Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers: Barry Sims to Start at LT

Date: November 21, 2010

Time: 1:00 PST
Location: Candlestick Park
Records: Buccaneers (6-3) 49ers (3-6)
Spread: 49ers (-3)

Injuries


Tampa Bay: Out - DE Kyle Moore (shoulder); Questionable - LB Quincy Black (ankle), DT Ryan Sims (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot), T Jeremy Trueblood (knee); Probable - TE Kellen Winslow (knee), RB Earnest Graham (hamstring)

San Francisco: Out - K Joe Nedney (knee), T Joe Staley (fibula); Doubtful - CB William James (concussion); Probable - CB Nate Clements (quad), RB Frank Gore (foot), G Adam Snyder (shoulder)

Inactives


Tampa Bay: QB Rudy Carpenter (3rd QB), T Will Barker, OLB Quincy Black, T Derek Hardman, FB Erik Lorig, DE Kyle Moore, WR Preston Parker, DE Ryan Sims

San Francisco: QB David Carr (3rd QB), T Alex Boone, DB Tramaine Brock, LB Thaddeus Gibson, DB William James, LB Keaton Kristick, K Joe Nedney, T Joe Staley

As we reported, Mike Singletary will start Barry Sims at left tackle to fill in for the injured Joe Staley.  Sims last started a game last season.  Wide receiver Kyle Williams is active for the game so he could be in on some of the punt returns.

Oakland Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers: No Nnamdi Asomugha

Date: November 21, 2010

Time: 10:00 PST
Location: Heinz Field
Records: Raiders (5-4) Steelers (6-3)
Spread: Steelers (-7.5)

Injuries


Oakland: Out - WR Chaz Schilens (knee); Questionable - CB Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle), DT John Henderson (foot), WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (hamstring), TE Zach Miller (foot)

Pittsburgh: Out - S Will Allen (concussion), DE Aaron Smith (triceps); Questionable - DE Brett Keisel (hamstring); Probable - CB Crezdon Butler (quad), G Chris Kemoeatu (ankle), S Troy Polamalu (achilles), LB Lawrence Timmons (hip), WR Hines Ward (concussion)

Inactives


Oakland: QB Kyle Boller (3rd QB), CB Nnamdi Asomugha, RB Michael Bennett, LB Bruce Davis, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, G Daniel Loper, DB Walter McFadden, WR Chaz Schilens

Pittsburgh: QB Charlie Batch (3rd QB), DB Will Allen, DB Crezdon Butler, RB Jonathan Dwyer, T Tony Hills, DE Brett Keisel, T Chris Scott, DE Aaron Smith

This game is what some people in these parts call a GPS game.  What that means is that this game should let both the Raiders and their fans figure out how good they really are and how they stack up against a playoff caliber team.  The Raiders are definitely going to have to show up and play their best.  They will take the field without their best defender in Nnamdi Asomugha who is still out with an ankle injury.  The Raiders will also have to fight the proven stat that west coast teams cannot travel to the other side of the country and be successful in 10am games.

Seattle Seahawks @ Oakland Raiders: Time For DHB To Show Up

Date: October 31, 2010

Time: 1:00 PST
Location: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Records: Seahawks (4-2) Raiders (3-4)
Spread: Raiders (-2.5)

Injuries

Seattle: Questionable - CB Kelly Jennings (hamstring), LB Matt McCoy (hamstring), DT Brandon Mebane (calf), T Russell Okung (ankle), RB Michael Robinson (hamstring), WR Brandon Stokley (oblique), DB Walter Thurmond (head)

Oakland: Out - DT John Henderson (foot), WR Chaz Schilens (knee), WR Louis Murphy (chest); Questionable - RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), LB Travis Goethel (back), OLB Thomas Howard (knee), G Robert Gallery (calf), CB Chris Johnson (concussion), TE Zach Miller (foot), WR Nick Miller (ankle), LB Kameron Wimbley (groin)

Inactives

Seattle: RB Michael Robinson, CB Kelly Jennings, CB Walter Thurmond III, LB Matt McCoy, OL Allen Barbre, OT Russell Okung, DT Brandon Mebane, TE Anthony McCoy

Oakland: QB Bruce Gradkowski (3rd QB), WR Chaz Schilens, WR Louis Murphy, CB Walter McFadden, RB Michael Bennett, LB Travis Goethel, LB Thomas Howard, DT John Henderson

Looks as if Bruce Gradkowski is making progress but not enough to be the backup quarterback.  Kyle Boller will backup Jason Campbell.  The quarterback position will be key today against the Seahawks who are light at the defensive back position.  If DHB was ever go to have a big game, this will be his chance.

Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers: Lose-Lose Situation for Mike Singletary

 

Date: October 31, 2010

Time: 10:00 PST
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
Records: Broncos (2-5) 49ers (1-6)
Spread: 49ers (-1)

Injuries

Denver: Out - LB Robert Ayers (foot), CB Perrish Cox (concussion), S Darcel McBath (ankle), DL Kevin Vickerson (groin), LB Wesley Woodyard (hamstring); Probable - S Brian Dawkins (knee), CB Andre Goodman (quad), WR Eddie Royal (groin)

San Francisco: Out - QB Alex Smith (shoulder), C Eric Heitmann (neck); Doubtful - CB Tarell Brown (back); Questionable - TE Vernon Davis (ankle), RB Anthony Dixon (hamstring); Probable - LB Ahmad Brooks (knee), CB Nate Clements (ankle), T Adam Snyder (back)

Inactives

Denver: QB Brady Quinn (3rd QB), OLB Robert Ayers, T Chris Clark, CB Perrish Cox, S Darcel McBath, G Eric Olsen, DE Kevin Vickerson, OLB Wesley Woodyard

San Francisco: QB Alex Smith, T Alex Boone, CB Tarell Brown, C Eric Heitmann, WR Jason Hill, LB Keaton Kristick, T Barry Sims, WR Kyle Williams

The 49ers will go for their second win this season today.  If they don't win, which is completely possible, it should be the end for Mike Singletary.  It likely won't because of the lack of coaching experience on Singletary's staff.  No matter what happens this season Singletary is done as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers after this season.

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos: Pre-Game

Date: October 24, 2010

Time: 1:00 PST
Location: Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver
Records: Raiders (2-4) Broncos (2-4)
Spread: Broncos (-8)

Injuries

Oakland: Out - LB Travis Goethel (back), DT John Henderson (foot), LB Thomas Howard (knee), WR Chaz Schilens (knee); Questionable - TE Brandon Myers (concussion), RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), S Tyvon Branch (back), QB Jason Campbell (knee), S Hiram Eugene (back), QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), RB Darren McFadden (hamstring)

Denver: Out - LB Robert Ayers (foot), S Brian Dawkins (knee), CB Andre' Goodman (quad), S Darcel McBath (ankle), LB Wesley Woodyard (hamstring); Questionable - CB Champ Bailey (ribs), WR Eddie Royal (groin), DE Kevin Vickerson (groin)

Inactives

Oakland: QB Bruce Gradkowski (3rd QB), LB Travis Goethel, DT John Henderson, LB Thomas Howard, DB Walter McFadden, TE Brandon Myers, WR Chaz Schilens, DB Jeremy Ware

Denver: QB Brady Quinn (3rd QB), LB Robert Ayers, OT Chris Clark, S Brian Dawkins, CB Andre' Goodman, S Darcel McBath, OG Eric Olsen, LB Wesley Woodyard

Quarterback Jason Campbell will start for the Raiders today and Kyle Boller will be his backup.  Darren McFadden will also be a go for the Raiders against the Broncos.

San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers: Pre-Game

Date: October 24, 2010

Time: 10:00PST
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC
Records: 49ers (1-5) Panthers (0-5)
Spread: 49ers (-3)

Injuries

San Francisco: Out - C Eric Heitmann; Questionable - CB Nate Clements (ankle), TE Delanie Walker (ankle); Probable - TE Vernon Davis (knee), LB Parys Haralson (calf), LB Manny Lawson (rib), WR Josh Morgan (thigh), DT Justin Smith (hand)

Carolina: Out - OT Jeff Otah (knee), LB Jamar Williams (neck); Probable - TE Dante Rosario (knee), WR Steve Smith (ankle), OG Travelle Wharton (knee)



Inactives

San Francisco: QB Troy Smith (3rd QB), WR Kyle Williams, S Chris Maragos, C Eric Heitmann, OT Alex Boone, LB Keaton Kristick, OT Barry Sims, WR Jason Hill

Carolina: QB Tony Pike (3rd QB), WR Devin Thomas, WR Armanti Edwards, OT Jeff Otah, LB Jamar Williams, CB C.J. Wilson, DT Andre Neblett, RB Tyrell Sutton

The 49ers go for their first road win of the season.  I look at it this way, they could either win and gain some much needed confidence or if they lose the season is over.  There is no way that I seem them losing this guy and winning next week in London. 

