new stadium in Santa Clara. Several people, including Planning Commissioner Mike Antonini, who wants to keep the team in San Francisco, thought there was something fishy about what he said was the lack of police officers to direct traffic. "At the Saints game (the previous Saturday), I"
Steve Young on title-game loss: 'You're there. Make it happen.'
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Before the 49ers' divisional-playoff game against the Saints, Jim Harbaugh told his team about walking off the field at Three Rivers Stadium after the Colts lost in the 1996 AFC Championship Game. We'll be back, Harbaugh thought. As it turned out, it was as close as Harbaugh ever came to reaching the Super Bowl as a player. Sixteen years later, Harbaugh's message to the Niners was clear: Don't assume you'll have other chances after this season."
49ERS' Donte Whitner to attend San Jose State
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Through his Twitter account, safety Donte Whitner revealed today that he will go from studying spread offenses to spreadsheets. Whitner, the 49ers starting strong safety, is going back to school. Tomorrow. "I'm going bk to school…any of my followers attend SJSU?" Whitner tweeted on Wednesday. Whitner received plenty of responses for help showing him around campus and with assistance locating the registration office. Whitner also wants to find a fraternity, but no word yet on whether he's found a place to pledge."
49ers' Rogers, Goldson will miss Pro Bowl
January 25
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Cornerback Carlos Rogers and safety Dashon Goldson, two of the 49ers' pending free agents, won't play in Sunday's Pro Bowl because of injuries, the team announced Tuesday. Rogers (knee) and Goldson (ankle) played through late-season injuries en route to their first Pro Bowl selections. The 49ers had a league-high nine players chosen to the Pro Bowl, including Monday's invitation to long snapper Brian Jennings from the NFC staff that is coached by the Green Bay Packers."
Should 49ers go after DeSean Jackson?
January 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Assorted thoughts on the NFL during the interminable wait for the Super Bowl: – Everyone agrees that the 49ers' biggest need is at wide receiver, and DeSean Jackson's name stands out like a searchlight on the free-agent list. The question is whether Jim Harbaugh would take a chance on somebody whose attitude totally contradicts the 49ers' cohesive nature. If you're talking about the five most talented receivers in the game, Jackson has to be on that list, right up there with Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson and the rest. Jackson has scored some of the league's most electrifying touchdowns over his four-year career with the Eagles, and he's the very epitome of a reliable deep threat –"
49ers' Brad Seely to interview for Colts' job
January 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"In hailing Brad Seely's ability this season, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the 23-year NFL veteran was head-coaching material. Evidently, the Indianapolis Colts agree. Seely, who carries the dual title of San Francisco's special-teams coordinator and assistant head coach, will interview for the Colts' head-coaching position, Fox Sports reported Tuesday. Seely will interview today for the job, which became available when Indianapolis fired Jim Caldwell after its 2-14 season."
49ers long-snapper Brian Jennings in Pro Bowl
January 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Their season is over, but the 49ers are still setting franchise records. The team announced Tuesday that long-snapper Brian Jennings was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as a need player by the Packers' coaching staff. The addition of Jennings gives San Francisco seven players selected as starters in the game, breaking the franchise record of six set in 1971. Including reserves, San Francisco has nine players who earned Pro Bowl honors, the most since the team sent 1o players following the 1995 season."
Santa Clara petitions renew 49er stadium battle
January 25
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The battle over a new stadium for the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara seems headed to court – and, possibly, back to the ballot – after the Santa Clara City Council rejected petitions calling for a referendum to overturn an $850 million loan to the team. The council, acting as the Stadium Authority, voted 5-2 late Tuesday night to ignore the petitions, as recommended by its city attorney. The vote also gave him permission to go to court to prevent the referendum. A grassroots group sought to have the council rescind its December decision to make the team a loan to help finance a $1 billion, 68,500-seat stadium for the 49ers, or put the measure before voters."
Harbaugh gets in touch with his inner child
January 24
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
 columnist Lowell Cohn
"My working hypothesis is that Jim Harbaugh is 11 years old. Sure, he's been on Earth almost half a century, but deep inside he is 11. This is no putdown of Harbaugh. I am extremely fond of 11-year-olds. I myself reached my peak at 11 and it's been downhill ever since. On Monday, Harbaugh held his season wrap-up news conference and it was revealing in ways Harbaugh probably doesn't understand. Near the end of the session, the Chronicle's Eric Branch, who used to work for The Press Democrat, asked an easy-to-answer human-interest question. "How did you spend your time after the game? What did you do last night?" Harbaugh shot Branch a look as if Branch had asked about Harbaugh's sex life."
49ers' Williams accepts blame
January 24
Sacramento Bee
 
"Kyle Williams isn't holed up underground. He's not sobbing in a dark room, the curtains cinched tight. He's not cowering over death threats he received on Twitter. Instead, Williams on Monday was standing in front of his 49ers locker, answering questions about the muffs heard 'round the football world a day earlier. "You have to take full responsibility for it, which I do," he said while encircled by microphones and television cameras. "It's something I made a mistake on. I'll move through it. I promise you that.""
