Off Topic » days 10-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. In addition, 20

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco 49ers released wide receiver and return man Kyle Williams on Tuesday after three-plus seasons, while also waiving cornerback Perrish Cox. Linebacker Nick Moody was activated from the injured reserve/designated for return list Tuesday. The rookie returned to practice Oct. 23 for the first time since Week 1, when he went on injured reserve with the designation to return after breaking his hand. Moody is a sixth-round draft pick who transitioned from playing safety. "Decisions like these are always difficult, especially at this time of year," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said. "Kyle and Perrish have represented the 49ers organization very well, both on and off the field. We appreciate their dedication and contributions and wish them all the best." Williams agent, Wynn Silberman, was told of the move Tuesday by the reigning NFC champions. "Were looking forward to the opportunity to compete within the league somewhere this year," Silberman said. "Were very appreciative of the San Francisco 49ers organization for the opportunity to contribute." Williams missed last seasons run to the Super Bowl -- a 34-31 loss to the Ravens -- because of a serious knee injury but remained a key member of the team and was honoured with the teams Ed Block Courage Award. San Francisco (6-3) is looking for more production in the passing game, and Williams had fallen on the depth chart with the return of Mario Manningham for Sundays 10-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. In addition, 2012 leading wideout Michael Crabtree resumed practice last week for the first time since undergoing surgery in May for a torn right Achilles tendon. Coach Jim Harbaugh wouldnt say whether Crabtree might be ready in time for Sundays game at New Orleans (7-2). The 25-year-old Williams, a native of nearby San Jose, has 12 catches for 113 yards and no touchdowns this season after beginning the season as the No. 2 receiver opposite Anquan Boldin. On special teams, he had 12 punt returns for 61 yards and seven kickoff returns for 134 yards. A sixth-round pick by the 49ers in the 2010 draft out of Arizona State, Williams returned this season from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that required surgery and ended his 2012 season in late November. Just when Williams was on a nice roll last year, he got hurt in a Nov. 25 win at New Orleans. He had 13 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown in the first 11 games of 2012. Williams dedicated this season to former Sun Devils teammate, Tyrice Thompson, who died Feb. 2 from injuries suffered when he was stabbed Jan. 27 while working at a popular Scottsdale, Ariz., nightclub. Williams added a No. 81 tattoo on his inner left forearm to honour Thompson. Williams will long be remembered for his two costly fumbles in a 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game following the 2011 season. That included losing a fumble on a punt return in overtime that set up Lawrence Tynes winning field goal. Williams -- who had a concussion late in the 2011 season -- immediately took responsibility for the mistake, but received death threats and was harassed on social media. "I learned a lot of things from Kyle," running back and returner LaMichael James said. "I dont think you can judge him on one or two games. Hes done a lot of great things. Im just trying to pick up the slack and do it for my team." In April 2012, a recording came out of former Saints defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams instructing players in January to "put a lick" on Kyle Williams to see if he had lingering effects from a concussion. The NFC West champion 49ers beat Drew Brees and favoured New Orleans 36-32 in the NFC divisional playoffs. Gregg Williams oversaw and contributed money to the illegal bounty fund for planned vicious hits on opponents. The 49ers vowed to stick by Williams and keep him around, and Harbaugh and Baalke did just that and gave him a fresh start last season. James served as the punt returner Sunday for the first time, though Harbaugh didnt say if he would do so against the Saints. James had been inactive for the previous three games. "Its something I can get better at each and every week," James said. "Its something Ive got to grow at, but it was fun. It meant a lot (to be back). I got the feel back just going out there and playing." Vans Old Skool Wholesale . For the Bombers it has been a combination of things coming together at the most inappropriate moments in time. Quarterback, injuries, Canadian talent or depth and leadership are all issues. Trust me when I say being a Bomber is no fun right now in a city that embraces football the way Winnipeg does. While Buck Pierce will be getting another shot, I think Max Hall does deserve another opportunity. Cheap Vans Sk8 Hi Shoes . Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks were proof of that on Wednesday night. http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/. The (14-15-5) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 33 points. They trail sixth place Nashville and fifth place Dallas by two points. Vans Old Skool Clearance . