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.

Boone was not able to study the playbook he was issued during the post-draft minicamp (the only minicamp he was allowed to attend until graduation). Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has a rule that playbooks are not allowed to leave the building.

 

Question:  . . .  but detailed notes are allowed? Why do we even still have a "book" as opposed to this being on computer? (Bryan H.)

 

Answer: I have not checked eBay recently, but I'd imagine you won't find too many current NFL playbooks for sale. The reason is because every team has security measures in place to guard against their secrets from going public.

 

The 49ers will have 80 players in training camp. Right now, they have 40 players who have been issued offensive playbooks. Approximately 15 of those players will be released before the start of the regular season. Guaranteed that among those released players will be some angry, bitter and disgruntled athletes.

 

If these players were allowed to take home their playbooks, you better believe some might feel inclined to visit their local Kinko's to make a backup copy - or two. And, no doubt, a few bucks could be made with the sale of such items at some point after the final cuts.

 

This is also the reason playbooks are not distributed to players via CD for viewing on computers. The NFL playbook has not changed much through the years even with the advances in technology, and now you know why.

 

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Matt...your music soothes the 49er beast inside of me. Thank you

I'm sure Raye's is quite portable – most likely a pack of post-it notes compared to BW's War and Peace tome.

Matt-
Two topics:
1) In the past players have been able to take home playbooks have they not? Also, if playbooks have not changed much in many years and since there really are only a few systems such as the WCO, digit system and random thigns like the Martz plan does it really matter? Let the kids learn! Also, the limitation on assistant coaches not speaking just shows the insecurity of the top of the organization. Quite pathetic.

2) Isn't the 3-4 supposed to give the defense the advantage of not telegraphing where the pass rush may come? If that is the case why in the heck are we automatically going to put PH and M-Law at DE on third down? This seems to defeat the purpose of running a 3-4.

Matt

How about any major rule changes coming this season?

Happy Father's Day Matt & to the Niner faithful!


That's the same question I have.

So our Front 7 Base Defense is....


Evans - Franklin - Smith

Lawson - Spikes - Willis - Haralson


On 3rd down (passing) we switch to a 4-3....


Lawson - _______ - Smith - Haralson

Spikes - Willis - _______


Not sure on Evans, if I remember right I read he's backing up Smith. So I'm guessing if Balmer looks good in camp he gets the start at LDE? On 3rd downs, is Franklin staying in at DT or are we subbing in someone else? (Maybe a fresh body in Sopoaga?) Who will be the WOLB?

Mike in MD
WOLB on 3rd down would be Ulbrich/McKillop
DT on 3rd down - I like Sopoaga (he gets good penetration)

Hi Matt- Happy Father's Day and thanks for the constant great work. One question I have about the playbooks is how much would they really help an opponent? From my experience, teams can usually tell by studying film what plays teams run. There would obviously be an advantage if teams knew what play was coming, but I'm not sure knowing the playbook would much help there, at least not much more help than careful film study would provide. Thanks.

> On 3rd down (passing) we switch to a 4-3....

I do not expect to see any 4-3 at all. More likely we switch to nickel (4-2) or dime (4-1) on passing downs.

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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."