Rice, known throughout his career for his maniacal workout regimen, talked to the team about practice habits and making every session on the field count. He also stressed the importance of teamwork.
No word when the segment is scheduled to run. Check your local listings for the times and dates in your area.
Here's what else is going on:
--Cornerback Walt Harris' likely season-ending ACL injury means the 49ers will have even more urgency to look to the veteran free-agent market. There are several options available,
--The Hill Named Pain has been ruled off-limits to the media who cover the team. It made a nice vantage point to watch practices. But because of liability issues, we are no longer allowed access onto the hill.
--Veteran receiver Arnaz Battle probably wishes he were so lucky.
--Receivers Michael Crabtree (foot), Dominique Zeigler (concussion) and Jason Hill (ankle), and defensive end Kentwan Balmer (knee) did not practice. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich did not attend because of a personal obligation.
--It was a big day of practice for tight end Vernon Davis, who caught a handful of practices during 7-on-7 and team drills. On one play, he leaped to make a catch from Alex Smith about 15 yards downfield, then he shrugged Dashon Goldson to the ground before turning upfield.
--On the very next play, Goldson picked off a Smith pass intended for J.J. Finley and returned it for a touchdown. Smith was picked off later by rookie cornerback Carlos Thomas on a pass for Mark Bradford.
--Quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Smith (two interceptions aside) threw the ball very well on the rare windless day on the 49ers' practice field. The nicest pass of the day was probably Hill's perfectly lofted pass to Michael Robinson on a wheel route down the right sideline. Robinson made the catch downfield after getting a couple steps on outside linebacker Diyral Briggs.
--Hill showed nice athleticism when he moved to the right to avoid a blitzing Patrick Willis up the middle. Hill then fired high and incomplete to Brandon Jones at the sideline. Hill later hit Jones at the sideline on a sprint-out. Smith connected on a similar pass to
--Jones had a good day of practice. He made a nice catch off his shoe-tops of a pass from Hill along the left sideline.
--There were no live updates on Twitter today because of a non-functioning mobile phone. Yesterday I was on dad duty at the pool with my two children. I was seated in a lawn chair just a few feet from the steps of the pool watching my non-swimming 4-year-old.
Luckily, I was paying close attention when a bigger kid (darn 6 year olds) decided it would be fun to drag my child off the steps and into the deeper water. I bolted into action and jumped in the pool to assist my child.
Little Lucy is doing just fine. (She thought it was pretty funny that I got all wet.) However, my phone did not fare so well. Thanks to Ben S., my Facebook friend, my phone is currently resting a ziplock bag filled with rice - in hopes it will draw out the moisture.
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Walt Harris out for the year!!! That really sucks...
Looks like we're going to get some DB's in FA. Someone call the Eagles!!!
Hill and Smith sound like they're neck and neck besides Smith's 2 Ints.
VD threw 6'3 Goldson to ground??? God I hope he breaks out this year
Not as worried about Walt being gone with the list of guys still available. I wonder how much McCalister has left?
Sucks, although...
This may be a blessing in disguise. There were a lot of times last year when Walt didn't perform that well. I think this may force us to move on.
Man there is a lot of talent available. However, what is wrong with what we have? Do we just need another body? I guess you can't have enough quality db's.
It sounds like the tone of camp has change a little. also.
I wonder what Jerry Rice is thinking while he watches Coach Sing run the 49ers. The Bear 49er games of the late 80's were epic!! There was a Monday Nighter in 87 that was just a slug fest of a game. Monster hits and wild game transitions. I think it was 10 - 7 Bears but what a football game.
Nice save Maiocco. No hesitation. That’s what I’m talking about!
Matt,
Truly sad news regarding Walt Harris. It's going to be tough to come back at this stage in his career.
I've been advocating the signing of a vet FA CB for depth, but this could change our strategy. Before, I think it would have made more sense for us to pick up a younger CB, in hopes that he has some years and possibly some development left in him. Now, we might want to look for another "Walt" - a CB who's played at a higher level, but is considered past his prime - who might better fill a short term need. I don't think we can afford another "Nate", though.
