Niners Notebook

Niners Notebook will feature weekly analysis and offbeat tales from the beat (such as that oh-so awkward one-on-one interview with Jim Harbaugh) from Eric Branch, who has covered the team since 2010. Hosted by assistant sports editor Mike Lerseth, they’ll talk football and, perhaps, the best stadiums in the NFL.

Sports
1
Senior Bowl Week, Day Three
Matt Kawahara and Eric Branch wrap up Senior Bowl week by talking about which players stood out in practices to the 49ers' and Raiders' coaches. Also GM John Lynch gives rehab updates on some key 49ers players. And is Raiders QB Derek Carr ready to dabble in mixed martial arts?
25 min
2
Senior Bowl Week, Day Two
Eric Branch and Matt Kawahara take a closer look at the Senior Bowl edge rushers, a position of need for both the 49ers and Raiders, and discuss the ramifications of changes to the 49ers’ defensive line group.
24 min
3
Senior Bowl Week, Day One
With the 49ers and Raiders coaching the Senior Bowl, Eric Branch and Matt Kawahara discuss which positions and prospects the teams should keep an eye on this week. And both teams now have a vacancy at quarterbacks coach -- why did the 49ers originally block the Broncos from interviewing Rich Scangarello, then change their minds?
21 min
4
Reuben Foster, Reggie McKenzie and Christmas st...
49ers beat writer Eric Branch almost got arrested reporting Rueben Foster's arrest. Raiders beat writer Matt Kawahara had no such trouble reporting Reggie McKenzie's firing. Plus: Eric and Matt join San Francisco Chronicle NFL coverage coordinator Mike Lerseth to put presents or lumps of coal in the Christmas stockings of various 49ers and Raiders.
27 min
5
Thanksgiving thoughts with Eric Branch and Matt...
Niners Notebook and Raiders Rap combine forces for a holiday look at the season so far, from both teams' perspective. It isn't pretty. Branch and Kawahara talk to San Francisco Chronicle assistant sports editor Mike Lerseth about those two precious wins for each, how many more they might get this year, and prospects for the 2019 NFL draft. Plus: Was that Rams-Chiefs game a Super Bowl preview?
16 min
6
The Future of Football
Now that we know the sport can produce deadly results, where do we go from here?
19 min
7
An oh-so-close game and a familiar finish
18 min
8
What's left to play for
The 49ers are 1-4, and after a dispiriting loss to the Cardinals, there are no likely wins standing between the Niners and 1-15. Chronicle beat writer Eric Branch talks about how coach Kyle Shanahan is keeping the locker room together in tough times.
20 min
9
The good, the bad and the surprising
Breaking down the first four games of the Bay Area's NFL season
25 min
10
Is the 49ers' season already over?
Is the 49ers' season already over?
16 min
11
Why The Great Garoppolo has just been OK
49ers beat writer Eric Branch and Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor Mike Lerseth discuss why The Great Garoppolo has just been OK
17 min
12
Will Jimmy Garoppolo ever lose a game?
Can Jimmy Garoppolo revive the 49ers?
22 min