Matt-Appreciate the offer. I am always interested in the QB competition (especially in this offense where Alex seemed most comfortable). Also very interested in the WR "competition"

Matt. Are you really trying to sell some of us on Jimmy Raye? Can (u) a beat writer be trusted to relay the honest to god truth about this wreck of a franchise? U havent critizied a regime that hasnt made the playoffs in 6 years. I guess you can be relyed upon to at least report what they are doing and not question what they are doing as most beat writers dont want to cross the team they are covering,at least admit as much.

►‹xX( •( Ø ~J''''''''''

If you are going to use the name 'Reality Check,' then you may want to get information from different sources and then make your own decision about what is happening rather than asking for a reporter... You might want to look up the definition of 'reporter' by the way... for his opinion.

The only 'Reality Check' I hear is your IQ which I determine to be subpar...

Hi Matt, I wanna know about Josh Morgan and the WR please. Ofcourse everyone wants to know the QB battle so do I. Thank You.

Matt, I think you mistyped.

You meant to say............... "Did you know that Raye played quarterback in a college game a century ago?"

Maybe you should change your name to Hatcheck- as in what you use when you hit the door if you don't like it here...Matt several names come to mind as players who's development or role might be pivotal this year and would be of interest to me : Tarell Brown;Ahmad Brooks;Thomas Clayton;Brandon Jones:Reggie Smith -also interested to hear if Jay Moore and Cody Wallace are making strides...thanks (by the way good to hear you on the KNBR interview !)

Matt,

Has Singletary named an assistant head coach? The 9er homepage lists Sullivan as "senior assistant".

I am interested in the young players...the guys entering their 2nd or 3rd years. Are they in shape, are they focused, are they poised for a breakout year?

Matt, thanks for your offer. Could you report on any changes that you see in the offense under Jimmy Raye compared to last year under Martz? Thanks.

Hey Matt, i'm interested in knowing if there is a notable difference in Singletary leading this team on the practice field.I'm just wondering how his approach will be in his first minicamp.

How will they handle some of our 2008 draftees? Will Balmer and R. Smith be looked at in starting roles?

Matt,
I guess one point of interest this weekend will be the safety and corner positions. Goldson has been handed the starter spot over Roman at free safety and Lewis is solid at strong safety so who is the backup at each saftey position? Is Reggie Smith going to get a look? Also, at corner, Tarrell Brown showed flashes last year. Is he getting reps with the first team or is Walt Harris still there.

Matt-I watched the game of the century. Raye was the only African American qb in a Division 1 school at the time....very unusal at the time. My how times have changed for the better. Typical Notre Dame hype as the Crying Irish tanked the game. Still Michigan State had a heck of a roster at the time led by Bubba Smith and George Webster. Ara tanked it for the Crying Irish by sitting on the tie which was 10-10 I believe. Still I am not a Raye fan.......nice guy who is in over his head. Way over. Perhaps Tom Rathman and Jerry Sullivan can help this guy.

Matt -- Thanks for the offer. The one area that seems to be somewhat overlooked in all the talk about RT, NT, edge rusher, who will start at QB, etc is...who's running the ball for this team if Frank Gore goes down with an ACL in game one and is lost for the season? Regardless of the amount of emphasis, it's clear Singletary wants to run the ball. So, please let us know 1) how does Clayton look? 2) what you notice about Rathman's coaching; and 3) what MRob's role is likely to be. ( have to assume this team will spend an R3 pick or higher to create a two-headed monster or ensure a capable back up for Frank.) Thanks.

Matt -- Let us know who's practicing where, however unofficial & temporarily it is. Perhaps a loosely-worded depth chart. Much appreciated.

Also, whether OCOTF Mike Johnson is the real deal.

I'd like to know how the tight ends are utilized and the QB play.

Matt, I am most interested in the offense this year. Mostly the offensive coordinator position. Will we be able to overcome 10-14 point deficits if needed? Is Jimmy Raye a creative enough game planner and play caller to make it in the 21st century NFL?

