Today was a "bonus" practice - a rare Tuesday workout before a Monday night game. The 49ers did not do any work on the game plan, so Mike Singletary decided to do something that is generally not done after the team breaks training camp.
He had the No. 1 offense (or some semblance of it, without receivers Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle and Josh Morgan) going against the No. 1 defense. You might recall that several weeks ago, I wrote about the '"ones" going at it in a two-minute drill. But today's session was longer and more spirited. It looked a lot like training camp.
Donald Strickland and Nate Clements picked off Shaun Hill on back-to-back passes. There were some physical play, though the team was not wearing pads. Chilo Rachal played right tackle, but don't read too much into it. The top three options at right tackle - Jonas Jennings (shoulder, limited work), Barry Sims (ankle, no work) and Adam Snyder (ill, no work) - did not take part.
The teamwork concluded when Frank Gore caught a short TD pass in front of Mark Roman and spiked the ball. That was not received too well by the defensive players, obviously.
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I finally got around to compiling some numbers on intended targets. Bruce has seen the most passes come his way (46) and he's caught 50 percent of those balls (23).
Are you disappointed that Vernon Davis has only 16 receptions? It might have something to do with the number of passes that has been directed his way. He's been the target of just 25 throws this season.
Heck, Morgan (with 11 receptions), has seen 25 passes thrown his way, too.
Battle has 24 catches on 41 passes thrown his way. However, six of those incomplete passes have been intercepted.
Here's a bit of an oddity: With J.T. O'Sullivan as quarterback, Frank Gore had just eight passes intended for him fall incomplete. But in Hill's only half of action, there were five times when he and Gore failed to connect.
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Do you have a question you'd like Lowell Cohn to ask Jed York? Click here and send Lowell a comment.
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Do you have a little free time? (I know that's a silly question.) A nice man from Kent State is conducting a survey of NFL fans, and he'd like you to answer some questions. Click here to take part in the study.
When Singletary was asked today if he'd had a chance to vote, he answered, "I voted a while ago in my mind." Singletary had sent in an absentee ballot some time ago.
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And, finally, if you haven't done so already, get out there and vote.
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Matt, you said "Chilo Rachal played right tackle, but don't read too much into it."
With the way Sims and Snyder played, why is Rachal not an option at RT? He has experience at RT and at this point, it can't get any worse than Sims or Snyder. I'm all for Jennings when he's healthy and wants to play but I'm pretty sure Jennings is as good as gone come next year. We've got nothing to lose at this point so why not Rachal? IMO Sims should not ever see the field again, ever.
There are a few things that are being overlooked in regards to JT. First off the the 6 INT's where Battle was the receiver on the play. There is a learning curve in the Martz offense for the receivers. Looking back to camp Battle was gone some during T.Camp. Is he partly to blame for those INT's along with JTO? If so thats 6 Int's which is a big deal. Isaac Bruce enough said. Morgan rookie receiver hasnt really played much. I am not so sure that benching JT is the right thing. Just like with any QB they have to play through things to learn. However his mishandling of the ball ie. fumbling is idiotic. Hopefully our line plays better for Hill otherwise he will suck too.
be careful what you wish for, dino.
Performed my civic duty early this morning before work. Loved the survey that you guided us to Matt. It's almost as if they're trying to determine if fanatics are in touch with reality.
Want to see how bad a draft we had? Check out Gil Brandt's mid year review of the best picks per position. Not one Niner. McNolan blew it again.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80c38999&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true
This Chilo Rachal thing opens up a good topic. Starting on the offensive side of the ball, this staff has to find out what they have. On the o-line, the left side of Staley, Baas, and Heitmann in the middle seem to be set. But we need to find out if we have a legit right tackle on the team or if we have to draft one high next year. I would try to get Rachal some time at right guard and see if Snyder can really play right tackle. I think Bruce and Johnson give us the best players right now at Wr, but about every 3rd series, I might put in J. Hill and Morgan to see how they play together. On the defensive side of the ball, are we a 3-4, a 4-3 or what. I understand there is situational football, but we have to have a base that can help dictate what we do. Aubrayo Franklin will certainly join Alex Smith, Jonas Jennings, Bryant Johnson and DeShaun Foster in free agency if he does not improve a lot over the next 8 games. And you can almost for sure ad Mark Roman, Jeff Ulbrich and Jamie Martin to that list. The point I am making is this. It does not matter who the coach, the GM or the owner is next year. The team will turn over between 8 an 15 players next year. This staff needs to coach like all that other stuff does not matter and this is their team. They need to find out who can help them win now, and who can help them win in the future.
i thought the survey was pretty interesting as well...matt if this study is completed any time soon and you are made aware of it please post a link with the results.
I am excited about this monday night game....if we win, we are still in the rat race
Im tired of these "spirited practices" how about a "spirited game" or even better a "spirited season"! They are the best team in the NFL during practice but common put your spirit into a game. How about spiking the ball into a cardinals defenders face!
Marco - Almost every player on that list wasn't even an option for the niners. The majority were taken in the first round prior to the 29th pick, the rest (with only a few exceptions) weren't positions of need. The only two real 'misses' that I see there are Marcus Harrison and Chris Horton.
Oh yeah... as for Harrison, Balmer was higher on EVERYBODY'S list than Harrison. It's also a bit hard to determine if he's been a better player than Balmer because Nolan apparently disliked playing rookies early on.
