Veteran cornerback Nate Clements will not be participating in the remainder of OTAs, and that's probably good news. This way, both Tarell Brown and Dre' Bly are on the field at the same time during the team's offseason work.
Clements will start at left cornerback this season. Brown and Bly (and, possibly, Shawntae Spencer, who is still rehabbing ACL tear but should be ready for the start of training camp) will be going at it for playing time on the right side.
It was certainly bad news when respected vet Walt Harris went down May 19 with a season-is-over-before-it-started knee injury. But the 49ers might not be in bad shape, after all.
Brown and Bly have looked very sharp in practices, including today's workout on the 49ers'
Brown ran stride for stride with Josh Morgan on a deep pass from Shaun Hill on the first play of the 11-on-11 session. Because of the tight coverage, Morgan had no chance to make the catch.
A little while later, Bly had Dominique Zeigler blanketed on a deep ball down the middle. Bly made a lunging, finger-tip interception of Hill's pass before both he and Zeigler tumbled to the ground. They both got up slowly. "Helluva play," said one 49ers assistant, "but stay up." Players are repeatedly cautioned during these "non-contact" drills to avoid injury by staying on their feet.
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There is a reason you have not read or heard much about the team's Nos. 3 and 4 quarterbacks. Veteran Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis rarely get any practice time in the 11-on-11 sessions. They might take one snap here and there, and a lot of times it's a run play.
But in some of the individual drills I watched today, Huard and Davis both threw the ball very well -- especially Huard. I think the club is really happy with him as the No. 3 behind Hill and Alex Smith.
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Undrafted rookie OT Alex Boone made his first appearance at OTAs today. He had been ineligible to take part in offseason work with the 49ers (other than the initial post-draft minicamp) because
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DL Isaac Sopoaga did not practice today because of a left thigh bruise. LB Jeff Ulbrich and Takeo Spikes returned to practice. G Chilo Rachal returned after missing four days for a personal matter.
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Earlier today on Twitter . . . As I was watching 'Deadliest Catch' last night, I began to ponder which 49ers player(s) could work as deckhands on crab boat in
If I had to pick one player, I think I'd go with Justin Smith. But if I were a captain, I would also have no qualms about hiring Jeff Ulbrich, Patrick Willis, Tony Wragge, Nate Clements, Isaac Sopoaga and - maybe even -- Shaun Hill.
There are a few other players who could probably handle the hard work and long hours without complaining. (I wouldn't consider any rookies, or greenhorns, because I don't know them well enough, yet.) Nothing personal, of course, but I think wide receiver is the one position group that might have the most difficult time.
Thanks for the update, Matt. By "49ers employees" do you mean that Davis & Huard will be on the active roster? I would be wary of putting Davis on the practice squad, but you'd definitely know more than I.
I would imagine Zeigler would last about 3 seconds on deck - not because he couldn't handle the work, but he'd be blown overboard with the first gust of wind.
Jerry Rice I assume would be your one exception.
Teams are desperate for young promising QBs. You can hardly sneak a rookie 5th round QB onto the practice squad. Someone will probably claim him off waivers to take a long look.
Barring injury I expect Davis to be inactive on the 53 man roster all season long.
My sons, (just finished 1st and 3rd grade), have already decided that when they grow up its off to the Bering Sea for them. But Matt, my question to you is not who's on deck, it is who on the Niners you can picture up in the wheelhouse. I'm saying that Smith might be Sig, and Hill drives the Time Bandit.
If they carry 4 QBs, what position do you think they take that roster spot from? Usually you do a breakdown of what you think they will carry; is it too early for that?
Thanks for the update Matt. Any news on the position battle at RB? I know Gore clearly is the number one, but behind him it seems like the niners have a number of possibilities. Have Coffee, Sheets, or Clayton done anything of note lately?
Matt - Bear Pascoe for deck hand. Common that's too easy!
and by common i mean come on
There Top_Cat! Matt mentioned Nate Davis' name! He wrote about what the kid is doing! All Right? Now can you please comment about what is going on with the meat of the team and not commenting like a junior high girl gauwking at the new kid in class? I thought this was Matt's Blog, not Nate Davis' site on Facebook?
There Top_Cat! Matt mentioned Nate Davis' name! He wrote about what the kid is doing! All Right? Now can you please comment about what is going on with the meat of the team and not commenting like a junior high girl gauwking at the new kid in class? I thought this was Matt's Blog, not Nate Davis' site on Facebook?
Now you've got me started...If the regular season is King Crab season, what are the OTA's? Opelio Season?
As someone who has fished in Alaska for a year with my brother outof Kodiak, I want to stress how truly difficult it is to work the boats.I did it for one year and would never do it again. You need to be a special breed to do it year after year. The danger is unbelievable and I saw boats and fisherman lost during my year there. I am no coward having served six years during the Vietnam war, but I have never been more scared than when I was in a storm on the Bering Sea.
