Niners Nation: FanPosts

Hello, Chad Pennington!

methodrampage — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:32:20 -0000

So Favre is leaving for Broadway which will probably leave Pennington jobless. Well Chad, let me first the first to welcome you to the Rice-A-Roni City. Seriously why wouldn't the Niners want Pennington? He's a playoff a quarterback who's throws about as hard as Tom Candiotte. Hello Super Bowl!

I mean we missed out on Jason Taylor, Brett Favre, Takeo Spikes, Zach Thomas, and Steve Smith. How can McNolan let Pennington get away? He can not.

FAIL.

The Return of Jeff Garcia???

49erLou — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:46:52 -0000

So over on Matt Maiocco's blog, he has an interesting thought about the future of Jeff Garcia. It looks as though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are seriously interested in acquiring the services of Brett Favre, meaning Jeff Garcia will most likely be looking for another job.

According to Matt, it seems there could be a slight chance that the Niners would be interested in bringing back one time QB Jeff Garcia. Considering Garcia was a free agent twice before and McNolan showed no interest, does it really seem plausible he is even on the radar? What kind of ramifications would bringing Garcia in have on the current QB's? Could he learn Martz's offense quick enough to be a starter? Does he even want to come to San Francisco when a team like the Minnesota Vikings needs a QB and has a better shot at the playoffs? I am interested to know what everyone thinks about the possibility of a Jeff Garcia return.

I for one don't really see it panning out. I think it is more likely he would be picked up by Minnesota and would probably prefer to be there. WIth him as their starting QB they are in my opinion a playoff lock. I always liked Garcia as our QB and was sad to see him go, but at 38 years old, I don't think we would be seeing the same Jeff Garcia.

Anyway, thoughts?? I figured I would throw a poll up too because I like them.

Poll

Would bringing back Jeff Garcia be good for the Niners?

Steve Smith available?

sam23 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:00:24 -0000

EDITOR'S NOTE 6:25PM: So how about it folks? Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith? There are no rumors mentioning the 49ers, but it's still something interesting to consider. Smith is 29 and certainly as explosive a receiver as most anybody out there. He's had two ugly fights and now faces a team-imposed two game suspension. At the same time he would immediately upgrade the offense. No matter what you think about Alex Smith, Shaun Hill or J.T. O'Sullivan, any of them could get the ball to a guy like Smith. So would you do it and if so, what would you give up?

_______________________________________

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Are-the-Panthers-considering-trading-Steve-Smith?urn=nfl,98454

If the Panthers really are considering dealing Smith (doubtful) I would hope the Niners would be extremely involved in the discussions. Smith comes with considerable baggage and is likely approaching the downside of his career, but I cant think of many guys who would be a better fit for Martz's system or who could single handedly make the offense as dynamic as Smith would. Thoughts? Would it be worth a 1st round pick and Jason Hill perhaps?

Poll

Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith?

49ers need to make it a 4 (favre) man race..

youngbuckeroo — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:19:34 -0000

the 49ers need to make a play for brett favre, our qb position is so bad that everyone embraced an unproven career back up qb in shaun hill just because he promised a change.. the truth is shaun hill is not the answer.. alex smith's meltdown last year offically anointed him a complete bust.. its so bad, that people whisper about jt o'sullivan like he may have some hidden mvp talent waiting to emerge.. now i may be wrong and somehow this qb black hole in sf may dissapate and stop sucking the life out of the 49ers but why sit still and watch a train wreck waiting to happen?? if the 49ers pick up brett favre they get a hall of famer in his twilight, he throws interceptions half the time, but at least they get completions and yards.. and an air attack that can stretch the field and open up the running attack for the frank gore.. last year the defense was strong, but with no points or first downs from the offense was forced to try and win games by themselves.. it also features one of the best Lbs in the nfl in patrick willis.. so even if for only one year, if for only to give all the talent on the 49ers a chance to compete.. sign brett favre.. i wont be mad at that..

Who Will the 49ers Name as Starting QB?

16to80endzone — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:51:07 -0000

J.T. Sullivan!

Why? Simply said, he has the most experience in the Martz offense and he has been performing fluently since he got his reps.

No mumbo-jumbo here.

It's a prediction and a solid one.

And, no offense to Alex Smith, who should be named as no. 2 quarterback as backup, and Shaun Hill will be no. 3.

