Former first-round QB cut from 49ers roster
Former No. 10 overall pick Josh Rosen has been waived by the San Francisco 49ers in what is a new low for the former UCLA product.
Former No. 10 overall pick Josh Rosen has been waived by the San Francisco 49ers in what is a new low for the former UCLA product.
Rosen had high expectations placed upon him when the Arizona Cardinals used their first pick on him in the 2018 NFL Draft.
After going 3-13 during the 2018 season, Arizona decided to change things up at the quarterback position, drafting Kyler Murray, prompting Rosen’s exit from the desert.
Subsequently Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he started just three games during his sole season in South Beach, failing to unseat Ryan Fitzpatrick and then Tua Tangavailoa — who the Dolphins drafted fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Naturally, he was waived by Miami — three days before Bruce Arians added him to the Buccaneers practice squad. In December of 2019, Rosen was then signed off Tampa Bay’s practice squad by San Francisco after injuries to quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens.
Rosen was active for the final two games of last season but never saw the field. It was only February when Rosen signed a one-year deal with the Niners, but as of today he has been waived, with his future in the league now up in the air.
After a 13-start rookie season with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, statistics don’t help Rosen’s cause but one must remember the Cardinals were a shambles during the 24-year-old’s time under centre.
Hopefully Rosen can find another opportunity to progress further in the NFL.
Kyle Shanahan reveals when Nick Bosa will be back
Fresh from practice today, Kyle Shanahan updated fans and media alike on the status of one of his most prized assets.
Fresh from practice today, Kyle Shanahan updated fans and media alike on the availability of one of his most prized assets.
Defensive stud Nick Bosa has found himself limited to individual work since training camp began in late July. The 23-year-old has been repetitively given a day off after three practices as part of a regimented rehab schedule to ensure Bosa comes back ready to go. The plan moving forward is to slowly ingratiate him into position drills with his d-line brethren.
Both the Niners and Bosa have hinted at the likelihood of a Week 1 appearance, and Shanahan echoed these sentiments in his press conference earlier today.
"That's what we're hoping for," Shanahan said. "If we stay on track, I think we'll see him next week."
Fellow big man Trent Williams is said to be fine despite leaving practice early with a hip/knee complaint. The move is said to be precautionary more than anything.
"We got him out," Shanahan said. "(He) didn't seem overly concerned but we gotta look at him when we get inside."
Meanwhile, former No. 14 overall draft choice, Javon Kinlaw is still recovering from a weeks-old shoulder injury. The sophomore defensive tackle worked with trainers during practice and is “week-to-week” according to Shanahan.
With NFL rosters needed to be officially cut from 90 to 85 by Tuesday (1PM ET), many are fighting for their pro football lives. Undrafted wideout Austin Watkins Jr. incredibly played through a broken foot in the 49ers preseason opener against the Chiefs.
Resultantly, the Alabama at Birmingham product will now be put on Injured Reserve according to the Niners head coach.
What now for Trey Lance and the 49ERS?
Trey Lance sent social media and the 49ers Faithful into a spin and now the thought on everyone’s minds is ‘When will Lance get more first-team reps?’ As for the answer, we’ll leave it to coach.
Trey Lance sent social media and the 49ers Faithful into a spin with an enticing debut (preseason) performance against Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara.
Lance gave 49ers their first look since being drafted by Kyle Shanahan with Pick 2 in the 2021 NFL Draft, going 5-for-14, with 128 Passing Yards, 1 TD and a 93.7 QB Rating.
What really sent the NFL world into overdrive though was Lance’s 80-yard touchdown bomb to Trent Sherfield, his first completion of the ballgame.
The thought on everyone’s minds is ‘When will Lance get more first-team reps?’ As for the answer, we’ll leave it to coach.
“I don’t know,” Shanahan told San Francisco reporters . “I haven’t really defined that for myself either. Just when I think it feels right, when he seems ready, when I think the team seems ready.
