Archive for May, 2010

Pro Bowl TE Davis not worried about contract talk with 49ers

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Standout linebacker Patrick Willis received a hefty five-year contract extension from the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago. Could Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis be the next one rewarded?
Davis isn’t sure, and he insists it’s not weighing heavily on his mind right now. Yet Davis figures things will work out in time — and he wouldn’t mind a similar long-term commitment from the team. His current deal is due to be up after the 2010 season, and the 49ers have said they want to do all they can to keep their core players to establish some stability for the franchise.
“I’m not in a rush to do anything,” Davis said Monday after attending the first of four optional practices this week. “That’d be good, when I eventually sign my extension. It’s not something that’s heavy on my mind. I’m not really thinking about it at the moment. I like to let things come to me.”
Davis, 26, is coming off a career year in his fourth NFL season, in which he tied Antonio Gates’ NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end with 13. Davis finished with career highs of 78 catches and 965 yards.

While Davis is in camp this week, others who apparently are unhappy with their contract situations are staying away: starting cornerback Shawntae Spencer and linebacker Manny Lawson.
For Davis, showing up is about doing his job — and that is to continue “to get better.” He’s also a team captain and eager to lead the young players by example at this early stage, even with training camp still more than two months away.
“I’m here because this is what I do,” Davis said. “I’m not concerned about the other guys and what they do. (Manny) is a grown man. Me, I like to work.”
Coach Mike Singletary said he has spoken with both Spencer and fellow cornerback no-show Nate Clements and is satisfied that they are doing fine in their offseason workouts to prepare for next season. As far as Lawson, the coach hasn’t spoken to him for “a while.”
Like Davis, Lawson is in the final year of his contract. Both were drafted by San Francisco in 2006. Lawson had a career-best 6.5 sacks last season — and he, too, is seeking more from the 49ers.
Spencer might be making a statement of his own by staying away from the team.

Clements is a different case. He broke his right shoulder blade during a Nov. 1 road game against the Indianapolis Colts and was done for the rest of the season for San Francisco, which finished 8-8 to end a franchise-worst stretch of six consecutive losing seasons but missed the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.
Safety Michael Lewis said while the team misses its two starting cornerbacks, this gives the young players a chance to do more work this week.
“We’re trying to build something special, and those guys know the defense already,” Lewis said of Clements and Spencer. “They’re taking care of business, Shawntae in Pittsburgh and Nate out in Arizona. Guys are getting better. That’s the main focus. If you’re out there getting better, then we have no problem with it. With the younger guys who are here, we’re trying to get them better so they can help us out on the field.”
Still, if you ask Davis, the best way to accomplish things for the season is to be on the field with the rest of the team — voluntary or not, contract issues or not.
“I just like to take my time and always stay positive about things,” Davis said. “I’m not really concerned on who they sign first or whether they sign me last. If you work hard, you get what you deserve. The harder you work, the more successful you are. I’ve always believed in that.”
Notes: Willis said he’s not sure when he will be back on the field at full speed following a March procedure on his right knee to remove an inflamed fluid sac that kept him out of this year’s Pro Bowl. “I’m just listening to the trainers,” he said. … DT Aubrayo Franklin also didn’t take part Monday. … Ted Ginn Jr., acquired when the Niners traded their fifth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins to acquire, dropped a couple of balls thrown by starting QB Alex Smith. … The 49ers signed rookie CB Phillip Adams, a seventh-round pick, to a four-year contract. He’s the first of the team’s eight draft picks to sign.

Posted in 2010 Season | No Comments »

49ers ink CB William James

Friday, May 14th, 2010

The San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday signed veteran cornerback William James to a one-year contract.

James played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Lions last season, recording 73 tackles and two interceptions.

Originally a third-round pick of the New York Giants in the 2001 draft, James has posted 270 tackles, 51 passes defensed, eight interceptions, and one forced fumble in 92 career games (60 starts) with the Giants, Eagles, Jaguars, and Lions.

Posted in Players and the game | No Comments »

‘Niner Jan’ Remembered For Loving Support

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Please see below. Niner Jan was a good person and will be missed. She use to come in to the store often, especially for signings and was a fantastic lady.