If I get it right, if the 49ers do name these quarterbacks in the order that I predict, maybe buy me a cold, chilled can of Coke?

With Chinese food.

Mike Martz - 49ers Becoming Offensive Power?

gooner — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:50:12 -0000

It is unquestionable that the 1999 Rams were better than their counterparts in 1998 - they have the rings and the Lombardi trophy to prove it.

Mike Martz then followed up that success as an offensive coordinator in Detroit, making the Lions offense better for the two years that he was with them.

Mike Martz will be an asset to the Niners, but is he the best offensive coordinator of the recent NFL or just a beneficiary of coincidence?

Niners Nation Madden League Interest

Vote4Gore — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:28:04 -0000

Hey guys, just putting this out there but is anyone interested in having a Ninersnation.com Madden league for Xbox 360. The game has a built in league feature so it wouldnt be all that hard. I ran a 16 team league last year, and with no built in league feature it was a pain, but I would be fine running a small league here. The game lets you choose how many teams up to 32 so there arent certain intervals we would have reach ( 8, 12, 16 etc.....)

Depending on the interest we would come up with a way to make the teams as fair as possible (no one over 90 overall for example) and I believe EA provides a forum for your league online. Fooch would allow us to have a weekly fan post about the league so we could have some civil smack talk (mostly against the bears.......)

Anyway if your interested please post here, again this is for Xbox 360 on xbox live

Thanks

if you have any other questions, you can email me at jkaslow1 at gmail dot com

Cowboys release Terry Glenn - Should 49ers try and sign him?

Rishi — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:29:05 -0000

EDITOR'S NOTE 8pm - I don't expect the 49ers will make a move for Glenn, but I'm curious if people think they should. Or do the injuries just make him a waste of time?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/072608dnspocowglennHP.10de23f.html

I think for the first time in a while, I like our WR corps, but, just for fun, let's talk about taking Terry Glenn. He's obviously a top WR (maybe not a legit #1 receiving option though). Taking him would bolster our WR unit. He would be a good target for Smith/Hill to throw to. I feel it could make our team better.

Thoughts?

Poll

Should the 49ers try and sign Terry Glenn?

Saints Release Eric Johnson

Fooch — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:02:00 -0000

My favorite non 49er is officially a man without a home. The Saints announced the release of tight end Eric Johnson. After trading for Jeremy Shockey, it's not exactly a shocking move. Throw in a nagging ankle injury and it was probably a foregone conclusion.

For those who are frequent visitors you might know of my occasional discussions of the greatness that was Eric Johnson. When the 49ers first drafted Johnson I was intrigued by the possibilities. He played wide receiver at Yale, but was converted to tight end after being selected in the 7th round. Part of my fandom was that everyone loves the underdog story of a 7th round pick (see Grant, Larry).

Johnson was quite solid, if unspectacular his first two seasons. Johnson missed part of 2002 and all of 2003 with injuries that would continue to crop up, even to this day. Of course, in 2004, for one brief season, Eric Johnson saw his talent explode on the scene: 82 receptions and 825 yards on a comically bad 49ers team. I was particularly happy because I had drafted Johnson in the last round of my fantasy football league. Probably the best fantasy selection I'll ever make.

I realize Johnson will not end up back with the 49ers anytime soon. We've got Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker as offensive tight ends, and Billy Bajema for blocking. Consider me one hoping that Johnson signs on somewhere else and can get healthy enough to make an impact once again.

MercuryNews - Mike Nolan on 2007

Persiflage — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:47:24 -0000

There's a pretty interesting article about Mike Nolan in the Mercury News today. Basically, it's saying what we all know - something good needs to happen in 2008 or Nolan is done.

http://www.mercurynews.com/sportsheadlines/ci_9980709

What's interesting is it has Nolan taking the blame on himself for poor coaching decisions -

Nolan was more candid than expected about what exactly created the train wreck of 2007. He mentioned the unusual situation of 10 players or coaches (including Nolan) being emotionally hit by the deaths of parents during the season. It had a collective downer effect, Nolan said. But without prompting, he quickly shifted gears.

"Some things we can control, some we can't," Nolan said. "The things we could have controlled, in my opinion, would have made a difference. Had we had better depth, for example at quarterback . . . and had we made a better decision at offensive coordinator, all those things . . . they tie together. Because in some other areas, we did extremely well."

