San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers held their last team walkthrough in the Superdome on Saturday. Coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to get a feel for the dome.

"We wanted to come over," Harbaugh told Matt Maiocco for the official pool report. "And the football part of it is getting used to the lights. They looked a little brighter than the last time we were down here."

Harbaugh had his team get in the locker room, dress in their cleats and try out the turf. Basically, he didn't want everything to be so new Sunday... read more

The San Francisco 49ers rank somewhere within the top five in most NFL team power rankings at the midseason point.

Their 6-2, NFC West-leading success is indeed the product of a team effort, with contributions coming from every level of offense, defense and special teams—if you may forgive that cliché-ridden statement.

But that assessment pertains to the collective group... read more

Not a bad night for Alex Smith, and it could have been better, considering that the one incomplete pass was dropped by a wide-open receiver.

The San Francisco quarterback completed 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns — two toMichael Crabtree and one to Randy Moss — to help San Francisco flatten the Arizona Cardinals 24-3 on Monday night.

''Eighteen of 19, I have never seen that,'' 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. ''How important for your quarterback to play very well? It is very important and I don't know how you play much better... read more

By Brandan Schulze

The Seattle Seahawks' game against the San Francisco 49ers turned out to be the defensive battle many expected. But the reaction by Seattle’s coach following the 13-6 loss was not.

In a game where the Seattle offense struggled against a stiff San Francisco defense, and Seahawks receivers dropped a number of key passes, Pete Carroll wasn’t as frustrated with the offense following the game as he was the team’s defense.

Even after giving up only 13 points to a team that fell one game shy of going to the Super Bowl last year, Carroll’s strongest comments during the postgame press conference were focused on the defense... read more

by Eric Branch

Evidently Alex Smith's breakout 2011 season didn't just net him the three-year, $24 million contract he signed Wednesday.

It also gave an unmistakable swagger to the 49ers quarterback who routinely has been described as polite and deferential throughout his seven-year career.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Mario Manningham decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers before he even knew if Peyton Manning or Alex Smith would be throwing him passes.

He was attracted by the punishing defense, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted.

The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC Championship Game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver.

Manningham agreed to the deal last Saturday when the 49ers were in the thick of the race to sign Manning, the four-time NFL MVP and brother of his old quarterback with the New York Giants, two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning... read more

ESPN.com news services

Quarterback Alex Smith has agreed to a new three-year deal to stay with the San Francisco 49ers, sources confirmed to ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton.

The Associated Press, citing an unnamed source, reported Wednesday that Smith's contract will pay him $8 million per season with $16.5 million guaranteed. Smith's new deal can pay him up to $33 million if he reaches all of the incentives in the contract.

"Oh, I'm excited," tight end Vernon Davis told The Associated Press in a text message Tuesday night... read more

By Gregg Rosenthal NFL.com

Alex Smith didn't let the emotion of the last week get in the way of his career.

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported Tuesday night that Smith and the 49ers agreed to terms on a new contract... read more

Last spring during the NFL lockout, Jim Harbaugh handed over his playbook in good faith to quarterback Alex Smith as a commitment that the 49ers planned to bring him back.

Harbaugh turned Smith into a steady winner at last, a playmaker and playoff star.

Smith still looks to be San Francisco's man behind center, even after his coach and team flirted with Peyton Manning.

Smith had been weighing a three-year offer from the Niners early last week when Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman traveled to Duke to work out Manning... read more

SAN FRANCISCO — Jim Harbaugh coaching Peyton Manning: In the Bay Area, fans of the San Francisco 49ers are beginning to think about the possibility and believe it might happen.

A former pro quarterback, Harbaugh worked wonders with Alex Smith in a matter of months for the NFC West champions, and signs point to the 49ers being a serious player in the Manning sweepstakes. Smith, who had a three-year offer to return to San Francisco, traveled to Miami on Sunday and met with Dolphins officials for 5 ½ hours.

Read more....

By Steve Wyche NFL Network

Let's get one thing straight: the San Francisco 49ers were a botched punt return (or two) away from playing in Super Bowl XLVI, not a quarterback away. Alex Smith played well in his first season under new coach Jim Harbaugh... read more

Free agent wide receiver Mario Manningham has reached an agreement on a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday night his client had reached a deal with the NFC West champions... read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Shawntae Spencer became the odd man out in San Francisco's secondary.

The 49ers released the cornerback Thursday after eight seasons with the team. Later in the day, the 49ers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free agent special teams standout and backup running back Rock Cartwright, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to make a formal announcement of his signing.

Cartwright, who played the past two seasons with the Oakland Raiders, should help fill a void after Blake Costanzo signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday... read more

By JANIE McCAULEY

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wide receiver Randy Moss was set to work out Monday for the San Francisco 49ers, a person with knowledge of the situation said.

Moss is attempting to make an NFL comeback after a year out of pro football. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday night because it wasn't made public that the veteran wideout would hold a session for the NFC West champion Niners a day before the start of the free agency period.

The 49ers also are working to re-sign quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, and have reportedly made him an offer... read more

NFL.com

Alex Smith doesn't have to worry about the San Francisco 49ers making a run at Peyton Manning, a team source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora earlier this week, and Smith remains confident a new deal will get done to keep him in San Francisco... read more