The 49ers fell just short of a SB victory last season. Have they made enough changes to their roster to get the win in 2013? NFL Predictions 1.0

Source: Yardbarker

The 49ers changed QBs mid way through the season and almost won the Super Bowl.  What will Kaepernick do with a full offseason and regular season at the started?  Did they add enough fire power in the draft to get them over the hump? What about the Seahawks? Here's a look at the win totals for each team. AFC East Patriots 12 Dolphins 7 Jets 3 Bills 1 AFC North Ravens 12 Bengals 11 Steelers 12 Browns 3 AFC South Texans 12 Colts 8 Titans 7 Jaguars 2 AFC West Broncos 10 Chargers 8 Raiders 1 Chiefs 11 NFC East Redskins 8 Giants 11 Cowboys 9 Eagles 4 NFC North Packers 10 Vikings 5 Lions 10 Bears 10 NFC South Falcons 13 Panthers 4 Saints 12 Buccaneers 6 NFC West 49ers 13 Seahawks 12 Rams 4 Cardinals 5 AFC Playoff Teams Patriots Ravens Texans Chiefs Steelers Broncos NFC Playoff Teams Gia...

49ers Roster, 90-in-90 breakdowns: Joe Looney

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

Here at Niners Nation, we're presenting a series called "90-in-90". We'll be looking at every player on the 49ers offseason roster, one player per post, from now until the start of training camp.

More: Quinton Patton LaMichael James Patrick Willis

What's missing without Clemons, Irvin

Source: NFC West Blog

Bruce Irvin's suspension from the Seattle Seahawks for the first four games of the 2013 NFL season will force additional shuffling early in the season. The team was already expected to be without starting defensive end Chris Clemons, who is recovering from knee surgery and could miss part of the season. Backup defensive end Greg Scruggs could miss the full season after suffering a knee injury more recently. 2012 Sacks for Current Seattle DL Seattle was already expected to alter its rotation after adding Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Tony McDaniel through free agency, plus defensive tackles Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams through the draft.

49ers rookies enjoying NFLPA Rookie Premiere in LA

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

The NFLPA Rookie Premiere weekend is currently going on down in Southern California, and some of today's events took place at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The weekend is a chance for rookies to meet the media, get pictures taken for football cards, and generally have a good time.

49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton, tight end Vance McDonald and running back Marcus Lattimore are all down for the event. They will return to Santa Clara for OTAs this coming

Super Bowl 50: Inside Tuesday's owners vote

Source: Inside Bay Area by <p class="bylinejb">By Mike Rosenberg<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:mrosenberg@mercurynews.com'>mrosenberg@mercurynews.com</a>

On Tuesday, 32 of the country's richest and most powerful people will file into a boardroom in Boston. At 10:30 a.m. PDT, the NFL team owners each will write just two words -- 'San Francisco' or 'South Florida' -- on a piece of paper, deciding the fate of the biggest planned sporting event in Bay Area history: the 50th Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 50: Few cities get shot to host big game

Source: Inside Bay Area by <p class="bylinejb">By Mike Rosenberg<br /></p><p class="bylineaffiliation"><a href='mailto:mrosenberg@mercurynews.com'>mrosenberg@mercurynews.com</a>

Bay Area leaders are looking forward to entering the vaunted 'Super Bowl rotation,' an exclusive club. The 49ers are expecting to add the $1.2 billion Levi's Stadium to the list.

NFC West position rankings: Seahawks hold the top spot for safeties

Source: Niners Nation by James Brady

We've now covered tight end, running back, offensive line, cornerbacks and linebackers in our NFC West position rankings. Of those positions, the 49ers were on top of four of them. I had them at the bottom of the cornerback rankings. Today, we're going to take a look at the safeties and, wouldn't you know it, the 49ers aren't on top here. However, they might be a little higher than you might have guessed.

Let's jump right into those safety rankings.

1. Seattle Seahawks with Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor,

Quinton Patton vs. A.J. Jenkins

Source: Inside the 49ers by Grant Cohn

As we wait for OTAs to start on Tuesday, here’s a contest to help pass the time:

Predict which young 49ers wide receiver will catch more passes this season – A.J. Jenkins or Quinton Patton. Also, predict how many catches each receiver will make. Please explain your predictions.

 

 

 

49ers position battles: Which will entertain, which will surprise as we enter OTAs?

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

The 49ers will start up their "Offseason Team Activities" (OTAs) on Tuesday, which moves us that much closer to training camp. We will not see padded practices yet, but we get more team offense vs. defense drills, which means more implementation of the playbook in advance of training camp.

