Video Recap of 49er Victory over Seattle

The 49ers opened their 2009 season at the Stick with an impressive 23-10 win over Seattle's walking wounded. Camp Singletary appears to have been a huge success as the Niners outhit and physically dominated the Seahawks. For the second week in a row this team came out of the game virtually injury free while Seahawk players were scattered over the field like confetti.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat has started a new weekly feature for this season -- a video recap of each game. We will present them to you each week.










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49ers Sign Jags Tackle Tony Pashos

Tony Pashos is a 6'6". 326 lb. tackle who started every game the past two seasons for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is a fine run blocker and an adequate pass protector, and should be the final piece of the puzzle for Mike Singletary's offensive line. He was signed today to a 1-year contract.







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Why 49er Fans Should be Optimistic

I read all the negative posts on various forums, the attacks by one fan on another over who is the better QB, etc. The fact is that the odds are WAY in your favor for the 49ers to have a .500 season or better. Let's take a look:

1940's = 4 out of 4 seasons over .500 = 100%

1950's = 6 seasons over .500, 1 at .500 = 70%

1960's = 4 seasons over .500, 2 at .500 = 60%

1970;s = 4 seasons over .500 = 40%

1980's = 8 seasons over .500 = 80%

1990's = 9 seasons over .500 = 90%

2000's = 2 seasons over .500 = 22%


That's 37 seasons over .500, 5 seasons at .500 out of 63 years.

Your odds of a .500 season or better are 67%! Be positive. You'll feel better. Anyone who says they are Niner fans and bets against these odds should question their loyalty or sanity.

Go Niners, no matter who plays QB.

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Two Defenders Stand Out in First Day of Niner Camp

As Mike Singletary's 49ers took the field for the first time in the 2009 season, as expected the defense was ahead of the offense and two men in particular made their presence immediately known. Both of these guys are expected to step up this season in order for this defense to be top rated.

DASHON GOLDSON #38

The first was safety Dashon Goldson who is replacing Mark Roman as the starter. Goldson is a 6'2" 200 lb. athletic performer who intercepted the first pass of the day, made a great hit on the next play, and then almost intercepted the third pass but the ball fell to the ground as he collided with the receiver. Goldson's athleticism could not be missed and it is no wonder that Mike Singletary named him his starter before the season.

Isaac Sopoaga

The other player to really stand out was defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga, the 6'2" 330 lb. Samoan giant who has steadily improved each season since becoming a 49er and whose presence on the defensive line last season was instrumental in their improvement against the run. Yesterday, Sopoaga regularly commanded a double team while playing at NT, batted down a pass, and gave center Eric Heitmann and guard David Baas all they could handle. He had penetration and put lots of pressure on the QB. The massive Sopoaga appears to have developed into the potential star the Niners have always hoped he would become. Defensive linemen develop more slowly than any other position in the NFL and the patience of 49er management may well be rewarded this season. The 28-year old Sopoaga is just coming into his prime and could be a huge force in the middle this season.







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Singletary Introduces the Nutcracker

Tough Jack-of-All-Trades Michael Robinson #24

From Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee: Proving that truth is indeed more interesting than fiction, Mike Singletary's first ever training camp practice this morning was highlighted by a hard-hitting drill he calls ... wait for it, wait for it ... the nutcracker. Yes, it's true. The drill consisted of seven stations at which one offensive player went up against one defensive player in an effort to see who could push the other man back.

Singletary said the nutcracker is superior to the more traditional Oklahoma drill because in the Oklahoma, a defensive player can move around the offensive player. In the nutcracker, there's no way to avoid contact. Said Vernon Davis: "It's like blocking a defensive end or a tackle - you have to engage." The nutcracker requires legs, leverage -- and most important, according to Singletary - fundamentals. The team that has the best fundamentals at the end of the game, wins the game. So what were the highlights of the first Niners nutcracker? Everyone participated save the QBs, kicking specialists and OT Marvel Smith, who is taking it easy on his back.

The players were matched up against opponents their own size. It was hard to follow all the action, but this is what I saw ...

* Michael Robinson seemed to get the better of Patrick Willis in their matchups. Willis' strength, after all, is moving in space and utilizing his speed.

* Fullback Brit Miller actually held his own against Takeo Spikes, a surprise. Willis also gave Miller a shoutout when talking about the drill with reporters.

* Delanie Walker beat Ahmad Brooks on the first go around, but Brooks looked better toward the end. That's a matchup Brooks needs to win.

* Big Bad Alex Boone (BBAB) put Pannel Egboh on his back, but later Demetric Evans did the same to Boone.

* Rookie Bear Pascoe roundly defeated Jay Moore.

* Vernon Davis said he beat Parys Haralson three times out of four.


