San Francisco 49ers News

Free-agent guard Chester Pitts leaves Lions visit, heads to San Francisco next
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March 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Free-agent guard Chester Pitts left Detroit today after having what was described as a good visit Wednesday with Lions coach Jim Schwartz and other team officials. Pitts was scheduled to fly to Santa Clara, Calif., tonight to meet with the 49ers at their headquarters. While Pitts is scheduled to meet with several members of the 49ers' brass, the situation there is fluid, with general manager Scot McCloughan reportedly out the door."
McCloughan out as GM of 49ers?
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March 19
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"According to multiple reports by Bay Area media outlets, the San Francisco 49ers might replace Scot McCloughan as their general manager. The timing of the move would be unusual, just over a month before an NFL draft in which the 49ers have two first-round picks, and full details of the deliberations between McCloughan and the team's upper management are not clear. But, as first reported by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and confirmed in reports by other media outlets, McCloughan met Wednesday with members of the club's upper management and files later were relocated from his office."
49ers, GM Scot McCloughan Part Ways
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March 18
AOL.com
 
"The San Francisco 49ers are cutting ties with their general manager, Scot McCloughan, over what has been described as a "personal matter" not related to team issues. Reached Thursday morning, McCloughan told FanHouse via text message, "I'm fine and moving forward." He would not elaborate further. Team president/CEO Jed York told FanHouse that he did not want to comment on McCloughan's status with the franchise at this time. However, multiple NFL sources confirmed that McCloughan is no longer with the organization because of longstanding personal issues. "It was by mutual agreement," a source said of the decision that followed a closed-door meeting on Wednesday between McCloughan, York and ..."
Sources: McCloughan considering stepping down as GM of Niners
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March 18
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
 
"Scot McCloughan is considering stepping down as 49ers general manager, sources told The Press Democrat this evening. The shocking development to the organization's top football executive takes place just five weeks before the NFL Draft, in which the 49ers own two first-round draft picks. The reasons McCloughan is contemplating resigning were not immediately known. McCloughan did not return numerous phone and text messages seeking comment. Team owner John York and president/CEO Jed York were also alerted over a period of nearly three hours and given ample opportunity to comment for this report. McCloughan met Wednesday behind closed doors with the 49ers' upper management at the 49ers' team ..."
Paymah signing brings more depth to secondary
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March 18
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers announced linebacker Patrick Willis recently got his knee fixed. Soon after, the team announced it had helped shore up its thin secondary. The Niners signed free-agent cornerback Karl Paymah to a one-year deal to provide depth at cornerback. But going back to the All-Pro matter, Willis had a "successful bursectomy on his right knee," according to a team release. The procedure, which removed a bursa sac in his knee, was performed in Redwood City. Willis' knee was irritated by fluid, enough so that he sat out the Pro Bowl, but there was no infection or structural damage, according to a team spokesman. Barring an unforeseen complication, Willis will be fine in plenty of time for the ..."
Former Viking Paymah signs on for warmer days
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March 18
Sacramento Bee
 
"After playing four years in Denver, cornerback Karl Paymah thought he could handle a Minnesota winter. To hear Paymah tell it now, he might as well have been in Siberia. "One day I got stuck outside my house for 10 minutes," he said Wednesday. "I thought I was going to die." The experience sent the Culver City native searching for a warmer home city this offseason, and on Wednesday the former Viking agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers. Paymah didn't even need to visit. He met with team officials last year during the free-agency period, and this time a deal was made over the phone. Paymah, 27, seems to have the size - 6-foot, 195 pounds - the 49ers like in a cornerback. He anticipated ..."
Carr eager to show he can start
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March 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers officially signed quarterback David Carr on Monday so he can compete with Alex Smith for the starting job. OK, the Niners didn't tell him that in so many words, but Carr plans to take the unspoken inference and run with it. "Specifically, those words haven't been said," Carr said when asked if the 49ers promised an open race. "But they have said that competition is what they love around here. The thing that I wanted to hear was I'll have a chance to be on the field if I play the way I know I can play, and they said yes. "That's all I needed to hear." To be sure, the job is considered Smith's to lose. Head coach Mike Singletary said as much last month at the NFL combine. Shaun ..."
Former starting QB Hill traded to Lions
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March 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Quarterback Shaun Hill went from odd man out to simply shipped out Sunday. The 49ers traded last season's opening-day starter to the Lions for a seventh-round draft pick. The trade becomes official today when new backup quarterback David Carr arrives to work with a signed contract, according to multiple reports. The 49ers and Carr agreed in principle to a two-year contract last weekend but Carr was out of the country on vacation. A source close to Carr expects him to arrive Monday for the first day of voluntary offseason workouts at team headquarters with his signed contract in hand. In Detroit, Hill will take the same role he had when he came to San Francisco in 2006 - backup to a former ..."
49ers feed Hill to Lions
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March 15
Sacramento Bee
 