Personally, I would take Justin Smith as my crewmate and Shawn Hill also. You owe your life to your crewmates and you need someone you can count on during those critical times.
Great blog Matt. Thanks
Last year at this time, it looked like we had a very weak wide reciever group. Now it looks strong and stronger for the future. Let's hope we are seeing the same thing happening to other positions, like CB and especially QB.
Best case, Hill and Smith keep getting better. Keep in mind that for all his years as a pro, Shaun hasn't had many starts (10) or throws (367). Not even a full season's worth. Shaun was a pro for 5 years without ever attempting an NFL pass. Clearly he learned a thing or two in that time, but is now learning more with real game experience.
So, here's hoping that as we get into the season, that both of these guys are getting better and this becomes a position of strength.
For Mike White: I admit that I would be a complete coward about getting on one of those crab boats. Not in one million years would I do that.
Matt M: If you grew a beard and wore a hoodi you would be Edger on the Northwestern.
Well Terry,...
And this little tidbit from another papers reporter...
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"Nate Davis got a couple of repetitions today. His best pass was an over-the-middle dart to Vernon Davis. Is Davis-to-Davis something we'll be hearing in the future? You have to wonder ..." Matt B.
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Not only do we have to wonder,but we have to hope ,since he is the only prospect we have on the roster for our future Franchise guy.
Lets hope Alex continues to improve but we must also remember that these practices are nothing like real games at all and EVERYTHING changes for the QB when he is under pressure and everything is on the line. We know that Hill thrives on game pressure.
Right now I don't think they are even in pads and are not allowed to even put a real rush on the QB's.
Now is just time for players to learn and get comfortable and for the coaches to install things and to instill attitude etc.
I hope the best for Alex but all this means absolutly nothing as far as him getting even close to beating out Hill (THE starter). Now if Alex can show something special in the preseason,maybe ,who knows? I just hope that Alex really does excell and that Hill doesn't fall on his face . I want a winner(like Sing says) I don't want a mediocre starter because he was the better poor QB.
Matt M. Said
"Davis shows a lot of skills, even if he's nowhere near ready to jump in the huddle with a heavy workload. During a 7-on-7 passing drill, he made a fantastic throw down the seam between two safeties to Vernon Davis. I know it's way too early, but I'd expect all four quarterbacks to be 49ers employees this season"
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That's great because I would hate to lose the only proven experienced backup for Hill (Huard) or the only real prospect for our future star (Davis). It does seem a shame that we might need to keep 4 QB's on the roster and waste a spot but we do seem to have kept one too many already.
I wonder about Davis going to the PS (there might be a team or two who want a 3rd string QB with GREAT potential,who might grab him since it is free).But it would sure be a shame to cut a valuable player to keep 4 QB's. And there might be several valuable players facing cuts this year already ,on our much improved roster.
Another round with the somnambulant Mr Barbieri eh Matt? You are a trouper!
I understand the point that you are making. I am not a great fan of Hill, Smith, Huard or Davis. I just want the team to find the guy who can put the W's needed to get to the playoffs. For now it seems to me like Hill because he has shown the toughness that Singletary expects from all his players. He showed MS something obviously when he was going to be pulled and fought to stay in the game. MS liked it and stayed with Hill and it showed MS he made the right choice. And I don't think MS forgets when a player shows the inner toughness he expects. But when the season begins, who knows.
The 49ers have placed themselves in a great position to pick up a high draft QB next year if needed. And there are some pretty good ones available.
As for QB Davis. I reiterate, wait until the guy learns to put on an NFL jock strap before you comment about him like he's ready for the Hall of Fame.
Matt, what are the rules concerning the IR? Is it possible to effectively red shirt a guy like Davis with a phantom injury. I can't see keeping 4 QB's on the roster. Are there other teams that have done that?
Hey TOP_CAT, are you and Nate Davis dating yet? Just curious.
I spent ten years fishing out of Dutch in the Bering Sea and one guy I wouldn't mind being on the crew with me would be Ulbrich. You don't see many big guys fishing and you have to be agile, mobile with lots of guts and determination. There are only a few guys out of many that try it that can cut the long hours, extreme cold, rough seas and hard work.
I'm retired now but I miss being out there. I loved it but I'm a little wacked like most of the guys that do it over a period of years.
Put Nate Davis on IR.
If it comes down to keeping only 3 QBs...then Singletary will have a tough decision. Some would say cut Huard, but he's proven he can win when called upon. We know what Hill can do...Davis looks to have a lot of skills, he'll just need time to develop. With all that in mind, Alex could be the one to go. It's possible a trade could be worked out...so we'd at least get something for him. Who knows...it's real early yet, but we all know it's likely there'll only be 3 QB's on the 53-man roster. I wouldn't put Davis on the PS...he won't last long there.
