"Not only top 10, top five - if not No. 1," he said.
He said he bases that on how hard the team has worked throughout this offseason. He said if the team continues to work this hard, he expects a dramatic improvement from a year ago when the 49ers ranked No. 13 overall.
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The 49ers have not approached Willis about a contract extension, he said. However, the 49ers did reach a new deal with long-snappper Brian Jennings, whose deal was set to expire after the upcoming season.
"The irony about my job is it goes against my personality,"
* * *
Safeties Mark Roman (illness) and Reggie Smith (groin), nose tackle Khalif Mitchell (illness) and receiver Jason Hill (hamstring) did not practice this morning.
* * *
Quarterback Alex Smith and cornerback Dre' Bly both looked very impressive this morning in practice. (I'll have more on-the-field observations after the p.m. practice.) Rookie tight end Bear Pascoe got an earful from tight ends coach Pete Hoener, who was giving some animated instruction on technique and the use of angles on the blocking sled.
* * *
Receiver Isaac Bruce said he returned to finish his two-year contract with the 49ers because he wants to win a Super Bowl and play in the playoffs again. What does he see from the 49ers that makes him believe that's possible? "The parity in the NFL," he said. He pointed out the Rams went from 4-12 to Super Bowl champions.
He said he was disappointed that his friend, Mike Martz, was fired after one season as 49ers offensive coordinator. But he said he has played for different coordinators before in his NFL career. As far as offenses go, Jimmy Raye's system is not difficult to pick up, he said.
* * *
The 49ers are on Day 2 of seven consecutive days of practices. That is good for the coaching staff, said the new offensive coordinator. Raye said it's easier for the players to retain information from day to day when they don't take any breaks.
As for the players, Willis said nobody in the locker room is complaining about working seven consecutive days. He said he knows if the team works hard, coach Mike Singletary will reward them.
* * *
Raye and 49ers head athletic trainer Jeff Ferguson talked this week to a patent lawyer about an invention that has helped alleviate pressure from Raye's lower back. He underwent fusion surgery several years ago.
In the past, Raye tried to stand on a foam pad on the practice field. But that became impractical. So
Raye jokingly calls them "Air Rayes." Although they're funny looking - kind of a new-age snow shoe - Raye said they are effective. That is why they have contacted a patent lawyer to see if something like this could be marketed.
* * *
I hope he is right, but it is not the defense that has me worried, it is the offense and it's mediocre QB situation. No doubt the 49ers will be better than last year.
i just saw an interview from last yr where joe staley called A.Smith a leader...
.....i am starting to feel confident A.Smith will win this QB competition.......
...also saw a video of martz analysing A.Smith, givin him positive review in terms of mechanics....
....A.Smith problem is not mechanics...it's the lack of confidence in his previous WR.......
Matt when you said who wasn't participating in practice today I didn't see Nate Clements' name. Is he feeling better? I always suspected they were pulling a fast one sitting him so Bly and Brown could be on the field at the same time. Any word on the $80 million man?
Question: Matt when you said who wasn't participating in practice today I didn't see Nate Clements' name. Is he feeling better?
My response: I didn't mention the guys who weren't expected to practice, such as Clements, McDonald, Harris, Spencer and Crabtree. --Matt M.
can you please give us a break down of the players salaries.....
...and how many receivers did we keep on the roster during game day...
I.Bruce thinks it will be 5 wrs on game day
Raye should have the O line use teeter hang ups, actually moon shoes are pretty cool too.
Alex always looks good in practice, but many times players who look good in practice have a tendency to underproduce during games. The factors that are still more unknown with Alex are the intangibles...leadership, mental toughness, adaptation, maturity, strength in the face of adversity, etc. Shaun Hill has got all of those traits while Alex still needs to develop them.
Alex was so raw coming out of college. He's accurate but lacks the true confidence to just go for it. Hopefully over the last couple of seasons he's matured and developed some mental toughness and aggressiveness that is needed to be successful in the league. I'd say that when he first came out he was trying to please everybody which is a direct road to failure.
Watch tape of him from the games before he got injured, specifically for his body language and facial expressions. He did not exude confidence to say the least.
true...
Hey Matt,
Someone sent a tweet to Takeo, asking him to take Ahmad Brooks under his wing and teach him to work (I assume a reaction to Brooks' history, lagging with the O-line on the hill and late arrival to these OTAs).
Spikes answered, "Done deal." This sounds like a good development.
How is Brooks looking? Who is he fraternizing with? How's his outlook on his role and how are the coaches viewing his progress?
Thanks.
And remember that these practices so far have been without a pass rush against Smith (where he freezes up and throws the ball wildly or just gets sacked. ) . I will believe any improvement in Smith's game when I actually see it in a game. Until then ,Hill is a proven winner and can do so many things that smith has never even hinted that he can do.
Right now Hill is proven and Huard is proven and smith and Davis are completely unproven. Of the two unproven QB's,one has a quick release and the stronger arm and the intangebles and the leadership and all the potential in the world to become the Franchise QB of the future...Nate "the great" Davis is that one.