Sheets, at times, has felt overwhelmed with the volume of the playbook, he said. "That's my biggest problem right now," he said. His college playbook at Purdue was pretty simple. If he remained in to block, his assignments were straightforward, he said.
But with the 49ers, he said making the adjustments on the fly while reading the opposing defense has been a challenge. A play designed for him to go to the right side might automatically change to the left side, depending on what the defensive linemen are doing.
Sheets' game is speed. But, he said, "if I'm running the wrong way, it doesn't matter how fast I am." Sheets and the team's other rookies on offense remained after practice today for about 15 minutes for some extra work with the coaches.
The 49ers have seven running backs on their roster. Sheets has an opportunity to make the team, as perhaps the No. 3 halfback. Frank Gore is the starter, and fellow rookie Glen Coffee, a third-round selection, will get the first crack at being the primary backup.
Michael Robinson is likely to earn a roster spot because of his versatility, including his standout play on special teams. Sheets and Thomas Clayton, the team's leading rusher the past two exhibition seasons, will get to show their skills this summer.
"I'm just waiting for my chance," Sheets said. "It's going to come in training camp - that's what the coaches tell me. I know once I get that shot I'm going to make it. The numbers game is something I don't worry about. That's for them (coaches/front office) to worry about."
* * *
Sheets has been labeled as a third-down back. However, he said he believes he is capable of being an every-down player because he has never been injury-prone. He currently measures at 5-foot-11, 203 pounds. He said he's been told that he'll have to play at 205 pounds. "That sounds good to me," he said.
* * *
That deepest group of receivers in 49ers history wasn't looking so deep today. Here's the rundown:
Isaac Bruce: Resting silently, no doubt, in
Arnaz Battle: Rehabbing foot injury
Michael Crabtree: Rehabbing foot injury
Jason Hill: Rehabbing hamstring strain
Josh Morgan: Sat out practice with "illness"
That left Brandon Jones and Dominique Zeigler as the only receivers in the 49ers' top seven on the practice field today.
It's pretty clear WRs coach Jerry Sullivan holds Zeigler in high regard. The WRs and QBs were working on a couple simple patterns for timing and rhythm. Each receiver must run the route a specific way to maintain continuity with the QB. While youngsters Maurice Price and Dobson Collins had their struggles, Sullivan told all his receivers after Zeigler's 15-yard "out" route: "That's how I want it to look."
Why it's important the 49ers have seven quality receivers entering training camp when they're likely to keep only five or six wideouts on the team: Injuries happen. Also, it will help the evaluation process for the QB competition. Because there is very little drop-off among those top seven receivers, neither Shaun Hill nor Alex Smith will be working at a disadvantage.
* * *
Three veteran players who have been regulars at OTAs were given the time off due to veteran status: Takeo Spikes, Dre' Bly and Aubrayo Franklin.
Morgan, Kentwan Balmer and rookie OLB Diyral Briggs missed practice today because of "illnesses."
* * *
With Stanford graduation ceremonies taking place over the weekend, undrafted rookie defensive end Pannel Egboh finally became eligible to attend 49ers' OTAs. He lined up at left defensive end with the No. 2 defense today.
* * *
Today was about as uneventful as a day of practice can possibly be. Tomorrow is the final day of OTAs before the players disperse. Training camp is scheduled to open July 30.
* * *
Absent-minded professor question:
Why isn't Sullivan fulfilling his original vision back in 06 – have Vernon occasionally jog over from the TE blocking drills and practice the WR routes?
Mix it up – we've got a TE with the kind of athleticism who can run the 15-yard out pattern.
Training camp can not get here soon enough. It's encouraging to know that Sheets realizes speed kills only when the engine is fine tuned.
Hey Matt,
Just interested: Where was Jason Hill lined up (slot, X, or Z) before his hamstring injury? Where do you see him ranked among the other Forty Niner receivers right now? And do you project him to be one of the top three or four when the season starts?
Hey Matt, At 49ers Family Day July 28 was the date that was given for the opening of Training Camp. Has the July 30 date been confirmed?
As I commented on Matt's report on the deep receiver corp in the previous page, the word "injury" and "injured" was written too many times. Now I see it mentioned more as Matt listed the receivers and their injury problems in this report.
Something tells me shouldn't count our chickens before their hatched. Injuries can spread like the plague sometimes.
Crabtree's injury is very troubling to me but I hope it's only because I remember seeing others career's ruined by this type of foot injury and am just gun shy. I'm sure the doctors and the team are being cautious for a good reason. He seems to be on a regiman the Organization, trainers and MS have layed out for him. It also looks like he wants to try it out at game speed. But that brought out MS's ire towards the young guy and who can blame MS. I'm glad we have a lot of guys who want to be the man! We might need them all be the man at one time or other this season.
Sheets needs to hit the playbook hard if he's going to try to make the active roster. OTA's & mini-camps are the very reason why it's so important for rookies. I can only hope that he's up to speed by the time TC starts.
Terry,
I wouldn't worry too much about Crabtree. In 1985 Keith Byars missed most of the season at Ohio State with a broken bone in his foot.
Before the 1986 draft, Buddy Ryan said that Byars was a 'medical reject' and that he had no intention of drafting him.
Buddy was bluffing and made Byars his first draft selection in Philadelphia (like Crabtree he was drafted 10th overall).
Byars was a great player who had a long career in the NFL. Although he broke a bone in the OTHER foot in 1987, to my knowledge he never had a problem in the NFL with the foot that caused Ryan to label him as a 'medical reject.'
Thanks for the info on K Sheets Matt, many of us are curious about how he is faring and are expecting him to be a great addition to the roster. Rather surprised Diyral Briggs didn't show-really must have been sick...
ESPN -
2001 Raye interview with Pro Football Weekly includes two comments that could apply to the 49ers this season. Raye was taking over as the Redskins' offensive coordinator.
Raye on how Redskins players were receiving the new staff: The players are excited, and they've been very receptive so far. The big thing with NFL players is how you start. If you can win early and show what you're doing works, things will be fine. But if they question what you're doing and don't buy into the system, then you'll have problems.
Raye on then-Redskins quarterback Jeff George: The toughest thing so far is that our QB is going through his seventh system in 11 years. Luckily, he used a similar terminology when he was in Oakland with Jon Gruden.
The 2001 Redskins lost their first five games before rallying to finish 8-8. Their offense ranked 28th in yards and points despite a No. 8 ranking in rushing yards.
- 8-8 or 9-7 can still get us to the playoffs....
If Jeff George is your QB, Offensive Coordinator ain't your worst problem.
I'm puzzled why illness is in quotes - is the implication the players or the team are faking?
Wow.... my two favorite teams, the Denver Broncos and SF Niners just suck! The Niners have gone from Montana / Young /Rice / Walsh to Smith / Hill / Battle and Singletary. That sucks. But even worse is the Denver Bronocs. Last year they had a team with a terrible D but had Shanny / Cutler and Marshal. Now the team is going to have McDaniels / Orton and Brandon Lloyd. I'd be so pissed if I was a Denver Broncos fan. Oh wait, I am kinda. And I'm a Niner fan. Jesus.... If you take the good with the bad, we've had ten years of bad.
Raye is definitely an RBs coach, but hopefully he's learned a few new tricks over the last seven years.
i think he his going to keep some plays from martz playbook....
Thanks Geo! Good to read ya again! I'll take your advice! As usual! See ya!