I think I know what you're asking, Hill told the person asking the question, and the answer is "Yes.'
"I feel more comfortable in Jimmy Raye's system than Mike Martz's system," Hill declared.
And with that . . . the 49ers went out to the field for the first practice of minicamp.
Shaun Hill was one of a half-dozen players the 49ers brought out to speak with the media. He said he is excited with the new/old offense. Things are a lot like they were when Norv Turner was the coordinator.
One thing Hill said he did not do last season - or at least he could not recall doing - was calling an audible at the line of scrimmage. Martz had a system in which there was no need for audibles. Whatever the defense showed, the offense would make the automatic adjustments. But audibles are back with Raye as offensive coordinator.
* * *
Here is more from Hill:
--He is good friends with Alex Smith and he said that will not change. He said whichever player does not win the starting job will take a step back and become the No. 2 man and play a key support role behind the starter. He said it's not always like that. Hmmm.
--When evaluating his play from last season, Hill said he is still "ticked off" that the 49ers lost three games when he was the starting quarterback.
* * *
Alex Smith was asked if he feels more comfortable in Raye's system, as compared to Martz's system.
"It's hard to say," he said. "I got to go through the offseason and training camp with coach Martz. I don't feel I was in it long enough to answer that."
Also . . .
--He said his focus is on returning from the two years of injuries. He has added some weight in hopes of helping him absorb the pounding a quarterback takes. He weighed in this morning at 221 pounds, he said.
--While Smith was on his honeymoon, the 49ers were courting quarterback Kurt Warner. Smith said that team's failure to sign Warner had no impact on his return. "I wasn't concerned with what anybody else was doing."
--Smith said his instructions to his agent, Tom Condon, were: "Just make it happen." So Smith signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the club. The deal contains incentives of a little more than $2 million per season.
* * *
Manny Lawson has added some weight, too. He looks bigger. He is 250 pounds, which he hopes will enable him to stay on the field and become a pass-rusher this season.
The 49ers are going to be in a 3-4 defense (not the hybrid that the club used under former coach Mike Nolan). Lawson said both he and Parys Haralson will be getting after the quarterback this season from the outside-linebacker positions.
Of course, Lawson was drafted for his pass-rush ability. But the 49ers never used him in those situations.
"My role was in coverage, and I did my best at it," Lawson said.
So if you want to know which round the 49ers are going to take a pass-rusher in the draft, the answer appears to be: the first round . . . of the 2006 draft.
* * *
Dashon Goldson has been told that it's his time to step it up. Mark Roman is not here, so now free safety is Goldson's job to lose. Goldson touted his sideline-to-sideline ballhawking ability. He played cornerback as a senior at
Goldson's season last season was cut short due to a knee injury. He sustained a torn knee ligament in the seventh game of the season. He returned for the final two games, but he said he was still feeling it.
Perhaps the biggest roadblock for Goldson is the mental part of the game. He said he feels like he has a pretty good grasp on the position, but it helped being around Roman for a couple years. Goldson spoke highly of Roman's football smarts and leadership skills - traits he hopes to exhibit, too.
* * *
New receiver Brandon Jones, who signed with the 49ers after playing four seasons for the Titans, said he is learning the digit system. He said he had that system before . . . in high school.
Jones is playing the "Z" or flanker. That's the same spot that Isaac Bruce played last season. However, he said he'll eventually learn all the positions.
* * *
New defensive end Demetric Evans, formerly of the Redskins, is playing in a 3-4 defense for the first time in his career. He said he likes this system because the defensive line will be moving and trying to get up the field, instead of just holding their ground. He checked in at 280 pounds.
* * *
not having audibles...thats as mystifying as not having hot routes from the year before.
Not having audibles explains a lot, no wonder we got sacked so much ... that is just retarded!
I'm still scratching my head over this whole "no audibles" thing ... that also must explain why Martz is still unemployed right now.
Martz's system is so complex that the adjustments are built into the routes and the play. Essentially when the defense blitzes to one side, the QB knows to throw it to this guy on this route, but that receiver's route could be completely different if it's man or zone coverage. Typically there's no need for audibles because everything happens based on what the defense does.
When it works it's a thing of beauty. When it doesn't it FAILS.
Raye stood up and gave an inspiring talk to the team this morning. There's been a concern that Raye's offense will be run-based and stodgy. But when he described the system, Hill called it, "fast, hitting on all cylinders, scoring touchdowns, moving the chains. ... You'll definitely see a definite rhythm with our offense."
Perhaps the most important quote of the day from anyone was this from Hill: "I feel more comfortable in Jimmy Raye's system than I did in Mike Martz's system.
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So,Hill might be EVEN BETTER this year than last year !!!
And as Sing has been saying all along,he wants his offense looking more like the Bill Walsh offense than what it looked like last year (under Martz). Not a 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense but a well balanced attack with almost a 50-50 run to pass ratio. (with the run now setting up the pass instead of the pass setting up the run,as it was with the Walsh offense).
I can't wait to see how they play in the new system with a real FB and actually using the TE's in a proper way !
I am getting excited already. Manny Lawson has a lot of potential. When he went down with the knee injury, I was really bummed out. He seems like a good guy on and off the field and I really hope he has a break out year. That punt block last year showed me his knee is doing alright.
"So if you want to know which round the 49ers are going to take a pass-rusher in the draft, the answer appears to be: the first round . . . of the 2006 draft."
There ya go, that statement just about sums it up for me about what the team will do with the tenth pick... Offensive Tackle. I still don't see QB with that pick with Hill and Smith competing as we speak. I'm fine with that then, I'll be happy with a OT in the first round. Good pass protection will make the QB (whoever it is) better.
