49ers Blog and Q&A

Mike Nolan said he met with the Yorks following a Wednesday report that said Denise DeBartolo York was leaning heavily toward bringing in a strong general manager who would usurp Nolan's authority regarding personnel matters.

"It was a positive conversation and I'm right in that it will be talked about in January," Nolan said.

He said the Yorks - he didn't specify whom he spoke with - expressed "disappointment" that the story came out when it did. John and Jed York have declined all requests to talk about the season and discuss Nolan's status. Nolan also seemed to suggest that some of the story was taken out of context, but backed off when asked if the York's questioned the veracity of the story.

"I'm just saying what I just said," Nolan said. "We'll talk about it in January and we'll do everything we can to make the 49ers better at that time. That's what I'm saying."

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Mike Singletary said he pulled out of the running for the Baylor job because of "philosophical differences." Said Singletary: "There were several questions that I could not compromise on."

Singletary said he's always thought his future was in the NFL but felt obligated to give Baylor, his alma mater, his consideration. He has two children that attend the university, including a son who red-shirted this season. He likely will play defensive end or outside linebacker next year. Singletary also said he was confident he would be offered an NFL head coaching job at some point.

When?

"I really don't worry about those things," he said. "I just continue to work my tail off. Those things will come."

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Scot McCloughan blew out of town before I could hit him up for this week's matchups. But in case you missed the Cal-USC game earlier this year, here are the draft-worthy Trojan seniors to keep an eye on in tonight's game. In my humble opinion, Keith Rivers would be an excellent bookend for Manny Lawson.

USC:

#79 Sam Baker OT
#83 Fred Davis TE
#49 Sedrick Ellis NT
#96 Lawrence Jackson DE
#55 Keith Rivers OLB

And now the biggest, most important, most monumental game of the year. I'm talking, of course, about Saturday's match up that pits the Virginia Cavaliers (founder: Thomas Jefferson) against the dastardly Virginia Tech Hokies (founder: inventor of Garden Weasel). The winner plays Boston College next week for the ACC Championship.

Va. Tech:

#11 Xavier Adibi LB
#76 Duane Brown OT
#49 Chris Ellis DE
#81 Justin Harper WR
#2 Josh Morgan WR
#25 D.J. Parker FS
(I thought Morgan jumped out in the earlier game against Ga. Tech)

For Virginia, there is only one, DL Chris Long, son of Howie. He's the ACC sack leader and has a chance to become UVA's all-time sack king. Just think of how well he would pair with Ray McDonald at defensive end. Unfortunately, the 49ers are not going to be in position to draft him.
-- Matt Barrows