On the Panthers, side they got back their biggest weapon, Steve Smith, and he is going to cause a lot of problems for the 49ers on defense along with DeAngelo Williams, who I expect to have a huge day.

Oakland Raiders @ San Francisco 49ers: Pre-Game

Date: October 16, 2010

Time: 1:00PST

Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco

Records: Raiders (2-3) 49ers (0-5)
Spread: 49ers (-7)

Injuries

Oakland: Out - RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), LB Travis Goethel (back), DT John Henderson (foot), LB Thomas Howard (knee), WR Chaz Schilens (knee); Questionable - QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), LB Quentin Groves (hamstring), WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (knee), RB Darren McFadden (hamstring); Probable - OG Robert Gallery (hamstring), OG Daniel Loper (ankle), CB Jeremy Ware (ankle)

San Francisco: Out - S Curtis Taylor (quad), TE Delanie Walker (ankle); Probable - OT Joe Staley (shoulder), QB Troy Smith (abdomen), OG Adam Snyder (quad), OG Adam Snyder (quad)

Inactives

Oakland: QB Bruce Gradkowski (3rd QB), RB Michael Bennett, LB Travis Goethel, DT John Henderson, OLB Thomas Howard, RB Darren McFadden, DB Walter McFadden, WR Chaz Schilens

San Francisco: QB Troy Smith (3rd QB), OT Alex Boone, WR Jason Hill, OT Barry Sims, FS Curtis Taylor, TE Delanie Walker, WR Kyle Williams, OG Tony Wragge

News out of San Francisco is that the players have finally given up and stop listening to head coach Mike Singletary.  It was just a matter of time until this happen.  How long can you listen to a head coach who is not willing to make changes and just blame players for inability to execute when in fact it's your philosophy that is the problem.

If the 49ers continue to lose, Jed York will not have any choice but to get rid of Singletary at the bye week.  York cannot afford to lose the fans and making one of the assistant coaches the head coach is better than keeping Singletary in at the helm.

On the other side of the bay, the Raiders are doing there best to show up the 49ers.  Adam Schefter is reporting that the Raiders are calling teams to advise them that they are ready to make a deal and no one player is untouchable.  This is a annual event for Al Davis' but it seems very interesting at this point when the Raiders are 2-3 and with a win could be .500.

San Diego Chargers @ Oakland Raiders: Pre-Game

Date: October 10, 2010

Time: 1:00pm PST
Location: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland
Records: Chargers (2-2) Raiders (1-3)

Injuries

San Diego: Out - LB Larry English (foot); Doubtful - LB Brandon Siler (foot), S Darrell Stuckey (hamstring); Questionable - LB Shawne Merriman (calf), OG Louis Vasquez (knee); Probable - LB Antwan Applewhite (foot), RB Ryan Mathews (ankle)

Oakland: Out - RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), OG Robert Gallery (hamstring), LB Travis Goethel (back), DT John Henderson (foot), LB Thomas Howard (knee), RB Darren McFadden (hamstring), WR Chaz Schilens (knee); Questionable - LB Ricky Brown (hamstring), LB Quentin Groves (hamstring), CB Walter McFadden (hamstring), CB Jeremy Ware (ankle); Probable - S Hiram Eugene (hamstring), QB Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder), CB Chris Johnson (ankle), TE Zach Miller (hip)

Inactives

San Diego: QB J.T. O'Sullivan (3rd QB), DB Fred Bennett, DB Tyrone Carter, OLB Larry English, DE Vaughn Martin, ILB Brandon Siler, DB Darrell Stuckey, OG Louis Vasquez

Oakland: RB Michael Bennett, OG Robert Gallery, LB Travis Goethel, DT John Henderson, OLB Thomas Howard, RB Darren McFadden, DB Walter McFadden, WR Chaz Schilens