Then at the end of the article, Nolan is asked about problems last season with Alex Smith -

What about any lingering friction between Smith and Nolan, who are still here? Both say the issue - which burst into the open when the quarterback said he thought the coach was undermining him with the team - is now a non-issue. Nothing to see here. Move along. But is that so?

"If you look back . . . I didn't like what happened," Nolan said. "But again . . . there are things I can say and things I can't. As much as I was communicating with him, somehow, we weren't communicating enough."

And this year? Nolan and Smith will tell you they are back on the same page. But the coach, speaking about what he expects to see from whichever 49ers quarterback wins the starting job, did not mince words.

"Every player faces stress in their job," Nolan said. "People are built differently. Some respond differently than others expect them to respond, especially in certain positions. If you're the head coach, you're expected to act in a way that's more responsible than, say, the equipment manager. Well, if you're the quarterback, then you're responsible to react in a way that's more responsible than, say, the kicker. I'm just saying, there's a rule about that."

What do you guys think? I think we should be able to avoid bringing the problems of last year into this one. At least Nolan and Smith have got to know what's at stake.

UPDATE Niners Nation Fantasy Football UPDATE

Fooch — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:22:59 -0000

EDITOR'S UPDATE 7/24 4:45PM - If you come into this post for fantasy football information, please go to the MOST RECENT POST at that link to sign up.

EDITOR'S NOTE WEDNESDAY 10AM: Looks like the signup info and whatnot will be coming out tonight or tomorrow morning. Waiting for a few links from AOL (our partner in this). Apologies for the delay.

EDITOR'S NOTE WEDNESDAY MIDNIGHT: I'm not sure how many of you notice the advertising up on the right side of the front page. I was looking this evening and noticed an ad for "SB Nation: The Fanhouse Leagues." For those wondering, that is a link for the SB Nation Fantasy Football Leagues. I'm anticipating an email Wednesday morning with some final details on the setup for the league. At that point I'll have a whole host of details for how to sign up for the Niners Nation Fantasy Football League. If you're interested in being a part of this and have NOT let me know, please indicate your interest in the comments of this post.

More details to come around lunchtime or so (west coast time).

*****************************************************************************

It may only be June, but that certainly doesn't mean we can't start talking about fantasy football. Last season the NFL bloggers had a blogger league over at cbs.sportsline.com. This year? We're going to have a Niners Nation league (or multiple leagues if there is enough interest). More importantly, there will be an actual prize to the winner (and one with cash value, not just a front page post). I don't have the details yet, but it will be something to be determined in the not too distant future.

For now I just want to get an idea of who would be interested. The plan is for a 12 team league and if there is sufficient interest, more than one league. There will be more details to come, as we'll be affiliating with a specific service.

For now, either drop a note in the comments or email me (link at the bottom of the page).

Saints trade for Shockey

Fooch — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:14:15 -0000

ESPN is reporting that the Saints are going to send a second and fifth round pick to the Giants for Jeremy Shockey. That would certainly cut into my boy, Eric Johnson's playing time.

Since the addition of Brees, the Saints have had an impressive passing attack. Eric Johnson put up 48 receptions for 378 yards and 2 touchdowns. While he probably won't put up the same numbers, combine him with Shockey and you've got an impressive pair of tight ends.

Aside from Marques Colston, the Saints WRs have had issues recently, but adding one more offensive threat should help right the ship.

So, thoughts on the signing?

Redskins trade for Jason Taylor

sam23 — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:35:53 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3497625

Looks like Daniel Snyder is up to his old tricks aquiring another big name, big money veteran. I'm surprised the Dolphins gave in and didnt get a 1st round pick for the former defensive player of the year. I'm also surprised the Redskins felt like the Phillip Daniels injury would leave that big of a void. Interesting deal, apparently Snyder and the Skins think they can contend with the Giants and Cowboys in the NFC East. This trade shouldnt have any real impact on the Niners as they probably werent ever serious contenders for Taylor but at least we will probably get to see Tony Romo take a couple extra big hits this season.

My Favorite 49ers Game - Oct 20, 1996

Persiflage — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:20:49 -0000

Editor's Note 11:10am - First off, I didn't even realize TO wrote a book (or at least had a ghost-writer write a book for him). Second, some great details that make this worth moving up to the front page. If you don't remember this game, maybe you have details of your own favorite game.

The Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49ers - Things are looking brighter for the Niners, QB Steve Young and RB William Floyd are both back after having to miss numerous games because of injuries. But soon in the first quarter, the Bengals take the lead making the score 7 to 0. The Niners # 2 wide receiver J.J. Stokes had broken his wrist that week, so rookie Terrell Owens was starting his first game. Niners Steve Young completed a first pass to T.O. only to have the Bengals safety strip the ball from his hands for a fumble. Five plays later, Cincinnati scores again, now it’s 14-0. Then they score again and it’s 21-0. And it looks like the game is over. Steve Young was hit hard in a sack in the second quarter and taken out of the game injured. Backup QB Elvis Grbac almost immediately hurts his shoulder and a limping Steve Young is forced to go back into the game.

The Niners finally score a couple in the second half, but time looks like it’s running out. T.O. described what happened next in his book “Catch This!” -

“In the third quarter, Young took me aside and told me that I had to get open, because with JJ out of the game, the Bengals secondary was putting all their attention on Jerry Rice. Nobody was going to be worried about me - until I made them aware of my presence on the field. If the Bengals could take Rice out of the game through double or triple coverage, we were in deep trouble, but if I could shake free, Steve wanted to get me the ball. “If you don’t step up now,” he said, “it’s going to hurt the team.”

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Niners trailing by seven, Young threw me a deep pass, but it was too far, and I couldn’t get under it. I was disappointed all over again but when I got back to the huddle, Steve said he wanted to try the play once more.”

SCORE: Bengals 21, 49ers 14 - TIME: 2 minutes and 8 seconds are left on the clock

T.O. - “When I saw the defender playing me on my outside shoulder, I adjusted and dipped to the inside, even though that wasn’t the route I was supposed to run. Steve saw me, made his own adjustment, and threw to where I was going. The ball was coming down toward me, right into my hands. I raised my fingers, blocked out everything else, and used all my concentration to focus on catching it first - and then preparing to get hit. But the hit didn’t come, and I kept running and running all the way into the end zone, a 45-yard reception and touchdown…”

Young’s 45-yard touchdown pass to T.O. tied the game, 21-21. But now the Bengals had the ball again.

When Dedrick Dodge intercepted a Bengals pass with the clock at 1:40, the magic that was San Francisco was finally starting to fill the hearts of all the fans.

FAVORITE GREATEST MOMENT IN SPORTS: The clock is at 1:08, and Steve Young limps and hobbles as fast as he can for 15 yards to make it into the end zone and wins the game. (On a side note: this was also with the help a block rookie WR Terrell Owens throws against Bengals CB Jimmy Spencer - it made you love your team whenever you saw Rice or T.O. throwing blocks for their scrambling QB).

Quotes from after the game -

“I know what it feels like to be a 49er now.” - Terrell Owens

“I’m as proud of (the players) as maybe since I’ve been here.” - Coach George Seifert

“To me, Terrell Owens is the kind of kid who, if you say something he doesn’t like, he’ll punch you in the face. He’s got a nastiness to him like John Taylor, and I like it.” - Steve Young

Niners 28, Bengals 21

Johnny's Top Ten Controversial 49ers List

16to80endzone — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:03:58 -0000

This Top 10 list is unique, not like any other. It will list all your favorite players, or players you think played very well but were a menace to the press or to the fans, a thug, a crybaby, a whiner, where news articles were more about his antics than his on field play. Some made noise because they wanted the ball more often.

And boy, they were good NFL football players, they were stars.

Unfortunately, crybaby stars. Here we go...

Johnny's Top Ten:

1. O.J. Simpson- He slashed, cut throats, and thugs were his entourage. He even tried on a glove in a courtroom that was too small for him.

2. Terrell Owens- Since I am deaf, I couldn't hear how high his whining pitches were, but boy, I can imagine. "I wanna the (bawling) ball.." All he had to do was get a pitching machine to throw him the football. But he is a great player, I loved TO. I met him in person at the mall and shook his hand (man, what an iron grip) and told him to keep positive in hard times..but I could read his mind "like the hell I am."

3. Ricky Watters- He was always clucking, yakking, blah blah blahhing. Even in the pro bowl he argued with a man senior his age, which I believe was his father..and then proceeded to run like a concorde jet and catch the ball in one fell swoop and proceed with the run after the catch. On his good days, were also his bad days. You know what I mean?

4. Bill Romanowski- Boy, he could spit. He was an outright dirty player, if he was in your hair, he'd tear it out. He was juiced up, man. And he concocts a big spit. He's not exactly the role model for kids, you know?