Matt how could you not take Joe Staley as a deckhand? He's be out there everyday. And maybe if you did take Shaun Hill you could have Staley block his blindside.
Lets see.
Sing wld be the captain. Id hv Justin Smith as the deck boss and a crew of Willis, Staley, VD, and Ulbrich. Bear Pascoe would be the greenhorn. After VD and Pascoe get in a fist fight during a raging storm, Sing wld come out of the captains seat and order Smith to throw both men overboard while exclaiming "Can't play with em, can't coach em, cant fish with them, can't do it...". Smith would then turn to Willis and say, "At least he kept his pants up this time." Now that would be great TV.
Deckhands.. What about bringing some of the 49ers Goldrush along? I think I would be fired for lack of productivity after my first trip out anyways. Might as well be a fun trip.
Serriously.. how about David Baas?.. he's a big boy. Check that > he might sink us
MM - any more info about Alex Boone performance ...
I'm with you 16280,
The 49ers are going to be in a jam if Davis shows promise thru TC & Pre-Season games. If the 49ers try to stash Davis on the PS some team is going to snatch him up for sure & I don't see the 49ers cutting Huard he's to valuable as far as experience. Keeping 4 QB's seems to be very dicey when there's so many other positions that the 49ers need depth. Hmmmm
...From all the camp reports so far looks like the "A.Smith pass to V. Davis" sounds more "polished".....
MM - is there a chemistry btw A.Smith and V.Davis during camp?
nice read -http://www.sacbee.com/sf49ers/story/1936949html?mi_rss=49ers
....very dissapointed in how rolling with Nolan turned out...
...i did make the point then that Nolan needed to just let the players play....
For Houston 9er: I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I read "Can't fish with 'em..." That, sir, was well done.
Hahaha.
We agree again :)
I can't believe he made Smith perform those lame exercises just to see if he would complain. I hope we crush his D when we play them this year.
Imagine... Smith goes back... fires a rocket to Davis... it's Over thrown and.... OMG... NAILS Nolan right in the face!!! LOL
Well Sweet,we are not dating BUT if Davis plays for the Niners anything like he played for Ball State,then I might just be tempted to kiss him right on the lips !!! LOL.
And by the looks of things most observers agree that if it's not Davis in our future as the franchise QB ,then it will need to be someone we draft in a future draft.
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This from Matt...
Today, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill both threw the ball very well. Hill had a very good day. He routinely put the ball on the money. In the past week, Smith has looked as good on the practice field as he has at any point in his career.
"When you look out here at times it looks as if he does," Singletary said of Smith, "but at the same time, nothing means anything until he's out there facing some live bullets. All of a sudden, all form and technique goes when you got guys coming at you."'
Singletary said he needs to see Smith carry over his practice-field success to the exhibition season. The 49ers' first exhibition game is Friday, Aug. 14, against the Broncos.
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Sounds like sing has been reading my posts !!! lol.
Huard is better than smith as a reliable and proven backup and Davis is clearly the franchise QB prospect for our future,not smith.(and of course,Hill IS the starter).
If Smith doesn't do well when the bullets are flying,he may not make the roster at all. Or he could pull off a miracle and become the starter. VERY interesting!
And seriously,Davis IS the one on the roster who has by far the most potential to be great. But I fully realize that he has done nothing in the NFL yet and may never reach his great potential. He has to show us,me included. (but then Sanchez etc has also shown nothing in the NFL. ) Of course ,if Davis has shown as little in 3 years as Smith has shown so far,then sadly,it will be time to move on without Davis. Lets hope he doesn't let us down as pathetically as Smith has (so far).
And for those of you who didn't know about Nate Davis way back last year,in the middle of the college season (when I started hoping the Niners would pick him in this years draft),here is an article from a writer who was also following his talent . This article was well before the 12-0 Ball state team lost their last 2 games and before Davis was found out to have a learning disability(dyslexia),and therefore fell way down in the draft ,from what many thought would be a 1st rounder or at least a top 2nd rounder. WOW ,did the Niners luck out,as much if not potentially more than when the Raiders passed on Crabtree !
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/78227-dont-laugh-ball-states-nate-davis-could-be-top-qb-in-the-2009-nfl-draft-class
Matt - Couldn't Nate Davis get an "injury" and be put on IR for the year??? You know a really bad pinky toe sprain or something??? ;)
Question: Couldn't Nate Davis get an "injury" and be put on IR for the year??? You know a really bad pinky toe sprain or something?
My response: Sure, but there are two problems with this. 1) If the injury is not legitimate, Davis and/or his agent might not be real pleased that he's being locked up when he potentially would have a chance to suit up elsewhere; 2) He would not be able to practice with the scout team, so the team really would not be learning anything about him through the course of the season. --Matt M.