Baalke, 49ers general manager, gets contract extension
--The 49ers came roaring back to a place among the NFL's best in 2011, and the team took a step Friday (February 10) toward keeping their resurgence on track.
General manager Trent Baalke agreed to a three-year contract extension with the 49ers that will keep him in San Francisco through the 2016 season.
"This is a wonderful day for Trent, his family and the 49ers organization," team chief executive officer Jed York said. "Without question, Trent has distinguished himself as the man to direct our football operations for years to come."
This past season was Baalke's first as general manager and his eighth with the 49ers. He was named Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers Association after San Francisco went 13-3, won the NFC West, and advanced to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants. The team went 6-10 in 2010.
"I would like to thank Jed, and the York family, for this great opportunity and show of support," Baalke said. "In addition, I would like to thank Coach Harbaugh, as well as our coaches, players, scouts, and entire football operations staff for their hard work and dedication this season. It is a privilege to work for the 49ers organization alongside this group as we continue our pursuit of championships."
--Two 49ers have been arrested in the last two weeks. Linebacker Aldon Smith was pulled over in Miami on suspicion of DUI. Then defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested for an outstanding warrant stemming from his DUI arrest in the summer of 2010. McDonald was held for five hours in a San Mateo County jail and then released. Neither Smith or McDonald are considered character risks. McDonald was signed to a five-year, $20 million extension in July and responded with his best season, which he capped with a 2.5 sack performance in the title game.
--The 49ers beat the San Francisco Giants in a charity shootout at Pebble Beach two days before the AT&T Pro Am. "It was a great team win," said quarterback Alex Smith who consistently drove the ball well over 300 yards. Current and former players participated. Smith, Harbaugh and former players Harris Barton and Dwight Clark made up part of the 49ers team. The Giants' most high-profile pairing included former first baseman Will Clark and current pitcher Matt Cain.
--Harbaugh will play in the AT&T event and Alex Smith will serve as his caddy for at least part of the tournament. Harbaugh said his goal was to beat the rest of the coaches and former coaches in the field including Herm Edwards, Bill Belichick, Nick Saban, and Bob Stoops. Harbaugh is a 12 handicap and is paired with pro golfer Ryan Moore. "(I) want to be first among the football coaches," Harbaugh said.
--Harbaugh said he's not going to make golfing in the offseason a regular event. "I don't ever play a whole lot of golf in the offseason. We'll get right on free agency and the draft and find some ways to get better. That's what we are going to need to do," he said.
--The team got a huge boost for their stadium drive in Santa Clara when the NFL announced it would provide $200 million through its G4 program for the team's new stadium. The only obstacle for completing their financing is a possible lawsuit by Santa Clara citizens who want to put the financing measure back on the Santa Clara ballot. The city council has so far rejected another ballot measure.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"They are doing the blocking and they are doing the tackling. I didn't feel comfortable taking a deep bow for what our players had done." - Jim Harbaugh on why he didn't personally accept his Coach of the Year award in Indianapolis.
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