The rookies spent last weekend in rookie-only minicamp, and then got their introduction to "football school" over the last week. "Football school" got the rookies working with the veterans, but OTAs will take this to a whole new level. In doing so, the position battles we will see over the next three months will start to take shape.

We'll be going into position battles

Team Report - CLEVELAND BROWNS (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Weeden leading first team in OTAs

Team Report - OAKLAND RAIDERS (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Kluwe happy to be punting in California

Quarterback Statistics and Variation

Source: Niners Nation by WesHanson

Yesterday, howtheyscored had an excellent post up that calculated some projections for potential QBs this coming season. If you haven't already read it, head on over right now and give it a meticulous look. It's the exact type of analysis I wish I could do with advanced statistics. Unfortunately I lack the skill, so howtheyscored can have the limelight for now. But if you ever need jokes that aren't funny or so many Magic: The Gathering references that even Francis would

Golden Nuggets: No sympathy from Craig Dahl

Source: Niners Nation by James Brady

Good morning ladies and gents. Sorry for the confusion in the headline of yesterday's Nuggets. I've always used the term to mean "good luck," which of course, a lot of other people do. Still, I could have picked a better choice of words on that one. Kyle Williams isn't going anywhere, though I do think 2013 is probably his last chance to make an impact before the team cuts ties with him.

The big news from yesterday was the suspension of Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin. I'm not in the camp of "oh well the Seahawks are a bunch of cheaters," I just happen to think that they're not very good at disguising it. If you want to call them anything, do something with that.

For those who aren't aware, the Nuggets are

Lynch is back on the national stage at USF (National Football Post)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The former Golden Domer will make a big impact with the Bulls.

This Week in Niners Nation: Rookie Minicamp Edition (5/17)

Source: Niners Nation by Aaron Malone

Ever since the 2013 NFL draft ended we've been dying to get a look at our incoming rookie class. We want to see them in our uniform. We want to see how they perform now that they're not mollycoddled college players. We want to see what they're made of. Regardless of your teams finish the previous season, there are always question marks and excitement surrounding your rookie class and what impact they'll have on the teams fortunes going forward. By all accounts, the 49ers killed it in the draft and now we're finally getting the chance to see our new toys.

Rookies

Tre looks at which 49ers rookies are most likely to make the roster for 2013. If you're looking for news on Eric Reid or Tank Carradine, look

Michael Crabtree: ‘I’m the No.1 receiver on the 49ers’

Source: Yardbarker

The San Francisco 49ers needed just five yards to win the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl, but could not complete a fade route to wide receiver Michael Crabtree on fourth-and-goal. The results of Super Bowl XLVII still haunt Crabtree.

2013 NFL Draft Team Grades: San Francisco 49ers

Source: Yardbarker

First Round: Eric Reid, S, LSU ANALYSIS: I know San Francisco was going to trade up for someone, but why Reid? I know there's been a lot of buzz around him lately (mostly with the Bengals), but I just don't see him as a first round prospect. I think San Francisco could have stayed put and taken a better safety like Matt Elam. He fills a big need, but I just can't understand trading up for him. GRADE: C- Second Round: Tank Carradine, DE/OLB, Florida State / Vance McDonald, TE, Rice Solid second round. I absolutely love the selection of Carradine. Many people expected him to go in round one, so this is obviously good value on day two. He's big enough to be the successor to Smith at 3-4 DE, but also athletic enough to be a pass rusher off the edge. They could do wonders with him on defense. I also like the pick of McDonald. After losing Walker, they wanted another tight end to pair with Davis. I think McDonald will end up being an upgrade over Walk...

Could Manti Te'o benefit from girlfriend hoax? (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

A sample of NFL rookies suggests the hoax that swept the nation could actually work in Manti Te'o's favor.

NFL roundup: Gronkowski may need back surgery too (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The health status of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski seems to be getting more complicated by the day.

Nate Montana: Dog and Pony Magic with the 49ers

Source: Yardbarker

Living in up to your father's reputation is never easy for any young lad, especially when your dad is a 49er legend, and one of the greatest Quarterbacks in NFL history. Joe Montana shined at Notre Dame and was taken in the 3rd round of the 1979 draft by Bill Walsh and the Niners. It was the beginning of what was to become the greatest dynasty of all time. The 49ers won 4 Super Bowls with Montana at quarterback, and  3 times he was named Super Bowl MVP. Nate Montana now must live under the gigantic shadow cast by his own father, as he dawns the Scarlett and Gold just as his father first did 34 years ago. Nate Montana's journey to 49er rookie camp this past weekend, in no way shape or form mirrored that of his fathers. Nate played at about 4 different colleges and has done nothing to prove that he is NFL QB. In 2008, Nate attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps at Notre Dame, but failed and soon transferred from his fathers Alma Mater. Montana bounced through th...

