The rookies - drafted and undrafted -- began arriving this afternoon at the 49ers' practice facility in Santa Clara.

We'll have the list of undrafted guys in a little while, but first let's check in with each of the draft picks:

 

WR Michael Crabtree: This was his third trip to Santa Clara in three weeks, and he underwent his second physical for the team. He will not practice at the minicamp this weekend as he continues to recover from the surgery in March to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. His participation this weekend will be limited to "mental reps" and learning the playbook. One of the things that caught his eye is that the 49ers' third exhibition game will be at the new Texas Stadium, located about 15 minutes from where he grew up in Dallas. Crabtree said he hopes to see San Francisco at some point this weekend. He said he wishes Raiders rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, chosen three spots ahead of Crabtree, all the best. "I wish the guy well," said Crabtree, who does not know Heyward-Bey personally. "I hope he does a great job. My concentration is with the 49ers and learning this playbook as soon as possible."

 

QB Nate Davis: He said he is familiar with the digit system from high school. He's looking forward to getting to learn the playbook. In case you're wondering about the digit system, each route is assigned a number. The numbers are called out as part of a pass play: 1-flat, 2-slant, 3-out, 4-deep in, 5-comeback, 6-curl, 7-corner, 8-post, 9-go or fade. I asked Davis about one of his new teammates, fellow MAC standout Diyral Briggs of Bowling Green. Davis said Ball State never played Bowling Green during his time there. I'm still flabbergasted. Who makes the schedule in the MAC?

 

RB Glen Coffee: He does look a lot bigger than his listed weight of 209. Frank Gore is listed at 217, and Coffee looks much bigger than Frank. Oh, well. I guess I won't take a job at the county fair guessing how much people weigh. Coffee said he expects, however, to get up to a playing weight 218 or 220. Coffee is a one-cut power back. There's not a lot of dancing in his game - all the best to avoid negative-yardage plays. Coffee said the 49ers' decision to focus on offense with four of the team's top five picks shows coach Mike Singletary wants the offense to "carry more of the load."'

 

LB Scott McKillop: His passion for the game is palpable. He said he has already looked at the playbook a little but does not know if he'll be at the ted or the mike. He'll probably be at the ted, and that's just fine. He said he does not mind a little dirty work. Look for this guy to be a factor on special teams from Day 1. McKillop said he is looking forward to meeting Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes - "anybody who knows what it takes to make an NFL roster."

 

TE Bear Pascoe: He's been told he can make his mark on this team as a blocking tight end. He'll take over Billy Bajema's old role. He has not problem with that, but would like to catch a few passes over the years, too. "(Blocking) is where I'll start, but I'd love to work into the passing game. I'm a rookie, so I have to start somewhere." He'll also be on special teams. Pascoe blocked six kicks during his career at Fresno State. He said he blocked three using the since-outlawed technique of getting pushed forward by a teammate.

 

DE Ricky Jean-Francois: He's seen as a third-round talent. His mouth made him a borderline draft pick. He says he is straight-forward and he's never going to bite his lip. And, folks, that is why some NFL teams wanted no part of him. He said it's great that his new coach, Mike Singletary, is also straight-forward and says what's on his mind. He said he'll sit back and learn from the veterans and be very respectful, but he is not going to clam up, he said. I don't think there's any doubt Jean-Francois is going to rub some teammates the wrong way.

 

S Curtis Taylor: He passes the eye-ball test. He's a very big safety. He considers himself an aggressive, smart player who will do anything he can to help the team. This weekend he said he is going to pay attention to every minute detail. It does not matter, he said, whether he's at strong safety or free safety. He said at LSU, the safety positions were interchangeable. That's pretty much the way it is with the 49ers, too.

 

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14 Comments

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Because it's never too early. A mock draft for 2010: http://walterfootball.com/draft2010.php

They have Niners picking Joe Haden (CB, Florida) and Sergio Kindle (DE/OLB, Texas) in first round.

I think I'll do my own mock draft for the year 2020 (based of course on pee-wee league all-stars LOL).

Matt, do we have the final, confirmed list of rookie free agents signed for the 49ers yet? Thanks.

calling it now.. Vernon Davis vs Ricky Jean-Francois: training camp rumble 09

Any bets on how long it takes Ricky Jean-Francois and Vernon Davis to get into a training-camp scuffle? Sacre Bleu!

Giving the extra #1 pick back to Carolina for the rights to disgruntled Peppers is oh so tempting. Or so the rumor rings.

But for my money, McGM should stick that pick in a safe until 2010, and fish it to the Raiders as bait to trade up to #7 and take Taylor Mays.

Our final piece in our D puzzle.

I want to see Boone vs Ricky Jean-Francois . Two manimals.

Hope JJ Stokes 2.0 ( M.Crabtree ) packed lots of those pink shirts he likes to wear cuz after all fashion is his favorite hobby HAHAHA

He looks and plays NOTHING like JJ Stokes. And at least he looks good in his threads ,while you are probably typing in your underwear,LOL. HA HA HA !

Fantom

What has Crabtree done yo you? So will you spend this season hoping for the worst and cringing when he has success? TC said you were
sitting there typing in your underwear and he was partially correct. Fantom is siting there typing in his Raider underroos. Now that's a fashion statement.

Gentlemen:

Please don't feed the trolls.

Peace.

Hey Matt,was that new rule they were talking about ever adopted, where a team can put a QB (Davis)on the practice squad and have him be protected from other teams,unlike every other player(not QB's) on the PS ,who can be grabbed by any other team that is willing to put that player on the 53 man roster?

I fear losing Davis to a team that needs a QB and sees they can get him off the PS by simply claiming him.It looks like Davis will need a year or maybe two before he is the starting QB for us,so it would be a strong possibility that they place him on the PS this year.
If there is not such a rule yet,then will the Niners keep 4 QB's on the 53 man roster to protect him? Or can the Niners place him on the 53 man roster IF a team trys to grab him off the PS ,or is it too late once a player is claimed?
(or will they simply do the right thing and cut Alex to make room for Davis on the 53 man roster? Probably not until next year. )

Question: Hey Matt,was that new rule they were talking about ever adopted, where a team can put a QB (Davis)on the practice squad and have him be protected from other teams,unlike every other player(not QB's) on the PS ,who can be grabbed by any other team that is willing to put that player on the 53 man roster?

My response: a) I've never heard of any discussion about that, and b) I can't imagine one position would face such discrimination. The players union would never allow that to happen. --Matt M.

They were talking about being able to protect a rookie QB from being claimed off the practice squad. QB's ARE special because team want to be able to teach a young QB and delevop him without being afraid of a team claiming him from the PS.
It WAS being talked about.

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Who is Matt?

Matt Maiocco is in his 14th year covering the 49ers. He has reported for The Press Democrat since 2000. He is a three-time winner of Pro Football Writers of America awards. Rotoworld.com ranked "Instant 49ers" as the No. 2 NFL team blog in the country in 2007. Maiocco has written two books, "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" and "San Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?" Matt can also be heard regularly on KNBR (680-AM) during the season. He is also been added this season as a regular guest on ESPN's "First Take."