Posted by Taylor Price on May 13, 2010 – 10:46 AM

The 49ers haven’t played any games this offseason, but they’ve just suffered one of their biggest losses in recent years.

Jan Boehm, who was one of the most loyal, passionate, and caring members of the 49ers Faithful, passed away on Friday, April 30th after a difficult battle with central nervous system lymphoma.

“Jan was arguably our most visible and outwardly supportive fan,” said 49ers Co-Chairman John York. “She helped each of us appreciate – every single day – what it meant to be a member of the 49ers. She reminded us of how lucky we were to be a part of this great organization and she made us want to be a part of her life, too.”

Perhaps no member of the Faithful was more spirited about their beloved football team than Boehm, who was simply known around team headquarters as “Niner Jan.”

But she was more than that. To us, she was our “Niner Mom.” It said as much on the birthday and holiday cards she routinely sent to players, coaches and members of the front office.

“She was such a die-hard fan, but cared about everyone on the team,” left tackle Joe Staley recalled. “She would write us nice cards every year, and they were all personal. There was never a generic card, everything was personalized. She really cared about the team, and it’s really sad that she’s not going to be with us anymore, but she’ll always be with us in spirit.”

Beyond the numerous cards of well wishes personalized with her unrelenting spirit, Boehm would spend countless hours in her nearby kitchen in Sunnyvale preparing tasty treats to personally deliver to team headquarters each week of the regular season.

Win or lose, for the past 20 seasons, Boehm has been there to support her team. Ever since she witnessed the 49ers dominant performance in Super Bowl XXIV over the Denver Broncos, Boehm became fascinated with the franchise.

She would soon begin collecting memorabilia that would nearly reach 1,000 items proudly displayed in her home. But Boehm’s passion for the team wasn’t based on the performances on the field; it was rooted in the character of the players and coaches that she observed off of it.

Once Boehm got more involved in following the team over the past decade, she began bringing home-made baked goods to players and staff members as part of her weekly visits to 4949 Centennial Blvd.

Boehm’s annual arrival was eagerly awaited by many in the building, including security staff member Dario Montenegro, who recalled seeing Boehm deliver baked goods for 10 of the 12 seasons he’s worked for the 49ers.

“She was always upbeat, always happy. No matter what the 49ers did, she would always say, ‘We can do better!’” Montenegro remembered. “That’s what you want your fans to be like. No matter what the team went through, she was there for us all of the time, no matter what. She was always holding up the team.”

Boehm also held up the 49ers efforts in the community by frequently contributing to the 49ers Foundation. As an English teach for over 20 years, Boehm took a particular interest in helping the 49ers keep kids safe, on track and in school.

“She saw the difference you can make when you give a child the support they need to be successful in school,” said Joanne Pasternack, Director of Community Relations and The 49ers Foundation. “She didn’t just talk about being a fan; she really supported us on and off the field. Jan showed the personal touch that really makes people feel appreciated.”

In her memory, Boehm has continued her personal touch, requesting that 10 percent of her estate be donated to the 49ers Foundation to support low income youth.

But it wasn’t the first time Boehm had made such a generous gesture towards a 49ers-related cause.

When 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois felt the devastation left by a lethal earthquake which rocked his homeland of Haiti, Boehm stepped in with a $5,000 donation to the American Red Cross. As a native of Louisiana, Boehm was all too familiar with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina. She felt it was necessary to help out.

“It was so nice, she didn’t have to do it, but the fact that she would do things for all of us, we really appreciated it,” Jean Francois said. “To see all the love that she gave us, that comes from something deep down, something out of your heart.

“She’ll never be forgotten by us. She’ll always be remembered. We know we can’t see her in the physical form, but we know she’s here in spirit.”

Boehm wrote this in a Christmas card she sent me this past season:

“Taylor, Keep up the good work! The 49ers are so lucky to have you!”

But really, we were all so, so lucky to have her.