“I mean, we’ll continue to mix him in there. But I don’t plan on just doing that completely. But Trey, what he showed in that game is, you know, I wish I could have left them there longer. I know he enjoys playing and he’s only been able to play one game in over a year, but I think it was good for him to get out.
“I think he started out good, got a little excited sometimes which he does. And you get a little excited, some of your technique and stuff you lose which will be fun to watch with him. Trey’s a guy who’s tough on himself and loves to correct things and since we’ve had him he’s been very good at correcting mistakes.”
The most glaring error, according to the Niners head coach, occurred when Lance failed to throw the ball away and was resultantly sacked. It was one of four occasions where Lance was sacked by the Chiefs defense.
“I think the worst one was the one down in the red zone,” Shanahan said. “They did an all-out blitz and we were in an empty formation and he’s got to get rid of that to his hot throws. So that was the main one that was on him.
“On the other ones, you can always get rid of it when someone doesn’t hold up in protection too long, but I think it would have been tough to, especially some of the down and distance we were in. But there was one that he definitely needed to get rid of just because of the blitz that they brought.”
Lance has brought an electricity to the Niners, reminiscent of the excitement during their Super Bowl season of 2019. Whether he’s capable of delivering a similar outcome time will tell.
Though I can think of one man who is…
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
Watch: Ted Ginn announces retirement - best plays of his career
Ginn, 36, played for six teams (Miami, San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona, New Orleans and Chicago) across a stellar 14-year career after being drafted 9th overall to Miami in the 2007 NFL draft.
Punters and kickers can sleep a little easier tonight now that specialist sensation Ted Ginn has announced his retirement.
Ginn, 36, played for six teams (Miami, San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona, New Orleans and Chicago) across a stellar 14-year career after being drafted 9th overall to Miami in the 2007 NFL draft.
Ted Ginn stats:
412 catches for 5,742 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns
262 punt returns for 2,624 yards and 4 TDs
307 kickoff returns for 6,899 yards and 3 TDs.
15,749 career all-purpose yards — 4th in the NFL since 2007, behind Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore and Darren Sproles.
Oh, and a special treat for those who remember GInn from his Ohio State days…what a phenom.
Richard Sherman apologizes following arrest
Former Seahawks and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has apologized following his arrest for drinking under the influence and attempting to break-and-enter his father-in-law’s home on Tuesday night.
Sherman issued a statement this morning; “I am deeply remorseful for my actions on Tuesday night. I behaved in a manner I am not proud of,” he wrote.
“I have been dealing with some personal challenges over the last several months, but that is not an excuse for how I acted. The importance of mental and emotional health is extremely real and I vow to get the help I need.
“I appreciate all of the people who have reached out in support of me and my family, including our community here in Seattle. I am grateful to have such an amazing wife, family and support system to lean on during this time.”
Video of Sherman attempting to force his way into his wife’s father’s residence was leaked, along with a disturbing 9-1-1 call, prompting many of Sherm’s NFL brethren to offer their support and prayers.
The Stanford grad was released without bail on Thursday with the Washington judge citing his previously unblemished record and work within his community.
The 5x Pro Bowl, Super Bowl winning corner is still an unrestricted free agent. Regardless of whether Sherman and his flowing dreadlocks return to NFL Sundays, everyone at The Worldwide Quarterback wishes him a speedy recovery and continued happiness.
Why Kyle Shanahan nearly bailed on the 49ers before he began
There would be no Jimmy G, nor Trey Lance and more than likely no Super Bowl appearance. It’s fair to say Kyle Shanahan has changed the direction of a 49ers franchise who struggled to reclaim relevancy in the years post-Jim Harbaugh.
In an twist of events, Shanahan nearly bailed on an interview with San Francisco toward the end of the 2016 as he and the Atlanta Falcons geared up for Super Bowl LI.
Shanahan, then-Offensive Coordinator for Atlanta revealed to Peter Scharger and Sean McVay on the Flying Coach podcast, he nearly removed himself from the running.
