San Francisco 49ers

The Washington Redskins agreed to terms with S Madieu Williams. Details were not disclosed. The 30-year old will be reunited with WR Josh Morgan, who left the 49ers earlier in free agency.

Madieu Williams appeared in 15 games last season and recorded six solo tackles. He also had one tackle against the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Playoff game.

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams officially announced their coaching staff for the 2012 season. Head coach Jeff Fisher is responsible for the team. Directly under him are assistant head coach Dave McGinnis, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and special teams coordinator John Fassel.

After Gregg William's involvement in the bounty scandal, and his subsequent suspension, the Rams decided not to hire a new defensive coordinator. Instead, Jeff Fisher, Dave McGinnis and Chuck Cecil will share the responsibilities.

The position coaches are Frank Cignetti (quarterbacks), Ben Sirmans (running backs), Ray Sherman (wide receivers), Rob Boras (tight ends), Paul Boudreau Sr. (offensive line), Andy Dickerson (assistant offensive line), Andy Sugarman (offensive quality control), Mike Waufle (defensive line), Clyde Simmons (assistant defensive line), Blake Williams (linebackers), Joe Bowden (assistant linebackers), Chuck Cecil (secondary), Brandon Fisher (assistant secondary), Dennard Wilson (defensive quality control), Paul Boudreau Jr. (special teams), Rock Gullickson (strength and conditioning) and Adam Bailey (assistant strength and conditioning).

The San Francisco 49ers released their final injury report for the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants. As it has become customary for the past six weeks, all players on the report are listed as questionable.

WR Ted Ginn Jr. did not practice all week because of a knee injury and appears unlikely to play. WR Kyle Williams will start alongside WR Michael Crabtree. He will also be responsible for the punt returns. RB Kendall Hunter will return the kick-offs.

C Jonathan Goodwin (calf) did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and was a limited participant in practice on Friday, but his start is not in jeopardy. In the unlikely event of him missing the game or a few snaps RG Anthony Snyder would move to center and G Chilo Rachal would play at right guard.

CB Tarell Brown (thigh) and RILB Patrick Willis (knee) did not practice on Thursday but returned on a limited basis on Friday. Both are expected to play and to start. CB Chris Culliver and LB Larry Grant would be the next men up if Brown or Willis were to miss some action.

FS Dashon Goldson did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury but was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. He is expected to start but S Madieu Williams could see more playing time if the injury becomes more serious.

TE Delanie Walker returned to practice after missing two games with a jaw injury. He was a limited participant in practice but was cleared for contact. Walker will resume his role as the number-two tight end if the doctors give the green light. Blocking tight end Justin Peele will continue to replace him if Walker can’t play.

The New York Giants listed TE Jake Ballard as questionable. Ballard is suffering from a knee injury and did not practice on Friday. TE Travis Beckum and TE Bear Pascoe would see an increased playing time if Ballard couldn’t play. C David Baas (illness), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), LE Justin Tuck (shoulder), RE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), WR Hakeem Nicks (ankle) and QB Eli Manning (illness) are all listed as probable and expected to play.

San Francisco’s return to the postseason could not have been more dramatic and exciting, as they defeated the New Orleans Saints 36-32 to advance to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1997.

On New Orleans’ first drive of the game it seemed business as usual for the Saints. The offense marched 78 yards downfield, helped by a 23-yard pass interference call on SS Donte Whitner, and had a 3^rd and 6 at San Francisco’s 7-yard line. QB Drew Brees passed to RB Pierre Thomas, when Donte Whitner administered a hard hit to cause a fumble, which was recovered by RILB Patrick Willis. The Niners could not capitalize on this turnover and had to punt eventually.

San Francisco was more successful on their next drive. Starting at their own 46-yard line, it took the Niners two plays and a 49-yard pass to TE Vernon Davis to score the first touchdown of the game.

FS Dashon Goldson intercepted Drew Brees on New Orleans’ following drive and carried the ball to their 4-yard line. After two incompletions QB Alex Smith found WR Michael Crabtree for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

S Madieu Williams tackled WR Courtney Roby on the ensuing kick-off and LB Blake Costanzo recovered the fumble at New Orleans’ 13-yard line. The Saints’ red zone defense made a successful stand and the 49ers had to settle for a 25-yard field goal from David Akers at the start of the second quarter.

