san francisco 49ers

NFL can’t possibly remove all danger from football

By: Paul Gackle 12/26/12 8:53 PM

Kam Chancellor is a menacing presence in the Seattle Seahawks secondary. At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, he’s the prototypical strong safety for the 21st century. He’s big enough to knock down a tight end lurking in the middle and quick enough to catch up with a receiver who’s racing down the sideline for six points. Read More

With Mario Manningham out, 49ers WRs need to step up

By: The Associated Press 12/26/12 8:49 PM

Mario Manningham limped through the locker room on crutches, holding a towel around his waist while trying to keep his head high and sport a smile. That’s not easy to do for the 49ers right now. Read More

49ers land nine players in Pro Bowl

By: Wire Report 12/26/12 8:19 PM

The defense of the 49ers has been the backbone of the team’s success for the past two seasons, and Wednesday, it was handsomely rewarded. San Francisco led all NFL teams with nine players selected to the Pro Bowl team, including six from the league’s second-ranked defense. Read More

49ers go from penthouse to doghouse with loss to Seahawks

By: Paul Gackle 12/24/12 12:23 AM

Oh, how things can change in 168 hours. Last week, Jim Harbaugh was a genius, Colin Kaepernick was crowned as the rightful heir to Joe Montana and Steve Young’s throne, and the 49ers looked capable of beating anybody in the NFL. But the Seattle Seahawks let the helium out of the balloon Sunday when they handed Harbaugh his most lopsided loss (42-13) in 33 games as an NFL head coach. Read More

One fan’s suggestion for what to do with Alex Smith and Brian Wilson

By: Pamela S. Busch 12/21/12 12:28 AM

The other day, I found myself having a sports pipe dream. What if ex-Giants closer Brian Wilson, now a free agent, and likely-to-be-former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith sign with the Mets and the Jets, respectively, next season? Read More

49ers look to lock up NFC West as they face off against Seahawks

By: The Associated Press 12/20/12 10:48 PM

Dynamic young quarterbacks. Bullying running backs. Rock-solid defenses. Coaches who don’t much like each other. Throw in playoff implications and no wonder the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were given a prime-time showcase. “There is something about them, man. They’re basically the same team as us and I just hate that fact,” Seattle safety Kam Chancellor said. Read More

49ers' Dashon Goldson won’t change style despite NFL penalty fines

By: The Associated Press 12/20/12 9:58 PM

Dashon Goldson has a stack of manila envelopes in his locker, filing away the paperwork every time the NFL has fined the 49ers safety. While he has heard from the league office more than a dozen times in his six-year career, the letters often had little to do with his hard-hitting ways until this season. Read More

Changing playoff format would cheapen NFL season

By: Paul Gackle 12/20/12 1:16 PM

They had a big win in New England on Sunday night, but the 49ers can’t step off the gas in Seattle this week. Read More

49ers bring momentum into Sunday’s crucial NFC West matchup against Seahawks

By: The Associated Press 12/18/12 11:10 PM

Linebacker Aldon Smith loves playing in prime time. It takes him back to how he spent so many Friday nights in high school under the lights. Niners teammates Anthony Dixon, Joe Staley and others become similarly nostalgic when they take the field these days with the football spotlight on them. “Under the lights, you knew it was showtime,” Smith said. “It’s just that feeling you get again from being under that spotlight.” Read More