The first day of the offseason for most teams (bit unfortunately for Cardinals fans it is not the end for the 49ers) was busy. The St. Louis Rams fired their head coach and GM, but have not decided yet on Josh McDaniels. Jeff Fisher's name came up in connection to the Rams. The Seahawks blog contemplates a couple of quarterbacks and their two top free agents -- Marshawn Lynch and Red Bryant.
For some links from around the NFC West team blogs, hit the jump and read the stories that interest you the most.
2012 NFL Playoff Schedule: Draft Planning Begins...Wait, What?! - Niners Nation
For the last four seasons, this time was when we would really start ramping up our NFL Draft coverage. The 49ers would have certain expectations coming into the season and 17 weeks later they would leave us with broken hearts. Finally, they have managed to exceed everybody's expectations and we get to enjoy some playoff football.
49ers Injury Report: Bye Week Comes At Perfect Time - Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers earned a bye week yesterday with their win over the St. Louis Rams and the timing of it could not be more perfect. The 49ers grabbed the victory, but they suffered numerous bumps and bruises that will require a bit of rest and rehabilitation. Thankfully, the 49ers do not play again for 12 days and will be able to get most of their players back near 100% when the Saints, Giants or Falcons come calling on January 14.
David Akers-Michael Crabtree Fake FG Touchdown: The New Young-To-Rice? - Niners Nation
One of the more entertaining highlights of the 49ers victory over the Rams was the completely unexpected use of a fake field goal late in the third quarter. The 49ers were leading 20-10 following a Josh Brown field goal that kept the game moderately close. The 49ers started the drive at their own 18 and had driven down to the Rams 14 before stalling out.
Happy Hour With Harbaugh: 49ers Playoff Edition - Niners Nation
Coach Harbaugh will chat with the press at noon today and we've got the live online stream posted after the jump. He will get plenty of injury related questions. It sounds like Kyle Williams is on track to be cleared to return to practice later this week. There is no word on Ted Ginn yet, so maybe we can get an update on that. Delanie Walker is supposed to be reassessed sometime this week as well.
Penn State Head Coach Search: 49ers OC Greg Roman Considered A Finalist - Niners Nation
An interesting bit of news hit came out on Twitter earlier this morning: Tom Dienhart@BTNTomDienhart I have learned 49ers OC Greg Roman is a candidate for the Penn State job. He interviewed a month ago and recently talked again with PSU.
St. Louis Rams:
Rams player reactions to the firing of Spags - Turf Show Times
The players for the Rams were probably not shocked when the firing of their HC was announced today. Most probably expected it, but that doesn't mean some still aren't upset about it. The players truly enjoyed playing for Spags and many of the guys on the team are in St. Louis because of Spags. Some reactions from players.
Rams Fired Steve Spagnuolo, Josh McDaniels And Entire Coaching Staff, Per Report - Turf Show Times
The St. Louis Rams fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney on Monday morning. Their 10-38 record over the last three years was too much to accept in a results-oriented business. According to a report from Tony Softli, the firings didn't stop there, the entire coaching staff and even the strength coach have been canned.
John Clayton: Draft Trades Go Through St. Louis & More On Spagnuolo's Replacement - Turf Show Times
John Clayton from ESPN was on local 101 ESPN radio on Monday afternoon to talk about, what else, coaching changes, et al with the St. Louis Rams. Clayton talked about potential candidate for the Rams head coach and general manager jobs. He also dropped a nugget about the 2012 NFL Draft that Rams fans will be excited to hear.
St. Louis Rams Will Interview Jeff Fisher This Week - Turf Show Times
The St. Louis Rams will interview Jeff Fisher this week for the head coaching job. That's what Peter King said on the debut episode of NBC Sports Talk on the NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus, on Monday.
Josh McDaniels not fired yet says Kevin Demoff. What it means. - Turf Show Times
Kevin Demoff said in the Rams press conference that Josh McDaniels was the only assistant coach who has not been fired. He said that both sides will take time to look at their options and make the best decision for both parties.
St. Louis Rams COO and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Kevin Demoff just wrapped up a Monday afternoon press conference discussing the next steps following the firings of Steve Spagnuolo and Billy Devaney. As expected, Demoff fielded a number of questions concerning the replacements for those two, contradicting a number of items from the rumor mill.
Former Rams GM Billy Devaney Thanks Fans, Bids Farewell - Turf Show Times
Former St. Louis Rams General Manager Billy Devaney released a statement on Monday, following his firing by the team. Here' the statement from Devaney who bid St. Louis a fond farewell today. Opinions about the direction of Rams over the last three years, Devaney was a solid guy. I remember him taking time beyond his scheduled interview time at the Combine last year to talk more, a move he didn't have to make.
Why Ryan Tannehill Makes Sense for the Seahawks - Field Gulls
Many in this years draft will be marveling at Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III if he decides to go pro. The two have been electrifying this year and show strong signs of being able to translate that to the NFL. However, these types of players always go top-5 and surely the Seahawks would not trade draft spots for one guy. Here's a couple reasons why: the Seahawks value the quarterback position less with a strong running game and they are establishing themselves as a team who builds through the draft. With that said, the next, and still very good option, is Ryan Tannehill. Here's why he will be a good quarterback and why it makes sense that the Seahawks would pick him.
Black Monday Odds and Ends - Field Gulls
Today is "Black Monday", the day after the last regular season game, and the traditional time when struggling teams fire their struggling head coaches. The name sounds a lot darker than it really is--there's no stock market crash or overzealous shoppers to contend with--but it's caught on for whatever reason.
Quarterback Market: Joe Webb - Field Gulls
Before you say it, let me say it: Joe Webb isn't on the market. As the backup QB in Minnesota, Webb has become a favorite of fans, teammates, and coaches with his positive attitude off of the field and his crazy athleticism on it. Webb has already led the Vikings to multiple come-from-behind victories in his two-year career and I doubt that anyone would want to see him go.
Marshawn Lynch & Red Bryant on Hitting the FA Market - Field Gulls
We do have some free agents that are hitting the open market unless they are resigned before the market opens (March 14th, I think), but two of them provided some nuggets that are very lofty indeed. RB Marshawn Lynch said he "would like to come back"
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