Tag: San Francisco 49ers (Page 29 of 34)

      Condoleezza Rice interested in becoming president of 49ers

      October 26, 2008 /

      Apparently Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is interested in a front office job with the San Francisco 49ers, perhaps even becoming their president.

      Condoleezza Rice“We all know that change has swept through San Francisco, but now it looks like more could be coming. The 49ers have said they’re in the market for a front-office type of executive — a president.

      And interestingly enough … Condoleezza Rice has told people that she would like to become president of a football team. So, she’s headed to be out in California in January, the two sides could wind up speaking. The 49ers told me this week they are definitely interested in speaking to … Rice about taking on a president-type of role within the organization; a lot of people feel she could be very instrumental in procuring a new stadium for the … 49ers.”

      Yes, because a new stadium will solve the team’s inability to win games. Look, I know Rice is a huge sports fan, but why exactly is she qualified for the job? Oh, right, because she was so effective as National Security Advisor and later Secretary of State.

      The absurdity of it all naturally results in Warren Sapp providing a not completely insane observation: “The multi-tasking didn’t work in Washington so maybe the single-tasking will work in San Francisco.”

      Not that this is the same situation, but remember when the Lions pulled Matt Millen out of the broadcast booth to become their general manager because they liked his player evaluations? That it didn’t turn out too well. Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see how Rice helps the 49ers situation outside of creating a buzz. Hiring a good football mind (you know, somebody who actually has been in the NFL), makes a little more sense.

      NFL

      Fantasy Football Podcast #8 (10/23/08)

      October 23, 2008 /

      Listen in as Anthony Stalter and I discuss Brett Favre and “Lionsgate,” the firing of Mike Nolan and how it will affect the 49ers fantasy players, Tony Romo’s injury, the Larry Johnson and Kellen Winslow suspensions, and a couple of this week’s good fantasy matchups (SD/NO and NYG/PIT).

      Click here to listen to the podcast.

      (The opening and closing music is Ryan Adams’ “To Be Young,” which you might recognize as the opening music to “Old School.”) [iTunes link]

      Fantasy Football, NFL, Podcasts

      Bad timing in Nolan firing?

      October 21, 2008 /

      Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that firing head coach Mike Nolan was the right move by the 49ers, but the timing was awful.

      Mike NolanThis is the theme that runs through the 49ers’ administration – it has a spectacularly lousy sense of timing.

      Look, Nolan has been a toe in search of a tag since the end of last season. His flaws have been examined in minute detail, and his gifts do not measure favorably by comparison. This day was coming. It simply makes no sense to having it come Monday, unless you recognize that the 49ers don’t do anything through planning. It’s knee meets jerk, time and again.

      Nolan got fired for a lot of reasons. He got fired when he did because the failings of the franchises were leading back to John York, and York hired Nolan and gave him all the decision-making power and the pulpit to be the face of the franchise so that he would provide a cushion between York and the public.

      So York decided, reflexively and with no discernible strategy save getting out of the line of fire, that Nolan had finished serving the purpose for which he had been hired. York couldn’t wait one more week, when a firing would have made sense. He had to do it now, because … well, just because.

      Ratto’s probably right, but once the cat was out of the bag, it’s kind of hard to get the thing back in. Sometimes it’s better to just cut your losses (at whatever time you do it) and move on. Singletary is not in a great place now, but he’s always been a motivator and who knows, maybe the 49ers can come together in the wake of this move and compete. They certainly have enough talent; they just need direction.

      NFL

      49ers fire head coach Mike Nolan

      October 20, 2008 /

      Following the lead of the Rams and Raiders, the 49ers decided to fire their head coach as Mike Nolan got the axe on Monday night.

      Mike NolanMike Nolan has confirmed to FOX Sports that he has been fired by the San Francisco 49ers. Nolan was informed by team brass late Monday afternoon.

      It is assumed that current defensive coordinator Mike Singletary will assume Nolan’s coaching duties. There were reports earlier today that Nolan would be fired after the team’s next game Sunday against Seattle, but ownership instead decided not to wait.

      Nolan was in the midst of his fourth season in San Francisco and leaves with an 18-37 record. The 49ers appeared to have hope after a 7-9 season in 2006 — the team’s best record in three years at the time.

      But the Niners sank to 5-11 last season as Nolan and his one-time franchise quarterback Alex Smith reportedly had a falling out, with the Niners’ offense ranking as the league’s worst in 2007.
      This season’s 49ers began with mild hope after beginning the year 2-1, but local media pressure increased during a three-game losing streak.

      San Fran really didn’t have much choice. Nolan’s specialty was supposed to be defense, yet the 49ers have gotten worse in that area each of the last two seasons despite adding pricey free agents Nate Clements, Michael Lewis and Justin Smith.

      I’m pulling for Singletary to get a shot as interim because he deserves the opportunity to see what he can do as a head coach. Either way, at least Niner fans won’t be forced to watch Nolan on the sidelines in that ridiculous suit anymore.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      So maybe Martz isn’t a miracle worker after all

      October 19, 2008 /

      J.T. O'SullivanMike Martz may be known as the “Mad Scientist” but he also should have another nickname: “The coach who can turn crap quarterbacks into 3,200-yard quarterbacks.”

      Okay, so “crap” might be a harsh word. Marc Bulger wasn’t crap, he was more of a relative unknown, and Jon Kitna did have some productive seasons before his back to back 3,400-plus yard season. But Martz’s latest project, J.T. O’Sullivan, might fill the aforementioned use of the word crap.

      O’Sullivan’s final numbers (16 of 28 for 256 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs) in the Niners’ 29-17 loss to the Giants on Sunday weren’t bad, but don’t be fooled. He has zero pocket presence, bad footwork and his accuracy is below average. (And that’s putting it kindly.)

      If O’Sullivan’s first half effort is any indication of his potential, than there’s no way San Fran should give up on former first overall pick Alex Smith. Not that Smith has quelled doubts that he’s a first round bust, but O’Sullivan isn’t the answer either. And Mike Nolan has to be the next head coach on the chopping block. (Enough with the suit, will ya?)

      On a related topic but different note, this was a nice bounce back game for the Giants after their debacle on Monday night against the Browns. Eli Manning didn’t have an earth shattering performance, but he was solid and the G-Men got back to running the ball effectively again. I don’t know how much you can take from beating the 49ers at home, but again, they needed this after their loss to Cleveland.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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