New Orleans needed to respond and they needed to do it fast. The Saints were in 49ers territory after a 20-yard catch from WR Marques Colston. 6 plays later Drew Brees found TE Jimmy Graham for a 14-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 10.

The Saints got the ball back after a 49ers three-and-out and scored again. Starting at their own 39-yard line, it took Drew Brees 7 plays to find Marques Colston for a 25-yard touchdown and a score of 17-14.

The Saints couldn’t make it three scores in a row. Instead, CB Tarell Brown intercepted Drew Brees for the MVP-candidate’s second pick of the game.

The final two minutes of the first half saw three changes of possession but no more scores. Alex Smith lost a fumble after a sack from LB Martez Wilson but it didn’t leave the Saints with enough time to score before half time.

Although the Niners had to punt on the opening possession of the second half they basically kept the drive alive. Punter Andy Lee kicked the ball 57 yards and Blake Costanzo forced a fumble, with S Colin Jones recovering the loose ball at New Orleans’ 27-yard line. The Niners could only gain 3 yards and had to settle for a 41-yard field goal from David Akers to extend the lead to 20-14.

It was the only score in the third quarter but the final quarter of the game may have produced one of the greatest shows on grass ever.

The Saints started their drive at their own 34-yard line but it came to a halt at San Francisco’s 29-yard line. John Kasey made the field goal from 48 yards to cut the lead to 20-17.

The 49ers got the ball back after an exchange of threes-and out. The Niners were at New Orleans’ 22-yard line after a magnificent 42-yard run from RB Frank Gore. San Francisco entered the red zone on the next play but this was as far as they got. David Akers' 37-yard field goal made it 23-17 for the Niners.

The New Orleans Saints earned their first lead of the game on the next drive, when Drew Brees connected on a touchdown pass of 44 yards with RB Darren Sproles.

The Niners had a little over 4 minutes left to strike back. Vernon Davis caught a pass for 37 yards to New Orleans’ 30-yard line. San Francisco gained two more yards before Alex Smith took matters in his own hand and rushed for a 28-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed but the 49ers were back on top 29-24.

Drew Brees had 2:07 minutes left, but only needed 30 seconds to find Jimmy Graham for a 66-yard touchdown. The Saints successfully went for two points and took a 32-29 lead.

There were 1:32 minutes on the clock when San Francisco’s offense re-entered the field. Vernon Davis made another big play for 47 yards to get the Niners into field goal position. Moments later San Francisco had a 3^rd and 4 on New Orleans’ 14-yard line. Do you remember “The Catch” between Joe Montana and Dwight Clark from 30 years ago? If you watched yesterday’s game you witnessed “The Grab”. With 14 seconds to go Alex Smith found Vernon Davis who caught the pass on the edge of the end zone and fell backwards for the game-winning touchdown. The 49ers secured a 36-32 win over the favored New Orleans Saints.

Game Tidbits

Alex Smith completed 24 of 42 passes for 299 yards, 3 touchdowns and a passer rating of 103.2.

Vernon Davis caught 7 passes for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 180 yards are an NFL record for a tight end in a single postseason game.

San Francisco converted only 27% of third downs.

The 49ers were outsacked 4-3.

The Niners allowed Drew Brees to pass for 462 yards.

San Francisco allowed Marques Colston (136), Darren Sproles 116) and Jimmy Graham (103) 100+ receiving yards.

The 49ers held the Saints to 37 yards on the ground.

The Niners won the turnover battle 5-1.

San Francisco became the first team in NFL history to score two lead-changing touchdowns in the final three minutes of the 4^th quarter in a postseason game.

S Reggie Smith (25)

Reggie Smith’s playing time is increasing as the team’s additional defensive back in the dime formation. He recorded 1 interception against the Cincinnati Bengals in the third game of the season. Smith was a third round pick in 2008 and could well receive another contract offer.

