No new Spygate news would be good news for Patriots (SportingNews.com)
The Patriots have to be hoping that the tapes Matt Walsh handed over to the NFL reveal no new evidence against them. [Link]
Mike Martz easing into new job rebuilding Niners' offense (AP)
Mike Martz's red 49ers cap is still crisp and clean. His new players don't know him quite well enough to be sure when he's joking and when he's serious. Yet even in a quiet Sunday practice at San Francisco's first minicamp in Martz's tenure as offensive coordinator, his handiwork is already easy to see. [Link]
NFL Draft Dish: Top 10 prospects for 2009 (SportingNews.com)
Who are the best players when taking an early look at the potential 2009 NFL draft class? Find out why Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis — brother of 49ers tight end Vernon — is No. 1. [Link]
Niners give thumbs-up to headsets for defensive players (AP)
Mark Roman is still getting used to that little voice in his ear telling him where to go and what to do. The San Francisco safety knows he'll have to adjust to the NFL's new way of calling defensive signals with the freshly installed communication device in his helmet. At the 49ers' minicamp, Roman and three fellow safeties joined dozens of players across the NFL this weekend as the first to try… [Link]
Smith, Hill begin QB competition at center of 49ers' camp (AP)
A classical medley of NFL Films music blared through the on-field speakers Friday at the San Francisco 49ers' first minicamp practice. The soundtrack was another brainstorm from coach Mike Nolan, who figures his players must learn how to persevere through nonstop noise every Sunday. The calming tones didn't soothe tight end Vernon Davis, who ripped linebacker Parys Haralson's helmet off during a… [Link]
With Martz there is a method to his madness (Yahoo! Sports)
Football fans in general and San Francisco 49ers fans specifically should enjoy watching Martz ply his trade… [Link]
Starting over (Yahoo! Sports)
Mike Martz and Alex Smith have something to prove as they team up to help turn the 49ers' fortunes around. [Link]
Niners have the unsexiest draft in the league (Yahoo! Sports)
If ever a team had an un-sexy NFL draft, it's the San Francisco 49ers according to the San Francisco Chronicle. [Link]
NFC grades: Redskins, Panthers earn high marks (Yahoo! Sports)
The two teams combined for 19 picks with plenty of potential starters on offense and defense. [Link]
Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, Joe Flacco among NFL draft busts? (SportingNews.com)
On the ten-year anniversary of the Peyton Manning/Ryan Leaf draft, here's a look at some potential Leaf-esque picks from the 2008 NFL draft. [Link]
NFL Draft Dish: Round 1 analysis (SportingNews.com)
A pick-by-pick analysis of the 2008 NFL draft's first round: 1. Miami Dolphins - OT Jake Long. [Link]
NFL Draft First-Round Selections (AP)
The first-round picks in Saturday NFL draft: 1) Miami Dolphins — JAKE LONG, 6-7, 315, Michigan, OT: Bulldozer of a tackle in the run game who can also be a solid insurance policy for any franchise QB. Has the strength to move the pile and aggressiveness and smarts to clear out second-level blockers. [Link]
Niners draft DT Balmer at No. 29 (PA SportsTicker)
The San Francisco 49ers found a nose tackle for their 3-4 scheme, selecting North Carolina's Kentwan Balmer with the 29th overall pick in Saturday's NFL draft. [Link]
49ers reserve Strickland arrested after running from police (Yahoo! Sports)
Donald Strickland, a reserve defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers , was arrested earlier this month in… [Link]
32 Questions: Draft edition (Yahoo! Sports)
This weekend's draft will have little effect on team rankings. [Link]
Niners OL Baas tears pectoral muscle (AP)
San Francisco offensive lineman David Baas probably will be out until the regular season after tearing his right pectoral muscle. Baas, the 33rd overall pick in the 2005 draft, was slated to start at right guard for the 49ers this season after starting nine games at the position last year. He will undergo surgery Friday after injuring himself while lifting weights last week. [Link]
DRAFT 2008: NFL Draft Team Capsules (AP)
1. MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-15)= LAST SEASON: The worst season in franchise history, including an 0-13 start, led to the Dolphins' fourth coaching change since 2004. New football czar Bill Parcells brought in coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland, both from the Dallas Cowboys. THEY NEED: Name a position. [Link]
49ers draft needs haven't changed … in years (Yahoo! Sports)
Identifying the San Francisco 49ers ' biggest needs in the NFL draft doesn't take long. Just dust off last year's… [Link]
49ers draft needs haven't changed … in years (Yahoo! Sports)
Identifying the San Francisco 49ers ' biggest needs in the NFL draft doesn't take long. Just dust off last year's… [Link]
Parcells, Dimitroff in the draft spotlight (Yahoo! Sports)
Among the intriguing story lines going into the weekend is how Miami and Atlanta's new decision-makers fare. [Link]
Mock draft: Pick any player in the league (SportingNews.com)
Here's a take on what would happen in Round 1 of the 2008 draft if the teams were allowed to pick players already in the league. I'll admit it: It's silly. But it's also a lot more interesting than perusing another standard mock draft, version 16.4. [Link]
Mocks to the max: Clifton Brown's NFL mock draft (SportingNews.com)
NFL draft boards are all stacked, so strap it up for a simulating experience. We've got every corner covered — and every lineman, receiver and safety, too — in our quartet of first-round mock drafts. Join us, for Goodell's sake. [Link]
Draft numbers not adding up (Yahoo! Sports)
Despite all of the research before the draft, teams generally miss the mark with their first- round picks. [Link]
NFC West: Long might be answer for Rams (Rivals.com)
St. Louis has lost several defensive linemen in free agency in recent years and has struggled to replace Grant… [Link]
Oklahoma's Kelly looks to boost stagging draft stock (Yahoo! Sports)
In an attempt to salvage his sagging draft stock, Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly emailed media outlets… [Link]
