SB Nation Bay Area - 49ers Set To Draft 7th Overall In 2011 NFL Drafthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-01-02T20:54:17-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16648432011-01-02T20:54:17-08:002011-01-02T20:54:17-08:00NFL Schedule 2011: 49ers Get Third Place Schedule With Seahawks Victory Over Rams
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<p>Although the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> did not make the playoffs this season, today’s Week 17 schedule led to a busy day of results for the team. The win over Arizona, coupled with several other wins and losses appears to have <a href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1910047/nfl-draft-order-2011-49ers-unofficially-seal-seventh-pick" target="new">secured the seventh pick</a> of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft for the 49ers.</p>
<p>However, the subsequent victory by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">Rams</a> to clinch the <span class="caps">NFC</span> West division title allowed the 49ers to lock up third place in the <span class="caps">NFC</span> West. Had the Seahawks lost, they would have dropped to third because of the division record tie-breaker. However, the current result <a href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/2/1910311/nfl-schedule-2011-49ers-opponents-set-with-seahawks-win" target="new">nets a schedule benefit</a> for the 49ers because it means they get the third place opponents schedule instead of the second place opponents schedule. The vagaries of <span class="caps">NFL</span> scheduling mean the 49ers will get to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> instead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>.</p>
<p>Listed below is the 49ers 2011 slate of opponents. The schedule of dates for each game will be released later this spring.</p>
<p><strong><u>Home</u></strong>:<br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a><br>
Tampa Bay Buccaneers</p>
<p><strong><u>Away</u></strong>:<br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a><br>
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a><br>
Detroit Lions</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1910356/nfl-schedule-2011-49ers-get-third-place-schedule-seahawks-victory-ramsDavid Fucillo2011-01-02T17:54:03-08:002011-01-02T17:54:03-08:00NFL Draft Order 2011: 49ers Unofficially Seal Seventh Pick
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<p>The <span class="caps">NFL</span> has not released an official draft order, but <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Eric_Branch/status/21743531798306816" target="new">Eric Branch has indicated</a> the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> locked up the 7th pick of the 2011 <span class="caps">NFL</span> Draft after their victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. Although they lost, the Cardinals look to remain at the fifth pick as all the teams ahead of them lost. Carolina will select first, with Denver, Cincinnati, and Buffalo picking behind them.</p>
<p>Seattle is currently battling St. Louis for the <span class="caps">NFC</span> West division title, but even if Seattle loses, the strength of schedule tie-breaker would go in their favor. What’s interesting though is that if Seattle loses, they’d draft worse than the 49ers, but the 49ers would appear to finish second for scheduling purposes. I could be wrong on that, but the second tiebreaker for division standings after head-to-head is division record. Seattle losing would drop them to 3-3 while the 49ers would be 4-2. If that is the case, the 49ers would face the second place team in the <span class="caps">NFC</span> North and South, instead of the third place team. Given all that, I think it’s safe to say, LET’S GO <span class="caps">SEATTLE</span>!</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1910047/nfl-draft-order-2011-49ers-unofficially-seal-seventh-pickDavid Fucillo2011-01-02T16:23:51-08:002011-01-02T16:23:51-08:00Tarell Brown Interception Seals The Deal With Four To Go
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> get called on yet another penalty, an offsides call on the nose tackle. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> get a first down on their own nine-yard line. Anthony Dixon gets the carry and gets nothing out of it. Smith bakc to pass and he's going deep left to <span>Vernon Davis</span>, but it's incomplete and slightly off-target. On third down, it's another deep pass, this one to <span>Michael Crabtree</span>, but it's overthrown as well.</p>
<p>Bartel gets things going for the Cardinals. Or, he had things going for the Cardinals, then they failed to convert a third down, and then a fourth down and the 49ers took over again. Michael Crabtree got a big reception, Anthony Dixon was stuffed at the line a few times, and then Crabtree makes another big catch, while being interfered and dropped on his head. First down 49ers.</p>
<p>Echoes of Mike Singletary still remain, as the 49ers are called for delay of game. Then, Alex Smith misses deep to Michael Crabtree yet again, really overthrown. The 49ers punt, and the Cardinals have the ball on their own 7-yard line.</p>
<p>A bunch of passes to <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> followed, and some decent running from Arizona. And then, Tarrell Brown picks off Bartel and takes it back 62-yards for a touchdown. 49ers lead 38-7 after the extra point.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909773/tarell-brown-interception-seals-the-deal-with-four-to-goJames Brady2011-01-02T15:57:58-08:002011-01-02T15:57:58-08:0049ers Maintain Lead Going Into Fourth Quarter
