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  • Thu., Aug. 08, 2013 6:00PM - 9:30PM PDT 49ers vs. Broncos -The game will mark the 35th preseason contest between the two teams, with Denver holding an 18-16 edge over San Francisco. During last year’s preseason matchup in Denver, the 49ers defeated the Broncos 29-24.
    -This will mark Denver’s first preseason trip to Candlestick Park since 2009 when the 49ers edged the Broncos 17-16.
  • Fri., Aug. 16, 2013 5:00PM - 8:30PM PDT 49ers at Chiefs -The 49ers and Chiefs have met nine times in the preseason. San Francisco leads the all-time series 6-3.
    -San Francisco has won the past two preseason contests. In the last meeting, during the 2003 preseason, the 49ers won 24-6 at Kansas City.
  • Sun., Aug. 25, 2013 5:00PM - 8:30PM PDT 49ers vs. Vikings -It marks the eighth time the 49ers and Vikings have met in the preseason.
    -The 49ers lead the all-time preseason series 4-3 and are 2-0 against the Vikings at home during the preseason.
    -The 49ers have won the past two contests, which were both played at Candlestick Park, a 17-6 win last season and a 15-10 victory in 2010.
  • Thu., Aug. 29, 2013 7:00PM - 10:30PM PDT 49ers at Chargers -It marks the 27th consecutive year in which the two teams have met in the preseason.
    -San Francisco leads preseason series 21-20 after the 49ers won, 35-3, at Candlestick Park last preseason.
    -It marks the 23rd preseason matchup in San Diego, with the Chargers holding a 16-8 series advantage at home.
  • Sun., Sep. 08, 2013 1:25PM - 4:25PM PDT 49ers vs. Packers In what will mark the team’s final season at Candlestick Park, the 49ers open the 2013 campaign by facing playoff teams from 2012 in four of the first five weeks, starting with the Green Bay Packers on September 8. This marks the second consecutive season that the 49ers and Packers have met in Week 1. Last season, San Francisco defeated Green Bay in two contests, 30-22 on the road in Week 1, and 45-31 at home in the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs. The 49ers overall record against the Packers is 28-34-1, including 17-11-1 at home.
  • Sun., Sep. 15, 2013 5:30PM - 8:30PM PDT 49ers at Seahawks San Francisco travels to division-rival Seattle to face the Seahawks in prime time on Sunday night. The overall series is tied at 14 games apiece, but under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers are 3-1 versus Seattle. The teams split the 2012 series, with each team winning on their home field.
  • Sun., Sep. 22, 2013 1:25PM - 4:25PM PDT 49ers vs. Colts On September 22, San Francisco will host the Indianapolis Colts for the first time since 2005. The 49ers are 18-24 overall against the Colts, including an 11-10 record at home. The Colts defeated the 49ers, 18-14, in the teams’ last meeting in Indianapolis, in 2009.
  • Thu., Sep. 26, 2013 5:25PM - 8:25PM PDT 49ers at Rams The Niners will have a short week as they will travel to St. Louis for a Thursday night, NFL Network showdown with the Rams on September 26. The overall series is split at 62-62-3, and 31-31-1 on the road. Both contests last season went into overtime, with the Rams winning, 16-13, in St. Louis, and the teams tying, 24-24, in San Francisco.
  • Sun., Oct. 06, 2013 5:30PM - 8:30PM PDT 49ers vs. Texans San Francisco faces the Houston Texans on Sunday night October 6, in front of a national audience on NBC. It marks the third prime time appearance through the first five weeks of the regular season for the 49ers. This will be only Houston’s second trip ever to Candlestick Park in the regular season, and their first since the 49ers won 20-17 in overtime, in 2005.
  • Sun., Oct. 13, 2013 1:25PM - 4:25PM PDT 49ers vs. Cardinals The second game of the back-to-back home-stand will be on October 13 vs. the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco owns a 26-17 overall record against the Cardinals, including a 15-8 mark at home. In the 2012 regular season finale, San Francisco won 27-13, clinching the NFC West Division title for the 19th time in franchise history. The Niners have compiled a 7-1 record versus Arizona over the past eight games.

