Patrick Willis News

Alex Smith turned heads last week when he defended his rather average passing numbers from a year ago, calling the current trend toward heavy yardage through the air a "totally overblown stat." The San Francisco 49ers quarterback took a swipe at Cam Newton's 4,051 passing yards as a rookie to make his point.

ProFootballTalk But for the lawsuits and arrests, last week's back-and-forth from players on franchises that used to be division rivals would have gotten a lot more interest and attention.

Feb 4, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton does an interview after coaching in the direct TV celebrity beach bowl at Victory Field.

Hello everyone. Happy Memorial Day weekend. How's it feel having three days off? Well, I couldn't answer that question, now could I? What's everyone doing for the weekend? When I was younger we'd go camping.

As we approach the coming season I thought it best to take some time to discuss a few players on the 49ers roster that will need to make an impact this season in order for the team to be successful.

A budding rivalry is shaping up between the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.

Beason ripped Alex Smith on Twitter after the San Francisco quarterback pointed to the Panthers' Cam Newton as an example of a quarterback who puts up statistics but doesn't win.

Even the most disinterested among our readers, though, could develop a rooting interest in J.R. Hildebrand, who qualified 18th at the Brickyard on Sunday.

The 49ers are not only securing the long-term services of their star performers as they aim to build an enduring contender, they also are rewarding them with the big bucks of top-dollar contracts.

At the suggestion of a friend, Jonathan Goodwin added boxing to his off-season routine, alternating quick bursts of pounding his fists into a trainer's mitts with other short sets of exercise.

Randy Moss catches a pass in front of Patrick Willis during organized team activities at the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

General manager Trent Baalke and the 49ers' chief contract negotiator, Paraag Marathe, were observed having a conversation at the end of Tuesday's practice, usually a sign that a deal is in the works.

It is a testament to the information age that, if you play college football and you meet certain physical specs, there's a good chance you're going to get scouted.

Television shows from "Good Morning America" to Jim Rome and radio stations from midtown Manhattan to downtown San Francisco were clamoring to get the 49ers wide receiver on air to ask one burning question: How was he dealing with the two botched punt returns that cost his team a trip to the Super Bowl? Williams turned down nearly every media ... (more)

The San Francisco 49ers came out of nowhere last season and were just a few plays away from playing in the Super Bowl.

Bowman's contract expires after the 2013 NFL season and his four-year deal is only worth $2.49 million .

This is something I touched up on late last season, before all of us were swept off into playoff madness/glory: the down year for 49ers tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker .

The "Top 100" list that the NFL Network puts out every year may not have any true meaning, but it does make for a fun debate as we enter the quietest part of the offseason.

One of my favorite offseason activities is to study the depth charts of all 32 teams.

The 49ers were the surprise team of 2011. They went from a losing record to 13-3 and almost making the Super Bowl.