Category: San Francisco 49ers

San Francsico 49ers preview: Niners return home, hope to end skid

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@49ers photo: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis adjusts his gloves during game against the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday at Century Link Field

By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA–The 49ers are currently riding a three-game losing streak, and things are not looking good for their being able to put an end to it this Sunday, either.

After getting smacked around in Seattle by the Seahawks, the 49ers will make their way back to Levi’s Stadium and play host to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

While the 49ers have been out of the playoff picture for quite a while now, the Broncos have an outside chance of getting in, with a current 6-6 record.

The 49ers have some good news, however. After missing the last two weeks with assorted injuries, receiver Marquise Goodwin returned to practice in a full capacity this week and is expected to be on the field Sunday afternoon.

At the same time, though, there are a few names that remained on the injury report this week, as running back Matt Breida has not practiced this week with an ankle injury that is expected to keep him off the field come Sunday.

Meanwhile, receiver Pierre Garcon’s bad knee has kept him out of practice and will likely not play this weekend, either. Safety Jaquiski Tartt, who has been riddled with injuries during his young NFL career, also has not practiced, as he is dealing with a bad shoulder.

The Broncos are dealing with their share of injuries as well, the most significant being receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in practice this week and will miss the rest of this season.

Former 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock was hoping to make his return to Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, but it looks like that will not happen, as an injury to his ribs has kept him out of practice this week and is not expected to be ready to go by Sunday.

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Niners just simply helpless in Seattle last Sunday; Sherman embarrassed by Hawks’ run game on the defense

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mercurynews.com photo: The San Francisco 49ers Richard Sherman (25) shakes hands with Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll who coached Sherman during the years he was with the Seahawks. It was Sherman’s first game back at Century Link since joining San Francisco.

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 After watching Sunday’s drubbing at CenturyLink Field 43-16 as the 49ers got mopped with the floor by the Seattle Seahawks. How many of the following factors played into the loss? The CenturyLink crowd loud as usual as the 12th man, the Seahawks defense kept 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens running all day, and even if they don’t admit it did the Reuben Foster case have an impact on this team?

#2 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, the former Seattle Seahawk, got an earful from the Seattle fans and also gave up an 18-yard touchdown pass to the Hawks’ Jaron Brown. How humiliating was this game for Sherman?

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Seahawks Move into Playoff Spot with 43-16 Win Over 49ers

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Photo credit: @Seahawks

By: Joe Lami

Make it seven straight years since the 49ers have won in Seattle, as they were annihilated on Sunday 43-16. Nick Mullens threw 30 completions for 414 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick in the loss. Even with many of his yards coming in garbage time, he looked decent in the second half minus a 98-yard pick-six to Bobby Wagner.

The 49ers were abysmal in the first half and avoided a shutout thanks to a Robbie Gould 45-yard field goal to make it 20-3. Things didn’t get too much better in the second for San Francisco, as they were torched in every facet of the game.

Seattle opened the second half with an 84-yard return from Tyler Lockett that ended a chance of a comeback. Rashaad Penny found paydirt on the very next play from 20 yards out for his only touchdown of the day. He finished with 65 yards on 13 carries while Chris Carson ran for 69 yards. Seattle ran for 168 yards on the contest.

Russell Wilson was his usual self, throwing 11 of 18 for 185 yards and four touchdowns.

Dante Pettis was the best player in red and gold. Contributing to the 49ers’ only two touchdowns, he also caught for 169 yards, becoming the first rookie since 1969 in franchise to catch two touchdowns and 100 receiving yards in a game.

Terrell Owens was the last rookie to catch for 100 yards for the 49ers when he did it in 1999.

Stone Cold Geroge Kittle continues to explode onto the scene, catching six balls for 70 yards.

Rookie running back, Jeff Wilson Jr. continues to excel out of the bye week. He showed even more on Sunday with 134 combined yards and proved to be a great check down for Mullens. Though, his fumble counted towards the three turnovers San Francisco committed.