Matt, I am curious about what the offense even in these early stages looks like from a identity standpoint, what kind of route combo's are used, how much shifting, no huddle, how many rollout's and bootlegs.

Also I am very interested in Alex Smith's velocity, and accuracy on the staple throws.

Also how does Manny Lawson look, and what kind of role is being carved out for Ahmad Brooks.

Thanks Matt.

1) With the shortage on safeties is Reggie Smith getting any consideration at SS? With Keith Lewis cut the backup spot is still up in the air correct? Reggie's started just over half his games at SS. (20 out of 39.) He has CB skills so if he can develop should be an upgrade over M Lewis' weakness in pass coverage. College stats: 22 passes deflected, 8 INT's. 2nd year now, expectations will be higher.

2) How's Manny looking having a year under his belt since coming off knee surgery....how's he looking RUSHING THE PASSER with Sing giving him that opportunity to take that role? Is he getting his burst/explosion back?

3) Ahmad Brooks. How's he coming along? Where's he getting the most reps & where do you see him being used? TED, talks of DE, possible WILL RUSH OLB? Seems like an ideal TED. (Good size/weight, athleticism, physicality) .

1) QB's

2) QB's

3) QB's

4) Kentwan Balmer

Thanks Matt --

Biggest question marks from camp for me are:

1. Baas and Rachal's performance
2. Brandon Jones and Josh Morgan performances
3. QB competition

Thanks!

Matty,
Check the QB's of course, but see how Vernon is assimilating the offense at the tight end position. Not just blocking either! That guy's got to break out soon.

I would be interested to hear how Goldson looks at FS. Is anyone wearing the radio on defense yet? How do Balmer and Evans look? Which one played with the starters? Thanks and have fun!

Guys, its just a minicamp, None of your questions will be answered until we're into the preseason.

Matt, maybe you can find out more on these 2 subjects ~
1. Are we looking at anymore FA's
2. Questions relating to your draft.

Hi Matt,

As usual, I'm particularly interested in the young guys who (last season) had not yet nailed down a starting spot, but who now (this season) are expected to start, or at least to challenge for a starting spot: Dashon Goldson, Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, Kentwan Balmer, Reggie Smith, Tarrell Brown, Jay Moore, Clayton, etc.

Specifically, do these guys, or any of them, now look like they are ready to step up?

MM - you just don't know when to stop do you .."I word in that way because the competition should have started last season. Hill took a pretty decisive lead, and now the onus is on Smith to prove that he would do a better job in 2009 than what Hill did in 2008."- THIS MAKES NO ABSOLUTE SENSE!!! - Hill played in real games in 2008 while Smith did not - how can you now say Smith has do a better job in 09 when they wont be playing any real games. The competition would be based on 09 training camp practice play and A NEW OFFENSIVE PLAYBOOK - So how can HILL have a DECISIVE lead over a new offense? and we all know he sucks during practice.....MM is totally losing it on the Hill battle. I am very excited and waiting to see your post when A.Smith is finally back as the starter. ...this is hurting the credibility of instant 49ers...... it really is, why not just stick to reporting the news instead of trying to make it up.

"the competition should have started last season." - says who?- that is making up news, so because MM said should - that means its true?....Are you kiddin?....cmon dude come back to earth...stop with pushing the QB agenda. Let the best man win instead of trying to make us believe your "should"

Matt

I'm very interested in Jimmy Williams and will he be a factor at CB or S. Also interested in how Vernon Davis is looking in practice and if Raye will emphasize the TE more in his offense.

Hi, Matt. Thanks, as usual for being on the spot and asking for our input.

I'm interested in your observations of Alex Smith and the way he throws this year compared to the past couple of years. Does he have any zip on the ball? Does he look comfortable? I think his lack of accuracy has been his biggest issue in the past...even when he's been healthy. To that end, is he hitting receivers in stride? Are they having to reach for the ball that causes them to lose speed in their routes?

