49ers Blog and Q&A

Q: I know it's early, but do you think management made a mistake in drafting Coffee? He wasn't very productive with the opportunities he got, most notably in the few games he started for Gore.
Alton

A: I think a lot of people are wondering this because so many draft projections have the 49ers taking speedy Clemson RB C.J. Spiller. Coffee indeed had a forgettable 2.7 yards-per-carry average, but it's too soon to kick him to the curb. The bulk of his carries came early in the season when Frank Gore was injured and the running game wasn't producing much at all. I know that he runs hard, can pass block and is spending the offseason getting bigger. That is, he fits the mold for what Singletary wants on offense - a hammer. The bigger argument against drafting a RB in the first round is that Gore is still a very, very good running back ... And yet I can't disagree with the notion that the 49ers could use a speedy back that puts defenses on their heals.
- Matt

Q: Matt - which of the weekend playoff winners do the 49ers remind you of?
Ken, Sacramento

A: By now, everyone knows the joke about the Mikes (Nolan and Singletary) trying to build "Ravens West" in San Francisco. But I think the Jets are closest, especially as far as the tough-guy mentality that trickles down from the charismatic head coach. The big difference is that the Jets knew what they wanted to be offensively, and I thought Saturday's game was about as well-called from a coordinator standpoint as it possibly could have been. If the 49ers find their identity, there's no reason why they can't be the NFC version of the Jets. Having a Darelle Revis also would help ...

Q: What are the chances that Terrell Owens returns to the 49ers match-up w/ Crabtree,Hill & Morgan?
@Benjaminonair

A: Not good. Yes, Owens told The Bee last month that he was open to returning to his former team. But I think Owens realizes he has to be open to joining any team. The demand for him is not as high as it used to be. Also, there are still people in the 49ers organization that dealt with him in the past that want nothing to do with him in the future.
- Matt

Q: What about CB Joe Haden and best avail OT in the 1st round?
@RLS2_

A: I'm starting to think that Haden won't be around when the 49ers pick at 13. I also think that it'll take another Crabtree-like talent to prevent Singletary from taking the best OT on the board at 13 ...
- Matt

Q: Saw mock drafts say we will draft joe haden & c.j. spiller instead of an OT in rd 1 is that a good move?
Jeff, Sunnyvale

A: I'm sure the C.J. Spiller alliance will LOVE that, but I can't see the 49ers passing on an OT this year after letting Oher go last year ...
-- Matt

Q: Which top-10 player, that might (reasonably) fall 2 9ers in 1st rd. are u salivating for the 9ers 2 get in 2010 draft?
@H_and_M

A: You mean, who's this year's Crabtree? I guess I'd have to say Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who has Mario Williams-like size and ability but who is a character risk after getting busted for DUI and missing the SEC Championship game. If he's there at No. 13 (and I doubt he will) he'll be tempting ...
- Matt

Q: I see the 49ers paying Patrick Willis as much as it takes to keep him, but any chance that Vernon Davis walks after his contract?
CT, Weilerbach, Germany

A: It's a weird situation because no one knows what's going to happen after the 2010 season. Will there be a lock-out? Will there be a new collective bargaining agreement? Will there be a salary cap? How many years does it take to become an unrestricted free agent? I think both sides are taking a wait-and-see approach ...
- Matt

Q: Speaking of coaches, do u think Singletary would bring in Jim Mora jr as DBs coach?
@CoryR21

A: Negative. Mora is a good d-coordinator. He'll find a job doing that.
- Matt

-- Matt Barrows