5. Antonio Bryant- he got caught by the police in an orange Lamborghini going over 100 mph on highway 101 driving recklessly. You wouldn't want to share the road with him, so he is on this list. He was a good player, would have made many more plays for the 49ers if not for his both on-the-field and off-the-field conduct. I think he whined a bit, too.

6. Charles Haley- He moped, he mused, he had a falling out with George Seifert and a physical confrontation with our beloved Steve Young, he posed sitting on his mean streak of a motorcycle looking badass. And yes, he wore leather.

7. Brandon Lloyd- He made indescribably impossible catches, but flunked after that. He wasn't a popular clubhouse presence, either. On catches he was afraid of getting hit. The grass was his best friend. He could catch, but was not a great wideout.

8. Kevin Barlow- Fred Beasley didn't like him particularly, they weren't friends but foes- on the same team. He was not a great running back even though he churned some touchdown runs and scraped up yards. I have seen him at the training camp and he does nothing but run, then sag his shoulders walk around to take his turn again, and run. Same motions repetitively. I wasn't impressed with Barlow. Who liked his demeanor?

9. Lee Woodall- I have seen him strut around wearing dark sunglasses lowered on his nose with his eyes peering at everyone around him, watching for an imaginary assailant. He was wary of people around him, sulking as he goes. He was a damn good football player, but in public, he was like a wartime soldier sneaking through the battlefield trenches.

10. ME! Johnny Boy! The commentator that NinersNations fans love to hate. Whether I talk 49ers or politics, I am the NinersNations whipping boy.

Should Frank Gore be included in our all-time RB vote? (poll included)

Fooch — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:21:46 -0000

So, the next position I'm going to post is the All-Time Running Back. At the moment I'm thinking the ballot will include Roger Craig, Garrison Hearst and Hugh McElhenny. Even though Frank Gore has only played 3 seasons, he is 10th in rushing yards and will likely climb into 5th place this season. Is that sufficient to include him?

I've attached a poll with a 3rd option I have been bouncing around in my head as well. We're all fans of Roger Craig, so it would certainly be easy to just declare him the all-time running back. Joe Perry is the 49ers all-time leading rusher but he was a fullback and included in that ballot.

Over at Big Blue View (the inspiration for our all-time team), they actually ran a ballot at running back, even though Tiki Barber is far and away the all-time leading rusher.

So, what does everybody think?

Poll

Should Frank Gore be included in the all-time balloting?

Obligatory Favre discussion

sam23 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:02:38 -0000

I know its pretty far fetched, but ESPN did list the Niners in the "other possible options" category for teams Favre might join if he is indeed released by the Pack. Its almost totally unrealistic, but isnt this something that should at least be discussed here? So, assuming he is released in the next couple days would you encourage the Niners to take a look at him? I know it could just further impede the development of Smith or Hill, but I'm not a big fan of either anyway so I vote yes. For pure entertainment purposes it might not get much better than watching one of the NFL's ultimate gunslingers team up with one of its most creative offensive minds for one year. I dont know if we become actual contenders, but it would sure make every game more watchable, and we could sure use the exposure and excitement. I know it will never happen, but I felt like someone had to bring it up.

Poll

If Favre is released would you like to see him in a Niner uniform next season?

If you could have dinner with any living 49er who would it be?

StrictlyFootball — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:22:29 -0000

Alright it's late and I will probably make many grammar/spelling mistakes but I thought I would bring up a question. This question is a take on the question the radio hosts Mike and Mike proposed earlier today. "If you could have dinner with any living person in sports who would it be?" I suppose I could just leave it at that but I'm going to branch it off into 3 "49er" related questions. 1. Dinner with a current 49er 2. Dinner with a living 49er 3. Dinner with a deceased 49er. Also don't forget to take into account what restaurant or what type of dinner you would have with them.

1. Dinner with a current 49er... Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky, eating at Everett & Jones, in Jack London Square. I don't know why but I have always been more infatuated with the defense than the offense and I think Manusky is very knowledgeable and he seems to be a vocal guy so you know it won't be a quiet dinner. It was tough choosing between Manusky and Singletary, but Manusky actually stopped and talked to a group of us at last years training camp for a good 10 minutes after practice, and I could never get Singletary to sign my ball or even head over to us despite going to 3 different practices. I chose Everett & Jones because Manusky is a former line backer, so I know he'll love himself some ribs and fixens, and anybody who knows a thing about great ribs in the Bay Area, knows Everett & Jones has the best.