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota (5): He was calm, poised, and looked comfortable all game. Cheap Vans Shoes . Hoffman, the former star closer, will evaluate and help co-ordinate all pitchers at Double-A, Triple-A and the big league team. Byrnes says Hoffman "will be a key part of finishing the development of our younger pitchers.In the end, Mike Weir didnt win the HP Byron Nelson. And yet he emerged from the tournament with perhaps something just as important as a first-place cheque and a trophy. Weir got a sign, an indication that all the work he put in, all the hours he spent on the range, the rehab he did after elbow surgery, the tinkering with clubs and instructors, and fighting off the naysayers who told him he was done, has been worth it. Sure it was just one tournament and it will take a few more solid performances to show that the magic has returned for good for Canadas favourite lefthander, but if nothing else, Weir can claim salvation. He knows that he can do it, play golf on the PGA Tour at the highest level. Weir led the tournament early on Sunday, rattling off four birdies in the first five holes. Bogeys at six and nine dropped him out of top spot and although he fought back valiantly at the end, his run came up just short. Brendan Todd pulled out a two-shot win with a sparkling bogey-free final round. For many, Weirs performance was a surprise. But for some time now, hes has been telling all that his ball-striking has been in form but an uncooperative putter is all thats been holding him back. At the Masters there were blips that proved what he was saying. He climbed to within a shot of the lead during the second round and he had three solid rounds at the Wells Fargo before being derailed with a final-round 77. This week, it finally worked, thanks in part to exchanging an oversized putter grip with a well-worn, thin one that was on an old putter. He finished second in Strokes Gained – Putting and first in Putts in Greens in Regulation. Despite his confidence and unwavering optimism, Weir has, at times, questioned his future during his struggles. Over the past four years, hes had doubts. There were doubts when he missed 18 straight cuts and fell outside the top 1,000 in the Official World Golf Ranking. There were doubts when he had to use up two career money list exemptions to keep playing. There were doubts when he earned a grand total of $23,312 over a two-year stretch in 2011-12. But Mike Weir never lost hope. He believed he would get back, if not to the point of winning another major then at least to where he could compete on the PGA Tour. The amount of time Weir put into his game, to trying to find an answer would wear out most professionals. And to be sure, there were a few dead ends he went down. But thats all now in the past. Weir said he has no plans to loook in the rear-view mirror.dddddddddddd "I dont think I will, to be honest," said Weir on the last four years. "Im here now and Im pushing forward. Ive been asked that question a lot, Ive answered it a lot. I am where I am now and Im pushing forward. Im not going to reflect on the past; thats history now. Im playing good golf and I want to keep that going." Still, he hasnt forgotten just how difficult this stretch has been. And as his game deteriorated after hitting a root at the 2011 Heritage, the questions increased, questions about his game and his ability to still compete. "I just knew that it was inevitable," Weir said of the constant inquiry. "I didnt take offence to it. It was matter of fact – I was playing poorly. I was trying to dig myself out of it. I didnt have any explanation for it except what got me into it, which was obviously the elbow issue, having surgery then trying to play through that and then basically being afraid to hit the ground, the bad habits I got into and probably coming back a little bit early." The bad habits piled on. One caused another and then another. At times, Weir struggled with the driver so badly, it was frightening. During one round where he shot 78, one of his playing partners told me later that if his short game wasnt all-world, Weir might have shot 90. But he stuck with it, kept working and now is finally seeing the fruits of his labour. "I dont know if my swing is that much different really," said Weir. "There are some aspects of my game, being a little older, that arent as dynamic as they used to be. But at the same time there are things that are a little better. I have a little better understanding of things. Ive learned a lot from a couple of teachers Ive used the past couple of years. I think thats helped me too." The finish provided a long list of accomplishments for Weir: His first top 10 since 2010; the first time hes led a tournament since 2007; the first time since last years John Deere that hes had four rounds in the 60s; a cheque for $745,200 (US), and a move of 100 spots on the FedEx Cup point list to 87th. While there are no guarantees, it should be enough to allow him to keep his playing privileges for the 2014-15 season. Of