And so the first full season under Mike Singletary begins...









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The Time Has Come!

49er Football is Back!

Head Coach Mike Singletary

Last season 49er fans listened to all the hype. The 49ers were going to come back and take the NFC West. Unfortunately, Mike Nolan was still at the controls. Like his dad, former 49er coach Dick Nolan, he was a defensive specialist, and also like his dad, he was a stubborn and unbending man. He played defense not to lose, with a very conservative loose scheme that resulted in few sacks and little pressure on the opposing offense.

Offensively, Mike Nolan just didn't get it. He inevitably made the wrong call in crucial situations, and even relied upon guard Larry Allen in a game the previous season, to determine whether or not to kick a field goal in a crucial situation at game's end. Mike just didn't have it and everyone knew it.

At the same time, the offense relied upon a relic, Mike Martz. a man who stubbornly relied upon the 7-step drop, no matter how often his quarterback was sacked. In the fourth quarter of most games Martz rarely called a running play. His rigid system didn't allow for the quarterback to call audibles. Then, in one bonehead moment, the 49ers had a chance to derail the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. With time running out, Martz called for Michael Robinson to run a dive play that is only designed to gain a yard. Unfortunately, the ball had been placed at the 2 1/2 yard line. Robinson gained the yard as the play was designed, but it was Martz' not knowing where the ball was, plus his system which didn't allow for Shaun Hill to call an audible, and that was the season. Despite having to deal with Martz and J.T. O'Sullivan, Singletary was able to finish the season with a 5-4 record.

Jimmy Raye is an upgrade over Martz. He develops his offense around the talents of his players, and features a power running game between the tackles and quick slant and play action passes.

COACHING: Big improvement.

QUARTERBACK

Much has been made about the competition between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith for the starting quarterback position. Unless Hill takes a complete nosedive, the job will be his to start the season. Singletary can thank Hill for saving his job last season. Shaun came aboard and played with poise and toughness and his dive for a first down without his helmet in a crucial game will leave pleasant memories in the minds of Niner fans for a long time.

The only sensible move is to start Shaun Hill this season. He has earned it and it will take unnecessary pressure off of Alex Smith, who needs to sit and watch a quarterback with game management skills, quick decision making ability, and poise and coolness in the pocket. To throw him out there at the start and have him flop may well be the end of Alex Smith in San Francisco. Instead, giving him time to learn the new system and watch would be the best move Singletary can make.

Backup Damon Huard is a proven veteran who could easily step into the #2 spot without hesitation. He has a strong, accurate arm and plenty of experience. Rookie Nate Davis is a guy with a whole lot of potential and little in the way of experience. He is a project and perhaps a worthwhile one. The Niners will have to make a decision as to whether they want to keep four (4) quarterbacks.

Compared to last season, we have lost O'Sullivan and added an experienced backup. In addition, we now have a more experienced and confident Shaun Hill, and an Alex Smith with far greater upside potential than the kid with the damaged shoulder of 2008. Add Nate Davis to the mix.

QUARTERBACK: Big Improvement

WIDE RECEIVER

Last season we had Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, and inexperienced wideouts in Josh Morgan and Jason Hill, as well as the injured Arnaz Battle and newcomer, pencil-thin Dominique Zeigler. This season we have Bruce returning as well as Morgan and Hill back, both of whom could have breakout seasons. We have Brandon Jones, a solid receiver with strong hands from the Tennessee Titans, Zeigler and Battle return to battle for the #6 receiver position, and we have the dynamic and explosive Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech, who the Niners unexpectedly snagged at the #10 pick in this year's draft. Here's a video that says it all:

Wide Receiver: Huge Improvement

TIGHT END

Vernon Davis is looking forward to working with the Offensive Coordinator who developed Tony Gonzales. Unlike Mike Martz, who considered the tight end an afterthought as a receiver, Jimmy Raye features passes to his tight end and may occasionally go to a two-TE formation. This should please the dangerous Delanie Walker and huge rookie, Bear Pascoe from Fresno State. The Niners also have tough JJ Finley, who unfortunately has no room on this deep roster.

Tight End: Big improvement.

RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACK

Starting with fullback, the fact that Mike Martz didn't even want Moran Norris and now he's back at the request of Frank Gore in a Jimmy Raye power running offense speaks volumes about the positive direction in which this team is headed. Singletary and Raye have a plan and getting the best at each position is a good way to start. Norris is a great run blocker and may be backed up by Zak Keasey, depending upon whether the 49ers decide to keep four (4) or five (5) backs.

