Coach Mike Singletary sent his team through about 45 minutes of hard conditioning after the 49ers' individual session of practice.
The players rotated through different stations in which they performed conditioning drills, including a relay race in which they had to sprint 10 yards with a weight bag, drop it, pick up another weight bag off the ground and then sprint 10 yards back.
Only after this grueling session did the real practice begin. Hey, whip these guys into shape. After all, the season begins in about six months.
* * *
After three plays of team work, Singletary stopped practice to forcefully remind his players what offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has implemented as a fundamental in the huddle. He wants all the players in the team's offensive huddle to have their hands on their knees as the play is being called.
* * *
When the club broke into team drills, we saw Alex Smith throw passes on the practice field for the first time since early September. Smith threw the ball OK. His best pass was a 20-yard crossing route to Jason Hill, in which he hit his target in stride.
Shaun Hill came out with the first team. He appeared to have some miscommunication with Josh Morgan on a pass that Manny Lawson intercepted in the flat. Lawson had clear sailing down the left sideline for what would've been a TD (if anybody was keeping score)
* * *
Following practice, Vernon Davis, Moran Norris, Zak Keasey and Mark Bradford remained after practice to work on catching passes from the Jugs machine.
* * *
Not everybody was on the field today for the 49ers' practice, so keep that in mind. Here is how the team's depth chart appeared when they went through individual work.
Day 1-Minicamp depth chart
Offense
QB-Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Damon Huard
RB-Frank Gore, Thomas Clayton, Michael Robinson
FB-Moran Norris, Zak Keasey
X-Josh Morgan, Dominique Zeigler, Maurice Price
Z-Jason Hill, Brandon Jones, Micheal Spurlock
TE-Vernon Davis, J.J. Finley
LT-Joe Staley, Jacob Bender
LG-David Baas, Joe Toledo
C-Eric Heitmann, Cody Wallace
RG-Chilo Rachal, Tony Wragge
RT-Adam Snyder, Barry Sims
Notes: WR Isaac Bruce and RT Jonas Jennings are not in attendance. Bruce is contemplating retirement, and
Defense
LDE-Isaac Sopoaga, Kentwan Balmer
NT-Aubrayo Franklin, Isaac Sopoaga
RDE-Justin Smith, Demetric Evans
SOLB-Manny Lawson, Jay Moore
SILB-Jeff Ulbrich, Mark Washington
WILB-Patrick Willis, Justin Roland
WOLB-Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks
LCB-Nate Clements, Marcus Hudson
RCB-Allen Rossum
SS-Reggie Smith, Jimmy Williams
FS-Dashon Goldson, Lewis Baker
Notes: LB Takeo Spikes and CB Walt Harris, the team's union reps, were at the NFL Players Association meeting. S Mark Roman has been granted permission to seek a trade, so he was not in attendance. DE Ray McDonald, and DBs Michael Lewis, Shawntae Spencer and Tarell Brown were held out of practice. With so many corners out of action, return specialist Rossum played RCB.
* * *
I'm already excited about our QBs.
*hides in fear*
Hitting Hill in stride is a nice thing to hear.
Question though Matt, how long did it take him to throw that pass? Was he holding on the ball for a while or did Smith get rid of it relatively quickly, all things considered.
Thanks.
Matt-
What's up with Ice practicing with at first string LDE? I thought Balmer and Evans would be battling it out for a starting spot there.
Also, do you think R.Smith will backup Goldson at FS once Lewis is healthy?
Hi Matt,
Just go back from a trip and trying to cath up. If possible, can you please update the status of the propects: Jay Cuttler, Torry Holt, Jullius Peppers. Have you talked to the Niners bosses about these players?
Thanks.
My thoughts as well re: Soap. I was hoping to see Evans and Smith as the starting ends.
I'm pretty sure Evans will be our starting LDE. Remember that this is the first time on the field for everyone. And for Evans, his first experience in a 3-4 defense. I wouldn't read too much into it. Matt, how would you grade Alex Smith and Shaun Hill's arms being that this is the first time running routes with Jimmy raye? Would you say they looked okay for being rusty?