"Squeezed out of San Francisco, quarterback Shaun Hill will be throwing passes for the Detroit Lions in 2010. The 49ers have agreed to trade Hill to the Lions for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Hill, who began last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback, became expendable when the team acquired David Carr at the start of free agency. Hill had been given permission to shop himself around to other teams late last week. Carr has agreed to terms on a two-year deal and is expected to turn in his signed contract today. That, plus Hill passing a physical in Detroit, will make the trade official. Although Hill was 10-6 in games he started ..."
Lions trade for 49ers QB Shaun Hill
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March 15
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday his team was in no hurry to find a quarterback to back up Matthew Stafford. But the Sacramento Bee reported the Lions pulled the trigger on a trade with the 49ers that will send quarterback Shaun Hill to Detroit for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011. Hill, 30, who is due to make $1.5 million next season, became expendable when the 49ers signed free agent David Carr, a former No. 1 pick. He will compete with fourth-year quarterback Drew Stanton for the Lions backup job behind Stafford. Hill has won 10 games in 16 starts for the 49ers over the last three years. He threw for 2,056 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games in 2008. He played in six games (all ..."
Lions acquire QB Shaun Hill from 49ers
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March 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions have acquired quarterback Shaun Hill from the San Francisco 49ers for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee. Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan coached Hill, 30, for three seasons in Minnesota."
Niners-Lions make a deal for Shaun Hill
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March 14
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers have agreed to trade quarterback Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011, according to a league source. Hill, who was 10-6 as the 49ers starter, finished the season behind Alex Smith on the depth chart."
Marketing expert: 49ers have sold seats on 'the cheap' for years
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March 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"A sports marketing expert says Californians, of all people, ought to understand the economics behind the 49ers' ticket-price increases. "Preferred seats are like cherished real estate," said David Carter, the executive director of the USC Marshall School of Business. Carter said the price hike appears to have been implemented with a potential new stadium in mind. A new facility on the horizon gives the 49ers a chance to correct some longtime imbalances at Candlestick Park. "The reality is that some of these fans have had premier seats on the cheap for a long time," Carter said. "That's a very cynical way to say it. But can a fan really be mad that they've had their seats under market value ..."
49ers: Ticket concerns heat up yet again
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March 13
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Upon learning about the 49ers season-ticket holders who face a 50 percent price increase, Jon Olson had an unusual reaction: jealousy. Olson is one a handful of fans facing a far more dramatic hike — 315 percent — because the 49ers have redefined his seating section as a high-rent district at Candlestick Park. Tickets that cost $71 per game a year ago will cost $295 for 2010. Known previously as field-box seats, they are now club seats that offer fans an all-access ticket that includes a pre-game field pass as well as food, drinks, premier parking and even leather-padded cushioning. Jamie Brandt, the 49ers' director for ticketing, said that club-level seats were created as a way of ..."
49ers give permission to Hill to seek trade
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March 12
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
 
