49ers

The World Anti-Doping Agency defended its test for human growth hormone on Wednesday and accused the NFL players union of being "extremist" for questioning its validity.

A quarterback who can gobble up yards on the ground as well as through the air?

Luke, a midtown Sacramento resident and longtime Giants fan, took exception via email last week when I proclaimed the 49ers as the most beloved pro sports team in Northern California.

Step one in Delanie Walker's mission to combat drunken driving: Get the NFL to clean up its own act.

Anquan Boldin is back from Africa, he's taken his physical, signed his contract and officially joined the 49ers.

A 49ers special-teams unit that stumbled in 2012 received reinforcements Tuesday for 2013.

Having been nominated for 15 Academy Awards as an actor, director and producer, Warren Beatty isn't used to playing the supporting role to some Joe from the coal-mining town of Monongahela, Pa.

Trent Baalke sure has been taking it on the chin the last few days.

The first week of free agency is like tea leaves for the NFL Draft.

The 49ers went with frugality over flash Saturday, signing former St. Louis Ram Craig Dahl to a three-year, $5 million deal and giving him license to take over Dashon Goldson's old position at safety.

Two days after the Super Bowl, Aldon Smith insisted his shoulder "wasn't a problem at all."

SAN JOSE - Ryan Otten is back on his feet, back to his normal weight and, after a scary diversion, back on track to be selected in the NFL draft next month.

SANTA CLARA – A 49ers team that finished near the bottom of the NFL in kickoff coverage last season addressed its leaky special teams by signing Dan Skuta to a two-year deal Thursday.

Glenn Dorsey is expected to step in at nose tackle after the 49ers lost their starter from the past two seasons, Isaac Sopoaga, to the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday.

After the 2012 season ended, the 49ers made it clear to Alex Smith that they were not going to release him. Smith, in turn, made it clear to the team that he didn't want to be a backup quarterback.

Anquan Boldin, acquired by the 49ers this week for a sixth-round draft pick, could be the latest veteran receiver to change teams late in his career and thrive.

The Tennessee Titans wrapped up tight end Delanie Walker with a four-year deal mere hours after free agency began Tuesday. The Philadelphia Eagles pounced on nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga.

The 49ers couldn't pry the ball from Anquan Boldin in the Super Bowl, but Monday they dislodged the veteran wide receiver from the Baltimore Ravens for a sixth-round draft pick.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been on the clock for more than two months now, so it's time to hop on board and unveil a first 2013 NFL mock draft.

When the NFL free-agency period begins Tuesday, the 49ers' biggest move is expected to be one of subtraction.

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers on Wednesday released kicker David Akers, whose 2012 season began with a record-tying 63-yard field goal but ended with the worst slump of his career.

It's not quite "Supermarket Sweep," but NFL teams are certainly tweaking their shopping lists this week.

Chris Culliver, who vowed to learn more about the gay and lesbian community after his well-publicized comments about gays in the locker room at the Super Bowl, began making good on that promise Monday.

Dashon Goldson got his wish Monday and escaped the franchise tag – it would have meant a one-year deal worth $7.45 million – but it's unknown if the 49ers or any other team will give him the long-term contract he desires.

If the 49ers lose safety Dashon Goldson, here's a look at how they might replace him:

If Darrelle Revis returns healthy from the season-ending surgery he had five months ago for a torn ACL, should the 49ers trade their first two draft picks – Nos. 31 and 34 – for the New York Jets' All-Pro cornerback?

Randy Moss appears to have run a fade route on Twitter.

Two and a half years after 49ers fans chanted, "We want Carr!", the NFL was saying, "We want Alex!"

For the last month, the 49ers have been saying they have one of the best quarterback situations in the NFL. That situation will get significantly thinner March 12 when they officially trade No. 2 quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City.

A 49ers squad already bursting both with talented players and selections in the upcoming draft is soon to grow even richer.

Alex Smith appears closer to leaving the 49ers next month after reports this past week linked him to the spot where many former San Francisco quarterbacks seem to end up – Kansas City.

Former NFL general manager Scott Pioli told the NFL Network on Sunday he thought it was "possible" the 49ers could get a second- or third-round pick for backup quarterback Alex Smith.

Keenan Allen won't sprint with the other wide receivers today at the NFL scouting combine, but his brain has been getting a full workout in Indianapolis.

For the fourth time in 2 1/2 years, a 49er faces a charge of driving under the influence.

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had a message today for the gaggle of media surrounding him at the scouting combine and the 31 other teams tuning in from afar: "We love our quarterbacks."

Here's an appetizer: Trent Baalke on Thursday revealed he had a post-Super Bowl dinner with quarterback Alex Smith in the Bay Area.

At the same time the 49ers were discussing what do with their 14 – and possibly more – picks in the upcoming NFL draft, one of several lightly used selections from last year's class was getting ready for a trip to Atlanta.

Here's an appetizer: Trent Baalke on Thursday revealed he had a post-Super Bowl dinner with quarterback Alex Smith in the Bay Area.

Defensive linemen sit atop the 49ers' priority list at the scouting combine this week in Indianapolis.

Hordes of NFL personnel people have invaded Indianapolis this week as the league's next generation of talent interviews and works out for their potential employers at the scouting combine.

Here are five fibs fans are bound to hear between now and March 12, the start of the league's new year and the first day the 49ers can trade Alex Smith.

There was an invitation to the Grammys and one to be a special correspondent at the Oscars.

The 49ers' biggest decision in the offseason won't involve the April draft or possible free-agent signings.

Tom Gamble is heading home. The 49ers' director of player personnel is the new vice president of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team with which he got his start as an NFL scout in 1988.

An estimated 40,000 fans packed AT&T Park on Saturday for the Giants' annual FanFest to get a look at and hear from the world champions before they headed to Arizona for spring training.

For some the NFL Draft has become bigger than the game itself.

Ryan Otten, who starred at Del Oro High School and San Jose State, went to the Senior Bowl intent on making his mark as one of the most versatile tight ends in the upcoming NFL draft.

The Baltimore Ravens' coronation as Super Bowl XLVII champions puts the lid on the 2012 NFL season and is the unofficial kickoff to the league's offseason, specifically free agency and the draft.

After bulking up on wide receivers during the 2012 offseason, the 49ers must consider bulking up even more on wide receivers during the 2013 offseason.

Before construction is complete at the 49ers' new stadium in Santa Clara, the architects may want to re-check the blueprint.