I've always questioned Smith's ability to throw the ball accurately, and that remains my biggest concern.

Matt, I'd appreciate any info about the leaker situation. Did Singletary seem to figure out who the leaker was, and what does he think about the situation? Are they going to discuss players with position coaches first now?

Matt, couple of things i want to know about. 1. It has previously been reported that in previous years the LB's were the group that worked hardest because of couch Singletary, is the whole team working like dogs now that he is the HC? 2. How does dashon goldston look and how are the rest of the potential safetys / cb's looking? 3. At what positions are the D-line players lining up?

I'd like to also get comments on Goldston. hopefully he can take over and be our safety of the future. I'm also curious about Brandon Jones. I didn't hear much about him last year, so I'd like to see how he performs. And of course the QB's which is a given. Thanks!

Substitute the word "should" for "was supposed to" to better understand what that sentence implies. Before Smith got hurt last year, the QB battle was already in place for Smith to compete against Hill. O'Sullivan didn't "win" the job, it was basically his already since Martz had already coached him before.

MM is just saying that since the QB comp. "should" have happened last year and didn't because of injury, it will happen finally this year. So I don't see how that's "making up news" as you say when its common knowledge.

oneniner, this blog is not the only 49ers blog on the internet. If you don't like instant 49ers, go to another blog. No point wasting your time complaining about Matt's writing.

That was a good article on Jimmy Raye. Here's a guy who has had to deal with racial prejudice, now he has to deal with people who make fun of him because he's old or because they think he's a hack. I wouldn't bet against him.

I'd ask for your impression of how the first Singletary mini-camp compares or is different from the mini-camps under Nolan, Erickson, Mooch, and Seifert.

Hi Matt, I was curious if one of the QB gets more pass attempts in these practices than the others, is that a clue that maybe he is favored over the others?

Thanks again for your updates.

I was very skeptical of the Jimmy Raye hire, but I have a feeling that he is not going to let us down. The guy is a pro, and he's been around. I am also interested in the tone and pace of minicamp practices under Coach Singletary compared to Coach Nolan or his predecessors. I have a feeling that idle moments are going to be few and far between with Mike Singletary in charge.

Hey Matt, please keep a close eye on:
1)Sopoaga, and how he looks as a 1-gap NT
2)Alex vs Shaun, ofcourse
3)Dashon Goldson a FS
thanks, and eagerly awaiting some good 9er info

You guys realize that this is the first day of off-season workouts right? Like, no pads, no contact, no hitting, not much if any 11:11, etc.

As much as I appreciate Matt's offer to keep everyone here in the loop as it relates to today's workout, my question would be, which players look like they let them selves get out of shape in the offseason and which players have shown up physically ready to play? Also, who's there but not participating?

Everything else, on the field related, won't be seen until at least mini camp.

I know we are all excited for the season, but let's put thing into perspective and cool your jets.

Has there been any show of interest in Julius Petters, on the 9ers part??????

He would seem to be a perfect fit for our defense. He says he wants to play in a 3-4, and would reaaly add a great deal to every facet of the D.

With all the talk of the Pats offering a 2nd rounder for him, I would have thought that the 9ers would jump in on that.

"You guys realize that this is the first day of off-season workouts right? Like, no pads, no contact, no hitting, not much if any 11:11, etc."
"I know we are all excited for the season, but let's put thing into perspective and cool your jets."

Gee, thanks Tony. You are obviously much more level headed and smarter than the rest of us here. I for one, will try to live up to your standards. Maybe Maiocco can take you down to Santa Clara so he can get your informed impressions, so we can all keep our jets nice and cool.

Matt, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty about our DBs group. Especially the fact that we went after a couple CBs but no safeties made me wonder as CB seems to be our deepest position. I know, you can never have enough of these guys but aside from that, I think the reason might be that they see R. Smith as more of a FS (where we happen to have no depth behind Goldson). Does he actually get time at FS during practice of am I talking garbage?
I think it would make sense to let Golston and Smith compete for the FS job and find a SS late in the draft who can back up Michael Lewis and eventually be his heir.