There are a lot of familiar names on the FA CB list (Daven Holly!), many with 10+ years experience. I'm sure some are looking for a starting slot, and a chunk of guaranteed $. Do you see any potential Walts out there for us? If we do choose to go younger, who do you see as value plays (no Pacman, please)?
More and more stories are surfacing that link the 49ers to Michael Vick. There seems to be a ground-swell. Matt -- is there merit to these stories?
I'm torn on the issue. On the one hand, I was a HUGE Vick fan. I found him to be an entertaining QB. Gosh how I would have loved him on the 49ers. On the other hand, I am an animal lover -- specifically, German shepherds. I despise what Vick did. ...if he is TRULY repentant, and, if he can use his spotlight to benefit animal causes, then I think I can deal with him coming to SF.
You can never have enough depth especially at CB. McC start dialing!
Dodging cars in St. Louis, heroically diving into pools. Your reflexes and instincts are pretty crazy. With W. Harris down, you may wanna start jumping in on those 7-on-7's.
Nice Save Matt! Now tell Apple to get you a new one! Could be a good commercial if the iphone works!
I dunno about that. I don't think Sing would want that distraction Vick would bring. I hear NE, OAK, WASH, DAL. Not the 9ers.
We should definitely bring in at least another DB, if not 2. If we kinda look at the way McC has done stuff in the past, we may not sign a DB that soon(unless we don't have enough warm bodies). First, the time prior to TC during OTA's are valuable evaluating the younger talent. We don't have to rush. We may have a young replacement already on the roster. Hopefully we can coach one up.
Second, while there is talent out there, they are going to want a starting job and a fat contract. There is a reason some of those guys are out there. This is where McC earns his money. During roster cut downs, there are going to be a lot of veterans (and young vets) that are going to be victims of numbers. That's when we'll go get someone.
Matt,
I also have a 4 year old girl who goes to swimming practice and I would've flipped out if that would've happended to her while I was there. At least, you handled the situation better than this parent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePtTZZkaVqA
This dude puts the Niners #1 for possible Vick destinations:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/The-five-most-likely-destinations-for-Michael-Vi;_ylt=Ak408BZbQ9tyNvlLKEDqBsI5nYcB?urn=nfl,164512
Also, the ground-swell with this reminds me of how the Kurt Warner rumors started. I feel the same energy building up.
The Niners are included in just about every rumor ESPN floats on its Insider list. That's because SF/Oak is the major west coast market area and they want to hook you with a subscription. It's all regional advertising. If you live in the north east, the teaser will be Vick/Plaxico to NE and not the Niners. That's all this is. Vick won't be playing any where at all this year.
I just don't understand the whole Michael Vick thing. he's alright. not even close to great, maybe just barely good. Just look at the stats and compare shaun hill and michael vick. Hill beats out Vick in almost every category. granted there's a much smaller sample size for Hill, but c'mon people, Vick isn't all that he's cracked up to be.
Vick is "Box office poison!!" Big mistake to bring this guy to SF!! ESPECIALLY SF!! It doesn't matter how he plays!! The people, and many of them fans, would make a 3 ring circus out of Vick, York's and team!! And please don't give me the joke about "winning will turn everybody around!" This situation has NO "around" in it! Keep Vick at long distance!
Matt, it's called "Dad-Quicks", the zero to warp-speed gear needed to keep the future generations properly protected.
Thankfully I've never had to resort to taking that imaginary bullet we parents are oh so proud to boast about.
Good Work Dad -
my phone is currently resting a ziplock bag filled with rice - in hopes it will draw out the moisture.
That can work in the short run. However, if salt and calcium carbonate remain on the circuit board it will probably malfunction in about 6 to 12 months. Washing the circuit board with distilled water or better isopropanol is the only chance to avoid long term damage.
Lucy Maiocco looks the trusting sort, as it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6UoCg2ATnQ&feature=channel_page
Not a Lucy Van Pelt!
I wonder how many of the 800 or so NFL defensive players are dog lovers and would like to get a cheap shot on Mr. Vick and give him a taste of being abused? He's way more trouble than he's worth as a player but the perfect fit would be for Al Davis to sign him to the biggest contract ever because he can still run a 4.4 40. One more a-hole for the black hole to worship. Criminals paradise.