"The 49ers have given backup quarterback Shaun Hill permission to seek a trade, said a source late Thursday, just days after the club reached a contract agreement with free-agent David Carr to take Hill's place on the depth chart. Hill does not appear to fit into the 49ers' plans after the club agreed to terms with Carr on a two-year, $6.25 million contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus. The 49ers now appear set with Carr, Alex Smith and Nate Davis as their three quarterbacks. The source said the 49ers might be waiting on the return of Carr's signed contract before making any move with Hill. In giving Hill permission to seek a trade, he is allowed to speak with teams around the ..."
49ers take look at Anthony Becht
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March 11
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Veteran tight end Anthony Becht visited the 49ers facility Tuesday as he considered changing uniforms again in the NFC West. The free agent played for the Arizona Cardinals last year and spent the season before that with the St. Louis Rams. Now, the 49ers are in the mix for his blocking services, along with the Raiders and Cardinals. After meeting with coach Mike Singletary, Becht said of the 49ers: "They're definitely up and coming and taking the proper steps to getting their team where it needs to be. I think that they're going to have success." At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Becht is as big as some offensive linemen. The 10-year pro has made his career helping to pave the way for players such ..."
49ers take look at Anthony Becht
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March 10
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Veteran tight end Anthony Becht visited the 49ers facility Tuesday as he considered changing uniforms again in the NFC West. The free agent played for the Arizona Cardinals last year and spent the season before that with the St. Louis Rams. Now, the 49ers are in the mix for his blocking services, along with the Raiders and Cardinals. After meeting with coach Mike Singletary, Becht said of the 49ers: "They're definitely up and coming and taking the proper steps to getting their team where it needs to be. I think that they're going to have success." At 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, Becht is as big as some offensive linemen. The 10-year pro has made his career helping to pave the way for players such ..."
Yeah , David Carr - that's the ticket
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March 8
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Ray Ratto
"It would be unfair to make the claim that the 49ers are raising ticket prices this coming season just to cover the cost of signing quarterback David Carr. And yet, it is also an opportunity not to be missed. After a day of seemingly meaningless jousting, the 49ers and Carr agreed to a deal Sunday that dooms Shaun Hill but in no other way makes San Francisco materially better. Now that he's signed, Carr becomes nothing more than the new Hill, only Alex Smith is an easier hurdle to clear than Eli Manning was for Carr last year. If what we hear about the 49ers not going whole hog for high-ticket talent in the uncapped year is true, Carr might end up being the team's biggest signing. All this ..."
QB Carr to sign 2-year contract
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March 8
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers will have a new backup quarterback in 2010 with David Carr agreeing to terms Sunday for what is believed to be a two-year deal, according to a source close to the Carr family. ESPN and the New York Daily News also confirmed that Carr agreed to terms with the 49ers. He is expected to sign the contract today. The move probably means the end of the line for Shaun Hill, who has gone 10-6 as a starter in four seasons with the 49ers. A team spokesman could not be reached Sunday night to confirm any moves."
Carr's arrival in S.F. spells trouble for Hill
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March 8
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers and quarterback David Carr agreed to terms on a two-year deal Sunday. Cue the ominous music for Shaun Hill. Carr's addition to the roster does not bode well for Hill, who began last season as the 49ers' starting quarterback but who was replaced by Alex Smith in Week 7. Carr, 30, spent the past two seasons as Eli Manning's top backup with the New York Giants and is expected to fill the same role with the 49ers. Hill, who boasts a 10-6 record as a starter for the 49ers, declined to comment when reached Sunday evening. He said he is considering his options. One of them would be to ask the 49ers for his release. There are several backup positions available around the league, but ..."
49ers agree to a deal with quarterback David Carr
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March 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"David Carr and the 49ers agreed to terms on a two-year deal Sunday night, and that's just fine with linebacker Patrick Willis. Willis, who had criticized the 49ers' interest in the veteran quarterback, extended an olive branch after hearing the news. "I heard that Carr signed. He is my teammate now. Which means I'm all in for the guy," Willis wrote on his Twitter account. "It's all about the team. Congrats and welcome aboard." An NFL source confirmed the contract agreement, which was first reported by the New York Daily News. Carr, 30, spent last season as Eli Manning's backup with the New York Giants. He joins the 49ers as a No. 2 quarterback capable of pushing starter Alex Smith during ..."
Carr comes and goes, but no contract, yet
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March 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"He came, he met, and he left without signing a contract. So much for David Carr's Saturday visit with the 49ers. The 30-year-old free-agent quarterback could still end up on San Francisco's roster as Alex Smith's backup, but if it's going to happen it will take longer than one visit. Carr, a Fresno State graduate and Bakersfield native, is looking for an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job after serving as a backup for the last three seasons with Carolina and the New York Giants. Since coach Mike Singletary likes competition at all positions, Carr seemingly would have a chance to push Smith for the starting job."
49ers talking to free agent Carr
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March 6
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"While Mike Singletary seems committed to Alex Smith as his starting quarterback in 2010, the 49ers coach has also said on several occasions that he is continually looking to upgrade the position overall. Thus, free agent David Carr, the first overall pick of the 2002 draft, was brought in for a meeting Friday night with another planned for today. He spent the last two seasons as Eli Manning's backup with the New York Giants.Carr might also visit the Arizona Cardinals. It could be a good fit for both Carr and the 49ers, but it might spell the end of Shaun Hill's career with the club, during which he went from 3 to 2 to 1 and back to 2 again in the course of two seasons. Hill played ..."
Report: 49ers to kick the tires on Carr
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March 6
San Jose Mercury News
 
