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MMP: Playoffs? Playoffs?

MMP — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:24:45 +0000

Where is Jim Mora Sr. when you need him. It has now got to a point where I feel nothing for this team. They win great. They lose oh well. It is a sad state of affairs that this team has lost four in a row. With that said let’s take a look around Ninerland for this weeks Monday Morning Punter.

Maiocco breaks down the four turnovers yesterday, which resulted in 24 points
Quick Hits from Maiocco regarding the loss
Has the coaching staff finally realized what 95% of the fans have, that Isaac Bruce is done in this league and no longer a starting WR, (Bruce did not get the start and even lost the #3 spot to Jason Hill
Speaking of Jason Hill, he is just the second WR to score a touchdown, and he had two yesterday. Nice to see they basically had him on the bench for 7 weeks
Stating the obvious, but the 49ers seriously need help at the KR and PR positions
Kawakami has his spin on things
Vernon Davis was 10 for 102. First tight end to go over 100 since Eric Johnson did it back in 2004.
Peterson of the Merc asks if Alex Smith regressed in lose to Titans
Thank God for Andy Lee, he boomed three punts that had a net average of 53.3 yards.

MMP: Quarterback Controversy? There Shouldn’t Be

Niner Pundit — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:27:49 +0000

Mike Singletary and Co, have a little bit of thinking to do after the loss to the Texans. Starter Shaun Hill was pulled after another horrid performance for backup Alex Smith who came in and got the team back into the game and almost pulled out a come from behind victory. So now the question the 49ers must answer is, who gets the starting nod in Indy? The answer is obvious, but who knows what Mike is thinking.

Smith, Hill, Davis, Crabtree, and Gore answer questions from Maiocco.
With the Cardinals beating the Giants the 49ers have now fallen into second place in the division
After one game Crabtree already has more catches than Raiders receiver Heywood-Bey
Speaking of Raiders, Alex Smith in one half threw for more touchdowns than Jamarcus Russell has all season.
Is Spencer the real lockdown corner on the defense?
Who needs training camp? Crabtree catches on quickly
As far as there being a controversey if any, Singletary said he’d name the starter for the Indy game today.
Vernon Davis’ three touchdown performance was the most ever in one game for a 49ers tight end

MMP: Tampering and More…

MMP — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:25:44 +0000

This week’s Monday Morning Punter starts off with a grievence filed by the 49ers against the New York Jets for tampering charges. The 49ers may believe the Jets contacted Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, to let him know they’d be interested in trading for his rights, or in drafting him in 2010 with a better salary than San Francisco is offering.

You don’t want to make Gore angry. (or sad for that matter)
Singletary not satisfied. (He must see outside of Gore offense sucks as well)
Rice questions Crabtree’s holdout (Tell em Jerry)
Eddie D Honored, A Family Affair (I didn’t see Mr French however)
More on Eddie D, says he’d tell Douchtree to re-enter draft. (Eddie would you gamble on that?)

MMP: Vernon to Crabtree ‘Get Your Butt to Camp’

Niner Pundit — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:40:53 +0000

It looks like Vernon Davis has had enough with Michael Crabtree being a douche and has this advice for him. “He needs to get his butt here and help this team out”

Seems Vernon isn’t the only one who has some words for teammates. Looks like Gore is wanting Vernon to show maturity

Gore is tearing it up in camp and everyone is taking notice.

Zeigler leading candidate as the third option with Jones out and Crabtree removing sand from his vagina?

Jed York tops list of Bay Area sports power players

MMP: Morgan Working to be No. 1

Niner Pundit — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:43:37 +0000

Monday Morning Punter is back, okay well technically it’s Tuesday, so this week we’ll just act like it’s Monday.

Josh Morgan is working to be the #1. (Let’s hope the Captain makes it happen)
The QB’s are looking better than last year.
Willis sits out with a sprain and other camp notes.
Jay Moore (remember him) makes a spalsh at late practice.
Hill and Jones shine.

MMP: Draft Recap

Niner Pundit — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:33:55 +0000

Monday Morning Punter is back, well at least for this week. We take a quick look at the players drafted over the weekend. Info courtesy of Matt Maiocco

MICHAEL CRABTREE
First round, No. 10 overall
Position: Wide receiver
College: Texas Tech

The vision: The 49ers expect him to compete – and win – the starting job at split end, where second-year player Josh Morgan is also competing. Crabtree has a chance to immediately become the team’s No. 1 receiver. The 49ers will certainly take it slow with Crabtree this offseason, as he recovers from surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. He probably will not do much until the start of training camp.

Quotebook: “When I played quarterback, I always wanted a receiver like (me). I wanted a receiver where I could just throw it up and he could go get it. Or if I threw a pass, I knew he was going to cut in front of that DB and not let the interception happen and make a play” – Crabtree.

