Staley Starting at RT?

According to Matt Mosley on his blog Hashmarks, Rookie Joe Staley is expected to get the start at RT over the soft, benchworthy Kwame Harris. Of course after Mosley listed this in his blog, he updated it to say this:

After reading where I handed the 49ers’ starting right tackle spot to first-round draft choice Joe Staley, a member of the organization gave me a quick call to say that right tackle Kwame Harris is having an outstanding camp.

Of course the 49ers will say that Kwame is having a good camp, it’s not like they’ll come out and say that Kwame is playing like crap. But if this holds true with Staley starting and it stays that way the remainder of the season, this is the best news since we found out Joanie Loves Chachi.

Niner Football is Back

The wait is over. In less than ten hours the 49ers take the field in their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. The game is set to air on ESPN and I for one, can’t wait. Here are some tidbits (from Maiocco) to expect during tonight’s game.

- Starter on both offense and defense are expected to play 15 snaps or the first quarter, whichever comes first.

- The second team will enter in the second quarter. Some might even start the third quarter. The third unit will play most of the third and the entire fourth quarters.

- At running back, Maurice Hicks and Michael Robinson will split the first quarter. Robinson will continue in the second quarter to help out with third downs. Thomas Clayton and Arkee Whitlock will get a lot of action.

- At quarterback, Alex Smith will play with the first unit. Trent Dilfer will play the second. Shaun Hill will play the third and fourth quarters. If the opportunity presents itself, rookie Luke Getsy might get in at the end.

- There will be a moment of silence Monday for Walsh at Candlestick prior to the exhibition opener against the Broncos.

Bill Walsh Field

During today’s live broadcast of the memorial service for the late Bill Walsh, it was announced that the field the 49ers play on at Candlestick Monster Park, will be called Bill Walsh Field. Monster Park still own rights to the stadium and the name will still be just that, the field however will be named in honor of the Genius…

Source: KTVU

Welcome Back, Erratic Behavior

by E. Klackner 

This picture is me. Me in the future. A future where I’m decked out in my blue suit watching the 49ers on Sundays this fall. Also a future where my hair inexplicably turns blonde after 27 years of having brown hair. And there’s something wrong with my feet.  And my eyes and teeth don’t seem to exist anymore.

But despite my inability to do anything right as relates to the internet, I have a feeling this is a picture of all of us. There was a time, many years ago, where some may have felt this way, too. It was a little before my time, but it was assuredly there, maybe without the suits.

The feeling is that of expectation.

For the past several years, I have approached Sundays with the carefree zest of The Manson Family Crime Scene Cleanup Crew, eager to watch the proceedings, but not really anticipating anything tremendous. A win? Surprising, joyous, and often eye-opening. A loss? Par for the course, and by course I mean talent.

VD the Next TO? Please.

VD the Next TO? Please.
by James Jones

First and foremost I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Walsh and 49er families who have over the years come to love and admire the man Bill Walsh. It is well known that the bay area, the franchise and the NFL as a whole would not be what it is without his presence and influence. He is sorely missed and my most significant regret is that I do not live in the bay any longer and cannot attend his service at Candlestick this Friday. Rest in Peace Coach Walsh, we love you.

Now onto the reason and meaning of this article I have decided to sit down and write. It has come to the attention of the Ninerholics brain trust that there are more then a few individuals floating around the 49er websites writing blogs or articles about a certain incident. This event took place last week at the end of a training camp practice in Santa Clara and as everyone knows involved two of the more prominent players on the offensive side of the ball.

Not Again…

First Lloyd, now Williams. Must be something about the name Brandon…Let’s just hope he doesn’t duck when passes are thrown his way.

The fun doesn’t stop there…did some more searching and apparently Williams is good at standing around showing his bankroll…

Receivers: 4? 5? 6? Who the Hell Knows

Nolan was asked recently how many receivers he would keep to start the season. And his response was hilarious.

“We are going to keep four, five or six. I think that is accurate. We will let things take care of themselves as we go. If we have less than four, then we have a lot of guys dinged up. If we don’t have five good ones, then we will have four. We get a practice squad guy to take that extra spot. But active roster positions, we will shoot for five and if we get to six or have to go to four, we will know the reasons.”

Throwbacks for Walsh

Say what you want about John York, but the way he is handling the whole Bill Walsh tribute is awesome. I doubt there is one Niner fan out there that is not on the York bandwagon for this event. York wrote another letter addressed to the fans discussing the comments they received pertaining to Walsh and the one suggestion from the fans that kept coming up was that the team should wear throwbacks to honor Walsh. So York listened to the fans and did just that. The 49ers will be wearing throwbacks to open the season against the Cardinals.

Many of you have written or called asking us to have players wear the throwback jerseys for a game to honor Coach Walsh. We’re proud to say that we will do just that.

In memory of the start Bill Walsh provided for that incredible journey, the 49ers players will wear jerseys from that era during our season-opening September 10 Monday Night Football game against Arizona.

NFL Network Hates the 49ers

Okay well maybe hate is a little harsh, but for the second straight week NFL Network has opted not to air, ‘Inside the 49ers Training Camp.’ We understand them pulling the show last week in the midst of Bill Walsh’s passing, but to not show it a week later like they mentioned they would, is just well…bullshit.

I guess if we have to look on the bright side. We only have to wait one more week until ESPN airs the Broncos at 49ers on Monday (08.13.07)

Franklin Carted off Field

From Matthew Barrows, Sacramento Bee:

Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, one of the team’s key acquisitions this offseason, went down with a knee in jury and was carted off the field. The injury occurred on a fake handoff during which the offensive line goes one way and quarterback Alex Smith breaks it back the other.

“It’s like the whole line collapsed and he got caught under the pile,” fellow defensive lineman Ronnie Fields said.

The official word is that Franklin has a sprained knee. However, teams typically downplay injuries early on. Last week, for example, the official word was that Frank Gore had gotten “nicked” in practice. In fact, he had broken his hand.