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Matt Barrows

@mattbarrows.bsky.social

7.5K followers 170 following 870 posts

Matt has covered the 49ers since 2003, first for The Sacramento Bee and now for The Athletic. Like fiction? Check out the crime novel Matt co-wrote. It's about a reporter who commits a series of murders ... https://a.co/d/hntQmF5

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · Dec 17

Attention “Lord of the Rings” fans: You have a kindred spirit in NFL star George Kittle, who sees himself as Strider but who’s contemplating a Sauron tattoo. Yes, it’s complicated … #LOTR #49ers

www.nytimes.com/athletic/599...

Inside the mind — and tattoos — of 49ers’ George Kittle, one of the NFL’s most interesting players

Kittle, a 'Lord of the Rings' devotee, sees life and an NFL season through that lens. On Thursday, he was channeling his inner Sauron.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 9h

L.A. County officials release name of 28-year-old man pulled from the water outside of #49ers' team hotel last week. Meanwhile, Mac Jones doesn't throw much in Thursday's practice ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

49ers QB Mac Jones declines to talk about body he saw being pulled from water

QB turns attention to the field, where he hopes to start vs. Buccaneers on Sunday.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 14h

News alert: Jared Goff is from the Bay Area and played at Cal.

Oops!

Kalamazeus @kalamazeus.bsky.social · 19h

Grit is our word... so kindly Eff off. I would, however, like to submit the following as suitable subs:

- Spunk
- Nerve
- Resolve
- Pluck (yes I had to google it)
- Grime

Honestly, no self respecting Midwesterner would say anyone from SF has grit.

Signed

Lions Fan

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 14h

- Oct. 2, 2011: DT Justin Smith’s “The Poke” play seals 49ers win
- Oct. 2, 2025: DT Alfred Collins’ “The Punch” play seals 49ers win

And that’s not the only parallel between the two teams …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

What I’m seeing from the 49ers: What they lack in star power, they’ve made up for in grit

On a squad teeming with Pro Bowlers, lesser-known newcomers have made the difference so far.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 19h

What I’m seeing at the quarter mark from the 49ers: What they lack in star power, they’ve made up for in grit (and other observations)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

What I’m seeing from the 49ers: What they lack in star power, they’ve made up for in grit

On a squad teeming with Pro Bowlers, lesser-known newcomers have made the difference so far.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Matt Barrows

Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

The salty solution for cramps? 49ers players reach for pickle juice shooters

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

The salty solution for cramps? 49ers players reach for pickle juice shooters

A few NFL players started drinking pickle juice 25 years ago, but the two-ounce containers used now are a relatively recent phenomenon.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

Brock Purdy not practicing, Mac Jones limited as 49ers prepare for Buccaneers ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Brock Purdy not practicing, Mac Jones limited as 49ers prepare for Buccaneers

Brock Purdy aggravated his toe injury in the Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. Mac Jones is 3-0 in relief as a starter.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

No worries. That hardly registers on the schmuck-o-meter.

Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

The 49ers have opened the practice window for DT Kevin Givens (pectoral). He'll be a limited participant in today's practice.

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Reposted by Matt Barrows

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 1d

From @theathletic.com: NFL players are reaching for pickle juice as a solution for cramps. “It’s nasty, yeah,” said 49ers cornerback Eli Apple. “But it works.”

The salty solution for cramps? 49ers players reach for pickle juice shooters

A few NFL players started drinking pickle juice 25 years ago, but the two-ounce containers used now are a relatively recent phenomenon.

nyti.ms

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah, it's featured prominently in the story.

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 1d

The salty solution for cramps? 49ers players reach for pickle juice shooters

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

The salty solution for cramps? 49ers players reach for pickle juice shooters

A few NFL players started drinking pickle juice 25 years ago, but the two-ounce containers used now are a relatively recent phenomenon.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 3d

Seen running on side field:
* George Kittle
* Upton Stout
* Alfred Collins
* Ben Bartch
* Jordan Watkins
* Robert Beal
* Derrick Canteen

Malik Mustapha, whose practice window opened today, was warming up with the DBs.

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 3d

Reporters got a *very* brief look at today’s practice (Because there’s top-secret stuff on Mondays?). Did not see:

* Brock Purdy
* Ricky Pearsall
* Christian McCaffrey
* Trent Williams
* Dee Winters

Seen running on side field ...

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 3d

The #49ers have had late, game-altering defensive plays in each of their four wins. Two have been delivered by rookies. A status report on a promising 2025 class...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

49ers rookie review: Win over Rams added luster to an already promising class

Three 49ers rookies were on the field for the game's two most pivotal plays, and three others also played significant roles Thursday.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 3d

Christian McCaffrey is on pace to finish with 1,316 receiving yards this season. At that pace he could break the single-season record for a tailback even if he missed two full games.

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 3d

49ers rookie review: Win over Rams added luster to an already promising class

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

49ers rookie review: Win over Rams added luster to an already promising class

Three 49ers rookies were on the field for the game's two most pivotal plays, and three others also played significant roles Thursday.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 5d

The NFL fined Christian McCaffrey $23,186 for lowering his helmet while attempting to tackle Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd following an interception Sunday.

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Reposted by Matt Barrows

Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

49ers minutia minute:
* Mac needed in-game IV
* CMC’s 2nd-highest snap count ever
* Who leads SF in TDs/1st downs? Rhymes with Cake Thonges
* Shanahan lauds o-line
* One more d-line injury
* Eddy eying second place
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

49ers minutia minute: Mac Jones went bananas as offense ran up huge snap count

McCaffrey’s 76 snaps were the second most of his career, surpassed only by an 83-snap game in 2018 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

49ers minutia minute: Mac Jones went bananas as offense ran up huge snap count

McCaffrey’s 76 snaps were the second most of his career, surpassed only by an 83-snap game in 2018 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

Wrong NFCW quarterback…

JaxBBax @jaxbbax.bsky.social · 6d

Giving Darnold 45 seconds around the 40 yard line was stupid.

Shanahan's play calling is is weak. Always has been. Always will be.

The win belongs to the defense & Pineiro. Shanahan needs FG'S to win games.

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

#49ers minutia minute: Mac Jones went bananas -- and also pickle juice! -- as offense ran up huge snap count Thursday night. All the snap counts and minutia from the game...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

49ers minutia minute: Mac Jones went bananas as offense ran up huge snap count

McCaffrey’s 76 snaps were the second most of his career, surpassed only by an 83-snap game in 2018 when he was with the Carolina Panthers.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

He wanted to make the Rams burn their three time outs.

IdahoGal1006 @idahogal1006.bsky.social · 6d

Does anyone but me wonder why, when we are buried at the one yard line, Shanahan calls a run play up the middle THREE TIMES??? I get that he might have feared an interception, but???

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

Christian McCaffrey's first five games of 2023: 119 touches, 678 yards from scrimmage.

Christian McCaffrey's first five games of 2025: 130 touches, 669 yards from scrimmage.

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

Big right cross: Alfred Collins, a slow starter in the summer, has been catching up quick
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Battered 49ers fight and claw past Rams with game-saving punchout, fourth-down stand

A 49ers defense on its last legs and littered with backups dug deep when it mattered most, epitomized by rookie Alfred Collins' big play.

www.nytimes.com

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Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · 6d

Battered 49ers fight and claw past Rams with game-saving punchout, fourth-down stand

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Battered 49ers fight and claw past Rams with game-saving punchout, fourth-down stand

A 49ers defense on its last legs and littered with backups dug deep when it mattered most, epitomized by rookie Alfred Collins' big play.

www.nytimes.com

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