GLEN COFFEE
Third round; No. 74 overall
Position: Running back
College: Alabama
Ht: 6-0; Wt: 210

The vision: Coffee is a powerful runner who has the ability to put on another 10 pounds and become an answer in short-yardage situations. The 49ers would like Coffee to work into a role of prominence to give Frank Gore the occasional breather. McCloughan likes Coffee as the No. 2 back, calling him a “one-cut power back.”

Quotebook: “I watched a lot of (Gore) when he got into the league and I knew a little bit about him in college. I know he’s a great back and he can do a lot of things. I’m glad to be able to practice with him and play with him” – Coffee.

SCOTT McKILLOP
Fifth round; No. 146 overall
Position: Inside linebacker
College: Pittsburgh
Ht: 6-1; Wt: 245

The vision: McKillop, the Big East defensive player of the year, should be a solid inside linebacker who will be an immediate contributor on special teams. McKillop will compete with veteran Jeff Ulbrich to serve as backup to Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes. McCloughan said he’ll start off at the backup Ted. “That’s a pick for me that I’m very excited about,” he said.

Quotebook: “I kind of play like I have a chip on my shoulder. Everyone is always doubting me. All it takes is one person to make one comment about me and I’m just going to work harder and try to prove people wrong” – McKillop said.

NATE DAVIS
Fifth round; No. 171 overall
Position: Quarterback
College: Ball State
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 217

The vision: Davis is a gifted quarterback whom the team can take the time to develop. He is the No. 4 quarterback on the roster behind Shaun Hill, Alex Smith and Damon Huard. There will be no urgency to get him onto the field. The GM says there is a great upside to Davis. “He’s proven he’s a winner,” McCloughan said. He likes the way he hangs in the pocket and does not flinch.

Quotebook: “Personally I don’t think there’s really anything different. I think the big difference is he (Matthew Stafford) went to Georgia and I went to Ball State. (Mark) Sanchez went to USC, I went to Ball State. It’s a bigger school and unfortunately they had better competition but it all worked out” – Davis, comparing himself to the top two quarterbacks selected.

BEAR PASCOE
Sixth round; No. 184 overall
Position: Tight end
College: Fresno State
Ht: 6-5; Wt: 255

The vision: Pascoe is a tough, rugged inline blocker who should immediately take over for blocking specialist Billy Bajema, who signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent. Unlike Bajema, Pascoe can also be used in the passing game.

Quotebook: “Football’s a rough sport. There’s going to be injuries, but you have to play through them, play through the pain and learn how to handle it. And that’s probably one of my best attributes, is I’ve got a very high pain tolerance” – Pascoe.

CURTIS TAYLOR
Seventh round; No. 219 overall
Position: Free safety
College: LSU
Ht: 6-2; Wt: 211

The vision: The 49ers figure taking Taylor at this spot in the draft was a good investment because of his size and athletic ability. Conceivably, he could contribute on special teams while taking on a backup role.

Quotebook: “Taylor will get a long look because he is so physically gifted, but he never materialized as the consistent standout performer you thought he could be” – ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

RICKY JEAN-FRANCOIS
Seventh round; No. 244 overall
Position: Defensive line
College: LSU
Ht: 6-3; Wt: 295

The vision: Francois has a lot of talent, but he did not play with a lot of consistency throughout his career. He saw action in just 25 games. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has a project on his hands.

Quotebook: “When you look at the film at the other kid, the third pick in the draft (LSU teammate Tyson Jackson), the guy next to him jumps out and makes plays” – 49ers coach Mike Singletary.

MMP: Two in a Row

MMP — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:43:38 +0000

Shaun Hill is now 5-2 as a starter and Mike Singletary has coached this team to three wins out of there last four meetings. If those two figures aren’t enough to keep both in the same positions next year, then I don’t know what is. Here are some of the rumblings going on around Ninerland after beating the Jets on all aspects of the game.

Frank Gore’s status is uncertain at this time, he wants more than anything to play in front of his hometown. If he can’t go look for Foster to get the start and Thomas Clayton getting the call up from the practice squad to backup Foster.

Singletary has said Vernon Davis is the “best I’ve ever seen” as a blocker at the tight end positon.

Singletary gave Nolan the game ball after his first win against the Rams. Singletary gave it to Nolan, because he wanted to “let him know I’m always indebted to him.”

Brett Favre gave San Francisco credit. He was impressed with them before the game and after.

Eric Heitmann (best center he has ever coached according to Martz) and Chilo Rachal shut Kris Jenkins down. Jenkins finished the day with one tackle.

Gore is 22 yards away from putting together three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. The first in 49ers history.

Consensus around the Bay Area is it is time to remove ‘Interim’ from Singletary’s title.