Seattle used those turnovers to start in great field position, averaging at their own 33. San Francisco’s defense failed to slow down the Seahawks and once again went without a takeaway.

Richard Sherman wasn’t a factor in his return to Seattle, not showing on the stat sheet following the game.

The lone bright spot on defense was once against DeForest Buckner, picking up two of the 49ers’ three sacks. Donald Blair gained the other one on a 16-yard mistake by Wilson.

The Seahawks have now won three-straight games (7-5) and climbed into a Wild Card spot with the victory.

The offense didn’t quit in the second half, scoring two touchdowns with the Pettis’ emergence appearing, but for the second straight week were embarrassed. Kyle Shanahan was blowing leads earlier in the year, but now he can’t even get a lead with maybe one winnable game remaining on the year next week against Denver.

49ers Try to Pull the Impossible Against Seahawks on Sunday

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens rolls out during a drill at practice on Oct. 18, 2018. (Ryan Gorcey / S.F. Examiner)

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — The rivalry is renewed this Sunday as the 2-9 San Francisco 49ers travel up to Seattle to take on the hated 6-5 Seahawks. The rivalry has been relatively one-sided of late with Seattle taking every game since 2013.

They’ve done an exceptional job defending Century Link with the assistance of the 12th man, as the 49ers haven’t won in Seattle in 2011. Much of this is thanks to Russell Wilson, who is 11-2 all-time against the red and gold. Wilson is once again having an incredible season, passing for 2,531 yards thus far with 25 touchdowns and five interceptions.

It’ll be an uphill climb for the 49ers’ defense that has only forced five turnovers all season, including just two interceptions all year. They’ll need a huge rebound after the worst performance of the season in an 18-point embarrassment where the defense failed to get a takeaway. It’s especially horrendous when it happens against the Bucs, who have been handing out turnovers like they’re Christmas presents with 29 on the season.

The Seahawks are right in the middle of the playoff fight, currently the first team out, but a huge win against an abysmal 49ers team will most likely bump them right back in.

This Sunday, we’ll learn whether or not last weekend’s performance was due to the Reuben Foster meltdown that occurred on Saturday night or if this team has quit on Shanahan and co. If it’s the latter, it’s time to recognize the hot seat.

One player that would love to go into Seattle and turn things around is Richard Sherman. The all-pro corner returns to his old stomping grounds for the first time in red and gold, chirping all week long in preparation.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: 49ers get ready for a noisy time in Seattle

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Photo credit: ninerswire.usatoday.com

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is so concerned about the noise level that they had to deal with at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay last Sunday. He plans to ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to have the very loud PA announcer to keep the volume down.

#2 Shanahan is quite familiar with the noise level at upcoming CenturyLink Field this coming Sunday-a place better know for the fans as the 12th man.

#3 The Seattle Seahawks have won seven straight home games, making the 49ers visit to Century Link tough enough in spite of dealing with the loud crowd.

#4 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens quarterback rating has taken a dive since his debut against the Raiders (151.9) against the New York Giants (73.3), and then it fell against Tampa Bay (62.1).

#5 The Reuben Foster signing by Washington took many by surprise and only two days after he was let go by the 49ers. Washington’s head coach Jay Gruden said the team will address the community saying the team will address the outcry and they’ll try and find out exactly what happened.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Fantasy Football Doctors Podcast Week 13: The Final Playoff Push!

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

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Your hosts: Dr. Vasu Vaddiparty & Dr. Charlie O

  • Who should you choose to replace Andy Dalton at QB?
  • Check that waiver wire for hidden gems that other players have forgotten about
  • Jameis Winston may be a big play again this week
  • Lamar Jackson from the Ravens may be the answer to your QB troubles
  • Marcus Mariota and the Titans face the Jets–that could be a good play
  • If you have Josh Adams, is he a starter this Sunday?
  • Austin Ekeler may be the right play for Melvin Gordon
  • Emmanuel Sanders is the right play this weekend
  • The Panthers Greg Olsen might be a numbers maker vs. the Bucs

Good luck this weekend and we hope to see you in the playoffs!

