San Francisco 49ers

Yesterday and today I posted a picture of Randy Moss in a Tennessee Titans uniform but the next uniform Moss will be wearing is the red and gold of the San Francisco 49ers.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman and receivers coach John Morton witnessed Moss' 15-minute workout with head coach Jim Harbaugh. A meeting with team officials followed and both parties agreed to a one-year contract a few hours later.

The six-time Pro Bowler adds speed and experience to San Francisco's young receiver corps. Concerning his reputation Moss said that the 49ers have done their homework on him, otherwise they wouldn't have brought him in here.

The three NFL career receiving touchdown leaders now will all have played for the 49ers at some point. Jerry Rice leads with 197 touchdowns, followed by Terrell Owens and Randy Moss, both with 153.

St. Louis Rams

With free agency just moments away the St. Louis Rams released veteran players C Jason Brown, DT Fred Robbins and DT Justin Bannan. DE James Hall is in the process of being released as well.

The 28-year old Jason Brown started the season at center and finished it at guard. 34-year old Fred Robbins recorded 21 solo tackles and one sack in 15 games. 32-year old Justin Bannan started 14 games and had 26 solo tackles. 35-year old Justin Hall started 15 games and recorded 38 solo tackles as well as six sacks.

 

When the San Francisco 49ers face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday they will be reunited with three players who wore red and gold uniforms last season, CB Nate Clements, OLB Manny Lawson and SS Taylor Mays. Clements and Lawson were starters for the 49ers in 2010 and then-rookie Taylor Mays started in 6 games under former head coach Mike Singletary.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman doesn’t see this an advantage for either team. “They’ve got good insight on some of our personnel, there’s no question. And we’ve got a few insights on theirs. So it kind of works both ways.”

The 49ers cut Nate Clements in July because they weren’t prepared to pay him $15 million he was due in salary. In his last season with the Niners Nate Clements had 82 tackles, 1 sack and 3 interceptions. He made 9 tackles in 2 games with the Bengals.

“I had a chance to face those guys every day in practice, so my perception hasn’t changed,” Clements said. “They’re a young, talented receiver corps that definitely has what it takes to have potential stars in this league. I’ve definitely told my teammates things to look out for and what guys are good at.”

Manny Lawson had a disappointing season in 2010 and the 49ers made no attempts to re-sign him. The linebacker had 59 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 interception but saw his playing time diminish on passing plays. In Cincinnati Lawson made 3 tackles through 2 games.

“It’ll be a fun game and a very interesting game, especially knowing those guys,” 49ers TE Vernon Davis said. “I’ve been going against Manny since I was in college and going against Nate in practice, so it makes my assignment a little easier. I know those guys. I don’t have to go in and really watch them like I have to watch the other guys.”

WR Michael Crabtree, who will likely return to the lineup on Sunday, is excited about the meeting as well. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they bring against us. That’s the good thing about this football game on Sunday. That’s when the competition gets really tough.”

Taylor Mays is expected to suit up on Sunday. The safety suffered from a knee injury and missed last week’s game but was a full participant in practice throughout the week. Mays made 38 tackles in his rookie season but in August the 49ers traded him to the Bengals for a seventh-round pick.

The San Francisco 49ers as well as the Dallas Cowboys are two of the most storied and successful franchises in NFL history. Their battles for NFL royalty are historic and created a rivalry that spans over many decades and reached its peak in the 90s. Since then both teams played a less significant role in the league but are vying to return to glory.

The 49ers started the season, and Jim Harbaugh’s NFL head coaching era, with a 33-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The offense played solid and did what they had to do in order to secure victory. The defense played excellently and put constant pressure on Seattle’s offense. Special teams had a historical, record-breaking day and eventually put the game out of reach when the Seahawks cut the deficit to two points in the fourth quarter.

The Dallas Cowboys lost their season opener at the New York Jets, a game they could have and should have won. QB Tony Romo caused the Jets many problems but two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter gave New York a 17-points comeback. The defense recorded 4 sacks and held the opponent to 45 yards on the ground.

Compared to the Seattle Seahawks the Dallas Cowboys are a much tougher task. Dallas’ passing offense with Tony Romo, WR Dez Bryant, WR Miles Austin and TE Jason Witten is one of the most talented in the league and OLB DeMarcus Ware might just be the best outside linebacker in the NFL.