Seahawk's miscue gets no sympathy from 49ers defender

Source: SacBee 49ers Blog by Matt Barrows

Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin, a player the 49ers had their eye on in the 2012 draft, has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's rules on performance enhancing substances. He's not getting support from 49ers fans or from one 49er.

"I have no sympathy for violators of NFL drug test," safety Craig Dahl tweeted after news broke of Irvin's suspension. "It's easy to know what goes in your body. If this was another sport what would happen?"

The 49ers and Seahawks, of course, have developed one of the best - if the not the best - rivalries in the NFL, and they will meet in Seattle in Week 2. Irvin, the

Seahawk's miscue gets no sympathy from 49ers defender

Source: Sacramento Bee

Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin, a player the 49ers had their eye on in the 2012 draft, has been suspended for the first four games of the season for

Seattle DE Irvin suspended; 49ers’ Dahl unsympathetic

Source: Niner Insider Blog by ebranch@sfchronicle.com (Eric Branch)

Seattle’s second-year defensive end was suspended today for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on PEDs and will miss a Sunday night date with the 49ers on Sept. 15.

Seattle’s suspended DE Irvin will miss Week 2 game vs. 49ers

Source: Niner Insider Blog by ebranch@sfchronicle.com (Eric Branch)

Seattle’s second-year defensive end was suspended today for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on PEDs and will miss a Sunday night date with the 49ers on Sept. 15.

Woodson says he's look for fit in Raiders visit (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Charles Woodson pushed back a visit to Oakland to pursue a reunion with the Raiders because extending his career in the NFL isn't his only mission.

49er: 'No sympathy' for NFL test violators

Source: NFC West Blog

Bruce Irvin apologized and claimed "full responsibility" for incurring a four-game NFL suspension, announcing he would not appeal the punishment. The second-year Seattle Seahawks defensive end did not ask for sympathy, and he's not getting any from San Francisco 49ers safety Craig Dahl. "I have no sympathy for violators of NFL drug test," reads a tweet from Dahl's verified Twitter account. "It's easy to know what goes in your body. If this was another sport what would happen?

Packers Rookie Datone Jones Says Kaepernick Can’t Keep Running, Will Get Injured

Source: Niner Noise by Eric Melendez

Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, Green Bay Packers rookie Datone Jones had some words of wisdom for the San Francisco 49ers and Colin Kaepernick: Stop running or Kap will get injured.

Jones’ full quote is below. When he gave the comments about Kaepernick he was talking about the Packers vs. 49ers divisional round playoff game:

I thought he was pretty good. But I don’t think they’re going to be able to run him like that. He takes one good hit, there goes their season.

Unless you are a Packers fan you are

Frank Gore remains a boss

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

It's the dead days of May right now, so little things like this tide me over:

The 5 RBs drafted before Frank Gore: Brown, Cedric Benson, Cadillac Williams, J.J. Arrington and Eric Shelton. #49ers

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) May 17,

49ers Fans! Enter The New Era Photo Day Contest!

Source: 49ers Gab by Matt Loede

New Era, the official on-field headwear of the National Football League, is teaming up with the NFL to launch the Back to Football Photo Day contest. So what this means is that 49ers fans will now have the chance to join the ranks of Frank Gore to also become THE face of the 49ers.

The contest, which is live at www.speakwithyourcap.com or through New Era’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/neweracaps?fref=ts) will require 49ers

Bruce Irvin's suspension fits a pattern

Source: NFC West Blog

The Seattle Seahawks' first four games of the 2013 season became a bit more challenging from a personnel standpoint when the NFL announced Bruce Irvin's four-game suspension for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs. Irvin will miss games against the Carolina Panthers (road), San Francisco 49ers (home), Jacksonville Jaguars (home) and Houston Texans (road). "I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption," Irvin said in a statement released by the team.