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> got things going ... not at all, once again and they punt following the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> score. The Cardinals get called for yet another penalty and everyone is watching the clock. It's not a boring game, but the Niners are up big. The 49ers are on the field again, and it's a five-yard run. Alex Smith throws a pass out of bounds Then another, and it's a punt.</p>
<p><span>Adam Snyder</span> checked in at left guard for the 49ers on that drive. NaVorro Bowman is called on a penalty and the Cardinals want a re-kick. The return is uneventful and the Cardinals take over at their own 42-yard line. <span>Richard Bartel</span> checks in at quarterback for the Cardinals, and it's a run for three yards. Then he's almost brought down for a sack, but gets the ball away before he's officially down. <span>Ahmad Brooks</span> is called on a neutral zone infraction penalty, and it's 3rd and short for Arizona. Then, it's a deep pass to, you guessed it, <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span>, with <span>Tramaine Brock</span> in coverage once again. It's a 31-yard completion.</p>
<p>Larry Fitzgerald gets another completion, and he gets 18-yards, dropped at the goal line with one yard to go. <span>Dashon Goldson</span> is down and injured on the play. They go back to Fitzgerald again on first down, but <span>Nate Clements</span> comes up with great coverage bringing up a second down. The Cardinals lose two yards on the next play, a big tackle by <span>Parys Haralson</span> behind the line. The third quarter comes to an end.</p>
<p>Third and three for the Cardinals, and Bartel overthrows his man and that brings up fourth down. They elect to go for it, and it's Bartel from the sotgun to Fitzgerald over the middle and <span>Tarell Brown</span> is in on the coverage, incomplete pass.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909744/49ers-maintain-lead-going-into-fourth-quarterJames Brady2011-01-02T15:33:43-08:002011-01-02T15:33:43-08:00Ahmad Brooks Gets First Interception, Westbrook Scores Again, 49ers Lead 31-7
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> go right with the shotgun and complete a pass to <span>Andre Roberts</span> over the middle for five yards. Second down, and <span>John Skelton</span> completes another pass, this one to <span>Larry Fitzgerald</span> for five yards, giving them a first down. Once again, another completion for Skelton, five yards again, this one to <span>Max Komar</span>. The next pass doesn't fare quite as well, it's tipped and <span>Ahmad Brooks</span> gets the pick, taking it to the eight-yard line, trying to stiff-arm John Skelton on his way. <span>Isaac Sopoaga</span> got the tip.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> begin on the eight, and it's a run for essentially nothing, two yards for <span>Brian Westbrook</span>. You can then tag on another six-yard touchdown run for Brian Westbrook, and the extra point is good. The 49ers lead 31-7 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.</p>
<p>It's a 19-yard return and the Cardinals take over at the 30-yard line.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/2/1907918/49ers-vs-cardinals-open-thread-3">Be sure to head over to Niners Nation and join in on the gameday discussion in their thread. </a></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909724/ahmad-brooks-gets-first-interception-westbrook-scores-again-49ersJames Brady2011-01-02T15:25:10-08:002011-01-02T15:25:10-08:00Brian Westbrook Scores On 6-Yard Run, 49ers Lead 24-7.
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> begin with an incompletion on first down with defensive end <span>Isaac Sopoaga</span> in his face. Hightower takes the carry on second down, but is stopped by <span>Manny Lawson</span> for no gain. Third and ten with two backs in the backfield, <span>John Skelton</span> takes the shotgun snap and dumps off to <span>Tim Hightower</span>, but it goes right off his hands for an incompletion.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> start their drive at the 22-yard line, and it's deep to <span>Michael Crabtree</span> over the middle, but it's overthrown. The Cardinals were offsides though, and the 49ers get five yards and a repeat of first down. From the gun with an empty backfield, Smith throws it to the left side without really looking, and the Cardinals are called for yet another penalty. Holding, five yards, and the 49ers have another first down.</p>
<p>1st and 10 from the San Francisco 32-yard line, and it's a handoff to Anthony Dixon, who finds the hole and picks up eight yards. Then it's a thirty-yard run from <span>Brian Westbrook</span>, who finds a big hole on the right side of the line. Another run for San Francisco and it's Anthony Dixon again, four yards this time. On second down, it's a 20-yard gain to <span>Vernon Davis</span>, and he's down at the six-yard line.</p>
<p>Alex Smith is in the red zone now, where he's usually very accurate, but his first pass is incomplete. Then Brian Westbrook takes a carry and he falls down after being tripped up by <span>Barry Sims</span>, but crawls into the end zone before he's touched, apparently. The 49ers lead 24-7 after the extra point. Six plays, 78 yards, 3:06 for that drive.</p>
<p>The Cardinals get the ball on the 27-yard line with an Andre Roberts return.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/2/1907915/49ers-vs-cardinals-open-thread-2">Niners Nation has their in-game thread for discussion. </a></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909697/brian-westbrook-scores-on-6-yard-run-49ers-lead-24-7James Brady2011-01-02T15:11:21-08:002011-01-02T15:11:21-08:00Vernon Davis Responds With 59-Yard Touchdown Reception, 49ers Lead 17-7.