The Cowboys have a lot of injury concerns going into this game. Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick will be sidelined and Mike Jenkins is a game time decision. The offensive line is beat up and Dez Bryant hasn’t practiced all week, which according to head coach Jason Garrett’s philosophy would mean that he isn’t available.

Keys to Success

QB Alex Smith has to show his entire repertoire of passing plays. He has to test Dallas’ secondary with deep passes and keep their front seven out of balance with screens, sweeps and play actions.

RB Frank Gore needs to find a way to break through the middle, because OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer won’t allow big gains on outside runs.

Use Ted Ginn Jr. as a deep threat weapon.

San Francisco’s front seven has to overpower Dallas’ inexperienced offensive line and make Tony Romo feel uncomfortable in the pocket.

Use a second tight end to double-team DeMarcus Ware on as many plays as possible.

I listened to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s press conference as well as offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s this week. One thing stood out, they were focused and seemed to have a game plan. This gives me a feeling of confidence that the 49ers are ready and prepared for the Cowboys.

Probable Starters

Offense: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Moran Norris, WR Braylon Edwards, WR Josh Morgan, TE Vernon Davis, LT Joe Staley, LG Mike Iupati, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Chilo Rachal, RT Anthony Davis.

Defense: LE Ray McDonald, NT Isaac Sopoaga, RE Justin Smith, LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LILB NaVorro Bowman, RILB Patrick Willis, ROLB Parys Haralson, LCB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, FS Madieu Williams, RCB Tarell Brown. 

Prediction: San Francisco 49ers v Dallas Cowboys 27-20

The San Francisco 49ers host the Houston Texans tonight for the third preseason game. Usually this means that the designated starters see extended playing time but the Niners have a new head coach and with it comes a new approach.

Jim Harbaugh said that he would bring in the backups early to give them the opportunity to play against starters. Quarterback Alex Smith will start tonight but could be replaced with Colin Kaepernick after two offensive series. Smith may return to the game if the situation permits. This could be for a two-minute drill or just another series.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wants to play zone defense against the Texans, after focusing on the blitz last week. Donte Whitner is likely going to be the starter at strong safety once the regular season kicks off but Dashon Goldson and Madieu Williams are battling for the other safety spot.

The left cornerback competition seems settled. Carlos Rogers will be the starter with rookie Chris Culliver as his backup. There are still three players who hope to win the starter job on the right side, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown and Tramaine Brock. Look for Brown and Brock to get plenty of opportunities tonight to make big plays.

First-round pick Aldon Smith is always under the scope and many expect him to become a starter soon. Smith won the first round at New Orleans Saints but Parys Haralson was the better ROLB against the Oakland Raiders. The battle appears to be tied at the moment, which works in Haralson’s favor, so expect Aldon Smith to see a lot of action tonight.

The 49ers are converting Bruce Miller from defensive end to fullback. It would be nice to see him block for Frank Gore tonight but the running back is going to leave the game early. Regardless, Bruce Miller will see a great deal of playing time against the Houston Texans.

Lastly, the center battle is a wide open race and will remain so even after tonight’s game. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman announced that both, Adam Snyder and Jonathan Goodwin, would see an equal amount of playing time against the Texans.

Tonight may only be another preseason game but San Francisco’s backups will be tested against Houston’s starters. Jim Harbaugh wants his twos and threes prepared for every situation that may occur in the regular season, and this includes playing against the best players on the opposing team.  

Daunte Culpepper worked out for about 30 minutes yesterday and left a positive impression, though Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman would not say if the 49ers were going to sign the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

Tight End Nate Lawrie, who signed with the team on Sunday, caught passes from Culpepper during yesterday's workout. Lawrie thinks that Culpepper still got what it takes to play in the NFL. "The guy can play, he can throw the ball. That's what it all boils down to." Nate Lawrie and Daunte Culpepper were teammates at the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions last season.

The options behind Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick are getting slim. Undrafted rookies Jeremiah Masoli and McLeod Bethel-Thompson are currently on the roster but it would be a massive surprise if either of them were on the depth chart once the regular season starts. Available free agents include names like Charlie Frye, J.P. Losman and Troy Smith who started 6 games for the 49ers last season. So maybe signing Daunte Culpepper doesn't sound like such a bad option after all?

Greg Roman considers keeping Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick as the only quarterbacks on the roster. "You have a decision to make: Do you carry two quarterbacks or three?" he said. Three quarterbacks obviously mean less reps for Smith and Kaepernick in practice.

Both sides will probably come to a decision next week. Then we'll know if Daunte Culpepper is going to be a Niner.