2. Dinner with a living 49er... QB Joe Montana at Benihana. I mean Joe Cool is the man and he was the best QB, period. He is my all time favorite player so I gotta chose him. I don't know what else I can say about Joe Cool without it sounding too much like a man-crush. I think Benihana because I think Joe would appreciate a show and the food is always top notch.

3. Dinner with a deceased 49er... Innovator of the west coast offense, three time winning Superbowl coach, and the best eye for talent who ever lived, the man himself, Bill Walsh! (at my Nonna's house for dinner) Bill Walsh was the greatest coach of all time who could have coached for longer if his genius was recognized earlier. He has made legends not only of players but of coaches as well. Bill Walsh can be considered the grandfather of coaches as he has breathed life into the careers of 31 different head coaches. He was the god of football and knew everything about a game days before it would even start. As such a man like him deserves the best food on Earth, my Nonna's cooking. Authentic Italian food made entirely from scratch, Molto Bene! Bill Walsh will forever be enshrined as a legendary figure not just in football, but in all sports. Rest in peace Bill.

Anyways, those are my three feel free to submit who you would go to dinner with as well.

Johnny's Top Ten List: 49er Alumni, Past and Present

16to80endzone — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:34:42 -0000

Here is a Top Ten series I am starting, where I began with the first Top Ten post on players for 2008, now this Top Ten list will cover the 49ers all-time players from any era, the past and the present, including the current 2008 players. Just make sure don't clog up your Top Ten with all 2008 players on the roster, because we did that already.

Some of you were born between the 40's and 90's. It will make it easy for us to discern which era you watched the 49ers from, from your choices of the Top 10.

I think my list covers the eras of the 80's to the 00's. You will see my statements why I chose them in like fashion the other fans commented in the first post!

Here it goes, hands clasping, with peering eyes looking at the flashbacks when the impeccable two-minute drives were conducted as if the red carpet was being rolled to the end zone, with the running backs high-stepping over facemasks, the wide receivers gliding their way in sheer separation from the befuddled secondaries!

You might be surprised on a couple choices and ask why?? And ask if I had a drink, losing my sense of judgement? But my guess is that you won't be surprised.

And no, I didn't have a drink, I only drink gatorade everyday, and here it goes:

Johnny's Top 10 49er Alumni:

1. Joe Montana- He had an uncanny knack for marching his team downfield hitting his spots in just under two minutes, with his running backs slithering their way into good field position, and Joe Cool delivering. It was better than the Federal Express. Joe Cool set the standard as the 49ers became a dynasty.

2. Y.A. Tittle- He is a 49er legendary quarterback, I always identified with his name growing up, his name was always in my subconscious as I cheered the 49ers year after year. He's one reason why John Brodie became a great quarterback, too. Tittle and Brodie were the 49er idols of the 50's.

3. Ronnie Lott- Yes, Ronnie Lott! I mean, if he headbutted me, I would have been imprinted on a tree for sure, or became a fossil where a group of kids pretending to be the 49ers would find me in the grass somewhere....He gave the most jarring hits in the NFL, and I can't think of a day when I thought Lott was timid in his play. He was one of the most feared players, and the most respected, too.

4. Freddie Solomon- Yes, the #88 Wide Receiver, he was one of the most gravity-defying receivers I've seen, keeping his feet in-bounds on his catches. If it was just a, let's say, a J.J. Stokes, the catches would fall out of bounds. Not Solomon. Oh, how sweet my memories are, I can still see Solomon's footprints on the goal lines, where you can see it square on the white chalked line.

5. Roger Craig, Ricky Watters, Garrison Hearst, and Frank Gore- Damn it, it's a 4-way tie between all these running backs. Forgive me for spoiling the Top 10 list. Maybe you can vote on a tie-breaker and choose the #5 all-time player. If I had to choose, I'd probably take Roger Craig over Frank Gore, because of the way he high-steps when he runs, I have seen Craig in person at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, and man, I love the way he struts, as if he had a cape and an invisible cane, all sore and fooling everyone, then getting back on the field the next day dragging facemasks. Who can beat that? Nearly 18 years into his retirement, he still runs. Long distance. He is still in shape and if he wanted to, he could don a helmet and pads and high-step right back into the good ole' game. Honorary mention: Tom Rathman, and Dexter Carter.