QB Alex Smith (27)

Despite having his best season so far opinions are still split on the former number one draft pick but you should be aware of the alternatives before you call for his replacement. Drew Brees (NO) is going to be a free agent but there is no way that he won’t re-sign with the New Orleans Saints. The next best available free agents are Kyle Orton (KC), Jason Campbell (OAK) and Donovan McNabb (FA). Head coach Jim Harbaugh was an NFL quarterback for 15 years and seems to have gotten into Alex Smith’s head. Rumor has it the 49ers will offer Smith a two to three-year contract worth $8 – 11 million per season.

RG Adam Snyder (29)

Snyder started the season on the bench but once he replaced Chilo Rachal in week 4 San Francisco’s pass protection and rushing game improved considerably. It would be negligent not to re-sign him.

S C.J. Spillman (25)

Spillman is a special teams standout and sometimes plays as part of the goal line defense. If he stays on he will continue to see limited action apart from special teams. He is a restricted free agent, which means he can entertain offers from other teams, though the 49ers can match any offer or receive compensation in form of draft picks. The Niners should try to keep their successful special teams unit together, unless he receives an offer that isn’t worth matching.

WR Brett Swain (26)

The 49ers signed the wide receiver less than two months ago to fill the void left by Josh Morgan’s season-ending leg injury. His game status changes from active to inactive, depending on player injuries. The Niners have no reason to sign Swain beyond this season.

DE Will Tukuafu (27)

The 49ers were hoping that Tukuafu could make an impact on the defensive line but they had to place him on IR in October instead. He is an ERFA, hence it would be a surprise if the Niners didn’t try it again with him next season.

S Madieu Williams (30)

The veteran was brought in to compete for a starting job but finds himself on special teams and has even been a healthy scratch. The 49ers have a few young and promising defensive backs and don’t necessarily need the services of Williams in 2012.

After Friday’s practice the 49ers released the final injury report for their game at the Philadelphia Eagles. WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and FB Moran Norris (fibula) didn’t make the weeklong trip to Youngstown, Ohio and are still listed as out. Instead they were rehabbing in California. Edwards hopes to be ready within a couple of weeks but a return after the bye week at the end of month is more likely.

The situation looks a little bit more complicated regarding RB Frank Gore (ankle) and SS Donte Whitner (hip). Both players were limited participants in practice all week and are questionable for Sunday. Head coach Jim Harbaugh hinted that all players are ready to go and will play, though the question is how much action they will see.

This opens up an opportunity for RB Kendall Hunter to get more touches. Hunter could split carries with Gore who is only averaging 2.5 yards per carry and 49.3 yards per game. Hunter had 9 rushing attempts for 26 yards against Cincinnati last week and scored the only touchdown in a 13-8 win.

S Madieu Williams, who replaced FS Dashon Goldson when he was inactive during the first two weeks of the season, is most likely to share time with Donte Whitner at the strong safety position. S Reggie Smith will play on certain downs as well.

WR Michael Crabtree (foot), who was a limited participant in practice and LG Mike Iupati (neck) are listed as probable.

It is rather safe to say that Frank Gore, Donte Whitner, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati will play at the Philadelphia Eagles, though Gore and Whitner are game time decisions and may see limited action.

Free safety Dashon Goldson and wide receiver Michael Crabtree were limited in practice throughout the week and are listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Both players will be a game time decision according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Dashon Goldson is suffering from a knee injury and missed last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks in the season opener. Madieu Williams will likely replace him if Goldson is unable to play. Last season Dashon Goldson had 80 tackles, 1 sack and 1 interception in 16 games for the 49ers.

Earlier this week Michael Crabtree has been dropped on the depth chart because his foot injury hasn’t healed completely. He had only 1 reception for 4 yards when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 33-17, and left the game after one series in the second half. Josh Morgan in particular and Ted Ginn Jr. are going to line up alongside Braylon Edwards if Crabtree will be rested. The wide receiver didn’t miss a game last season and caught 55 passes for a gain of 741 yards and 6 touchdowns.

The situation looks much worse for the Dallas Cowboys. Cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Orlando Scandrick (ankle) have been ruled out. Guard Bill Nagy (neck) is doubtful and wide receiver Dez Bryant (thigh) is listed as questionable. Cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder) and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (shoulder) were full participants in practice Friday, as were center Phil Costa (knee) and right tackle Tyron Smith (knee).