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Friday, December 31, 2010
Takeo Spikes - deserving Eshmont winner
With all the general manager talk, we completely whiffed on linebacker Takeo Spikes winning the Len Eshmont award, an accolade given to the player by vote of his teammates, who exemplifies the courageous and inspirational play.
Spikes took Mike Singletary on this season, not by words but by deeds. Singletary benched Spikes in the nickel defense in favor of rookie NaVorro Bowman. When Bowman faltered, Spikes forced himself back into the role by making a few interceptions. By contrast, Singletary told safety Michael Lewis some of his playing time would be sacrificed to rookie Taylor Mays, Lewis responded by quitting.
GM SEARCH FIZZLING: The 49ers should take a serious look at Jimmy Raye for their general manager position. Not that Jimmy Raye. The one who's the sharp-eyed personnel man for the San Diego Chargers, a team that continues to renew itself with top-flight talent. He also happens to be the son of the 49ers former offensive coordinator. Or how about Colts director of player personnel Tom Telesco? For the last 12 seasons he has learned his craft from Colts President Bill Polian, widely considered the best general manager type in the game.
These men could bring fresh ideas and a new, impartial perspective on the 49ers current roster. Raye might be last on the GM list for team president Jed York, who will interview another candidate next week. York will apparently interview a candidate that's employed with an NFL team.
| Dec 31 at 09:27 AM
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Jed York - Is the GM search a sham?
The 49ers are either creating a huge smoke screen to conceal their true desire to hire someone other than Trent Baalke as their general manager, or their GM search is a sham. Yet another league source said Baalke's hire was a done deal. Not only that, reports and sources say his hiring has been in the works for several weeks.
That isn't sitting well in some NFL circles as team president and CEO Jed York continues to interview candidates just so he can say he did his due diligence. Potential "candidates" have to feel that York is simply wasting their time.
The strategy is darkening an already gathering cloud over Baalke's promotion, which isn't fair to him. Certainly the caustic comments on this and other blogs along with the anger expressed on sports talk radio mean the Baalke era will begin amid a miasma of bad feeling in the fan base.
Trent Baalke seems to be the next 49ers general manager.
On KNBR this week, York has already tried to prepare the ground for planting Baalke and whomever they hire as their head coach by comparing Baalke to Atlanta's general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith, two unknowns before they revived a franchise in turmoil after coach Bobby Petrino's controversial departure.
However, Dimitroff came from outside the Falcons organization, and a successful one at that. He served as the Patriots director of college scouting from 2003-2007 before his hiring in Atlanta. When he was hired by the Falcons, he had over 18 years of experience with several different teams and three leagues. By comparison, Baalke has 13 years of experience, the last five with the 49ers. Unfortunately, Baalke can't bring in a fresh set of eyes to look over the team's roster, and since he has been with the team, he carries the stain of its failures. Baalke will also function without the benefit of a veteran sounding board.
Read More 'Jed York - Is the GM search a sham?' »| Dec 30 at 11:17 AM
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Looking more like an inside job
NFL Network Michael Lombardi went on NFL Network a bit ago and said, not only he is not a candidate for the 49ers' general manager job, but that in-house candidate Trent Baalke will get the job within 48 hours.
I'm not saying this whole search process is a farce, but if Baalke gets the job before Jed York can interview any candidates employed by NFL teams, how can he possibly say he got the best guy for the job? If the only options considered are people unemployed by the NFL, how great can that pool really be?
ESPN commentator Trent Dilfer was first to say the job was Baalke's on Monday. NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora added to the chorus Tuesday. If nothing else, it looks like it is up to the outside candidates to change York's mind at this point.
This will be the most important hire of York's two-year tenure. Fans can only hope he exhausts all options before making a decision, and that means waiting until next week when he can begin interviewing candidates currently under NFL contract.
| Dec 29 at 03:28 PM
GM update: Michael Lombardi
Niners president Jed York interviewed former Raiders un-GM late Tuesday night, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Earlier today, Schefter also reported York was going to reach out to Bill Parcells to talk about in-house candidate Trent Baalke, who served as a scout under Parcells back in the day.
In other words, York is looking for a new GM even as he looks for more reasons to just hand the job over to Baalke, as more and more NFL folks are assuming he will do in the end.
So, to review, here is how York's list has shaped up this week. Read More 'GM update: Michael Lombardi' »
| Dec 29 at 01:01 PM
Alex Smith it is, but no Willis
Well, so much for my David Carr theory.
Alex Smith will get one last start for the 49ers before he (presumably) hits the door after six seasons, interim coach John Tomsula said Wednesday.
Why?
"Experience," Tomsula said.
(If you want to read about Alex's final dust-up with Singletary, you'll have to keep reading. How's that for a teaser?)
Inside linebacker Patrick Willis, however, is a no go for the first time in his four-year career. He had a second surgery in three weeks on his broken right hand and is ruled out of the season finale.
Tomsula said Willis would not be able to play even if Sunday's game against Arizona was for a playoff bid. The injury is deemed that serious after playing with a club for two weeks.
So, who will fill Willis' Pro Bowl shoes? Read More 'Alex Smith it is, but no Willis' »
| Dec 29 at 12:21 PM
And the starting QB is ...
Beats me. Interim coach Jim Tomsula will probably announce it today .. or you would hope so after the 49ers misplayed the game of cat and mouse like no team in NFL history.