MAN!......... Such a teaser, these mini camps arent they? Cant wait to see when we finalize this squad. Hope Bruce decides to return. 6 months is going to feel like 6 years.
WOW - Reggie Smith at SS - the move has been made. Even compounded by the fact that Rossum was starting RCB with Walt at Player Assoc meetings. Intriguing stuff MM.
Huddle Discipline!! OMGOODNESS..
Little subtle things like this are huge when it comes to professional athletes. Accountability is going to be huge this year. We might get guys puking after pre season loss's!!
Matt - Is there a different kind of atmosphere compared to other 1st year head coaches first mini? Knowing Sing was the coach for half the season last year, but still it was Nolans team. Does it feel different than any of the other 1st mini's you covered over the years?
Matt, on NFL.com, there is a video with an interview of Alex Smith. To me, he looks much bigger in his upper body. I know he says he put some weight on, and I wanted to get your impression if you noticed the difference today.
Gotta love the fire Singletary brings ;) Speaking of fire, Ralph got roasted on KNBR today:
http://www.knbr.com/common/global_audio/201/5608.mp3
It's better to have your hands on your knees than around your ankles.
Yeah, I heard that interview I loved it. Finally someone who put that Joe Pesci wanna be in his place. Got more love for Singletary more then ever. Reason why Ralph does not like Sing is because he doesn't suck up, and kiss his booty like Mike NoWin did.
Kurt Warner has nothing to do with the 49ers! I love Coach Singletary! Ralph is a hack.
Or like Steve Mariucci.....
Just as I suspected. Coach Singletarys' style reminds me of Rocky II training-old school. As a Marine I can totally appreciate this type of conditioning. This is exactly what these men need. GO MIKE GO!!
1. Curry
2. Monroe
3. Crabtree
4. J.Smith
5. Ayers
6. Moreno
7. Pettigrew
8. Stafford
9. Maclin
10. Orakpo
These are the top BEST AVAILABLE in order 1-10 as scouted by Mayok(whom I believe to be the closest to the best who is not working for a professional franchise)
Maurice Price will save us all.
I meant to make a wiki page today, but I had beers instead. I'm corruptible.
Soooo....Morris gets Touchdown Tommys' #44 huh? Interesting.
Awww Yeah, Singletary SMACKED HIM DOWN, BROTHA! I like Ralph okay but DUDE. Learn to shut the frakk up.
Hands on the knees in the huddle is a Bill Walsh staple. '85 playbook reads: "Line up quickly with hands on knees to see and hear the quarterback."
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2944734/1985-49ers-Offense-Walsh
Randy thanks for the link to the KNBR interview -when a recent poster trashed him for his liberal point of view etc. I nearly came to his defense -but listening to the MM and now MS interviews reminded me of what a pompous prig he is-Tom saved his cookies in the Singletary interview otherwise things would have come to an uncomfortable and abrupt closing one senses! Coach Singletary, to my mind atleast, is inspiring- and when he asks the fans to watch what happens- I find my self rapt with excitement.Here Here Razoreater -this IS what these men need!!!!!
That was the best interview I think I have heard on the Ralph and Tom show in YEARS!!! Ralph is way to sure of himself and talks way to damn much. I was glad to see singletary putting him in his place.
That was the best interview I think I have heard on the Ralph and Tom show in YEARS!!! Ralph is way to sure of himself and talks way to damn much. I was glad to see singletary putting him in his place.
Hey Matt, how does Singletary's camp differ from Nolan's? Does Singletary's camp appear to be harder on the players? I think we would all like to know what the difference is between the two Mikes.
Ralph got slaped. FANTASTIC!
Meant slapped
Great to hear that Ralph got slapped around verbally by Sing today !!! That Ralph is such a know nothing blowhard . He hates the Niners (no matter how he denies it) and he is so full of himself that he hardly ever lets the one he is interviewing talk for more tham 10 seconds before he starts off on another 2 minute question. He loves to hear himself talk (he is the only one ! ).
I will listen to the interview later online and smile REAL big when sing gives Ralph what he deserves ! (although I know sing is too much of a gentleman and has too much class to give it to Ralphie boy as much as he deserves. ).I guess this means that little Ralphie will double his usual Sing and McGloughan and Jed and general Niner hatred on the air. Too bad so many fans listen to his nonsense and propaganda and actually repeat much of it on forums like this .