"49ers confirm Carr's arrival. He's scheduled to address the media Saturday afternoon after his visit with team officials. The 49ers will consider adding another former No. 1 pick to their roster. Free agent David Carr is scheduled to the team's Santa Clara headquarters this weekend, according to this story in the Newark Star-Ledger. Carr, 30, was the No. 1 pick in the 2002 NFL draft. He spent last season backing up Eli Manning with the New York Giants. The last time Carr was a regular starter was in 2006, his final season with the Houston Texas."
49ers meeting with David Carr
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March 6
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Alex Smith might have to look out for a fellow No. 1. Free-agent quarterback David Carr, the top choice in the 2002 NFL draft, arrived at 49ers headquarters Friday night and will meet again with team officials today. Carr, 30, spent last season backing up New York Giants starter Eli Manning. He would also serve as an understudy with the 49ers, but one capable of pushing Smith for playing time. When asked about Smith's starting status during the recent NFL Combine, coach Mike Singletary left the door open a crack for another training camp battle. "I'm always going to use words like 'probably' because I like competition. I like guys knowing that they're always going to compete," Singletary ..."
Raiders, 49ers win at expense of division rivals
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March 6
Contra Costa Times
 
"Piece by piece, the Raiders and 49ers are inching closer to ending their seven-season playoff droughts. This is not a byproduct of their actions, however. This is thanks to their adversaries' backpedaling. The AFC West and NFC West are losing star power at an alarming rate, especially both defending division champions, the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. It's providing much-needed relief for the Raiders and 49ers. Fear not about the Raiders' and 49ers' lack of signings or trades at Thursday night's launch of free agency and the uncapped year. Their offseasons have been acceptable in almost all facets. Six months remain for our local yokels to make second-tier acquisitions via ..."
49ers visit with Carr; bad news for Hill?
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March 6
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers kicked off the free-agency period Friday by pursuing the most prominent quarterback in the 2002 NFL draft. David Carr, the No. 1 overall selection that year, was scheduled to fly into the Bay Area on Friday night and meet with team officials today. For the last two seasons, Carr, a Bakersfield native who played collegiately at Fresno State, has been a backup to New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, the first draft pick in 2004. If Carr lands with the 49ers, he'll likely be the top backup behind 2005's top pick, Alex Smith. Coach Mike Singletary gave Smith a vote of confidence at last week's combine. "I feel very good about saying that Alex Smith is our starter going into next ..."
Veteran wide receiver Battle to visit Steelers
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March 6
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Veteran wide receiver Arnaz Battle, an unrestricted free agent who played his entire NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, will visit the Steelers this weekend. The Steelers are apparently shopping for a new No. 4 receiver after experiencing little success there with Limas Sweed and Shaun McDonald in 2009. Battle, who has 178 career receptions for 2,150 yards and 11 touchdowns in seven seasons, also excels on special teams, which is another area the Steelers need to upgrade. New special teams coach Al Everest coached Battle in San Francisco."
Giants free agent quarterback David Carr to visit San Francisco 49ers, source says
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March 5
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The rumor leading up to free agency was that Giants free agent quarterback David Carr would draw interest from the Cardinals. Well, Arizona is certainly in play, but Carr will be headed elsewhere for his first visit. The former No. 1 overall pick, a Bakersfield, Calif. native, will fly to San Francisco to meet with the 49ers this weekend, according to someone informed of his travel plans. The person requested anonymity because neither Carr's camp nor the 49ers wanted the visit public. If he winds up with San Fran, Carr would be in direct competition with another top overall pick who's also had a disappointing start to his career: Alex Smith, who recently received a vote of confidence from ..."
Leinart will be one to watch
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March 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"In an NFL offseason packed with intrigue, one question stands taller than any other. It's not about the draft and the ultimate whereabouts of Tim Tebow. It's not about free agency and the ominous expiration of the salary cap. The biggest wild card in the NFL right now is Matt Leinart. We might get some disagreement from Philadelphia, where a quarterback glut and hyperventilated frustration over merely reaching five conference title games and one Super Bowl in the last decade has inflamed speculation about Donovan McNabb's future as an Eagle. Or maybe in Washington, where Mike Shanahan will take on the curse of Dan Snyder. But allowing for some very justifiable West Coast bias, Leinart's ..."
A forecast on what 49ers and Raiders will do in NFL draft
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March 4
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"Only 50 more shopping days until the 2010 NFL draft . . . From now until April 22, this will be a sprint, and you know how much Al Davis loves sprinters. That's why it's not too tough to ESP ourselves into the minds and motivations of Scot McCloughan's 49ers (who have pick Nos. 13 and 17) and Davis' Raiders (pick No. 8). Let's focus on three names: USC safety Taylor Mays is too big and too fast for the numbers-crazy Raiders to bypass; and Florida cornerback Joe Haden and Oklahoma tackle Trent Williams are perfect fits for the 49ers' blue-collar way of doing business. Could I be wrong? Of course. Could things change? Yep."
Some longtime fans fume after 49ers raise ticket prices
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March 3
San Jose Mercury News
 