Foster signs with Redskins; 49ers still struggle at QB

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

By Jeremy Harness

Mere days after the 49ers cut oft-troubled and injured linebacker Reuben Foster, the second-year players was claimed off waivers by the Washington Redskins.

However, the Redskins have said that Fosters will have to clear a series of evaluations and protocols before he sees the field for his new team. There is no timetable for when he is expected to play again at press time.

The loss of Foster certainly appeared to have had an impact on the 49ers’ defense in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, a game that saw Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston, who has had his share of troubles to go along with mediocre play, look like an All Pro.

On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers were not much better, and quarterback Nick Mullens has visible regressed since his NFL debut in a sound beating of the Raiders a few weeks ago. He failed to generate any kind of momentum for the offense, and the Buccaneers got their first takeaways of the season last Sunday.

Meanwhile, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still without an NFL job.

It does not figure to get any better against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, which will serve as the first time cornerback Richard Sherman will see his former team since joining the 49ers in free agency this offseason.

The only consistent bright spot has been Matt Breida, who rushed for more than 100 yards at Tampa last Sunday.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: How the Foster release will impact the 49ers going into next week’s game

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photo from sfgate.com: Hillborough County Sheriff’s photo of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ruben Foster on Sunday who was released 12 hours after mug shot was taken after being charged with domestic violence

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ruben Foster was arrested on Saturday night for domestic violence in Tampa and was released by the team immediately where does this leave the team. If Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was any indication the team for sure were embarrassed by this latest incident and did it impact them in their losing the game?

#2 Apparently, there was a October incident that never took a life of it’s own that was investigated by Santa Clara Police, but the charges were dropped. In the Tampa incident Saturday a neighbor at the 49ers’ hotel heard Foster and his girlfriend arguing and called police. It was reported that Foster hit the phone out of the girlfriend’s hands and pushed her in the chest.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Cut Foster, Lose to Bucs 27-9

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Joe Lami

Sunday marked the most incompetent game of the season for the San Francisco 49ers as they lost their fifth straight road game 27-9 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers now stand at 2-9, clinching their fourth straight losing season, with five games remaining. The poor outing coming off of the bye week wasn’t the story though.

Before the game Sunday, general manager John Lynch announced Linebacker, Rueben Foster has been cut. The announcement occurred all while Foster was still in a Tampa jail following an arrest Saturday night for domestic battery after an incident at the team hotel.

The 49ers clearly showed their zero-tolerance policy with Foster with the separation. In the off-season, Foster saw legal trouble and was arrested for domestic battery at a home in Los Gatos. After a long legal battle, the charges were eventually dropped after the accuser admitted in court she lied to ruin Foster’s career.

At that time, the 49ers made Foster promise it was the last time and to cut ties with the accuser. But on Saturday night, it appears she may have returned. According to The Athletic and the Tampa police, the party involved had a tumultuous on and off relationship with Foster.

She wanted to press charges after she claimed to have had her phone slapped out of her hand. The Tampa police also revealed she had a one-inch scratch on her collarbone.

Foster, a 2017 first-round pick, has been released on $2,000 bail. His NFL career is now in jeopardy as he faces up to a year in prison if he’s found guilty of the charge set forth.

Regardless of his guilt, the release was going to be inevitable because of the promise he broke with Lynch and the 49ers. Lynch later admitted that this was a team decision to help shape culture.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sunday a second incident occurred in October between Foster and the victim. The 49ers were unaware of the October incident at the time of release.