"A lot of eyes will be on the quarterbacks, of course. But there will also be a lot of pressure on Jimmy Raye to have a successful season as offensive coordinator."

Hey MM could you define successful? Looking at his history of OC positions in the league he has not been apart of very much success.

STL '83 9-7 (not sure on this one, he either coached part of '83 and '84 or both, someone may want to clarify)

TBB '85 2-14
TBB '86 2-14

NEP '90 1-15

STL '91 3-13

KCC '98 7-9
KCC '99 9-7
KCC '00 7-9

WAS '01 8-8

OAK '04 5-11
OAK '05 4-12

Not sure what the offenses were ranked, but either way I am not seeing a lot of "success" when I look at how well his teams have fared when he was the OC, 3 winning season in 11 years as an OC doesn't inspire much confidence. Maybe his offenses were all ranked much higher and it was just the defenses that caused his teams to have poor results??

It's all about the players Raye had at his disposal. You also seemed to neglect the Eric Dickerson years with the Rams.

Talent, talent, talent. Go back and look at the rosters of those teams. He also was on the staff of only two very good head coaches, one John Robinson and one Gunther Cunningham, both times were in the playoffs.

Thanks for doing this Matt, I love your column:

1) Hill vs. Smith
2) Is Smith really healthy? I feel like he can't be at 100%
3) How crisp and aggressive does the passing game look? Ratio of deep throws to short throws?
4) How much work are Manny Lawson and Kentwan Balmer getting?
5) Brandon Jones, is he a factor?
6) How does Dashon Goldston look in coverage?

Matt:
I was wondering how Josh Morgan looks. I am concerned about his groin (no bad jokes here please)> I grew up watching Eric Wright and though he was on his way to a great career before he tore his groin.

Thanks Matt. How do Smith's mechanics look? Is he looking accurate? Does the offense respond better and get fired up more for one QB over the other?

Peterson was traded to Detroit. Don't know if they plan on moving him again.

Hey, dcsham -

First off it's Toby, not Tony. And next I appreciate you realizing that I am more level-headed and smarter then many of the posters here. I also appreciate you trying to live up to my high standards, but judging by many of your posts, it's unattainable.

Thanks for your column Matt! You do a fantastic job keeping us Niner fans in the loop. Some questions for the mini camp:

Which WR do you see being the biggest threat to defenses (if any)?

Has anyone muscled up or fattened up since last season (in other words, is there anybody who looks more or less in shape than last year)?

How are the semi-injured guys looking (Michael Lewis, Alex Smith, etc.)?

From what you're seeing on the field in regards to strengths and weaknesses, can you make an educated guess on who the team will draft with the #10 overall spot (what I've read is all over the place, from Sanchez to Smith to Arakpo)?

How much wood would woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Thanks Matt!

I guess that's kind of my point, he hasn't done all that much with mediocrity. And FWIW I did not neglect those 2 years with STL, it's at the very top :)

I know it's early, but...

Who looks like they've been taking care of themselves and who has not?

How's the intensity under Raye and Singletary?

Who's stepping up as vocal leaders, if any?

How does Balmer look?

What initially seems different under Sing, than under Nolan in this MC?

Thanks Matt!

I think there is a rule against flipping players within a certain time period.

Since there are only 2 practices this early, what seems to be the main point of emphasis with respect to what the coaches want to accomplish? thanks Mr. Maiocco.

Both of Raye's Bucs teams had bad offenses (23rd in '85, 27th in '86), but the defenses were worse (26th in '85, 28th in '86). Same for the '90 Pats - 26th in offense, 27th in defense.

The 1991 Rams were 18th in offense, 23rd in defense. Jim Everett did have 3,438 yards passing, and LA finished seventh overall in passing yards.