I agree, Sean. I'm really glad to hear he's bulked up. Smith, too. With some more years and pounds under his belt I still think that Smith has a chance to be a very effective QB in this league. We'll see what happens.
Last night I had a thought that the Niners might select Harvin. I'd love to address the lines but with a guy like that on your team (and Gore!) the sky is the limit.
Another great quote today from Hill (our starting QB) was that he is still really ticked off that the team lost 3 games when he was the QB.
I love the fact that he lets that stick in his craw and drive him to get even better and be an even more effective leader . I love that it seems he will never be content with any loss. That's what I like to see from team leaders,fire in the belly and desire to win,win,win. ! Sing will continue to love this guy on game days !
Great news on Smith and Lawson gainging weight.
I really hope Manny blows up this year.
The more I think about it the more I think Beanie Wells would be a great pick at 10. We seriously need a quality #2 running back with Franks injury issues and Wells is a big back that would really help us out in short yardarge situations.
Not only that but the drop off from the top RB's seems to be much greater then the drop off of the top RT's and pass rushers. The only WR I would take at 10 is Crabtree if he's there. If we stay at ten I think our board should Crabtree-Raji-Wells.
Is Huard getting a chance to compete for the #2 QB spot behind Hill ? He is obviously the 2nd best QB on the roster at this time. Just because the Niners drafted Smith at #1 in 2005 and they are still hoping he finally comes around and somewhat justifies that pick,does that mean he automatically is moved ahead of the better performer on the field during their careers (Huard). ( take that zeroNiner,lol )
Hill will start. Huard the back-up and Smith cut for a rookie QB is my hope.
IMO running backs are a dime a dozen. Offensive and Defensive lineman are without a doubt the most important positions on a football team.
Not to mention, Wells isn't projected anywhere near the top 10. I've even read some reports saying his body won't be able to take the pounding of the NFL beyond a couple years. Some are calling him the next Cadillac Williams of all things. Maybe he will prove them wrong tho.
This isn't really surprising (about us having no audibles) looking back at that MONDAY NIGHTMARE against the Cards, involving all that dead time on the clock to pass before we could spike it, and come to the conclusion that Michael Robinson should ride the fucking dragon.
Singletary is right of course to take the best player possible. I still want that O Lineman, but Knowshon Moreno wouldn't be a bad choice either. This is Gore's 5th year and while he is still our best player you can't have too many good RBs in the NFL if you are going tp play ball control.
I'm typing from my phone, apologies in advance for typos. So thinking about the #10 pick. We only have a couple options. Sanchez, a. Smith, m. Oher. Assuming a raji, arakpo, and everrstte brown don't fall. Now any way you cut it if we go tackle we are drafting a RT. Either staly moves or the rookie plays rt. #10 is really high for a rt. IMO if we do take sanchez he is worth the 10 value. ....but now to my real pointof this post. What if we trade down? Just glancing at options I think we might be able to do something withths eagles. We trade the 10 for their 1st and 3rd. Why the eagles? Bcause they have 2 2nd round picks and really need help On Their o-line. They will have interst in Andre smith and oher. What do we get. An extra pick in the top 120 players. At the 23spot (I think that is where the eagles select) we are looking at players like Percy harvin, knowshon moreno, ziggy hood. And we can still plug up the tackle spot in the 2nd with a playr like phil loadholt or jarron Meredith. (check spelling). Loadholt has been labeled a true rt and we don't have use the 10 to fill the position. Then with the extra 3rd round pick we get a Lawrence sidbury type guy to help the DL and pass rush. Andre brown or rashad Jennings with the other 3rd round pick. Assuming they don't target moreno. Sorry for the long post, if you read this I would like to hear your thoughts.
Yes ..... that's what I like to hear when Coach Sing says that they will take the best player available. The 9ers need to have the mentality of taking players that can start asap - none of this grooming or projected future starter baloney. Go Niners!
..there is no way A.Smith loses the competition to Hill da noodle arm ...its not just pure science it is common sense...
The same noodle arm that had 27 completions of 20+ yards last year and 3 of 40+, including the 48 yard TD pass in STL.?
Noodle arm my azz.
oneniner... I'm starting to think you have a thing for Alex Smith. Just come out of the closet already.
I can't wait to see what you have to say when Hill wins the QB comp hands down.
Just accept it... Smith is a bust
Joe Montana's arm was weaker than Steve Youngs'(who didnt have that strong of an arm himself.) Jeff Garcia's arm was weaker than Rick Mirers and Brandon Domans arm. A weak or strong arm does not make a qb, I'm talking to you Jeff George. Its more than that. This does not denigrate Smith in any way, I want the best qb available leading the Niners, be it Smith, Hill or Huard.
Remember, the team comes first.
Remeber, JTO had a strong arm, the word was it was much stronger than Hill's. I forget, who did better?
Heres a tip for you Alex, bulking up is fine and dandy, but if you want to AVOID the pounding (which I recommend) instead of absorbing them get the ball to the open receiver out in front on the numbers in stride quickly and decisively. Yes QB is on the table for the last time-BEST AVAILABLE-NOT NEED-can't you read? You gotta admire this Hill guy. He's got the fire, blood,guts-he only lacks arm strength. If he could just develop that to go with his passion I think we might just have a leader of men to victory.
Tell that to all the great RB's in the hall-Brown,Payton,Sayers,Sanders. I mean come on dude, when a best available player is there the position does not matter period. Except for kicker-heh heh.
Being comfortable in a system unfortunately doesn't translate into being more successful. Might be easier to defend if it's easier to run!!