Day 10, practice 17: First game nears
The 49ers' exhibition opener is just four days away, and coach Mike Singletary said he has not settled on a rotation at quarterback.
The smart money has Shaun Hill running with the first team, and Alex Smith coming in second. But Singletary said he will make a decision later in the week. One thing, Singletary said Frank Gore will not see much (any?) action Friday against the Broncos.
Other Singletary tidbits:
--The 49ers will go against the Broncos, and their new defensive coordinator . . . fella by the name of Mike Nolan. Singletary said he learned work ethic from Nolan. He said there were few teams in the past 20 or 30 years of the NFL that were as downtrodden as the 49ers when Nolan and Singletary arrived in 2005. He said Nolan worked tirelessly to build structure in the organization, and to bring in players who possess character and mental toughness. When Nolan was fired at midseason, he advised Singletary to accept the promotion to interim coach. "Mike will always be a great friend," Singletary said.
--Singletary said he hopes to have a starter named after the third exhibition game. (That does not seem to make a lot sense, because the third game is the one in which the starters play the longest. So does that mean that there's a chance the QB who plays mostly with the first-team unit might not be named starter for the regular season.)
--The 3-second clock, which made its debut on the practice field last week serves a purpose not only for the quarterbacks, Singletary says, but also for the receivers, offensive line and pass-rushers. After all, all of those players need to be able to make something positive happen within three seconds after the snap of the ball.
--Rookie Glen Coffee was held out of team work today because of a sore ankle. Receiver Isaac Bruce was poked in the eye during a 7-on-7 passing drill, and did not return. He should be fine.
--Reserve running back Thomas Clayton saw his most action. Singletary said he wants Clayton to improve in blitz pickup, as well as hitting the hole ("not dancing as much").
--Tarell Brown has not practiced since the first day of camp because of a toe strain. But Dre' Bly is not a rubber-stamped starter at right cornerback, Singletary said. He said Brown has plenty of time to get back in the competition and win the job. Brown opened with the starting unit on the first day of camp.
--Right tackle Adam Snyder has gotten off to a good start in camp. Singletary said Snyder has done what he needs to go to continue to work with the starting unit. Veteran Marvel Smith is competing with Snyder for the job.
--Fullback Moran Norris was excused from camp for personal reasons.
--Patrick Willis (ankle), Delanie Walker (concussion) and Brown (toe) did not take part in practice this morning due to injuries.
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And here are the deets from the morning session:
--Shaun Hill opened with the first unit (it was his turn). On the first segment of 11-on-11 plays, Justin Smith got a major push against 49ers guard Tony Wragge. Clayton did not hold up well in pass protection against Scott McKillop.
--Alex Smith's first snap of the day resulted in a perfectly thrown deep ball (40 yards in the air) to Arnaz Battle, who made the catch before Michael Lewis could close. Rookie Terrail Lambert looked to have an interception, but somehow Smith squeezed a pass into Micheal Spurlock. Lambert was shaken up on the play, but he's fine.
--Hill had three incomplete passes, but one as a crossing route that was well-thrown to Josh Morgan, who dropped it.
--Bly, blitzing off the left edge, came through untouched. Smith just threw the ball away, a count or two after Bly would've leveled him.
--Rookie QB Nate Davis took the final four snaps of practice. He had a nice throw down the right sideline to Mark Bradford, who tried to catch the well-thrown pass at waist level. It slipped through his hands. He had beaten Lambert on the play.
--
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There's still no sign of Michael Crabtree, whose contract stalemate is now at 14 days. It's the fifth-longest rookie impasse in club history behind Jimmy Webb (43 days), Ted Kwalick (25), Larry Roberts (16) and Jim Druckenmiller (15).
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only a matter of time before alex is named starter!
Does Norris realize football season has started?
Considering a toe to a DB is very important, how severe is Browns' toe injury and will it continue to hinder him throughout the season?
Slow down Willy!!! hahaha
I'm going to support whoever Sing/Raye decide to go with. But Alex's biggest challenge is yet to come. Playing well in training camp doesn't necessarily mean he'll play that way in games. If he has finally turned the corner then watch out!!!
Friday can't get here fast enough :P
I wouldn't worry about Norris , Finalyst. -My only bug is that Robinson is injured (as its prevented us from practicing the wildcat). Zack Keasy will hold the weight and probably get cut after the 3rd pre-season game.
-This team will be ready to play for the season while other teams will be getting their injuries out of the way during the end of pre-season.
I was at the Saturday morning practice, I just sped-read the posts that have been made since. A couple of observatons and questions.
1. Matt, thanks for telling us who #9 was, he stood out, and not in a good way, understand as he showed up the day before.
2. Matt, do you know who was wearing #80? It sure wasn't JR.
3. You commented after this pratice about Rathman saying, "give him a hand" after Clayton performed well in one-on-one's. In my opinion, he called for applause cause Clayton had just gotten beat pretty bad in the same drill.
4. In the couple hours I saw, I pick Sheets over Clayton. I kept hearing when we signed him how small he was, it didn't look like it from the side line.
5. I really like the looks of Coffee. Roll Tide!
6. Pascoe, it did look pretty rough for him.
7. From last year 9er management has figured out having fans at practices. It was over-crowded last year, much more enjoyable this.
MM....you and your "smart money" ...your cute little references to letting us know who you think should start...
...Do you really think the fans really care about who you think should start?...the only opinion that matters in the QB battle is Coach Sing, McGM and York.
cmon ...dude...stick to what you do best - which is giving us facts on whtz going on in ninerland...