Seahawks DE Bruce Irvin suspended four games for violating NFL’s PED policy (Shutdown Corner)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin has been suspended for the first four games of the 2013 regular season after violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs. Irvin, who is eligible to participate in training camp and the preseason, will miss games against the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans before he is reinstated on Monday, Sept. 30. The four-game suspension will cost the 2012 first-round pick out of West Virginia $191,681 in base salary and could potentially void the guarantees on the $3,717,870 that remains on his four-year, $9.342 million rookie contract. The Seahawks could also seek to recoup a prorated portion ($307,902) of Irvin's signing bonus. According

Seahawks' DE Bruce Irvin suspended for violating PED policy

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

Well, so much for a quiet Friday. The NFL has announced that Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin will be suspended four games for violating the league's policy against performance enhancing drugs. Irvin released an apology and has no plans on appealing the suspension.

Bruce Irvin statement: "I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions."

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 17, 2013

This is a big loss for the Seahawks, and a boon for

Quinton Patton has gotten the post-draft calls from friends and "relatives"

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

As the 49ers get ready for OTAs next week, some of their rookies are enjoying a weekend in LA with the NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Wide receiver Quinton Patton is down for the event, joining running back Marcus Lattimore and tight end Vance McDonald in getting a little publicity, and chances to do some networking.

The weekend includes a lot of media events, and Patton had some interesting comments for FOXSports.com. Patton told the website that he has

Newton to upstage Kaepernick, Wilson?

Source: NFC West Blog

Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III have dominated NFL headlines as young quarterbacks on the rise. NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas expects Cam Newton to upstage them all in 2013. "Call it bouncing back, breaking through or whatever you want, but I’m predicting a big 2013 season from the quarterback of the Carolina Panthers," Yasinskas writes in a column that has generated 5,000 comments and counting. "Yeah, I’ll even step out on a limb and say he has a better 2013 season than Wilson, Kaepernick, Luck and RG III.

Are the 49ers Better Than Last Year?

Source: Bleacher Report

In an offseason where the San Francisco 49ers were praised for savvy free-agent moves and an impressive draft class, they appeared to show improvement at least on the surface, but did they really take their team to the next level?

Over the last few years the NFC West has grown into the toughest division in football. Every team in the west is vigorously making strides to gain an edge. In this brutally competitive environment even If the 49ers did manage to improve, it’s feasible to think they’re just keeping up with the rapid talent inflation of the NFC West.

 In order to gain some clarity on where the 49ers stand, let’s take a detailed look

49ers Roster, 90-in-90 breakdowns: NaVorro Bowman

Source: Niners Nation by Tre9er

Here at Niners Nation, we're presenting a series called "90-in-90". We'll be looking at every player on the 49ers offseason roster, one player per post, from now until the start of training camp.

More: Quinton Patton LaMichael James Patrick Willis

San Francisco 49ers Roster Breakdown Proves Long-Term Success

Source: Bleacher Report

Great organizations find a way to mesh proven veteran talent with hungry young talent. It's the only way to build a consistent contender year in, year out in the National Football League. 

Specific examples can even be found within the San Francisco 49ers headquarters at 4949 Centennial BLVD in Santa Clara. This is how they had success over the course of a 20-year span from the early 1980's to the late 1990's. This is also exactly what's happening right in front of our eyes as San Francisco prepares for its final season at Candlestick Park. 

During this slow part in the NFL calendar, I

Colin Kaepernick vs. Russell Wilson: Which QB Is the Best in the West?

Source: Bleacher Report

The NFC West, once considered a joke among the NFC, is now the new 'black and blue' division. Scratch that, this could be even bigger than the old classic 'black and blue' division that once dominated the headlines. 

We all know about the punishing defenses within this division, and even the strong rushing attacks, but what about the quarterbacks? Oh, the days of Kyle Boller and Troy Smith still linger in my mind, but man, what a transformation this division has undertaken in the quarterback department. 

Now, Sam Bradford and Carson Palmer don't strike fear in anyone's heart, but at least both quarterbacks are respected players with some history of

Lockette: 49ers Jenkins will 'surprise a lot of people'

Source: NFL.com by Sessler, Marc

49ers WR A.J. Jenkins suffered a disastrous rookie campaign that saw him appear in only three games and without registering a statistic. But one teammate thinks year two will be different.

Which team 'leads' in rookie starts since '10

Source: NFC West Blog

Kent Somers' piece about NFL rookies combining to start more games than in the past caught my attention Friday. I wanted to know how many games NFC West players have started as rookies in recent seasons. I wanted to break down the numbers by team and position. 2010-12 Starts by Rookies The charts provide answers on those fronts. Weaker teams select earlier in the draft order and should have more openings in their lineups, inflating their numbers.

Offensive Line is Key to Arizona Cardinals Success in 2012 (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | With a better offensive line in 2012, former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb may have remained healthy. He may have continued leading the team to victory after victory, and he may have ultimately led the team to the playoffs.