“I almost canceled one just because I was so exhausted, and I almost canceled San Francisco,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone.com.
“It had nothing to do with San Francisco — it was just my whole goal in life was to be a head coach and stay a head coach. It wasn’t just to become one and say I got there.”
Then, San Francisco were nowhere near the tantalizing prospect of current day. The 49ers finished the 2016 season with a record of 2-14 and ranked 27th and 32nd in offense and defense respectively.
“When I looked at San Francisco, I was nervous because they didn’t have that setup, and they had changed coaches three years in a row,” Shanahan revealed.
“Their offense was ranked 31st. Their defensed was ranked 32nd. It wasn’t the best situation.”
Thankfully, for the Faithful Shanahan followed through with the interview and fell in love with the prospect.
“My wife asked me which [team] I liked the most,” Shanahan said. “I’m like, ‘Actually, the Niners is the only one I really feel good about,’ and it shocked her because she knew how I talked the morning before.”
Trey Lance: Jimmy G is ‘one of the best people i’ve been around’
After Kyle Shanahan traded up to select North Dakota State product Trey Lance with pick 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jimmy Garoppolo would’ve been well within his rights to give Lance the Brett Favre treatment.
Though, Garoppolo has acted on the principle of paying it back — just like Tom Brady did for him all those years ago in Foxboro.
After Kyle Shanahan traded up to select North Dakota State product Trey Lance with pick 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jimmy Garoppolo would’ve been well within his rights to give Lance the Brett Favre treatment.
Though, Garoppolo has acted on the principle of paying it back — just like Tom Brady did for him all those years ago in Foxboro.
Speaking at Carson Wentz’s charity softball game, Lance said “Yeah, it’s been awesome,” via Jackson Roberts of KVRR.
“He’s a great guy. I mean, one of the best people I’ve been around and I’ve been fortunate to be around some, I think, really really great people, guys that are going to play today and guys still in that locker room right now. Jimmy is just like it and that organization is the same exact way.
“So I just feel very blessed and fortunate to be where I am and be able to be a part of something like this. I’ve heard from other guys’ experiences and how we handled OTAs and things like that, our coaching staff and everyone that runs that organization does it at a really high level.”
Despite the hype surrounding Lance and his freakish physical gifts, people shouldn’t be quick to forget Garoppolo was one deep ball away from securing San Fransisco its first Super Bowl since 1995.
It seems as if Jimmy G will get his chance to lead the 49ers toward another postseason but make no mistake Lance is the future, and if Garoppolo doesn’t perform, he may well become the present.
Patrick Willis, John Taylor inducted into 49ers hall of fame
Willis was the first 49er to be named an All-Pro in each of his first six seasons in the league. While Taylor famously hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass from Joe Montana in Super Bowl XXIII as the 49ers held on for a 20-16 win over Cris Collinsworth and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Memories of Candlestick Park were burning bright last night as San Francisco 49er legends Patrick Willis and John Taylor were inducted into the Edward J. DeBartolo 49ers Hall of Fame.
Willis become a cult figure for the Faithful and legions of fans across the league during his incredible eight-year NFL career. The six-time All-Pro was drafted with pick 11 in the 2007 before going on to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 2009 Butkus Award for best pro linebacker, amongst many other achievements. Willis was the first 49er to be named an All-Pro in each of his first six seasons in the league.
Meanwhile Taylor played receiver alongside the great Jerry Rice during the 49ers golden era, winning three Super Bowl rings and making two Pro Bowls while in the bay.
Famously, Taylor hauled in the game-winning touchdown pass from Joe Montana in Super Bowl XXIII as the 49ers held on for a 20-16 win over Cris Collinsworth and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Taylor was also named to the 1980’s All-Decade team as a punt returner.
San Francisco will hold a ceremony to officially induct Taylor and Willis during the team's alumni game on December 19.