Oklahoma's Kelly looks to boost stagging draft stock (Yahoo! Sports)
In an attempt to salvage his sagging draft stock, Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly emailed media outlets… [Link]
Kelly gets 2nd chance to work out (AP)
A week after loudly complaining about the surface he was forced to run on in front of NFL scouts, former Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly got his second chance Wednesday. His agent said he bettered his time in the 40-yard dash by more than two-tenths of a second in the workout at the University of Oklahoma. [Link]
Best, worst games of '08 (Yahoo! Sports)
Pats vs. Colts in Week 9 is a given on the best list. Which other contests figure to be winners or duds? [Link]
D-linemen could come off board in a hurry (Yahoo! Sports)
The Giants' relentless pressure in the playoffs could help inspire the selection of pass rushers early. [Link]
'08 schedule for November (Yahoo! Sports)
Here's a look at the schedule for Weeks 9-13 of the 2008 NFL season. [Link]
'08 NFL schedule for December (Yahoo! Sports)
Here's a look at the schedule for Weeks 14-17 of the 2008 NFL season. [Link]
'08 schedule for September (Yahoo! Sports)
Here's a look at the schedule for Weeks 1-4 of the 2008 NFL season. [Link]
'08 NFL schedule for October (Yahoo! Sports)
Here's a look at the schedule for Weeks 5-8 of the 2008 NFL season. [Link]
Broncos interested in receivers Jackson, Parker? (Yahoo! Sports)
The Denver Broncos are close to signing former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Samie Parker and are deep in… [Link]
Broncos interested in receivers Jackson, Parker? (Yahoo! Sports)
The Denver Broncos are close to signing former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Samie Parker and are deep in… [Link]
Cal's Jackson, others, scheduled to visit 49ers (Yahoo! Sports)
Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, San Jose State cornerback Dwight Lowery and Fresno State offensive lineman Ryan… [Link]
Cal's Jackson, others, scheduled to visit 49ers (Yahoo! Sports)
Cal receiver DeSean Jackson, San Jose State cornerback Dwight Lowery and Fresno State offensive lineman Ryan… [Link]
Who goes first in Ultimate Mock Draft IV? (Yahoo! Sports)
Where would some of the league's top performers land if everyone was eligible to be drafted? [Link]
Decision makers with most influence over draft (Yahoo! Sports)
Find out who has the most say over each team's draft selections. [Link]
Martz: 'Detroit was not a good football team' (Yahoo! Sports)
During a chalktalk sessions with fans, new San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz revealed the… [Link]
Martz: 'Detroit was not a good football team' (Yahoo! Sports)
During a chalktalk sessions with fans, new San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz revealed the… [Link]
| PRO FOOTBALL; Tampering Costs 49ers a Pick
The San Francisco 49ers lost twice with linebacker Lance Briggs, failing to sign him in free agency and forfeiting their fifth-round draft pick in next month's draft after N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell determined Monday that the Niners had tampered with Briggs, a violation of league rules. The 49ers and the Bears will also exchange their picks in the third round, giving the Bears San Francisco's seventh pick, while the Niners will get the Bears' pick at No. 12. Briggs was with the Bears las… [Link]
Garcia’s a Nemesis That Really Gets Around
Sunday’s wild-card playoff game against Tampa Bay will be the third time in the Giants’ last four postseason appearances that Jeff Garcia will be the opposing quarterback. [Link]
PERSONNEL FILE; Garcia Returns To Haunt 49ers
During his time as the quarterback in San Francisco, Jeff Garcia set about writing his name into the record books of the 49ers, a team that has featured Y. A. Tittle, John Brodie, Joe Montana and Steve Young. In 2000, Garcia set team records for completions (355) and passing yards (4,278) in a season, and his 32 touchdown passes in 2001 were the third most in team history. All of that was soon forgotten, and in what would become a familiar theme, the undersized Garcia was sent packing after the… [Link]
Third-Team Quarterback Leads 49ers Past Bengals
Shaun Hill passed for 197 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in his first N.F.L. start, and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-13, Saturday night for only their second victory in 12 games. [Link]
Dick Nolan, 75, N.F.L. Coach and Player, Is Dead
Dick Nolan played nine seasons as a N.F.L. defensive back and was later a head coach for 11 years, twice guiding the San Francisco 49ers to conference championship games. [Link]
Monday’s Matchup
A changing of the guard was predicted in the N.F.C. West. But San Francisco and Arizona have not put up much of a fight, even though Seattle, the three-time defending champion, has left the door wide open. With Shaun Alexander injured and ineffective, Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren has renewed focus on the passing game, which is ranked 10th in the league. The 49ers, losers of six in a row, wish they had only one facet of their 32nd-ranked offense to be concerned about. The Seahawks, who won in Sa… [Link]
PERSONNEL FILE; Willis Is Excelling For Lackluster 49ers
There have been few positives for the 49ers during a season in which their 2-0 start had onlookers saying the team was not nearly as good as expected. But one shining light has been Patrick Willis, the rookie linebacker from Mississippi. Willis, drawing comparisons to Ray Lewis, the perennial Pro Bowl player of the Ravens, has had 10 or more tackles in five of his first seven games as a pro, including the last four in a row. Unfortunately, his efforts have been wasted on a defense that is ranke… [Link]
Defense Comes Through Again for Giants
The Giants crushed the 49ers with a big-play defense that forced four turnovers. The Giants are now 5-2 for the fourth season in a row under Coach Tom Coughlin. [Link]
Umenyiora Sets Mood, and Giants Join the Fun
On an afternoon when the Giants’ defense had six sacks, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and five passes knocked down, Osi Umenyiora finished with the lion’s share. [Link]