Let's start the bidding: 49ers, Bay Area to learn Super Bowl fate Tuesday

Source: SacBee 49ers Blog by Matt Barrows

At around noon on Tuesday, the Bay Area will learn whether it's hosting Super Bowl L, Super Bowl LI or neither. I'm told NFL Network will air the event.

Here's how it will play out. All three regions in the running for the two games - the Bay Area, South Florida and Houston - will give 15-minute presentations to the NFL owners who are holding a league meeting in Boston next week. The Bay Area and South Florida are bidding for Super Bowl L, which will be played in February 2016. The loser of that bid will take on Houston for the right to host Super Bowl LI in February 2017.

The NFL owners will vote by secret ballot and the ballots will

Let's start the bidding: 49ers, Bay Area to learn Super Bowl fate Tuesday

Source: Sacramento Bee

At around noon on Tuesday, the Bay Area will learn whether it's hosting Super Bowl L, Super Bowl LI or neither. I'm told NFL Network will air the event.

Colin Kaepernick vs. Russell Wilson: Which QB Is the Best in the West?

Source: Bleacher Report

The NFC West, once considered a joke among the NFC, is now the new 'black and blue' division. Scratch that, this could be even bigger than the old classic 'black and blue' division that once dominated the headlines. 

We all know about the punishing defenses within this division, and even the strong rushing attacks, but what about the quarterbacks? Oh, the days of Kyle Boller and Troy Smith still linger in my mind, but man, what a transformation this division has undertaken in the quarterback department. 

Now, Sam Bradford and Carson Palmer don't strike fear in anyone's heart, but at least both quarterbacks are respected players with some history of

Woodson to visit Raiders (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Free agent safety Charles Woodson will visit with the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, his agent told ESPN.

Eric Mangini – Three thoughts on his possible hiring in San Francisco

Source: Niner Insider Blog by ninerinsider@sfgate.com (Kevin Lynch)

Three more thoughts on the possible Eric Mangini signing. 1) It has not happened yet, so maybe it won’t. 2) Why are the 49ers looking into hiring Mangini, yet, apparently, had no interest in signing former Nevada head coach Chris Ault as an offensive consultant. Ault went to Kansas City where he could indoctrinate Alex [...]

My NFL QB Projections, and How You Can Help

Source: Niners Nation by howtheyscored

What follows is a layman’s tour through STATISTICS PARK, in which I, the layman in question, at first marvel at the DVOAlbertasaurs and later, when the electric fences fail, try not to be eaten by any of the DYARodactyls that somehow evolved in this god-forsaken land. The truth is, this whole adventure sounded fun at first. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that Stats Will Find A Way. Stats. Will. Find. A. Way.

Actually, I’m not going to take on any of Football Outsiders hallowed ground. I’ll leave that to Florida Danny. But I am inviting you into the land of mildly advanced stats. See, last season I began to develop a

49ers’ A.J. Jenkins has bulked up this offseason

Source: Yardbarker

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke has stated before that he believes wide receiver A.J. Jenkins needs to get in the weight room and add some muscle. “If there’s an area where A.J.’s got to get better in, it’s called the weight room, and he will,” Baalke said, per the Sacramento Bee. “He’s had some unfortunate situations that haven’t allowed him to fully attack the weight room in the offseason. Once he gets in there and figures out how to be a pro receiver – which we’re very confident we can help him along in that area – we feel we’ve got a very good player. A very good fit for this system.” It sounds like Jenkins looks a lot different this offseason.  Fellow receiver Ricardo Lockette sees a big difference. “I think A.J. will definitely surprise a lot of people this year. Last year, he took it as a building year,” siad Lockette. “This year from what I’ve seen so far, it’s night and day. I expect big things out of him. He expects big things out of himself,

Eight in the Box: Returning from injury

Source: NFC West Blog

A look at key players for each NFC West team who are coming back from injuries: Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown, left tackle. A torn triceps sidelined Brown last season. The Cardinals expect him to be full strength for 2013. A healthy Brown makes a happy Bruce Arians, it appears. Former coach Ken Whisenhunt was always quick to defend Brown from critics who expected more from a player drafted fifth overall. Arians, entering his first season as the Cardinals' coach, has taken the pro-Brown rhetoric to another level, calling the seventh-year tackle an "elite" player.

Patrick Willis Foot Locker commercial: Your fly is down

Source: Niners Nation by David Fucillo

49ers linebacker Patrick Willis has a deal with promoting ASICS at Footlocker. His latest commercial is amusing.