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<p>The 49ers take the third-quarter kick off at the one-yard line and <span>Ted Ginn Jr.</span> takes it 24-yards to the 25-yard line. Alex Smith on the play-action pass looks to his left and overthrows <span>Vernon Davis</span> badly out of bounds with no pressure in his face. <span>Brian Westbrook</span> gets the carry on second down and he picks up two yards, bringing up a 49ers 3rd-and-8. It's a pass to Brian Westbrook and he s dragged past the first down line, before going down-but-not-really, and getting another yard. <span>Adrian Wilson</span> couldn't get him down.</p>
<p>Another first down incompletion from Smith, it's in the ground at Westbrook's feet after he panics. On second down, it's Alex Smith to Vernon Davis for a 59-yard touchdown reception. Vernon just beat his man and was wide open over the middle. He leisurely extended and caught the perfect pass from Alex, and took it in the right side of the end zone with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> in tow. Five plays, 75 yards in 1:58 for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> on the drive to open the half. They now lead 17-7.</p>
<p>The Cardinals get the ball at the 35 yards line after the Roberts return and Thaddeus Gibson tackle.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/2011/1/2/1907915/49ers-vs-cardinals-open-thread-2">Niners Nation has their in-game threads for your perusal.</a></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909682/vernon-davis-responds-with-59-yard-touchdown-reception-49ers-lead-17-7James Brady2011-01-02T14:50:48-08:002011-01-02T14:50:48-08:0049ers Lead 10-7 At Halftime, Fans Boo
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<p>The kickoff goes into the end-zone and Ted Ginn brings it out to the 19-yard line. On first down, Alex Smith throws to his right side and it's a 12-yard completion to wide receiver <span>Michael Crabtree</span>. Second down is a pass gain, over the middle short to Anthony Dixon, who turns to avoid but slides on the slick field and gains two yards. Dixon again for five yards, but it's followed by an incompletion on 3rd-and-3. <span>Andy Lee</span> punts, and <span>C.J. Spillman</span> makes yet another great special teams tackle before Roberts can get anything out of it.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> begin on the nine yard line, and then get two yards out of <span>Tim Hightower</span> on first down. They go right back to Larry FItzgerald, who picks up the first down yet again. It's Tim Hightower on the predictable first down run, but this time he picks up ten yards and gets another Arizona first down. 1st and 10 on their own 35-yard line. , it's another first down run from Tim Hightower and a bad missed tackle from CB <span>Shawntae Spencer</span> brings up 2nd and 1. <span>John Skelton</span> goes deep, but it's way off target even with the blown coverage. 3rd and 1 for Arizona. Tim Hightower gets the carry, and he goes right through Parys Harlason en route to a first down. <span>Manny Lawson</span> makes a big tackle on another run on first down though, getting Hightower for a three-yard loss.</p>
<p>Incomplete pass to <span>Andre Roberts</span> from Skelton, and it's a bad one, a dumpoff with nobody around him. The Cardinals go to the shotgun, and get a couple yards but ultimately end up with 4th-and-7, and San Francisco takes a timeout. 32-yard punt from <span>Ben Graham</span>, it's downed just inside the twenty.</p>
<p>San Francisco gets things started with a false start. <span>Brian Westbrook</span> takes the carry and picks up 9-yards on the misdirection. 1:28 remaining in the half. It's Westbrook again for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a>, and after getting around a tackle or two, he gets the first down. The 49ers hurry it up, and it's a completion to <span>Josh Morgan</span> on the left side, who spins around a defender and makes his way out of bounds with 58 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>1st and 10 on the Cardinals 42 after the 28-yard gain. Alex looks downfield and he's got Josh Morgan over the middle, but it's off target and the pass is behind him. 2nd and 10 for San Francisco. It's a dumpoff to Westbrook, but it's off target and <span>Adrian Wilson</span> put a violent hit on him. The 49ers take their last timeout for an injury.</p>
<p>Anthony Dixon takes the carry and picks up a few yards, bringingu up fourth down and the end of the half.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/1/2/1909613/49ers-lead-10-7-at-halftime-fans-booJames Brady