The result of Sunday’s contest may be caused by Foster’s situation, or maybe the team finally has quit on the year. Regardless, Sunday’s contest may be the worst following a bye week in franchise history. The 49ers were awful from the start of the game. Unable to do anything, struggling on third down, converting 1-of-8; the 49ers couldn’t move the ball.

Nick Mullens has sunk back to mediocrity and continues to have issues with throwing the ball down the field. Mullens finished 18-of-32 for 221, one touchdown, and two picks.

Tampa Bay native, Matt Breida, put on a show in front of friends and family. The only 49er able to do anything ran for 106 yards on 14 attempts.

Jameis Winston earned the starting position again this week and threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

Tampa Bay won the battle between the two worst teams at taking care of the football. The Bucs defense forced two interceptions while sacking Mullens four times with consistent pressure.

With five games remaining, the 49ers sit at 2-9, appear to be a sure lock at the top pick in the draft.

Four Keys to a 49ers Victory Against the Buccaneers

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

By: Joe Lami

The bye week has come and gone for the San Francisco 49ers, but they still have winnable games ahead, including this Sunday against the 3-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay has been a similar train wreck. Inconsistency at the quarterback position has doomed them with Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick sharing the duties.

Winston will get the start Sunday after winning his job back (yet again) after Sunday’s comeback win against the Giants. But he hasn’t been great, completing 65% of his passes for 1,380 yards and eight touchdowns. The problem has been taking care of the ball, with 11 interceptions and five fumbles.

Here are my four keys to a 49ers victory against the Buccaneers:

Takeaways
With Tampa’s inability to take care of the ball, it’s time for the defense to shine. San Francisco has the league’s worst takeaway total thus far, with just five on the season. This week needs to be the turnaround week for a mediocre defense that can’t make the play to get them off the field. Tampa Bay has given the ball away league-worst 29 times.

Tampa’s defense also doesn’t get takeaways either, with just six on the season. Their -23 differential is the only the one worse than San Francisco’s -15.

In a game that’s sure to be sloppy, winning the turnover battle is a must.

Injuries
Coming off of the bye week gives San Francisco a fighting chance to finally get healthy. Matt Breida has been battling a nagging ankle injury all season long and could have a great second half to the season if he can remain healthy. He was not listed on the team’s injury report as of Friday.

Reuben Foster also saw limited practice earlier in the week and could make a key return to the middle linebacking spot for the 49ers, after sitting out since Week 9 with a hamstring issue.

Pierre Garcon didn’t practice on Wednesday but remains hopeful on making a key return.

Game Plan
Nick Mullens will be making his third career start on Sunday. In his debut, he torched the Raiders en route to an easy win. However, he struggled more against the Giants, throwing 250 yards, a touchdown, and a pick. The key difference was the game plan.

Against the Raiders, he was making quick and timely decisions. Most of the play calls had him managing the game and not taking huge risks. Against the Giants, they tried to take more risks down the field and it didn’t work. Receivers couldn’t get open for him and he was unable to move the ball effectively.

Return to what worked against the Raiders on offense.

The defensive play calling has also been suspect under Robert Saleh. The 49ers hardly blitzed against a Giants team two weeks ago that was averaging four sacks surrendered a game. They thought their front four could bring enough pressure, but that didn’t work, sacking Eli Manning only once.

Tampa Bay is another struggling team. Be more aggressive on defense. Make the Buccaneers make some plays. The 49ers secondary isn’t good enough to create coverage sacks. Don’t get beat because you’re scared, get beat because you went down swinging.

Also, adapt. It appears both coaches are terrible at adapting in-game and can’t recognize what’s being given to them. This season may be lost, but when the 49ers have a team talented enough to win games, adapting mid game is crucial.

Get Going Early
The early body clock games have seemed to always have been a nightmare for San Francisco. Since 2015, the Niners are 3-13 for the 10 am PST kickoff. Two of the wins have come under Shanahan, but only when he had Garoppolo. A fast start is necessary for a team that has always struggled with the early kickoff.