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

      Best all-time franchise players for all 32 NFL teams

      August 18, 2008 /

      ESPN.com did a cool feature recently when they asked SportsNation to select an all-time player for each NFL team. Some players were obvious choices for teams, including Brett Favre for the Packers and Barry Sanders for the Lions, but there were some question picks, as well.

      The site added links to video of each player, as well as a chance to debate each choice.

      Here were some of the more obvious selections:

      49ers: Joe Montana, QB
      Packers: Brett Favre, QB
      Lions: Barry Sanders, RB
      Browns: Jim Brown, RB
      Dolphins: Dan Marino, QB
      Patriots: Tom Brady, QB
      Broncos: John Elway, QB
      Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB
      Colts: Peyton Manning, QB

      And some of the more questionable choices:

      Ravens: Matt Stover, K
      Saints: Bobby Hebert, QB

      As a colleague pointed out, it’s hard to argue with any of these picks because they were chosen by fans. But Matt Stover over Ray Lewis? Bobby Hebert over Archie Manning?

      Lewis has been the face of Baltimore’s franchise for almost a decade and Stover is a kicker (albeit a very good kicker) for Jonathan Ogden’s sake. And I know Hebert was a fan favorite that led the team to the playoffs in 1988, but if Manning had a better team around him, he might have led the Saints to their first ever Super Bowl. I thought Pat Swilling would have gotten more love, too. (Swilling only got 2.4% of votes.)

      Cool feature, though.

      General Sports, NFL

      J.T. O’Sullivan in, Alex Smith out as 49ers’ QB?

      August 12, 2008 /

      According to the San Francisco Chronicle, J.T. O’Sullivan appears to have the edge over Alex Smith in the battle for the 49ers’ starting quarterback job.

      J.T. O’Sullivan, who has taken more than double the first-team snaps than Shaun Hill and Alex Smith since his elevation into team drills on July 30, completed 10-of-18 with two picks. However, one of them resulted when Arnaz Battle slipped and safety Mark Roman easily picked him off. He was also dogged by a pair of drops, one by tight end Vernon Davis and another by fullback Zak Keasey. Smith ended the first session by tossing an interception on a shovel pass to rookie defensive end Louis Holmes while completing 8-of-13.

      Given that O’Sullivan played for Martz in Detroit, this isn’t entirely surprising. O’Sullivan already knows the system and therefore has Martz’ trust. But still, this has to be blow to Smith – a former first overall pick that is steamrolling towards bustville.

      Maybe Aaron Rodgers will have the last laugh after all. Imagine if he produces a solid season in Green Bay after years after bidding time behind Brett Favre. And then Smith gets benched in San Fran after years of having the opportunity to start.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      49ers’ defense gets boost with addition of LB Takeo Spikes

      August 11, 2008 /

      The San Francisco 49ers signed inside linebacker Takeo Spikes, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. To make room for the signing, the team also released LB Brandon Moore.

      Spikes, 31, and the 49ers had been talking since March after he was released by Philadelphia after just one season. He was due to make $5 million in 2008, and the Eagles felt they could use that money elsewhere since they liked their younger linebackers.

      Spikes started 14 games for them last year before tearing a rotator cuff and having surgery. The 49ers’ doctors had to check out his shoulder Sunday before the club would agree to a deal. When Spikes visited their headquarters in March, he was rehabbing the shoulder and couldn’t pass a physical.

      Spikes has lost a step over the years, but playing inside linebacker in Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense doesn’t require sideline-to-sideline ability. This move solidifies the run defense a bit, but the question remains if whether or not the 49ers will get enough of a pass rush from their front seven. Either way, Spikes is a terrific leader and it brings a lot of experience to San Fran’s defense.

      Even though it didn’t transfer to wins, the 49ers had a very productive offseason in 2007 and did so again this year. With the additions of Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, Tully Banta-Cain, Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes and DROY Patrick Willis (photo), San Fran has vastly improved its defense over the past two offseasons.

      Fantasy Football, General Sports, NFL

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