Expect San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh to continue aggressive approach
January 24
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"Jim Harbaugh was not over the defeat. That was as plain as the khaki pants he wears to every Monday media session. Harbaugh was not eager to revisit the NFC title game loss to the New York Giants. Harbaugh cited a quote from Sir Andrew Barton about bravely rising to fight again, but he conceded to looking back at the 20-17 overtime loss and revisiting various plays or choices. "I think we're all going through that right now, to where we look at ourselves, look at yourself in the mirror," Harbaugh said. "What could you have done differently? Wishing you had done the other because you know the way the decision worked out.""
Wide receiver the one glaring weakness for San Francisco 49ers
January 24
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"One catch in the NFC Championship game, and it sure wasn't "The Catch." How in the world, in the 49ers' largest game in multiple generations, could their wide receivers combine for only a single reception, for 3 yards? "I think there's a lot of reasons," coach Jim Harbaugh said tersely Monday. "I'm not going to turn this press conference into a personnel meeting." This, of course, was not a surprising response from Harbaugh less than 24 hours after the 49ers' emotion-draining 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants. If Harbaugh has uttered anything directly negative about a 49ers player or position group during his time as coach, I've missed it. No, this was not the time he was going to"
49ers' Kyle Williams stands tall amid criticisms
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"A day after mishandling two punt returns, 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams handled the disturbing fallout from his season-killing fumbles in the NFC Championship Game flawlessly. Williams received death threats via Twitter in the hours after his fumbles in the fourth quarter and overtime led to the Giants' final 10 points in their 20-17 overtime win Sunday night at Candlestick Park. On Monday morning, as he met with reporters for the second time in 16 hours, Williams, 23, said he wasn't aware of the vitriolic postings on Twitter and had leaned on teammates, friends and family for support. He repeatedly expressed his desire to be accountable for the mistakes that might have cost the Niners"
Sifting through Sunday's ashes
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"We love to slap titles on amazing 49ers moments, so let's name the day after Sunday's game Hangover Monday. The party was great, but the next day brought headache, regret and a bill for the crystal goblets you tried to juggle. You have memories that will live forever – in the good way and the bad way. Vernon Davis, who played a big part in making this season the team's greatest party in more than a decade, contributed to the hangover."
Picking through aftermath of 49ers' difficult loss
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"A collection of observations and player/coach comments after the 49ers' final game of their finest season in 14 years: — Jim Harbaugh has been rather wily in criticizing officials this season. The coach tends to dissect their shortcomings in a way that seems more clinical than whiny. On Monday, while reviewing the 49ers' overtime loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game, Harbaugh compared the decision not to call a fumble on Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw to the infamous tuck rule call in the Raiders-Patriots playoff 10 years ago. The officials ruled that Bradshaw's forward progress had stopped before the 49ers stripped the ball from him, negating the possibility of a fumble."
Ejections at Sunday's playoff game nearly doubled
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"San Francisco police ejected nearly twice as many fans from Candlestick Park on Sunday as during the 49ers' previous playoff game and arrested 29 people, including a man – accompanied by his 2-year-old son – who threatened an officer, police said Monday. Officers threw out 110 people during the NFC Championship Game between the 49ers and New York Giants, compared with 57 during the Jan. 14 divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, said Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a police spokesman."
Alex Smith says he wants to stay with 49ers
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After enjoying a career-best year under the first offensive-minded head coach of his career, it seems unlikely that 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will test the market when he becomes a free agent March 13. On Monday, Smith did nothing to dispel the belief that he'll back for an eighth season in San Francisco, and his second with coach Jim Harbaugh. "At this point I love it here," Smith said. "Love what's going on. Love this team and coaching staff, everything about it. So no question I'd love to stay here." Smith indicated he'd prefer to not have contract negotiations drag on too long. "I think sooner rather than later, no question," he said."
Akers on Kyle Williams: 'I'm irritated with the way people are treating him'
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Niners placekicker David Akers knows what Kyle Williams is going through about the second-year wideout fumbled two punts in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Last year, Akers missed field goals of 34 and 41 yards in a 21-16 divisional-playoff loss to the Packers. Akers took plenty of abuse from Eagles fans and didn't even get much support from his own coach after that game. Said Philadelphia coach Andy Reid: "We can all count. Those points would have helped." One year later, Akers is disgusted by the reaction of some Niners fans who have sent Williams death threats via Twitter since Sunday night's game. Wrote Akers on Twitter this morning: "I"
Alex Smith: 'I'd love to stay here'
January 23
CSN Bay Area
 
"Quarterback Alex Smith has a contract that's set to expire in March, but he figures something with the 49ers should get done prior to that. "I'm not in a crazy rush, at this point, as far as today or tomorrow," Smith said on Monday, the day after the 49ers' season-ending 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. "We can take our time a little bit. I think they have until March 13th or something when the contract's up. But I think sooner than that, maybe.""