Posted in 49er profiles | No Comments »

Hard work pays: Niners LB Willis signs five-year, $50M extension

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Patrick Willis has developed into an All-Pro under Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, and the San Francisco 49ers’ coach expects his top defender to become better than he ever was.
Willis is a big deal to the 49ers — and he earned himself a big new deal Tuesday because of it.
The standout middle linebacker signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension that takes him through the 2016 season and includes $29 million in guaranteed money from the 49ers. He’s set to make $10 million per season.
“Wow. It’s been a long journey, but it’s not over yet. I feel like it’s just beginning,” Willis said during a news conference at team headquarters. “It means a lot. It shows they really wanted me here — and it shows what they want and what I want are the same things: to win.”
It’s another big offseason splash by new 49ers personnel chief Trent Baalke, who took charge after general manager Scot McCloughan’s abrupt departure in March. The team’s lead negotiator, Paraag Marathe, worked with Willis’ agent, Ben Dogra, over the recent months to seal the deal. Willis had two years left on his contract, too.
Locking up Willis for the long haul makes sure the 49ers keep their dominant defensive leader after they bolstered their offense in last month’s draft with two linemen picked 11th and 17th overall — Rutgers’ Anthony Davis and Idaho’s Mike Iupati, respectively.
“The most important message management sent today is for those guys that go out and perform, we’re going to take care of our guys, and Pat is a tremendous example of that,” Singletary said. “It’s a great day for the 49er organization. Our management could see the value, our ownership could see the value, in a young man like Patrick Willis, who embodies everything, on the field, off the field.”
Willis, the 11th overall pick in the 2007 draft out of Ole Miss, has led the 49ers in tackles in each of his first three seasons and made 48 consecutive starts. He has received plenty of comparisons to Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis along the way, though Singletary considers them different players.
“You can never just be great. Every day is a work in progress,” said Willis, who prides himself in being able to stop the run, blitz or match up with receivers. “When I’m done playing, I want to leave a legacy that says, ‘You know, this guy gave everything he had, and he’s one of the best players to ever play at that position.’”
In March, Willis underwent surgery on his right knee to remove an inflamed fluid sac that kept him out of this year’s Pro Bowl. He said he’s close to being ready to return to the field.
Before the 49ers drafted Willis, Singletary wasn’t initially sold on the linebacker’s NFL potential. Once Singletary learned a little more about Willis — like the fact he basically raised three younger siblings and dealt with the drowning death of his 17-year-old brother, Detris, and that he played not only hurt but also with a heavy heart — the coach changed his stance in a hurry.

“I told Scot (McCloughan) before the draft, ‘We’ve got to get this guy,’” Singletary said.
Singletary said Willis possesses “that passion to make every play.” It’s Singletary who has kept pushing Willis to improve through even more hard work — and the linebacker appreciates that constant presence from his coach.
“What I’ve done the last three years is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Willis, who’s just 25. “People think they’ve seen the best I have to offer, but they haven’t by far. There’s so much improvement in my game that I have to get to. And I’m willing to work every day to get to that point. But the best is yet to be seen by myself or this team in general.”
The 49ers went 8-8 last season after a promising 3-1 start. Several last-minute losses on the road and inconsistent play on both sides of the ball and in special teams kept San Francisco from reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2002 season — though the team did end a franchise-worst stretch of six consecutive losing seasons.
Willis is ready to end the playoff drought, and he’s talking big in early May.
“This is a championship team right now. It’s bigger than just a playoff team,” he said. “I mean, I think we are a championship-caliber team. … We will bring the sixth championship here, and I’ll be here.”

Posted in Players and the game | No Comments »

Glenn Dickey on the 49ers….

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

motivational figure as head coach. Please, can we stop talking about “smash mouth” football? That’s a term used by unimaginative writers. Singletary wants a tough, hard-hitting team. Who doesn’t? While writers used the term “finesse” to describe Bill Walsh’s teams, Walsh continually told the players they had to out-hit their opponents. Would you have called Ronnie Lott a finesse player?

If anything, Singletary’s team threw the ball too often last year. He wants a balanced attack between run and pass, which we’ll see this year.

Meanwhile, Jed York has been a marked improvement over his father as the head of the franchise. Unlike his father, Jed doesn’t poke his nose in where he’s not qualified; he sits in on draft meetings but doesn’t give advice. He’s working tirelessly on the push for a new stadium in Santa Clara, which is probably dependent on the 49ers improving enough on the field to attract outside investors to help fund the stadium. That improvement should come because they’re making good moves, both in the draft and in a trade like the one which brought in Ted Ginn Jr.

Posted in Glenn Dickey on the 49ers | No Comments »