Takeo Spikes News

While linebacker Patrick Willis garners most of the headlines, the San Francisco 49ers have a handful of other options set to break out at the position.

We continue the in-depth look into the 49ers' roster with the rest of the inside linebackers .... Mark Washington .

After examining the 49ers' defensive linemen, it's time to look at the group playing behind them.

The most underrated 49er? Our winner is nose guard Aubrayo Franklin. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich volunteered his name while watching Franklin stroll from the lunch tent to the locker room during OTA practices in June.

The 49ers may assemble for training camp in late July, but their first team practice won't be until Aug.

Takeo Spikes remembers the first time he met Moran Norris. Spikes and the Buffalo Bills were preparing to play the Texans, and Norris, then Houston's starting fullback, continued to catch his eye on the videotapes.

I was originally going to break up the linebackers by inside and outside. However, I realize there are cross-over issues on the bubble and it should hopefully generate a little more discussion looking at all the linebackers combined together.

For two years, Brian Jennings wondered if he belonged - on the field, in the locker room, with the 49ers.

Walt Harris is out for the season with a torn knee ligament. Nate Clements was out with a mild case of pneumonia, and Michael Lewis was watching from the sideline because of an abdominal strain.

On Sunday, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky had a conference call with the media.

Steve Mariucci might be bocce ball's biggest trash-talker. Midway through his annual tournament Wednesday, he noted that the only way he would face co-host John Madden would be in the final round.

Dialleo Burks gets a pass away while playing quarterback during a flag football game at Callaway Stadium on Saturday.

LaGrange High graduate and current San Francisco 49er Walt Harris leads a drill during the West Georgia Superstar & Walt's World camp.

Before Niner fans start predicting their team to make the playoffs, they might want to take a moment to question whether or not their team has a pass defense capable of getting them there... San Francisco 49ers: 2009 Success Hinges on Improved Play from Secondary by Andy Bensch 22 reads Sports Before Niner fans start predicting their team to make ...

1 pick Stafford reached a deal with the Lions before the draft in April. McKillop, taken in the fifth round out of Pitt, will serve as a backup at inside linebacker to Takeo Spikes, but will earn his living as a rookie on special teams.

The 49ers announced today the signing of rookies Scott McKillop and Ricky Jean-Francois to four-year deals.

The San Francisco 49ers have started signing their rookies and they have started with the easier contracts to get done - the ones for players selected on the second day... The San Francisco 49ers Sign Rookies Jean-Francois and McKillop by Andrew Garda 1 127 reads The San Francisco 49ers have started signing their rookies and they have started with ...

Outwardly, though, Crabtree appears at peace with where he was drafted and where he ended up, chosen at No.

April 26, 4:57 PM 1 comment Feed The 49ers were lucky to have Michael Crabtree available at #10, and they did not hesitate to draft him.

The club acquired the best wide receiver in the draft in Michael Crabtree and backups at running back, inside linebacker and tight end, and a quarterback with a learning disability in Nate Davis.