MMP: What We Learned – 49ers at Bills

MMP — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:24:35 +0000

Since this week’s what we learned wasn’t put up after yesterday’s win, we figured we’d go ahead and have the Monday Morning Punter take care of it this week. So here is what we learned.

The 49ers can win early in the morning and on the East Coast.

For once the refs raped the other team.

Shaun Hill still doesn’t look polished, but he somehow finds a way to get the job done.

Niner fans on the East Coast came to represent.

The 49ers can win a game when only scoring 10 points.

Takeo Spikes is badass and they need to lock him up for another year.

Somehow they found a way to convert every third down on the opening scoring drive.

This was the best defensive performance on the road since a 38-0 victory at New Orleans during the 2001 season.

MMP: Six Years and Counting…

Niner Pundit — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:17:50 +0000

After the 49ers 8th loss of the season against ~~America’s~~ the hated Cowboys, the 49ers are now guaranteed their 6th consecutive losing season in a row. That’s sad when you think about it. Over those six years the 49ers have a record of 28-63 and this season isn’t even done yet. They still have a good shot of adding five more into the L column.

This week I’m going to keep Monday Morning Punter short and sweet. No need to post links talking about how Shaun Hill and the 49ers offense are scared of the goalline or how special teams couldn’t keep Andy Lee’s streak of not having a punt blocked going. Nope, none of that, I’m just going to look back at that 28-63 record and give a big FU to the follow people:

Carmen Policy
Dwight Clark
Eddie DeBartolo
Terry Donahue
Mike Nolan
The Yorks
49ers Scouts
Norv Turner
and everyone else who is responsible for the crap we have got to witness for the past six years.

MMP: Woohoo

MMP — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:52:07 +0000

The 49ers won their third and for the first time in a long time looked like they could play with anyone. Sure they made some mistakes, but on all sides of the ball they played their asses off. Today I’m just going to leave you all with some quick numbers/notes from the 49ers PR department.

*The 49ers were leading 35-3 at halftime. The 49ers 35 first half points are the most they have scored in the first half since the 49ers scored 42 points vs. Atlanta (10-18-92), which is the most points they ever scored in a half.

*The 35-3 halftime lead was the 49ers largest since they took a 34-0 lead into the half vs. Arizona (12-7-03) in a 50-14 win.

*The 49ers had a 28-point second quarter to match the team record for most points scored in one quarter. The team has scored 28 points in a quarter five other times. It is the first 28-point quarter since the 49ers scored 28 points in the fourth quarter vs. Chicago (12-23-91) in a 52-14 win.

*QB Shaun Hill had the longest pass completion of his career when he connected with WR Bryant Johnson for a 42-yard gain in the second quarter. His previous best was a 31-yard touchdown pass to WR Josh Morgan at Arizona last Monday night (11-10-08).

*Hill became the first 49ers starting QB to post a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in the first half. The previous best was Steve Young’s 156.5 rating vs. New Orleans (9-14-97).

*Hill’s 192 yards in the first half are the most by a 49ers quarterback since Jeff Garcia threw for 221 first half yards against Arizona (12-7-03).

*RB Frank Gore recorded his 15th NFL 100-yard game and his third of the season with 106 yards on 18 carries. He had 130 yards rushing vs. Detroit (9-21) and 101 vs. Philadelphia (10-12) earlier this season.

*The 49ers are now 11-4 when Gore has at least 100 yards rushing in a game.

*Gore became the first 49ers running back to rush for two first half touchdowns since Kevan Barlow scored two touchdowns vs. Carolina (11-14-04).

*Gore rushed for two touchdowns for the sixth time in his career. It was his first two-touchdown performance since he had two at Arizona (11-25-07).

*Gore had a 37-yard run in the first quarter. That run is Gore’s second longest of the year to a 41-yard touchdown run he had in the season-opener vs. Arizona (9-7).

*Gore entered the game with 728 yards rushing and added 106 for a season total of 834 rushing yards. He is on pace for 1,334 yards. He needs 166 more rushing yards to become the first 49ers player ever to have three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

*Gore now has 4,239 yards rushing as a member of the 49ers and needs 50 yards to move past Hall of Fame RB Hugh McElhenny into sixth place on the 49ers all-time rushing list.

*LB Patrick Willis entered the game with a team-leading 108 total tackles and added eight to give him 116 for the year. He is on pace to finish with 186 total tackles.

*KR Allen Rossum is averaging 27.9 yards per kickoff return. He is on pace to finish with a career year. His best average of 25.8 during his third NFL season in 2000 with Green Bay.

*Rossum is averaging 16.9 yards per punt return. He is on pace for best his best season in that category as well. His best season so far was a 14.0 average in 2003 with Atlanta.