San Francisco 49ers @ Kansas City Chiefs: Pre-Game

Date: October 3, 2010

Time: 10:00am PST

Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Records: 49ers (0-3) Falcons (2-1)
Injuries

San Francisco: Doubtful - WR Ted Ginn (knee), OC Eric Heitmann (fibula); Questionable - CB William James (ankle); Probable - LB Takeo Spikes (knee), S Dashon Goldson (knee, foot), S Michael Lewis (probable)

Atlanta: Questionable - LB Sean Weatherspoon (ankle), S Erik Coleman (knee), WR Michael Jenkins (shoulder); Probable - CB Brent Grimes (personal issues)

Inactives

San Francisco: QB Troy Smith (3rd QB), OT Alex Boone, CB Tramaine Brock, WR Ted Ginn, OC Eric Heitmann, CB William James, SS Michael Lewis, OT Barry Sims

Atlanta: QB John Parker Wilson (3rd QB), WR Michael Jenkins, CB Dominique Franks, RB Gartrell Johnson, LB Sean Weatherspoon, OT Garrett Reynolds, G Mike Johnson, DT Trey Lewis

The 49ers will go for the first win against the best team they have played all season.  With Mike Johnson, the new offensive coordinator, making the offensive calls it will be interesting to see if there is any changes on how the offense produces.  On the defense, the 49ers will be without veteran safety Michael Lewis after he asked for his release earlier this week.  Expect to see rookie Taylor Mays get most of the action with Reggie Smith back there as well.

Saints @ 49ers Inactive List

The communication issue has hopefully been resolved.  Jimmy Raye will be in the booth to make the calls down to quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson.  Alex Smith will wear a wristband to make the process easier.

Hopefully, it works out otherwise this will be a long week for Mike Singletary.

Here's the inactives for tonight's Monday Night Football game.

Saints: RB Chris Ivory, CB Patrick Robinson, S Chris Reis, LB Anthony Waters, OT Zach Streif, TE Troy Humphrey, WR Adrian Arrington, DE Junior Galette

49ers: QB Troy Smith, WR Kyle Williams, WR Ted Ginn Jr., CB Will James, OG Chilo Rachal, OC Eric Heitmann, OT Alex Boone

Lineups: Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Francisco Giants - Game 1

I guess Bochy isn't willing to risk his career over Aaron Rowand being successful at the leadoff.  Bochy realizes that if he doesn't get the Giants to the playoffs he is out of here.


Giants:

Ross RF
Sanchez 2B
Huff 1B
Posey C
Burrell LF
Uribe SS
Sandoval 3B
Rowand CF
Zito LHP

Dodgers:

Furcal SS
Etheir RF
Blake 3B
Kemp CF
Gibbons 1B
Barajas C
Carroll 2B
Johnson LF
Kershaw LHP

Week 1 Pre-game Notes: Raiders @ Titans

It seemed that during the week that Michael Bush was going to be able to play this week, after all he was practicing even though it was limited.

Here is the inactive list for the game:

Oakland

QB Kyler Boller (3rd QB)
RB Michael Bush
WR Chaz Schilens
WR Nick Miller
G Bruce Campbell
DT Desmond Bryant
LB Travis Goethel
CB Walter McFadden

Tennessee


QB Rusty Smith (3rd QB)
WR Lavelle Hawkins
OL Mike Otto
OG Ryan Durand
DE William Hayes
LB Rennie Curran
S Robert Johnson
S Nick Schommer

Injury Report:

Oakland

Out: LB Travis Goethel (lower back), CB Walter McFadden (hamstring), WR Chaz Schilens (knee)
Questionable: DT Desmond Bryant (elbow), RB Michael Bush (thumb),

Tennessee

Out: OT Mike Otto (knee)
Questionable: Colin Allred (ankle), DT Tony Brown (knee), C/G Leroy Harris (ankle), DE William Hayes (knee)
Probable: DE Jacob Ford (knee), WR Justin Gage (hand)

Ted Ginn Jr. named starting punt returner

Yesterday, Mike Singletary announced that Ted Ginn Jr. was going to be the teams primary punt returner against the Seahawks.  This is not exactly what everyone thought was going to happen once the season started.  During the preseason Singletary said that he wanted Ginn to focus on being a wide receiver and just doing kickoff returns and was looking for someone else to be their punt returner.