At the halfback position, Frank Gore is ready for bear and has a new backup to replace Deshaun Foster in Glenn Coffee, a rather small but tough back out of Alabama. Coffee is a hard runner who must overcome his tendency to fumble. The third running back spot will be held by Michael Robinson, a talented back who was horribly mismanaged under Mike Nolan. He has never been given an opportunity to learn the position and has had very few touches from scrimmage. However, last season Singletary found a way to use him as a receiver out of the backfield. Michael responded with 17 catches for 201 yards, and an 11.9 average per catch which ranked #3 in the NFL among RBs with 15 catches or more.

Robinson's value to the team is illustrated not only in his outstanding special teams play, but by the fact that the 49ers have the luxury of counting MRob as the #3 RB and #2 FB, thereby allowing the team to carry either four (4) QBs or six (6) WRs.

Kory Sheets of Purdue, a speed burner with fumble problems and a mouth that got him in a lot of trouble, will very likely make the Practice Squad where he will replace notorious underachiever Thomas Clayton who will be released.

Running Back: Improved.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Last season the 49er Offensive line showed signs of becoming decent, but suffered from numerous breakdowns, including the swan song for Jonas Jennings. Eric Heitman returns at center where he had a very good season and should only get better. He is one of the young vets the 49ers have been developing that is starting to come into his prime. He is backed up by Cody Wallace.

Guard should be a bright spot as Chilo Rachal could well have a breakout season. The tough, physical USC grad will be one of two guards who are expected to do very well this season. 330 lb. David Baas is in the final year of his contract and you can bet his play will reflect his desire for a big contract next year. Tony Wragge is a tough, solid backup.

Joe Staley is expected to improve upon his good performance of last year and former Pittsburgh Steelers vet Marvel Smith, a two-time All Pro, moves in at right tackle which should be a huge upgrade over last season.

Adam Snyder is an able backup, Barry Sims is unacceptable and I expect him to be cut. The most intriguing of the backup linemen is 6'8", 328 lb. Alex Boone of Ohio State, a two-time All Big Ten performer who must overcome his weakness for alcohol. If he is able to do that, he may well be the sleeper of the season for the 49ers.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Improved.


There you have it. There is plenty of reason for optimism this season and as I begin my 64th season as a fan, I simply say: Go 49ers. We will address the defense and special teams in upcoming issues.

Gary Mialocq
The SF 49er Observer







Copyright @ 2009
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Do Big Bad Boys Provide Hope for the Future?

As many fans know, the draft is a crapshoot. Many projected stars never make it while gems are sometimes found in the far reaches of the draft. #87, Dwight Clark, a tenth (10) round draft pick comes immediately to mind. Without his miraculous Catch against Dallas, we may be looking back on a different history.

This season is no different and the 49ers showed their willingness to take a shot at two young men with tremendous upsides, as well as some behavioral problems.

Alex Boone

The first is Alex Boone, a 6'8" 328 giant offensive tackle from Ohio State who admits to having an alcohol problem since the age of eight (8), and whose DUI arrest in 2006 (blood alcohol double the legal limit) and recent arrest in Southern California where he had to be tasered twice by police to subdue him, resulted in his being overlooked completely in this year's draft.

At Ohio State Boone exhibited steady play, durability and a willingness to work. He was a four-year starter who was named All-Big Ten the past two seasons. Boone is ideally suited to play right tackle in the pros.

Combine Results:

40 Yard Dash : 5.16 seconds

Bench Press : 33.0 reps

Vertical Jump : 27.5 inches

Broad Jump : 103.0 inches

3 Cone Drill : 7.83 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle : 4.69 seconds

Here is a video of Alex Boone's performance at Ohio State:

Ricky Jean-Francois (Frenchy)
"The Freak"

The second is a 6'5" 295 lb. defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois (Frenchy), who seems to have a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong time. His "threat" to Tim Tebow along with his getting caught cheating on a test cost him a lot of money as he dropped to the seventh (7th) round before being selected by the 49ers.

Ricky was an outstanding shot putter for the track team at LSU with a best throw of 59' 1 3/4", as well as a top-rated defensive lineman.

CAREER
Played in 25 games for LSU, starting nine times ... Drafted in seventh round of 2009 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers ... Opted to leave LSU following his junior season ... Capped career with 56 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks ... Named defensive MVP of 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

Here is a video of Frenchy at LSU:




Each of these players possesses the athletic ability and potential to become established NFL stars and presents the kind of challenge that Mike Singletary looks forward to as he develops his team. Boone will learn behind Marvel Smith and provides an intriguing presences for the future.

Frenchy is a high-energy defensive lineman who will very likely contest Ray McDonald for the last available spot on the defensive line. He comes up big in big games and his size, strength and speed bode well for his future as part of the 49er defense.

These two will bear close watching as training camp nears.