"After evaluating every seat in the house, the 49ers revised their season-ticket prices for 2010. Overall, the changes look minimal: The average season ticket will cost $74 per game, up $3 from a year ago. Thousands of seats will cost the same or even less than they did in 2009. But some longtime loyalists are facing a price increase they say feels like a blindside hit. About 2,000 seats at Candlestick Park are now classified as Platinum areas, with the price jumping from $98 to $149 per game — a 52 percent increase. Those Platinum seats are in the lower-box near midfield, sections populated by swaths of fans whose season-ticket rights date to the days of old Kezar Stadium. "You've screwed ..."
49ers tender Brooks, Baas
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March 2
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) had six sacks for the 49ers last season, but when free agency begins, he is free to negotiate with other teams. The NFL is headed for an uncapped 2010 season, which means two 49ers free agents probably won't be heading anywhere. The Niners assigned contract tenders to two restricted free agents - inside linebacker Ahmad Brooks and left guard David Baas - on Monday. That means the only way either player signs elsewhere when free agency begins Thursday night is if the 49ers let them. When free agency begins, both players are free to negotiate with other teams if they have not yet signed the one-year contract tendered by the 49ers. If another team signs either ..."
Bradford found confidant in 49ers' Smith
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February 28
Sacramento Bee
 
"The potential No. 1 overall draft pick sought advice from 2005's top pick about the best way to come back from a shoulder separation. Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford said Saturday he talked with 49ers quarterback Alex Smith before deciding to have surgery on his throwing shoulder in late October. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews, the same surgeon who twice repaired Smith's shoulder. "From what I understand, it was pretty successful," Bradford said. "(Smith) just told me what to expect from the rehab standpoint, kind of what he went through when he went through the whole process, trying to decide if he should have surgery or not." Both players suffered Grade 3 ..."
Early answers from the combine
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February 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers' brass gave a joint State of the Union on Thursday, using opening day of the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis as their forum. General manager Scot McCloughan talked about the team's unofficial salary cap in an uncapped year. Head coach Mike Singletary re-named Alex Smith his starting quarterback. Here's what they had to say before resuming the business of timing 40s and weighing draft prospects. Who's the starting QB?Singletary: "I'm always going to use words like 'probably' because I like competition. I like guys knowing that they're always going to compete. But I feel very comfortable in saying Alex Smith is our starting quarterback going forward.""
49ers won't take Kurt Warner-less Arizona Cardinals lightly
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February 26
Arizona Republic
 