It appeared that wide receiver Kyle Williams was on his way for that role before he was injured in the first preseason game.  Then cornerback Phillip Adams had looked good in that role and it appeared he was going to be the 49ers punt returner going into the first game. 

Singletary stated that he spoke with special teams coordinator and they just felt more comfortable with Ginn back there returning punts.  He left it open for Adams to possibly still return punts.

During the offseason the 49ers traded with the Miami Dolphins for Ted Ginn Jr. in order to shore up the punt and kick return game that had been atrocious last year for the 49ers.  Ginn has a lot of experience returning punts and kicks when he was at Ohio State and then later when he was with the Dolphins.  During three years with the Dolphins, Ginn returned 147 kickoffs with an average of 23 yards/return and scored two touchdowns and has returned 36 punts for an average of 8.7/return with one touchdown.

In 2009, the 49ers averaged 4.4 yards/return on the punt returns which put that in last place in the NFL and on kickoff returns they averaged 21.8 yards/return which was 23rd in the NFL.

Week 1 Pre-game Notes: 49ers @ Seahawks

Usually the pre-game notes come out a couple of hours before kickoff but since Coach Singletary is on top of his game, it allows us to give some pre-pre-game notes.  

Singletary has already announced who will be on the inactive list for the 49ers game against the Seahawks.

Inactive List:

QB Troy Smith

WR Kyle Williams

OT Barry Sims

OT Alex Boon

OC Eric Heitmann

LB Ahmad Brooks

CB Tramaine Brock

CB William James

Injury Report: 

San Francisco

Out:  LB Ahmad Brooks (lacerated kidney), OC Eric Heitmann (fibula), WR Kyle Williams (toe)

Doubtful: CB William James (ankle)

Probable: LB Diyral Briggs (concussion)

Seattle

Out: OT Russell Okung (ankle)
Questionable: OT Chester Pitts (knee)
Probable: DE Raheem Brock (back), TE Anthony McCoy (ankle)

Thursday Giants lineup

First game of a four-game series with the Padres.  Giants will need to come out of the series having won at least two games with a hope for make three out of the four.

Here's how the pitching matchups are lined up:

Thursday: Matt Cain (10-10, 3.18 ERA) vs. Jon Garland (13-10, 3.31 ERA)

Friday: Jonathan Sanchez (10-8, 3.39 ERA) vs. Clayton Richard (12-6, 3.43 ERA)

Saturday: Madison Bumgarner (5-4, 3.44 ERA) vs. Tim Stauffer (3-3, 1.72 ERA)

Sunday: Tim Lincecum (13-9, 3.69 ERA) vs. Mat Latos (14-5, 2.21 ERA)

And now for the lineups...

Torres CF

Sanchez 2B

Huff 1B

Posey C

Guillen RF

Burrell LF

Sandoval 3B

Uribe SS

Cain RHP

Durango CF

Eckstein 2B

Ludwick RF

Gonzalez 1B

Tejeda SS

Headley 3B

Torrealba C

Venable LF

Garland RHP

Tuesday's Giants lineup

Big time pitching matchup tonight with Cain and Josh Johnson on the hill.  I would not expect much offense from either team.

RF Torres
2B Sanchez
LF Huff
C Posey
3B Uribe
1B Ishikawa
CF Rowand
SS Renteria
RHP Cain

Monday’s Giants lineup

Zito takes the mound against the Marlins. Buster will look to continue his hitting streak and make tonight 19 games in a row.

Torres CF
Renteria SS
Huff RF
Posey C
Uribe 3B
Burrell LF
Ishikawa 1B
Sanchez 2B
Zito P

Thursday Giants lineup, Willis signed, DeJesus?

Today’s lineup and some other tidbits so let’s get started on the first day of the rest of the season.

Rowand CF
Sanchez 2B
Huff LF
Posey C
Ishikawa 1B
Uribe SS
Sandoval 3B
Schierholtz RF
Lincecum RHP

According to both San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman and Mercury News’ Andrew Baggarly the Giants have signed local kid Dontrelle Willis to a AAA contract.

This move is reportedly not related to any trade that may come up anytime soon. It is just to be for depth in the minor leagues.

***

Henry Schulman is also stated on his Twitter account that the Royals top player evaluator is at the park tonight.  Looks like Giants may be having conversations with the Royals about David DeJesus.