Kyle Williams threatened after game
January 23
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams questioned the "culture of sports" after his son Kyle received death threats on social media outlets following Sunday's NFC Championship Game. Williams' son is the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and kick returner who made two glaring miscues late in Sunday's game that helped the New York Giants advance to the Super Bowl. Kenny Williams also said that his son was playing with an injured left shoulder Sunday, an injury that happened in the third quarter. Kenny Williams added that his family does not make excuses and did not blame his son's miscues on the injury. Injury or not, some people were apparently outraged enough to wish harm to Kyle"
Williams' two gaffes on punt returns doom 49ers
January 23
Sacramento Bee
 
"Kyle Williams' name now belongs to a list that includes Preston Riley, Trey Junkin, Billy Cundiff and every other NFL player whose fumble, botched snap or missed kick has cost his team a playoff victory. Williams, substituting for the injured Ted Ginn on Sunday, muffed one punt return in the fourth quarter that led to a Giants touchdown and then, on a play that will go down in 49ers playoff lore, fumbled away another in overtime deep in 49ers territory. The Giants quickly converted the mistake into a 31-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes. And with that, a Candlestick Park crowd practically willing its team to the Super Bowl went silent and the 49ers' improbable season was over."
Williams' participation was as unexpected as 49ers' season
January 23
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"The 49ers weren't expected to be here in the first place – in this wet and wild NFC Championship Game – and neither was Kyle Williams. The second-year wideout. A former Major League Baseball draft pick. If Ted Ginn isn't sidelined by a knee injury for Sunday's overtime loss to the visiting New York Giants? An injury sustained a week ago in the 49ers' first postseason victory in almost a decade?"
49ers fumble away Super Bowl
January 23
Sacramento Bee
 
"Human error. It caused the 49ers to fall short of a cherished goal of playing in the Super Bowl. It dashed the hopes of a capacity crowd at Candlestick Park on Sunday, as the 49ers lost 20-17 in a breathless, rain-soaked overtime thriller to the New York Giants in the NFC title game. Kyle Williams, the 49ers' backup punt return specialist, fumbled a kick deep on his team's side of the field, opening the door for the Giants to kick a 31-yard field goal to end it. Williams, only 23 and a second-year player from Arizona State, had already made a critical error earlier in the game."
49ers drop ball as Giants win NFC title game 20-17
January 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"With history within their grasp, the 49ers, a historically mistake-free team, fumbled away their chance to reach their first Super Bowl in 17 years. Thanks to two fumbled punt returns by Kyle Williams – one in the fourth quarter and the other in overtime – the Giants beat the Niners 20-17 in a rain-soaked NFC Championship Game on Sunday at Candlestick Park. Subbing for the injured Ted Ginn Jr., Williams, who had six career punt returns entering the game, was stripped by New York's Jacquian Williams on a return just over five minutes into overtime. The Giants recovered at San Francisco's 24-yard line, and less than three minutes later, New York's Lawrence Tynes drilled a 31-yard field goal"
49ers' season just shy of super
January 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The disappointment of Sunday's overtime loss to the New York Giants cannot eclipse the thrills and wonder of the San Francisco 49ers' remarkable run this season. Only the most delusional of fans could have imagined before the season that rookie coach Jim Harbaugh could take this team – with Alex Smith at quarterback, no less – to the brink of the Super Bowl. Yet he did. This was a team in Harbaugh's image: tough, fiery and disciplined at avoiding errors. On Sunday, San Francisco went toe-to-toe with a New York team that was also on a mission – until the 49ers' chances slipped away with an overtime fumble."
Hard to enjoy glorious season amid letdown
January 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"There is glory in being part of the resurrection of a dog-dead franchise in one excellent season – zero to 60 in 18 games. There is glory in being the surprise team of the NFL, and in fighting your way to the NFC Championship Game. There is glory in earning – the hard way – the reputation as the baddest men in pads. When was the last time you heard that said about a 49ers team? And there is glory in fighting to the final play in overtime in the who-goes-to-the-Super Bowl game, before losing to the Giants 20-17. The 49ers didn't fade out, or get to the conference-title game and wilt under the spotlight. In baseball lingo, they didn't get cheated out of their swings."
Loss won't define 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh
January 23
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After the last ball had been snapped and the last kick had been kicked, the 49ers' head coach strode swiftly across the field to shake hands with his counterpart. There was no incident this time. No exuberant back slapping, or ridiculous scuffling. Jim Harbaugh and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin shook hands briefly, spoke for a moment, and Harbaugh walked off the field at Candlestick Park on Sunday as quickly as he could. Just like that, a brilliant season for a rookie head coach had come to an end, with an overtime loss in the NFC Championship. Just like that, Harbaugh's magic carpet ride came floating back to earth."