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The big news of the day is the report that Michael Crabtree has been cleared to practice. We haven't even gotten Mario Manningham on the field yet, and Crabtree will be joining us before long. It seems like everything is coming together nicely all at once. This bye week has been looked upon as a magical cure-all for quite some time. And it looks like it's living up to that billing. We'll have to wait and see what kind of shape these guys are in and how well they perform, but returning, talented bodies and a five-game win streak sound great to me.
It looks like Aldon Smith is saying all the right things following his stint in rehab. We'd expect nothing less, though now he has to back them up with actions. Only time will tell with Aldon, but we're all hoping for a full recovery for his own sake, the team's sake and the greater good to the public.
I'm running late so you'll get some rapidly cooked Nuggets…
Crabtree
Christian Gin gets the honors of breaking the news. | Report: Michael Crabtree cleared to practice (Gin)
BASG takes an alternative look at how Crabtree's return may help Frank Gore's health. | Crab season starts early: Michael Crabtree cleared for practice (BASG)
Crabtree calls return to practice field ‘cool' (Inman)
Michael Crabtree Cleared to Practice (49ers.com)
Aldon
Cam Inman has the scoop on Aldon Smith's vow to the league over his substance issues. Like I mentioned, he's dotting the I's and crossing the T's. | Aldon Smith returns to 49ers after vowing to NFL that ‘this doesn't happen again' (Inman)
The good thing about 49ers.com is that they always have the interview you want. | Aldon Smith: 'I'm Getting There' (49ers.com)
Aldon Smith: "Every day is a step closer to where I want to be" (Barrows)
Eric Wright
The official website has a good write up on Eric Wright playing football for his hometown team with some audio interview included. Some montage action as well. | Eric Wright Returns to Football Roots (49ers.com)
49ers Eric Wright ready to start a new phase of his life (SF Gate)
49ers vs Panthers
49ers-Panthers: Must happen/can't happen (ESPN)
Return Game
Our special teams play has been awesome this year on nearly every front except the return game. We are all assuming that the Jaguars game spelled the end of Kyle Williams as the featured returner. Someone, please return a kick. | 49ers' bye week homework assignment: find a return game (BASG)
How good did Boobie look on that long kick return? | Anthony Dixon taking to returning kicks (49ers.com)
Bullying
There's bullying, then there's dropping the N-Bomb while bullying. This story just gets messier and messier. | Stephen M. Ross is as much to blame as anybody for Incognito bullying fiasco (BASG)
Donte Whitner: Hazing not an issue for 49ers (PFT)
Other Reinforcements
I don't need numbers to tell me this! | Numbers show Manningham needed (ESPN)
Niners' Defensive Line is Getting Rest and Reinforcements (NBC)
Other News
We've been sitting at around 5th in the power ranking on most sites for quite some time. I don't think we move from that until we beat the Saints and/or Seahawks. | Power Rankings: No. 5 San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)
Did you see who's quarterbacking the Green Bay Packers…YIKES!!! | 49ers castoffs Wallace, Tolzien to fill in for injured Packers QB Rodgers (Inman)
I think this was fairly obvious. I didn't understand the obsession with Nnamdi Asomugha. He didn't play well for us, hadn't played well in years. I thought he did enough in the preseason to keep a spot, but had Chris Culliver been healthy, he likely wouldn't have made the cut. I understand why people obsess over losing Marcus Cooper or B.J. Daniels, some guys with upside, but Nnamdi was the most defended 49ers player I've seen who really didn't add anything now or in the future. Baffling. | Ex-49er Asomugha clears waivers (ESPN)
First Piece of Candlestick Up For Sale (NBC)
Don't forget about Marcus Lattimore (ESPN)