John Porter

Gary Neville loves VAR but only wants it to correct narrative he doesn’t like

Mad end to the game, perhaps best summed up by Gary Neville saying “I know there’s rules but there’s a smell of the game.” What the fuck does that even mean?

What a guy. I'd love to meet him.

Half an episode in. Love listening to Bill Walsh talk. Dude could've led the *world* and adapted to it. #49ers

They kept Irvin out for a long time as well for his off-the-field things.

About the time I realised the #49ers were going to win the first game I ever attended in San Francisco.

In a horrible season, a day I'll never forget.

Exactly. Interesting point on race, actually. I do see some first-ballot guys and I'm like 'huh?!' when you look at some who are missing.

Anyway, about to watch Rise Of The #49ers for a bit. Already missing San Francisco. Pretty much always do. Someone gimmie a job there, already.

The thing I don't really get about some of the anger I've seen (inc one reply to me) about Craig getting in over Belichick and Kraft is...they'll both get in eventually, probably next year. So what?

I'm pretty sure he will. The interesting thing is how he evolves, given his system is likely to be in place around 80% of the NFL. We've seen a little of it with more power running and less zone, as well as a more drop-back and shotgun passing game in recent years (less PA) - wonder what else?

but about the right people finally getting recognised. 'Catfish' has waited long enough.

It does make me slightly warm inside to see Roger Craig going into the HOF. A true pioneer as a RB and receiver and one of the best players on multiple championship teams. A true #49ers legend who also had a pretty good career post-SF.

It's not about Belichick et al not getting in (they should be)

I'm from the UK so feel free to tell me to shut up about your politics but I am absolutely bewildered that anyone turns up to these things - wouldn't the strongest statement be to stop turning up?

One of the most memorable Super Bowl moments of my time as an NFL fan (2005-)...

As a #49ers fan, also the one I've laughed the hardest at. Was in a bar in Manchester and was almost sick from laughing.

The reception from some guys I know who follow Fresno State in particular is positive. I'm not always a fan of 'name' hires, but any connection to our glory days is alright with me. After all, our HC is a Shanahan :)

Indeed, and might not have been a bad thing (think Seifert/Rhodes to Walsh). Alas. I am intrigued where he goes next, as he's one of the few doing what he's doing schematically in the current vogue in the NFL.

Hankerson might be an interesting name to watch, been WR coach for a while now, seems to get good reviews from his players, and still young.

Looks like we've just hired one...and I agree, we've had a significant brain drain the last five years and Gary Kubiak can't keep having kids :)

I tend to think we were just leery of the contract situation more than anything else. Interesting to see if any other team has a sniff at getting him, although most coaching staffs are set i think (Raiders?)

Ha, I've not denied he's better (remember he was my #1 choice), I just can see why he wasn't hired. You can argue we could've waited a week, but who the hell knows if he's actually able to go anywhere else? I'll watch with interest, and I'll be annoyed if he goes anywhere else.

Ha, well, he *might* be, hard to know the situation. He's 'resigned' but presumably there's some contractual right there or he'd just have done it when he didn't get the HC job. We shall see. Hopefully Morris does well, gets a third HC job, and Schwartz can come next year to get us a repeat SB :)

Knowing the speed the #49ers announce staff changes, we'll likely find out in October.

Worth noting the #49ers already *have* an assistant OL coach: Cameron Clemmons, who's been with the team since 2024. Not sure what's happening to him, but wonder if he's going to Tennessee...?

Being reported former Dolphins assistant Roman Sapolu (son of Jesse) is joining the #49ers as assistant OL coach. A new voice in the trench room can't be a bad thing. Sapolu is ex Hawaii OC and ex Fresno State OL coach/run game coordinator.

Where’s My Joy? Is Football Lost To Stats & Safety?

Since it's Friday, how about a new Substack piece? Wrote this one last week, looking at the overwhelming loss of fun in (English) football, and a few reasons why...

jporterdoes.substack.com/p/wheres-my-...

Were I Starmer I'd go today. Rightly or wrongly there is no way back from here.

There’s a v cynical media and political blindspot in the Epstein shitshow. A feeding frenzy to get rid of Starmer while red-carpeting Farage into No10. Who is named in the files. As is Candy, Reform’s treasurer. With Bannon. And Brexit.
Don’t cry about abuses of power and then do nothing about him.

Sounds like Roger Craig has made the HOF. Great news and about damn time. #49ers

The San Francisco 49ers Fired The First Shot Of The Offseason With the hire of Raheem Morris, the 49ers have set up an intriguing NFC West for 2026...

And because I'm good to ya, here's this week's Sidelinr Sports #49ers column by me, too:

- The Raheem Morris hire, and what it means
- The NFC West is great...really.
- Mapping the road ahead

#fttb

www.sidelinrsports.com/post/the-san...

Raheem Morris' arrival with 49ers immediately benefits these 5 players Several 49ers stand to benefit from San Francisco's blockbuster hiring of Raheem Morris as its new defensive coordinator.

Who might benefit most from Raheem Morris's arrival with the #49ers?

As Charles Barkley might say, here's my five...

For Niner Noise... #fttb

ninernoise.com/raheem-morri...