Gary Mialocq
The SF 49er Observer






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Chasing the Dream

Jimmy Raye, 49ers Offensive Coordinator

Our article on Michael Robinson evoked an interesting response from a reader:

"You make some very loose connections to give credibility to your opinion. Jimmy Raye having won a Big 10 Title has nothing to do with Michael Robinson."

Actually, there are many similarities between new 49ers Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye, and multi-talented Michael Robinson, many of them having to do more with life than football. Jimmy Raye, long before he became the black double for Uncle Fester from the Addams Family, was an exciting young quarterback who played for Michigan State from 1965-67.


In 1965, his team was undefeated at 10-0 and won the Big 10 title, only to lose in the Rose Bowl to UCLA in a surprising upset. Undaunted, J.R. came back the next season and led his team to another undefeated record and faced equally undefeated Notre Dame in the final game of the season. That game ended in a 10-10 tie, with both teams being considered co-National champions.

This was a great accomplishment for a young quarterback, especially given the fact that he was black at a time when it was a very rare sight to see a black quarterback. In fact, once drafted by the NFL, they were inevitably switched to the "skill positions", either wide receiver or the defensive secondary. So, upon being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, and then traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, J.R. saw any hopes of his being an NFL quarterback dashed by the political climate of the times. Jimmy played a couple of seasons out of position, then his career ended.

We now flash forward to the year 2009. Jimmy is now 62 years old, and has been coaching in the NFL for 32 years. His first job as an assistant coach in the NFL was with the 49ers in 1977. Just as his opportunities were limited as a quarterback, plum jobs for black assistant coaches in the NFL were few and far between. Over the years, he was hired by rebuilding teams, and teams with very little chance of success. His best team was working with the Rams during the days of Eric Dickerson.

Over the years he gained valuable experience working under Marty Schottenheimer, and also gained experience working for Norv Turner, John Robinson, Herm Edwards and Eric Mangini. Now, as his career winds down, he finds himself returning home with a tremendous opportunity to develop and create an offensive machine under San Francisco 49er coach Mike Singletary. THIS is his plum job.

"Nothing to Do with Robinson"?

Like his new Offensive Coordinator, Michael Robinson, led his team to the Big 10 Championship. MRob as he is affectionately called, is a 6-1, 228 lb. powerhouse whom Penn State coach Joe Paterno referred to as "the greatest athlete I have coached in my 55 years at Penn State".

Michael was a standout on a losing team. He was used mostly as a wide receiver, but also played a little halfback and a short time at quarterback. It was then that Paterno made Michael his quarterback for his senior year.

Robinson responded by leading his team to an 11-1 record, winning the Big 10 title and a victory in the Orange Bowl, and being named Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for 17 TDs and ran for eight (8) more. Throughout his career in college, he ran for 1,637 yards, caught 52 passes for 629 yards, threw for 3,575 yards and accounted, either by passing, throwing or running for 46 touchdowns. He was also their best player on special teams.

Like his new Offensive Coordinator, Michael Robinson's dream was to play quarterback in the NFL, and like Jimmy Raye, his hopes were dashed without being given any opportunity to prove his worth at that position. Michael pleaded with Nolan to give him a chance to no avail. So, upon being drafted by the 49ers and despite his plea to be given an opportunity to at least try out for quarterback, Michael was put on ice by Mike Nolan who expressed his unwillingness to allow most rookies to even play with the classic statement: "Young players play young".

No, Michael's chances were not curtailed by his race like his coach, but by the stubbornness of a coach who was clueless as to how to utilize his players. No matter the reason, both Jimmy and Michael had his dreams of performing as an NFL quarterback denied without being given an opportunity.

Michael Robinson has never publicly complained about his being denied his dream. In fact, he has simply gone out and played with reckless abandon demonstrating the same kind of 100% effort for which Mike Singletary became famous. Michael has been a standout whenever he steps on the field.

The Connection

But now back to quarterback. Since the Miami Dolphins introduced the Wildcat offense with some success last season, many teams experimented with it including the 49ers. Michael, at 6'1" and 228 lbs., has the passing and running ability that is perfect for this formation, and it is our bet that Jimmy Raye is already designing plays using the Wildcat formation with Michael in mind. As he does so, he may be thinking back to what might have been had he himself been given the opportunity to take the snap from center in the pros.

To say there is no connection between Jimmy Raye and Michael Robinson is to deny the importance of a dream to a young player. If Jimmy's dreams were curtailed by politics, that must have cut very deeply although he never complained. I can't see him denying those same dreams of Michael Robinson, even if it only means playing QB in the Wildcat formation on rare occasions. It will be very interesting to watch this situation develop.

Gary Mialocq
The SF 49er Observer






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