Re: depth charts
Thanks, Matt!
Reggie Smith at SS? Hmmm, that was his position in college.
Gives some latitude to move Michael Lewis to Denver to join Dawkins and NoPlan perhaps?
Razoreater, the order will get hosed by Detroit going past Stafford at the top, guessing they opt for Jason Smith over Curry there.
We benefit in a trade down scenario by having Crabtree/Sanchez/Stafford in any combo,or together, landing in our 10 slot.
I'd prefer an extra pick, Detroit could still offer a deal for the QB there, or someone looking to leap frog Denver for a QB could come up.
If Crabtree lands in our lap, I'd guess he's ours, but the scenario of Detroit passing on the QB at 1 would shake up the Draft Boards pretty well to invite Trade up activity IMO.
Looking at the extended depth on the roster line up, I see 2 OGs coming too.
Vasquez/Duke Robinson perhaps Alex Mack?
Baas and Wragge are on the fringe I think.
I like Singletary a lot. I know someone who worked with him outside of football and he has nothing but praise for him. We still don't have all the pieces, but Coach will have them playing hard!
The Razor got his just due. He kept pushing questions about Kurt Warner. Think Coach Sing
did the right thing. Why talk about Warner? He's not on this team and never will be now.
Ralph likes to dwell in the past asking questions that has nothing to do with the 9er future. 70% of the interview was about Warner.
I think Mike was another Warner question away from hanging up and never being on the show again.
Marc-trade to Detroit yields exciting scenario -we could receive 20th and 33rd (with a throw in of say Sims etc.)-that gives us the 20th, 33rd an 43rd pick(second round would sizzle for us-!!!).Connor Barwin would thus be a real possibility at 20th(I've seen E Brown drop that far in recent mocks-oh yeah!)-30th position is really filled with possibilities -Lesaun Mcoy;Jamon Meredith;Jarron Gilbert;etc.-43rd Chip Vaughn or Patrick Chung -or if we don't go Meredith at 33rd maybe Unger at 43rd -the wheel of fortune is turning!
Hey Randy in Santa Rosa...THanks fopr sharing the Ralph (the mouth) and Coach Sing talk. Made my day. I would work for Coach Sing any day there is no bull with him. He tells it like it is. Ralph has a nasal voice which is a joke. He is obnoxious with that voice. Made my day listening...thanks again!
Ralph does not realize that if we must choose between being Niner fans and being KNBR fans, KNBR loses every time.
Thanks Randy for the KNBR link. Like most of the other posters Ralph the Mouth got a nice introduction of how things will be with Coach Sing from here on out. My god Ralph just kept on dwelling on the who? how? & when? (Warner) Typical Ralph always looking at the negative when it comes to the 49ers...ENOUGH! And How about how Sing handled that interview? he never raised his voice & kept his composure when dealing with an idiot! More than ever now I find Coach Sing in a word "compelling" and I believe he's going to finally turn the 49ers around. Great stuff!
it was really funny how Tolbert busted in. Can you imagine the producers? Tommy get you a&@ on the radio! You can tell Tolbert was an athlete. He kept call Sing "coach" with respect. You can tell Ralph wasn't. He kept calling Sing "Mike". Coach Simg has the greatest respect for his players. He wants to talk about the players who are in camp and every player is "outstanding". Everyone can be an all pro! Thanks for the link
The interview rocked. I actually think that Ralph has a problem with Singletary being a Christian - but he cannot say that directly, so he finds other things to nitpick. But you'll notice that Ralph always throws in the word God somewhere (in this case, he mocked Warner's belief that God guided his choice). This shows Sing's religion is always near top-of-mind for Ralph, but he cannot make this attack-vector his emphasis.
Ralph's got exposed in this interview. We all clearly saw the vast gulf between himself and Singletary in the "quality of human being," parameter(whatever that means exactly).
I've never been more excited about the Niners (since 1981).
Go Sing!
Matt --
Think u left out Mark Bradford, the former Stanford WR?