Attention Matt & 49er fans: Check out the
game tonight on ESPN2 and give your opinionated scouting report on my early 2nd round QB draft prospect Nate Davis for
Boise State. I think this guy given a year
on the clipboard could be a great QB for
us. He has excellent pocket presence as well as accuracy.
Correction-I meant Ball State not Boise State.
Glad you cleared that up, razor. I simply cannot watch a Boise State game... their field makes me want to gauge my eyes out with a melon baller.
Razor – We've both been scouting the same player.
He's the total package, and remarkably somewhat of a sleeper... there's more media attention being drawn to the Georgia quebee. I say we make the leap and trade down to the 7-10 spot in round 1... ala Phil Simms from Morehead State - circa 1979.
I'll start the grass roots campaign on Maiocco's blog. ;)
hey Razor..I don't know much about Nate Davis. But here's a website given to me that gives some compelling arguments on how to draft a QB. It's got me sold on these 1st 2 criterias. Not trying to put down your guy but he's not on the list or maybe they missed him, dunno.
LINK: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogburst/display/niners?bbPostId=Cz7QOdd2A2ki5CzAm6j4NNsAMPCz9k7bJIW3b30Cz4gW3BYYiwx2&bbParentWidgetId=B81v0a64fP7T8BoTEr2IC1R
I'm not sold on Stafford whatsoever & I've watched quite a few of his games. But the guy that jumps out at me is Sam Bradford...smart, very ACCURATE, good arm, & his stats are out of this world. The announcers said he's extremely competitive in everything & hates losing in anything. I've been impressed watching him.
He's the only QB I see as a possible Elway/PManning close to can't miss type where it might be worth it to use that #1 pick if he continues to have these ridiculous stats like his freshman year & our QB/Offensive experts think he's legit. It's probably doubtful though that he comes out next year. I know it's more practical to grab our QB in the 2nd round (3rd seems to be pushing it quality wise) so according to the above article I'll be keeping my eye out on McCoy & Harrell. But I have heard quite a few people bring up Davis' name.
This was a comment by Mike Lombardi about Graham Harrell/QB/Texas Tech.
"I think Graham Harrell is the real deal. And all of this stuff about him being a system quarterback is just bull. All NFL teams run the shot gun and run some form of that offense now. He is actually more prepared than most people may think."
LINK:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/11/national-football-post-tavern-talk-55/
Hey Mike, I posted that link to the Sj Merc Fan blog. Nate Davis will be around 30 games started as a junior at the end of this year. His comp. % is right around 60% for his career and around 66% this season so far. So he is a little short of a 'sure thing' by the criteria of this formula. But I would be happy with him in the 2nd round if he fell that far this year. He also played HS Basketball and is a good athlete. He is from a small program and is only 6-2 so he might just fall into the second round. Not sure I'd put him over Harrell but he is certainly intriguing. But because of the experience factor, as well as ALL the other holes we need to fill (OT being the most glaring), I would not look at him in the first round.
Grumpy..sorry I should have posted your name for the credit on that site. Definitely an eye opener & a good one.
Yeah so far any of those 3 would be great. I don't have my favorite yet out of the group. I'll be watching them the rest of the year. Harrell..I watched most of the Texas Tech game & was fascinated by Leach's spread Offense. I know what Lombardi said but you have to wonder...is it his system & the players he has because Leach is such a guru with his playcalling/designs plus he has many good receivers with an effective running game. All that talent properly meshed together & great execution opens everyone up for easier plays. So I want to judge for myself.
Colt had a horrendous last season (18 INT's). Is he really legit or just on a roll right now? Based on that site you gave me the answers yes. Still I want to see more. Now Nate Davis is on the table from you & a lot of other people so I want to check him out as well. We'll see..but it sounds like any of these 3 should be on our radar.
So much for "under the radar" in the case
of Mr. Davis. Bill Polian was at the game
and when asked if he was scouting Nate he
ofcourse blustered and retorted somewhat
disingenuously "Oh no he's a junior so I
would'nt be scouting him". R I G H T...
Davis reminds me of a Brett Farve type
with the strongest arm of any QB coming
out(did you see the receivers' torn glove
from one of his passes)and a nice quick
release. And please if a legitimate 6'2"
is supposed raise ??'s all I have to say
to that is RIDICULOUS!!
Because I live in Texas I have seen McCoy and Harrell play many times. Neither guy is the answer. Contrary to what Mike Lombardi says, Harrell is a system qb. He reminds me of David Klingler. Does anybody remember him? He was in a passing system and everyone said he was a great pro prospect. He was a dud. Colt McCoy doesn't have an NFL arm. He's a great college passer who might be a Gino Toretta clone.
Razor,
Just to clarify, I have no problem with 6-2 myself. Joe Montana was 6-2 if that. Its more of a challenge to see downfield than for a guy who is 6-4 or better, but if he is good and the offense makes allowances to get him the passing lanes, its doable. But a lot of personnel guys (the bad ones) around the NFL will mark him down for that, which might well let him slip to us in the second round.
Now a guy like Daniels who is 6-0, thats tougher. At that height, you start to have some constraints on what your offense can do. A few guys like Flutie and LeBaron have succeeded being really short QBs by moving around and having tremendous instincts, but its a longshot.
Arm strength does nothing for me... if that was the big thing, Jeff George would be in the HOF instead of being a jackass. Good instincts and the ability to deliver it accurately are the keys.