July 2009 Archives

**Updates with new player signed.**

It's the eve of the first practice of training camp, and you can bet the players are eager to get on the field and hit somebody. (And they'll get plenty of chances in the next few weeks.)

***Includes roster addition***

The 49ers veterans have been reporting all day, and they've taken a look at the practice schedule. And their jaws have dropped.

Niners coach Mike Singletary can relate to what's happening with Michael Crabtree, the 49ers' first-round pick who remains unsigned.

Quarterback Nate Davis, a fifth-round pick from Ball State, signed a four-year contract with the 49ers today. Davis' contract includes a $150,300 signing bonus.

Tonight is the only night of the week that our household routinely records multiple TV programs.

Thursdays are a good night for television, and that's exactly what the NFL has in mind with its decision to change the format of the draft.

We could not believe he was still there?

You hear just about every team in the league say something similar to those disingenuous words after making their selection in the first round. And while the 49ers probably could believe Michael Crabtree would still be available with the No. 10 overall pick, they had every reason to be surprised.

If you want to see the 49ers practice during training camp, we have two words that might be helpful: Good luck. The 49ers have announced only four practices this summer will be open to the general public.

(The 49ers and their South Bay media partner, the San Jose Mercury News, have devised a system for allocating the tickets to the four practice sessions. Click here for all the information.)

Back in the days when the 49ers had training camp in Rocklin and Stockton, every practice was open to the public. And because of the ample seating capacities at Sierra College and University of the Pacific, nobody got turned away.

The 49ers are one of 13 teams in the NFL to hold training camp at the same location as their in-season practice facility because of convenience and cost.

This will be the fifth year the 49ers have held training camp in Santa Clara at their practice facility at the cul-de-sac on Centennial Boulevard. They have opened approximately a dozen practices every summer with attendees required to hold a ticket for admittance.

This summer, the 49ers' complex is undergoing a significant remodel. Because of the on-going construction, the 49ers are opening just two days to the public. Both practices on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 8, are scheduled to be open.

The team is scheduled to conduct two days of workouts this summer with the Raiders in Napa. The 49ers will have double-day practices with the Raiders on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Wednesday, Aug. 19. Those practices will be closed to the public. The 49ers and Raiders play Saturday, Aug. 22, in the exhibition season.

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The 49ers have all but three of their draft picks signed. There does not figure to be any problems getting running back Glen Coffee and quarterback Nate Davis signed to their deals. I've heard those contracts are pretty much completed, other than waiting for a few more draft picks to sign in the third and fifth rounds to finalize the exact amount of their signing bonuses.

Receiver Michael Crabtree, chosen No. 10 overall, will be the final 49ers pick to sign. Niners rookies are scheduled to report Tuesday, July 28, for training camp. The negotiations with the 49ers and Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, are expected to heat up in the days leading up to the reporting date, as more top-10 draft picks sign their deals to establish the slotting.

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