KC's offense improved each year Raye was there - 19th in '98, 12th in '99, eighth in 2000. The '99 Chiefs were fourth in the NFL in rushing yards; in 2000, Elvis Grbac threw for 4,169 yards and 28 TDs, and the Chiefs finished in the top five in passing (but only 25th in rushing).

The '01 Redskins had a crappy passing game (30th). Stephen Davis rushed for 1,432 yards, but the overall offensive output was horrible - 28th in yardage.

While Raye's input into the Raiders' offense is still a matter of debate, we do know the defense stunk both years - 30th in '04, 27th in '05.

When he has talent (Dickerson, Grbac, Davis), Raye fares very well - which bodes well for Frank Gore. When you have Marc Wilson ('90 Pats) or Tony Banks ('01 Skins) as your starting quarterback, the outlook isn't so good.

As far as W-L goes, you need both sides of the ball to produce - and Raye's subpar teams have been saddled with some of the NFL's worst defenses.

Sorry about that. I am teh blind.

"When he has talent (Dickerson, Grbac, Davis), Raye fares very well - which bodes well for Frank Gore. When you have Marc Wilson ('90 Pats) or Tony Banks ('01 Skins) OR SHAUN HILL as your starting quarterback, the outlook isn't so good."

Fixed ;)

Good analysis. Still doesn't do much to elevate one's confidence all that much, at least considering our offense is very mediocre on the whole. Also one can only blame defenses and HC's so much when in 11 years of OC experience you only have 2-3 years of an offense ranking in the top half of the league. I do think our defense will be a little better this year (providing we draft well) so hopefully that gives the offense some breathing room.

Sorry Tony. Didn't mean to make you heat up your jets.

Matt,

Thanks for the offer. My questions:

1. What changes do you see in the offense and defense from the last Niner appearance - the Redskins game?

2. What are your impressions of how Raye and his offense are proceeding in contrast to the first practices you saw from the last four offensive coordinators?

3. Does the team still seem to have the excitement and enthusiasm it showed down the stretch with Singletary (i.e. does it appear that momentum is being maintained, albeit this is the offseason as opposed to in season games etc.)?

4. What is your oveall impression? Are the 49ers picking up from where they left off or is Singletary going back and doing some "remodeling" such that some catch-up needs to be done to get to where they ended albeit with a hoped for higher ceiling with the remodeling than without?

Thanks.

OL, particularly Baas & Snyder
DL, particularly Balmer

Matt--keep up the good work, leave the editorials to folks like Kawakami & Killion.

Thing's I'd like to hear about:

-Clarification on possible position changes (Soap, Balmer, Reggie Smith)

-Some soundbites on Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, and Ahmad Brooks from the coaching staff/some personal observations from you.

-Soundbites from the coaching staff on how Walt Harris is aging and how they see Michael Lewis holding up after all his injuries (a real warrior!)

-Most of all, I'd like to hear about changes in player performance. What players look good? What players look disappointing or lost? Who seems to have improved or gotten in great shape?

-And, of course, Alex Smith. You know the drill.

Matt

Are the guys drinking Gatorade? Because Powerade is not an acceptable substitute.

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 )

Hi Matt,

I'd be interested in the o-line and d-line since the management/coaches are putting an emphasis on it.

any interesting rotations? or changes since last year as far as practice goes?

Huard is not ahead of Alex Smith! Huard is on the cusp of getting cut and just an arm in camp. If all things stay the same Huard will be #3 as he deserves to be behind smith -based on what they've done on the field thus far.

Sorry, I meant to type "Peppers" before;

Has there been any show of interest in Julius Peppers, on the 9ers part??????
He would seem to be a perfect fit for our defense. He says he wants to play in a 3-4, and would reaaly add a great deal to every facet of the D.
With all the talk of the Pats offering a 2nd rounder for him, I would have thought that the 9ers would jump in on that.

I have a bit of stomach acid thinking about Bajema and Strickland playing elsewhere. Both have produced well here. I understand the other moves the team is making, but I don't get these two.