June 2009 Archives

    Within the first month of the offseason, coach Mike Singletary decided it was time for practice-field standout Dashon Goldson to unseat Mark Roman as the 49ers' starting free safety.
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    Coach Mike Singletary said at the conclusion of organized team activities that the 49ers are behind many of the top teams in the league because they: a) don't have a starting QB named; b) have their seventh offensive coordinator in seven years; c) they need to work out their depth chart at WR, and d) have a head coach who has not spent a full season on the job.

     

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    Mike Nolan was hired in 2005 as coach. But he was more than a coach, he was also the decider. Today, we answer two questions about the 49ers' decision-making process.
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    It's late June, so don't expect the 49ers to add some quality, team-changing player at a position of need. After all, an overwhelming percentage of the really good players already are on teams.
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    Remember the not-too-long-ago days when the 49ers were in a yearly battle to create salary-cap space? Those days are over.
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    The 49ers' offensive line is a promising group. But promise and productivity are two different things.
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    It all starts defensively with the pass rush. The best secondary in the world is going to look pedestrian if the opposing quarterback can sit in the pocket all day. Without a pass rush, a defense is not able to generate as many turnovers. This is the subject of today's question.

     

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    Today's question is in reference to the blog item I posted earlier this week. Rookie offensive lineman Alex Boone was behind his new teammates because NFL rules prohibited his participation in 49ers workouts before Ohio State staged its graduation ceremonies.
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    Today is the first day of the remainder of the NFL offseason. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the staff here at Instant 49ers is starting a perhaps-daily feature we like to call "Question of the Day."
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    The 49ers have concluded their offseason practices. The next time I'll watch these men run around in Santa Clara will be July 30 - the first day of training camp.
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    Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has a little rule about his playbook. Basically, the book is not allowed to leave the building at 4949 Centennial Boulevard - for fear it might fall into the wrong hands.
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    Veteran Damon Huard did not take one snap throughout training camp and OTAs with the Chiefs last offseason, he said. Still, he managed to be the team's starter in three of their first five games.

     

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    Coach Mike Singletary says the 49ers are still playing catch-up to some of the elite teams in the NFL.
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    Undrafted rookie Kory Sheets is having some problems, and he's not afraid to admit it.
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    It's not the best group of receivers the 49ers have ever assembled. Obviously, Rice and Taylor trumps all. But this is the deepest the 49ers have ever been at wideout. (And if you don't believe me, try to name seven better receivers who have been on the roster at the same time.)
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    Coach Mike Singletary was pleased with the final three practices of the week, he said, because the 49ers took the opportunity to get better every day. Today was the 49ers' seventh consecutive day of practices.
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    Yes, there is daily competition at the quarterback position. But while that competition is taking place, there's some pretty good action at cornerback, too.
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    Yours truly did not make the trek to Santa Clara today for another day of OTAs. However, The Press Democrat was represented all the same.
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    Which QB would you like to see open the season as the starter? Vote here.

    * * *

    Before we get to my conversation with Alex Smith, I wanted to address an issue. In recent weeks, I've received emails stating that I am . . . a Shaun Hill basher, a Shaun Hill supporter, an Alex Smith "hater" and an Alex Smith apologist.

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    The 49ers have been saying for several months that the organization has no interest in would-be quarterback Michael Vick. But, finally, a high-ranking organization member has put his name behind it.
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    Today's practice in 49erland had a little bit of everything, including heavy doses of humor and discipline - you laughed, you cried.
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    The 49ers hired an assistant coach this offseason whose sole focus is on improving the team's pass rush. Appropriately, Al Harris' position is listed as "pass rush specialist."
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    There is a logical reason tight end Vernon Davis saw his total of receptions plummet from a respectable 52 catches in 2007 to a meager 31 last season.
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    Linebacker Patrick Willis said there is no doubt in his mind the 49ers will rank in the top 10 of defenses in the NFL this season.
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    A couple days ago Reader Danny had a question about the 49ers' quarterback competition.
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    The Joe Staley contract extension had been in the works for several months. Today, I learned more details after communicating with a league source with knowledge of the deal, which was signed Thursday.
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    Quarterback Alex Smith took snaps with the first-team offense today, but 49ers coach Mike Singletary said it "doesn't mean anything" - other than the coaches just want to make his competition against Shaun Hill as fair as possible.
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    The 49ers locked up left tackle Joe Staley through the 2017 season with a six-year contract extension the club announced just moments ago.
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    Just spent a few minutes catching up on some of the happenings around 49erland, courtesy of fellow beats Bee-Rows, Mr. Angels and Demons, and S.F. Boys. Now, I think I'm caught up on what's going on:
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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."

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