Jean Francois bonds with Phil Collins
Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers | Santa Rosa Press Democrat
He can feel it cooomming in the air too-nighhht. Oh, loorrd.
Ricky Jean Francois is a slang-spitting young African-American athlete of Haitian descent who grew up in the Miami area, so you might not expect Phil Collins to be his inspirational music of choice. But that's what the LSU training staff blared during his college days, so that's what Jean Francois plays on his headphones when he wants to get pumped up for a workout.
Jean Francois heard a lot of Phil Collins this summer. A lot.
Getting back to running backs
Niners Insider | San Francisco Chronicle
Frank Gore had his share of long runs last year and quite a few that lost yards. What's missing is the critical mid-range runs that keep drives alive and win games in the Mike Singletary-Jimmy Raye mode. Not only do they want to win, they want the opposing defense to nurse their blue flesh...
Frank Gore - Mike Singletary - Running back - San Francisco 49ers - American football positions
World loves the 49ers now, and 49ers agree
Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers | Santa Rosa Press Democrat
The 49ers are trying on a new costume this summer, and they sort of like the way it fits. After years of chasing the rest of the NFC West, the Niners go into the 2010 season as consensus favorites to win the division. The Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals have all had their days, and now, the prognosticators say, it's time for San Francisco to ascend.
The reaction inside the locker room in Santa Clara seems to be: Bring it on.
Gore: I should've checked my guest list
Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers | Santa Rosa Press Democrat
According to Frank Gore, it was simply a young man throwing a party to celebrate his 27th birthday. But when the NCAA found out that numerous college athletes attended the shindig at Gore's Miami home on May 15, it launched an investigation into whether sports agents and financial advisors had funded the evening.
This morning, Gore seemed taken aback at the ensuing controversy.
Jean-Francois' camp has a "Rocky" outlook
49ers Blog | Sacramento Bee
Yo, Adrian! Ricky Jean-Francois got in shape for what promises to be a demanding training camp by taking a page from Rocky Balboa's and Apollo Creed's workout regimen - running in sand. Jean-Francois, a Miami native, said he'd begin his...
No sign of Aubrayo Franklin yet
Matt Maiocco's Instant 49ers | Santa Rosa Press Democrat
The 49ers' veterans were supposed to check in between 8 and 9:30 this morning. The period came and went with no sign of NT Aubrayo Franklin, the Niners' unhappy franchise player.
The team was not yet marking Franklin as officially absent, with meetings set to begin at 10:30. But as training camp gets set for kickoff with an afternoon practice tomorrow, it is looking less and less likely that the eighth-year veteran will begin the summer campaign with the 49ers. He would net about $7 million by signing his franchise tender, but presumably wants a long-term deal instead.