Here's one vote for David Carr to make his first start of the year.
Why, you ask (other than the obvious ties to Fresno State)? Read More 'And the starting QB is ...' »
| Dec 29 at 08:53 AM
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Jed York interviews candidates
Team president Jed York had an interesting Q and A with David White of the Chronicle. York said he will interview former Broncos general manager Ted Sundquist. Also, York has interviewed former Rams executive Tony Softli, an African American candidate. The Rooney rule dictates that teams interview minority candidates for general manager jobs and head-coaching positions before making a hire.
Meanwhile the team also announced that linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive end Justin Smith made the Pro Bowl. For Willis this is his fourth straight Pro Bowl, while Smith made his second in a row. Tight end Vernon Davis (first alternate) and running back Frank Gore (fifth alternate) were named as alternates.
| Dec 28 at 10:30 PM
Mike Singletary - Post script
We media types like to characterize player reaction to team events as a single emotion. That was impossible with the firing of Mike Singletary. Some were likely glad to see him go, including the team's quarterbacks.
Singletary impugned the character of Nate Davis in the preseason, he questioned the leadership of Alex Smith, he never gave David Carr a chance, and called an in-game switch from Alex Smith to Troy Smith "horrendous." He also switched quarterbacks on a whim, highlighting them as THE problem on offense. Troy Smith's explosion at Singletary characterized the quarterbacks' loss of respect for their head coach.
Player reaction to Singletary's firing was mixed.
For the rest of the team, Singletary's firing seemed to elicit sadness. Defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois talked about a pall that settled over the locker room; he said players didn't even want to talk about the Singletary firing.
Linebacker Patrick Willis used the word sad to characterize his brief chat with Singletary Sunday night. The firing just seemed to deepen the disappointment players felt about this double-digit loss season; it possibly made them reflect on their part in the team's failing. Replacement coach Jim Tomsula said he apologized to Singletary for not "getting it done."
But players also reflected on the disruptions Singletary created. Running back Frank Gore said the constant switching at quarterback was hard, particularly on the receivers. Vernon Davis said revolving quarterbacks and the firing of the offensive coordinator weighed on the team.
Read More 'Mike Singletary - Post script' »| Dec 28 at 10:00 AM
Monday, December 27, 2010
The new GM will hire the 49ers head coach
Here are the particulars of the Jed York news conference:
-York said he will hire a general manager to lead the team's football operation and that the general manager will then hire the next head coach.
-York said he has no time table for completing the GM hire, but that he has already started the process. He wouldn't say who he has talked with.
-York said he has leaned on and will continue to elicit the advice of his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the owner of the 49ers when the organization won five Super Bowl championships. York also said he has talked to the Kraft family, who owns the Patriots.
-York said he would be the one to make the final decision on the general manager and that he would alone would interview candidates. Previously, others have been involved in general manager and head coaching hires, such as team executive Paraag Marathe.
-The powers of the future head coach will be determined by the general manager, including say over the draft and the final roster.
-York said current personnel chief Trent Baalke is a candidate, but it seems unlikely he'll wind up with the job.
-When previous general manager Scot McCloughan left for personal reasons, York interviewed some candidates, but at the time, he said there wasn't a general manager out there would handle contracts, personnel, and player evaluation. Now, York has changed his mind. When asked if there are viable candidates, York said, "There are some good people out there."
-York also fired assistant coaches close to Singletary, including inside linebackers coach Vantz Singletary, Mike Singletary's nephew, and pass rush specialist Al Harris. Read More 'The new GM will hire the 49ers head coach' »
| Dec 27 at 01:27 PM
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Singletary fired
The 49ers informed coach Mike Singletary he was fired shortly after the team returned from St. Louis, a team source with ties to his family has told The Chronicle.
Niners president Jed York hinted this move was coming but said after the game he didn't want to make an "emotional decision" after a loss.
More to come ...
Update from the sports desk:
The 49ers have confirmed the firing of head coach Mike Singletary, issuing the following statement:
The San Francisco 49ers have relieved Mike Singletary of his duties as head coach. Jim Tomsula has been named interim head coach and will serve in that capacity throughout the remainder of the season.
49ers President & CEO Jed York will be joined by Tomsula in a press conference Monday at 12 noon PT in the defensive meeting room of the team's Santa Clara practice facility.
Tomsula is in his fourth season as the 49ers defensive line coach. Prior to joining the franchise, Tomsula enjoyed a successful nine-year career in NFL Europa that included serving as the head coach of the Rhein Fire, in 2006. Last year, 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith was named to his first Pro Bowl under his tutelage.
Singletary released this statement:
"One of the greatest experiences of my life was having the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers. What made it so special were the players. They were some of the most outstanding men I have ever been around in my life. The coaches were truly professionals. I wish the 49ers nothing but the best. I am thankful to the York family for having given me the opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL. I am indebted to them for that. I am also thankful for the Faithful fans, I am just sorry I couldn't give them more."
And Jed York had this to say:
"I want to thank Mike Singletary for the passion and effort that he brought to this organization. He is a tremendous person for whom I will always have great respect."
| Dec 26 at 08:44 PM
Veteran 49ers writers Kevin Lynch and David White analyze the stats with an insider's insight.
By Kevin Lynch, David White, Read Bios
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