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Offense Continues to Catch On

Posted Aug 15, 2011



Following Friday’s 24-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the 49ers offense has been eager to show an improved performance in its next exhibition appearance.

But first, the offense has to show a greater grasp of Greg Roman’s system. Fortunately for the 49ers offensive unit, the starting 11 took strides on Monday, putting together a strong practice which included several big plays.

After throwing several touchdown passes during red zone periods, quarterback Alex Smith connected on three consecutive passes of more than 20 yards to start one of the final team periods of the day. Wide receivers Joshua Morgan, Braylon Edwards and Ted Ginn Jr. each hauled in deep balls from Smith, with Ginn’s being the longest.

But it’s not one sequence of practice that’s giving the 49ers a boost in confidence. They know they’re growing as a unit. And it’s because of the competitive undertones of training camp that the offense is able to regularly push itself to succeed.

With head coach Jim Harbaugh’s practices regularly involving game-like scenarios, the 49ers offense has had no choice but to catch on.

“It’s very competitive,” Vernon Davis said of Harbaugh’s first training camp, “and at the end of the day, that’s what you need. You need practice to be competitive because that’s the only way you get better.”

And so far, the ultra-competitive tight end sees the 49ers steadily improving throughout camp.

“We’re getting there,” Davis added. “We still have a lot of room to grow. We obviously have some time ahead of us to keep getting better and keep moving on with what we have. So I think our future is pretty bright.”

Roman was equally pleased with Monday’s workout.

“We got a plan, a long-term plan and we’re installing a lot of things on them right now,” he said following a three-hour session. “They’re working really hard, working through it and getting better every day.”

Ginn, who has been lining up with the first-team offense, said his 40-yard touchdown catch was just a sign of the offense’s sped-up maturation.

“We’re all still trying to gel together as one,” said Ginn, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound wideout. “Our first game didn’t go as well as we wanted to, but we’re going to come out this week and put our all into it and hope we show a difference from the first week.”

Davis channeled his inner Bart Scott, saying he “can’t wait” for Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Oakland Raiders.

And although Roman didn’t use the popular phrase of the New York Jets linebacker, he’s clearly ready to see how his offense has improved.

“In the NFL, you’re either prepared or you’re not,” Roman explained. “If you don't get it done, you’re not prepared. We didn’t get it done on the field, therefore we weren’t prepared. A lot of it stems from little things – little thing here, a little thing there - that’s very correctable and that’s the encouraging part about it.”

Notes and Quotes

Both Roman and Ginn praised Edwards’ addition in the 49ers locker room. “I think Braylon’s doing a very good job thus far,” Roman said. “He’s picking things up and I really think his attitude’s been phenomenal and his work ethic’s been great. He’s got a good base of football knowledge and understands the game. If he keeps progressing he’s going to be a real asset for us.”

Ginn said Edwards has been a great teammate in wide receiver meetings. He also said he has no problem working with a Michigan alum. Ginn played with a few former Wolverines with the Miami Dolphins like quarterback Chad Henne and tackle Jake Long. “Braylon came in and fit in right away,” Ginn said. “He acts just like everybody and he’s coming along with his playbook. He’s learning, asking questions and that’s all you can ask for from a guy who came in kind of late. On the field, he’s just a great guy.”

Two rookies recorded interceptions on the day. Undrafted cornerback Phillip Davis undercut a route during red zone 7-on-7 work, while fellow cornerback Chris Culliver came up with a takeaway during 11-on-11 work.

Photo of the Day



Linebacker Patrick Willis continues to show off a more diverse repertoire. He intercepted rookie McLeod Bethel-Thompson on this play shown above. He also broke up a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Vernon Davis during an early red zone period.

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