QBs Smith, Young work their way back
(Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:05:56 PST)
Alex Smith and Vince Young have crossed paths on several occasions at NFL functions. They've offered each other some encouraging words during the difficult times, like after each lost his starting job. The once highly touted quarterbacks' NFL fates have taken a similar bumpy road, and now they're both back behind center, ready to square off Sunday when Young's Tennessee Titans come...

How about Matt Birk biopic?
(Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:05:46 PST)
A movie about Baltimore Ravens rookie Michael Oher is due to hit the theaters later this month, with actor Quinton Aaron playing the role of the rags-to-riches offensive lineman out of Mississippi. Oher's teammate, veteran center Matt Birk, was asked to guess who would be cast in a movie about himself.

49ers Team Report
(Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:59:19 PST)

San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye is not going change his approach just because two main components of the team's offense have changed.

With quarterback Alex Smith and receiver Michael Crabtree added to the mix, the 49ers seem to have more firepower with the passing game. But don't expect Raye to implement a spread offense with regularity. The 49ers used that formation in a two-minute drill at the end of the first half to produce a touchdown last week against the Indianapolis Colts.

"(If) we were going to take this deal and become a shotgun, wide-open and throw the ball 48 or 52 times a game, then we'd have to do an awful lot of changing," Raye said.

"The quarterback (Smith) has played six quarters, and people are now starting to refer to his...

10-Pack: Key divisional games highlight Week 9
(Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:16:40 PST)
ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio weighs in on the biggest story lines of Week 9: 1. Dolphins take Wildcat...

NFL Team Reports: NFC West
(Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:15:38 PST)
Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News' 32 NFL correspondents.

Week 9 picks: Eagles, Cowboys battle for NFC East lead
(Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:16:44 PST)
Donovan McNabb knows how to duck pressure and avoid interceptions. It's strange, but considering all the...

49ers offense looks to get on track
(Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:21:53 PST)
Frank Gore has a straightforward offensive strategy: make positive yards every time. That's what the running back regularly reminds his San Francisco 49ers teammates about -- small gains are better than no gains or negatives. "We're getting better," Gore said Wednesday. "Like I keep telling my guys, 'We've got to get positive yards every time we run the...

Week 9 playoff forecast: Ravens make big jump
(Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:49:00 PST)
Signs of a revamped defense bode well for the Ravens' playoff chances the rest of the way.

Mock draft: Despite suspension, Bryant goes No. 1
(Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:16:01 PST)
Here's a look at the first 16 picks in the NFL draft, as projected by Sporting News' War Room scouts .

The absurdly premature playoff picture: Week 8
(Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:40:53 PST)
See last week's absurdly premature playoff picture here . AFC First-Round Byes : Indianapolis Colts Denver...

NFL's most clutch quarterbacks
(Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:41:00 PST)
Which signal callers are the best in tough situations in the fourth quarter?

49ers sign cornerback Smith to help secondary
(Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:24:42 PST)
The San Francisco 49ers have signed cornerback Keith Smith to a one-year contract, boosting their secondary a day after learning Nate Clements would be sidelined up to eight weeks with a broken shoulder blade. San Francisco (3-4) also released receiver Micheal Spurlock and cut tight end Carson Butler from the practice squad.

NFL Power Poll: Texans gaining playoff momentum
(Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:16:11 PST)
The second half of the season could be historic for the Houston Texans . They have a chance to make the playoffs...

49ers prepare to be without Clements, Staley
(Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:46 PST)
Left tackle Joe Staley limped through the 49ers locker room with a bulky brace on his sprained right knee. Cornerback Nate Clements cradled his broken right shoulder blade in a sling. Both players, injured during San Francisco's 18-14 loss at Indianapolis on Sunday, will miss at least a month and a half.

Favre not alone in getting measure of redemption
(Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:06:00 PST)
Brett Favre was among several players that got some form of retribution by helping their teams to victory.

49ers LT Staley injured
(Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:58:36 PST)
San Francisco left tackle Joe Staley sprained his right knee on the first play Sunday against the Colts, and his return was doubtful. Staley has started every game of his three-year career. Barry Sims stepped in for him. The 49ers already have lost right tackle Tony Pashos for the season with a broken left shoulder blade.

Brown out, Wayne expected to play for Colts
(Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:24:32 PST)
Colts running back Donald Brown, cornerback Marlin Jackson and former starting left tackle Tony Ugoh are all inactive for Sunday's game against San Francisco. Brown is out with a bruised left shoulder. Jackson missed the previous two games with a right knee injury, and Ugoh was a healthy scratch. Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne is active and expected to start.

49ers reduce Clements' role against Colts
(Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:51:30 PDT)
In March of 2007, former Bills cornerback Nate Clements signed an eight-year, $80 million contract with the...

SF ground game gives Colts another big test
(Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:01:13 PDT)
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

Colts WR Reggie Wayne, DE Dwight Freeney expected to play against 49ers
(Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:11:18 PDT)
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Colts received some good news heading into Sunday's home game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Icon will be Favre booed, grudge will be renewed as Viking and Packers feud
(Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:25:33 PDT)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Brett Favre will run out of the Lambeau Field tunnel wearing purple, and nobody really knows how Green Bay Packers fans will react.

League still investigating Crabtree tampering charge against Jets
(Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:05:28 PDT)
Former San Francisco 49ers holdout Michael Crabtree is finally playing ball but an investigation into a possible...

49ers adjusting to better use aerial weapons
(Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:45 PDT)
Circumstances and personnel are leading the struggling San Francisco 49ers to change their offensive approach. Proclaiming to be a power-rushing team from the start this season, the 49ers could be going airborne more often now that quarterback Alex Smith and rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree have joined the huddle.