Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with 49ers cornerback Nate Clements, who faces yet another tough matchup in Week 7. Crumpacker: "Clements will have all he can handle and more in Andre Johnson, one of a handful of prototypical 21st-century wide receivers plying their trade around the NFL. He's 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds with excellent speed, a good three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Clements, and with better speed." White had more sudden speed than Johnson, making Clements pay for the slightest mistake.
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes an excerpt from Y.A. Tittle's new book. Tittle: "I always felt that my best years as a quarterback and my effectiveness as a football player were under the regime of Buck Shaw (1951-1954). After Buck left San Francisco, the coaching style became rigid, disciplined and controlled. I missed him very much."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Mike Singletary hasn't wavered in his support of Shaun Hill, despite saying Hill must play better. Maiocco: "Singletary did not suggest he is contemplating any change at quarterback. Hill won the quarterback competition against Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, based on his play at the end of last season, offseason workouts, training camp and exhibition games."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers' initial expectations for Michael Crabtree have changed dramatically.
Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News thinks the 49ers are making the right decision by throwing Crabtree into the offense right away.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals think they can beat anyone, even the Giants, on the road. Strong safety Adrian Wilson: "I feel we've got a good, veteran team and the guys understand the importance of what it takes for us to go out on the road and win. I think our formula for success is not going to change."
Also from Somers: He thinks it would be "impossible" to say whether Anquan Boldin will play against the Giants based on watching Boldin practice. Somers: "If Boldin plays, my hunch is he will be on a snap count, sort of. The Cardinals likely won't try to play him 60-70 plays, but rather pick their spots. It wouldn't surprise me, either, if he sits out. Steve Breaston is fairly healthy, and coach Ken Whisenhunt might figure the only way Boldin really recovers is by taking a week off."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sees the Cardinals' game against the Giants as a second chance to win on Sunday night after a home loss to the Colts earlier in the season. Running back Tim Hightower: "I don’t think we look at it as any bigger of a game, but the game has more publicity, everybody is watching, it’s New York in New York and we know how that city is with football, plus they are coming off that big loss last week. There are a lot of things that are riding on it for them and for us. It's probably as close to a playoff atmosphere that we will see this year [in the regular season]. It’s a big game for a lot of reasons. It’s a great chance for us."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says more Rams fans than expected are sticking with the team through its struggles. Chief operating officer Kevin Demoff: "I don't have any questions about our fan support. Our actual in-house attendance is up this season. Our TV ratings are holding steady. We're one of only eight NFL teams to have a double-digit improvement in TV ratings this season. The fans are staying with us during difficult times. Now it's up to us to put a winning team on the field and we're working hard to do that."
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sizes up the gargantuan task facing the Rams against the Colts. Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole insists he's sleeping like a baby. "And that means I get up every two hours and cry," he said.
Also from Thomas: He gives the Colts the edge in key areas except when the Rams run the ball. He calls that matchup even. I think the Colts' ability to get a pass rush without blitzing will allow them to focus on the running game. A big game from Steven Jackson would be impressive indeed, particularly with Bob Sanders back in the lineup for Indianapolis.
John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with 49ers cornerback Nate Clements, who faces yet another tough matchup in Week 7. Crumpacker: "Clements will have all he can handle and more in Andre Johnson, one of a handful of prototypical 21st-century wide receivers plying their trade around the NFL. He's 6-foot-3 and 228 pounds with excellent speed, a good three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than Clements, and with better speed." White had more sudden speed than Johnson, making Clements pay for the slightest mistake.
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes an excerpt from Y.A. Tittle's new book. Tittle: "I always felt that my best years as a quarterback and my effectiveness as a football player were under the regime of Buck Shaw (1951-1954). After Buck left San Francisco, the coaching style became rigid, disciplined and controlled. I missed him very much."
Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says 49ers coach Mike Singletary hasn't wavered in his support of Shaun Hill, despite saying Hill must play better. Maiocco: "Singletary did not suggest he is contemplating any change at quarterback. Hill won the quarterback competition against Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, based on his play at the end of last season, offseason workouts, training camp and exhibition games."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers' initial expectations for Michael Crabtree have changed dramatically.
Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News thinks the 49ers are making the right decision by throwing Crabtree into the offense right away.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals think they can beat anyone, even the Giants, on the road. Strong safety Adrian Wilson: "I feel we've got a good, veteran team and the guys understand the importance of what it takes for us to go out on the road and win. I think our formula for success is not going to change."
Also from Somers: He thinks it would be "impossible" to say whether Anquan Boldin will play against the Giants based on watching Boldin practice. Somers: "If Boldin plays, my hunch is he will be on a snap count, sort of. The Cardinals likely won't try to play him 60-70 plays, but rather pick their spots. It wouldn't surprise me, either, if he sits out. Steve Breaston is fairly healthy, and coach Ken Whisenhunt might figure the only way Boldin really recovers is by taking a week off."
Darren Urban of azcardinals.com sees the Cardinals' game against the Giants as a second chance to win on Sunday night after a home loss to the Colts earlier in the season. Running back Tim Hightower: "I don’t think we look at it as any bigger of a game, but the game has more publicity, everybody is watching, it’s New York in New York and we know how that city is with football, plus they are coming off that big loss last week. There are a lot of things that are riding on it for them and for us. It's probably as close to a playoff atmosphere that we will see this year [in the regular season]. It’s a big game for a lot of reasons. It’s a great chance for us."
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says more Rams fans than expected are sticking with the team through its struggles. Chief operating officer Kevin Demoff: "I don't have any questions about our fan support. Our actual in-house attendance is up this season. Our TV ratings are holding steady. We're one of only eight NFL teams to have a double-digit improvement in TV ratings this season. The fans are staying with us during difficult times. Now it's up to us to put a winning team on the field and we're working hard to do that."
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sizes up the gargantuan task facing the Rams against the Colts. Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole insists he's sleeping like a baby. "And that means I get up every two hours and cry," he said.
Also from Thomas: He gives the Colts the edge in key areas except when the Rams run the ball. He calls that matchup even. I think the Colts' ability to get a pass rush without blitzing will allow them to focus on the running game. A big game from Steven Jackson would be impressive indeed, particularly with Bob Sanders back in the lineup for Indianapolis.
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