"Quarterback Kurt Warner's retirement ended an era for the Cardinals, but did it alter the balance of power in one of the NFL's worst divisions? With Warner starting, the Cardinals won the past two NFC West titles, but the next best team in the division, the 49ers, isn't clearing a place in the trophy case just because Warner is gone. "I think it is a grave mistake for us, as a football team, to think just because you take Kurt Warner out of the mix, it's our division," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said Thursday from the scouting combine. "The thing we have to do in San Francisco is to make sure that we are not looking at Seattle, we are not looking at what happened in Arizona. I don't care ..."
49ers eye offensive linemen at combine
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February 26
Sacramento Bee
 
"It was early in the 2009 NFL draft, and Mike Singletary was growing more and more excited as one of the draft's marquee players fell closer and closer to the 49ers, who had the No. 10 pick. That player wasn't wide receiver Michael Crabtree. It was offensive tackle Eugene Monroe. Monroe eventually was drafted eighth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. When the 49ers were on the clock and Crabtree still was available, Singletary continued to think about an offensive tackle. The team discussed taking Mississippi's Michael Oher before deciding on Crabtree, who had one of the highest marks on the team's draft board. "The X factor was Michael Crabtree," Singletary said Thursday on the opening ..."
Singletary says Smith will start at QB
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February 26
Sacramento Bee
 
"At his end-of-season news conference, 49ers coach Mike Singletary left the door ajar as far as finding a quarterback who could challenge Alex Smith for the starting job in 2010. "We're always trying to get better at that position," Singletary said Jan 4. "We're constantly evaluating." On Thursday, Singletary was more resolute in his support of Smith. "I feel very good about saying that Alex Smith is our starter going into next season," he said. Asked if that was a definitive statement that Smith will be the starter when the 2010 season begins, Singletary smiled and said, "If it'll stop you from asking again, yes." It's difficult to see the 49ers being bowled over by any quarterbacks at ..."
McNabb to 49ers? Singletary says no
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February 26
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The first day of the NFL combine kicked off as usual Thursday, with the standard amount of body poking, prodding and whatever other methods NFL officials use to measure the height and weight of college prospects. But an injection of truth serum to the NFL's head coaches and general managers here might help others read between the lines of their press conferences. Taken at his word, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary isn't interested in trading for Donovan McNabb. By the same token, though, new Bills coach Chan Gailey could be tempted to pull the trigger for Michael Vick. Of course, that's only if you're buying what they're selling. San Francisco is one of a half-dozen teams often linked to ..."
Singletary on Martz: 'Get your popcorn ready'
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February 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Mike Singletary fired Mike Martz in December of 2008, but the 49ers coach and Bears legend obviously still has respect for his former offensive coordinator. Singletary was asked Thursday for his thoughts on Martz taking the same position with the Bears. "Like Terrell Owens would say with 'Get your popcorn ready,' that's what you can get ready for with Mike Martz,'' Singletary told the Tribune at the NFL scouting combine. "He knows offense." Martz is known for his explosive offenses, and the Bears figure he should be able to work well with Jay Cutler. Before he was hired, Martz flew to Nashville to meet with the quarterback."
49ers put nonexclusive franchise tag on Aubrayo Franklin
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February 24
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The 49ers placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin on Tuesday and hope to lock him up with a long-term contract. The 49ers made the move before Thursday's deadline. Franklin will be allowed to negotiate with other teams when he becomes a free agent next month, but San Francisco can match any offer or receive two first-round picks as compensation. Franklin is guaranteed just more than $7 million next season with the tag, but the 49ers want to sign him to a longer contract. "Aubrayo has proved to be a valuable contributor to our defense, and we are looking forward to having him on our team going forward," general manager Scot McCloughan said. Franklin would have ..."
Owners, players both at fault in labor mess
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February 17
Houston Chronicle
 columnist John McClain
"At this time next year, expect the NFL to be in panic mode. The NFL Players Association and Management Council will be locked behind closed doors trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a lockout that would begin in March. There won't be a salary cap when free agency begins March 5 of this year. There's a good chance that in 2011, a season will be interrupted for the first time since the players strike in 1987. Locking out the players in March seems foolish because players don't get paid game checks until the season starts in September. Maybe I'm missing something, but the only ones who'll get hurt in March, April, May, June, July and August are the employees ..."
Report: Franklin would get tagged
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February 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"If they can't sign him to a long-term deal in the next week or so, the 49ers will designate nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin as a franchise player, ESPN reported Monday, citing unidentified NFL sources. Franklin, 29, is an unrestricted free agent after his third season with the 49ers. After injuries slowed him during his first two years with San Francisco, he trimmed down and then anchored a defense that allowed 97 yards rushing per game this past season, the franchise's best figure since 1997 (85.4). He also had the first interception of his seven-season career."
49ers poised to put franchise tag on Aubrayo Franklin
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February 16
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Barring a breakthrough in negotiations, the 49ers will use the franchise-tag designation on defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, according to a report Monday. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, citing league sources, said the 49ers are poised to use the tag on Franklin if no multiyear agreement is in place by the Feb. 25 deadline for the franchise designation. The price tag for franchised defensive tackles is $7 million for 2010. Franklin has long appeared headed for franchise-tag status. He acknowledged the possibility as he packed his belongings after a season-ending victory against the St. Louis Rams. "I'd like to be back here, but me and my agent are going to sit down and talk and look at the ..."
Goodell Receives Extension Through '15
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February 13
Sports Business Daily
 