6. John Taylor- His name is also John, like my name, and he was so smooth when he ran, he was a great option besides the other greats. He complemented the offense beautifully as one who came through in a very timely manner, he changed the game when he got thrown the ball. BOOM-BOOM was Rice and Taylor.

7. Brent Jones- I loved his style of TE play. Vernon Davis might be a spectacular physical specimen, but Jones delivered. Simply. I have seen Jones somersault after being hit on catches, it was a wonder to watch. And he held on to the ball. Gotta give him the Purple Heart, only it was in the NFL, not in the Marines.

8. Steve Young- Whew, am I glad number 10 didn't expire yet, we're still at #8. He had such a relaxed demeanor before games, as I have seen him play, but when he is in the huddle, he was almost the freak; opposing defenses weren't sure if he was going to scramble (run), or throw dead-on accurately. Either way, he was going to do some damage, and his passer ratings lead the NFL several years. I was disappointed when he had to retire because of the concussions. Life moves on. But who forgets Steve Young, besides Joe Montana? Young was one of the missing pieces of the puzzle in adding another Super Bowl for the 49ers.

9. Jesse Sapolu- Time for the Polynesian dance! I still dream of Sapolu and Sopoaga on the same field together doing the Polynesian chants. A wishful thinker, ain't I? He was a Hawaiian resident like I was, and was a lifelong 49er without defecting to any other team. Pau!

10. Jerry Rice- In the Bible, the first shall be last. And the last shall be first. And who else, but the best Wide Receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice? Dennis Green, a former 49er coach, called Rice the "best route runner I've ever seen." And he had a poodle haircut early on in his career that was hilariously groovy.

Damn, every Top 10 choice I named was an offensive player. I am too biased for offensive players to even name any of the great all-time defensive players except for Lott.

Look for my Top Ten Defensive players, coming soon! And what you think, Lott's name will be on it also.

BAMM-BAMM just like Patrick Willis.

49ers Fantasy Depth Chart

NYCowboy — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:13:08 -0000

Frank Gore will be the focal point in a revamped 49ers offense. This may be the breakout season many have expected from him, with Mike Martz now making the calls for this potential high-flying squad.

San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Depth Chart

Key:

PTR= Position Tier Rank. This is the tier level where the player should be slotted in drafts.

1 = Elite Player

2 = Solid Performer

3 = Backend starter/Bench fill-in

4 = Roster filler or long-term prospect

0 = No value

ITR = In The Rotation

PB = Position Battle

S = Starter

QB                              PTR
Alex Smith - PB             3
Shaun Hill - PB              3
J.T. O'Sulivan                4
Summary: This is the last chance for former #1 overall pick Alex Smith to become the 49ers long term starter. Shaun Hill through 5 TDs and only 1 INT in two game stint as the starter (winning both) late in the season. This position battle will likely not be decided until the after the third preseason game. Sullivan performed well in mini-camp but is a long shot. The eventual starter may have some fantasy value as a QB2 or QB3, with Mike Martz now calling the offense.

Read the full depth chart article here at The Fantasy Sports Forum

Niners Nation: FanPosts

Hello, Chad Pennington!

The Return of Jeff Garcia???

Would bringing back Jeff Garcia be good for the Niners?

Steve Smith available?

Should the 49ers make a play for Steve Smith?

49ers need to make it a 4 (favre) man race..

Who Will the 49ers Name as Starting QB?

Mike Martz - 49ers Becoming Offensive Power?

Niners Nation Madden League Interest

Cowboys release Terry Glenn - Should 49ers try and sign him?

Should the 49ers try and sign Terry Glenn?

Saints Release Eric Johnson

MercuryNews - Mike Nolan on 2007

***UPDATE*** Niners Nation Fantasy Football ***UPDATE***

Saints trade for Shockey

Redskins trade for Jason Taylor

My Favorite 49ers Game - Oct 20, 1996

Johnny's Top Ten Controversial 49ers List

Should Frank Gore be included in our all-time RB vote? (poll included)

Should Frank Gore be included in the all-time balloting?

Obligatory Favre discussion

If Favre is released would you like to see him in a Niner uniform next season?

If you could have dinner with any living 49er who would it be?

Johnny's Top Ten List: 49er Alumni, Past and Present

49ers Fantasy Depth Chart

UPDATE Niners Nation Fantasy Football UPDATE