Image details: Arizona Cardinals v San Francisco 49ers served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s new San Francisco scheme, running back Frank Gore will serve the same type of role that Marshall Faulk played with the St. Louis Rams when Coach Martz was spearheading “The Greatest Show on Turf” to Super Bowls XXXIV and XXXVI:

“I think Marshall’s Marshall, Frank is Frank ….. But, there are things that we’ll play to that are really strengths of his. He’s got that speed and explosiveness. He does it all. He’s a physical guy that you can hammer, or you can use him as a perimeter guy ….. He’s a one-time guy. You tell him once, and he has it. That’s really a remarkable quality. He really learns fast. He’s a very sharp guy. So that means you can use him in a variety of ways.”

Oddly enough, Frank is dyslexic. But he hasn’t had any problems in the classroom since joining the 49ers. And Coach Martz’s complex playbook hasn’t thrown him, either. Plus, he has support at the running back position. Newly acquired DeShaun Foster should play a significant role this season and Michael Robinson is an outstanding, dual-purpose athlete with pass-catching ability. I have been talking-up the 49ers this entire offseason. Watch for them to surprise a lot of teams in 2008 and make a strong run for the playoffs.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Frank Gore is the New Marshall Faulk

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

With about a month to go before NFL training camps open, quarterback Byron Leftwich is without a job. Which is hard to believe considering Byron was the starting QB of the Jacksonville Jaguars a year ago at this time. But after a demotion and release — then a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Atlanta Falcons last season — Byron has been spending his time in a daily workout program at a high-tech training facility near Miami, Florida. NFL players Plaxico Burress, Frank Gore, Anquan Boldin and Fred Taylor have been among those working with him. Byron has lost 25 pounds and joked that if he put on a #81 jersey, people would mistake him for Randy Moss:

“I believe in myself. I’ve got confidence in myself. I won’t allow this to start second-guessing my ability. These types of things happen, man. You’ve got to stand up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I can play the game of football. I’m not gonna let anybody tell me I can’t.”

Despite his substantial injury history, I’ve got to believe some team will take a chance on Byron. He’s damaged goods, no doubt — but I believe he can and will serve in some sort of backup role in 2008. It might not happen until, ironically, an injury creates a need. But I believe it will happen.

Source: Washington Times, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Byron Leftwich Still Looking for Work

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

This offseason in San Francisco has offered a lot of hope for 49ers fans, but a big question mark remains at the quarterback position where Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan are battling for the starting spot. With OTAs and minicamps complete, it looks like Alex is finally proving why the Niners took him #1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Head coach Mike Nolan said:

“(I’m seeing Alex) do things that I haven’t seen him do before, in practice or in games. Alex is very athletic. He probably has the strongest arm of all the guys. He’s really intelligent. Now he’s got to go in there and put in four quarters and move the ball consistently and make plays he should make.”

Coach Nolan isn’t tipping his hand as to who his favorite quarterback is just yet, but it’s pretty clear that Alex has the early advantage. With newcomers like Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson and DeShaun Foster on-board as a supporting cast (not to mention Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and new OC Mike Martz), any of the three QBs will have a greater chance for success than ever before. Certainly, we’re not talking about the second coming of Joe Montana or Steve Young here, but Alex Smith is poised for a breakout season.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Alex Smith Taking Charge in San Francisco

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In Arizona, wide receiver Bryant Johnson was the team’s third option behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. In free agency, he was seeking to become any other team’s second receiver. And he accomplished just that today by signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers where he’ll most likely start opposite Isaac Bruce. Add do-it-all RB (and leading receiver) Frank Gore plus receivers Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle to the mix, and the 49ers have a ton of offensive potential. Of course, the key word here is potential. Darrell and Ashley were disappointments in ‘07, but Arnaz (who might just “battle” for one of the top two spots) more than held his own with 50 catches for 600 yards and five TDs.

So, the 49ers haven’t exactly assembled a dream team of available free agents, but they sure have upgraded last year’s promising roster. I spoke with TE Vernon Davis just a couple weeks ago and he was excited about the offensive improvements at that point — new OC Mike Martz, Isaac, RB DeShaun Foster and OL Justin Smiley. I think the Niners have met their wide receiver needs (they also have speedy Jason Hill who was hurt for much of last season) and can now focus on other positions in the Draft — unless, of course, they get a tremendous opportunity with the 29th pick in the first round.

I think the most interesting part of this upcoming season for San Francisco will be the quarterback competition between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. Alex was drafted to be the face of this team, but he’s in serious danger of losing his starting spot without being injured in the process. In fact, my money is on Shaun Hill coming into camp ready to lead this team. Last season Shaun completed almost 70% of his passes in three games. He had five TDs with only one INT and a 101.3 quarterback rating. He’ll be entering his seventh NFL season (with NFL Europe experience) and could be primed for a breakout season with the additional weapons around him.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Bryant Johnson Agrees to Terms With 49ers