"The NFL has added 3 1/2 years to Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract, SportsBusiness Journal has learned, extending the deal through March 1, 2015. His initial five-year deal was scheduled to expire September 1, 2011. Goodell is taking no increases in his base pay, a move designed to send a message that the league is willing to tighten its belt in light of its battle with the NFLPA over how much players are paid, and after a recent round of cutbacks at league headquarters. The extension was approved unanimously by NFL owners at a meeting in Dallas in mid-December, but the league only publicly disclosed it today. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, Goodell earned $2.9M in base pay ..."
Willis, Davis best of the Bay
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February 11
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"HAVING STUDIED both teams during and after the season, we have done our best to combine the best of the 49ers and Raiders. The goal is partly to create a better team but mostly to recognize efforts put forth in 2009. And we begin with defense, because it was the, um, least dreadful side of the ball for Oakland and for San Francisco. DE (2): Richard Seymour (Raiders) and Justin Smith (49ers). Seymour and Smith, very different types of players, weren't even challenged. Seymour was Oakland's best lineman, no matter where he lined up, and Smith was rightfully selected as a replacement player for the Pro Bowl. DT: Aubrayo Franklin (49ers). Going with a 3-4 base defense because the teams had ..."
Rice's work ethic made him the best
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February 9
San Francisco Examiner
 columnist Glenn Dickey
"Jerry Rice became a Hall of Fame receiver because of determination, mind-set and vision more than because of pure athletic ability. I covered Rice throughout his 49ers career (and Raiders coda), and his determination showed up early. He joined Roger Craig in offseason workouts so rigorous that no other teammate could stay with them. He worked endlessly on perfecting his route running. He was the consummate professional. When he scored a touchdown, he simply gave the ball to the official, not going into any kind of routine. "Act like you've been there before," he told teammates. He had been there before, more times than any other player in history. His work habits carried into retirement. ..."
Jerry Rice tearfully accepts Hall of Fame honor
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February 7
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Jerry Rice always finishes his route. He did it forever as a 49ers wide receiver, and again in his brief time with the Raiders. It helped make him the greatest wide receiver of all time, and arguably the greatest NFL player, period. Rice wouldn't pull up short Saturday, not now that he's been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was going to answer the question about his legendary work ethic, no matter how many times he had to pinch the bridge of his nose and sniffle through his red-eyed tears. "It's something my parents instilled in me," Rice said before choking up, thinking of his deceased father who taught him to catch bricks, picturing his mother who welcomed anybody into their ..."
Jerry Rice at head of the class for Hall of Fame
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February 7
San Jose Mercury News
 
"When the words stopped coming, Jerry Rice used the most famous pair of hands in NFL history to wipe away tears. He was trying to talk about his parents. He wound up saying it all. Rice was so choked up talking about his father, Joe, and his mother, Eddie B., that his live television interview ground to a halt. Steve Young, who had joined Rice on stage, jumped in to break the silence. "It's the enormity of it all," Young said as Rice wept. Young really could have been describing the career of the former 49ers receiver, whose prodigious statistics and insatiable appetite for work are legendary. Saturday, it was the enormousness of the moment: Rice was selected to the Pro Football Hall of ..."