All this - trying to be colorful reporting just deminishes your credibility of a real newsmaker....
....you are not a comedian and we dont need you to play one...
- your quote about electricuting A.smith caught me off guard......I actually believed it until i read the next paragraph....
You don't need all that....yes you are funny sometimes but nobody comes here to read your jokes...
Am getting tired of this wannabe be beef between niner fans over who should start...a true fan cares only about one thing...= The Win.....would be nice if the "media" knew better than to provoke a dead debate....
MM....before you put your smart money on whoever you think should start....at least give us- the fans an opportunity to see the pre-season games...
...then we can analyze and debate the facts
Your point of view on who should start is irrelevant cuz not everybody here sees what you are seeing.....
....and the idea cuz a player played in 7 games last yr with the opportunity of going to the playoffs which resulted in NO PLAYOFFS - ......"is just plain palin around with nutcrackers"....especially when the same player has never shown us anything in this new offense
you could also make the argument one of the QB's has been successfull in this similar offense BEFORE......wont you think that is where you should put your smart money?
"That does not seem to make a lot sense, because the third game is the one in which the starters play the longest"
...HERE WE GO AGAIN-
It makes sense to me.....I dont recall it been a NFL rule saying you have to play your starters the longest in the 3rd game...
Maybe Sing is actually taking advantage of the 4th game unlike the other established teams...
This seems to be inline with what Sing has always preached....
We want to get better - RIGHT
So why not take the 4th game seriously.....why let the other good teams dictate how you manage your roster or how you view pre-season?
What does not make sense about that?
Dude... SHUT IT!!!
Matt wasn't saying who he thought should be the starter. He said Singletary didn't have a rotation for this weeks game and that if he had to bet on would start... his bet would be on Hill. He also previously said that he thought Hill would start Game 1 and Smith would start Game 2.
So go back, re-read the article and then apologize to MM for being a tool and jumping to conclusions
there is one everlasting, persistent, GNAWING reason that prevents me from backing Smith.
MM- My smart money says - No doubt you are the Best Niner reporter out there......But you know we just have to agree to disagree on how we see things sometimes......
BTW....i am dying for a great read....
One last thing...
Since you obviously have ZERO people skills I thought I'd share something with you.
Since you're A.Smith's #1 fan I'm pretty sure you would want the Fans to come to support and wish him the best. By always attacking Hill, downplaying his accomplishments, attacking Matt (which you completed misunderstood as well) and so on. All you're doing is p***ng people off doing the exact opposite of bringing people together.
Many of us were at both practices Saturday and both guys look good. Quit being such a tool with your panties all in a bunch and support your team no matter who wins the job.
Hey Matt,
I just wanted to say that I didn't find your review of the 49ers in your last post, offensive at all.
Just kidding, thanks for the great coverage.
Jeff in Denver
Matt,
I hope Sing mis-spoke about naming the starter AFTER the 3rd Pre-season game? That would not make any sense at all. Sing has to name the starter before the 3rd game so the first unit could have ample time to start gelling under game conditions. Hopefully Sing decides after the 2nd game.
Great read MM. Thanks for all your hard work keep us informed on whats new from day to day.
Oneniner how bout you stfu MM is by far the best reporter around when it comes to covering the Niners, and some of us (including myself) enjoy his opions. And FYI I do care who he thinks should start at QB and other position battles. MM is clearly more qualified to report on the Niners than you.(Plus he has way better grammer than you) Your insults arent needed, if you feel MM's articles arent good enough to meet your high standards, then take your "dying" a$$ some where else and go troll the cowgirls or someone else. Your negative BS isint needed or wanted. See ya
matt,
not naming any names but somebody posted a lot of negatives about you and the niners dont listen to someone who maybe semi-retarded. and the person who wrote that dont post if you cant even read properly.
That may happen IF Alex gives us the best chance to win, but he has A LOT to prove first. At least with Hill we know what we have and that's a guy that has proved he can win.
Hahahahaha our defense is getting intense, they're getting really hungry for some football. -We need to pull our offensive starters before our own defense puts them all on IR before Friday!
Oh and I think we're going to blow Denver up bad. -Nolan might pull his little "blitz" packages on purpose (towards Alex), but Nolan doesn't even have the right type of players to run a 3-4 down there!
The real pre-season tests will be against Dallas and San Diego. -We're very fortunate to have some better pre-season opponents (which are also away games) whilst preparing for the real deal this year.
Hey Matt............Can you............start........blocking people from..........posting...........who use............too many peroids.............it is really............annoying.......................Keep up the good................job
If you're dying for a great read, pick up a book. We can all tell that you could use a little more education.
Dude...
You totally read my mind. Everytime I start to warm up to Smith and actually start thinking he could finally have turned the corner. A certain........ someone......... goes........ and posts the most idiotic thing........ and I once again........ I find myself......... turning against Smith.
I think if Alex were on here he'd try an find out his identity so he could go kick his a$$!!!! LMAO
Oneniner-you really disappointed me! I thought you had actually found a way to temper some of the inappropriate diatribes lately and now this outburst and lashing out! I don't doubt you are fan of the 49ers and as such value this blog spot as great source of information and an opportunity to share opinions et al about our team! Just remember it is Matt's largesse which allows you/us to continue posting here and whether you agree with him or not he deserves the respect of a gracious host.( P.S. please talk for your self not the fan base when posting opinions) ,thanks !
EASY dude! MM is the MOST balanced of ALL the 49er reporters and his Blogs are GREAT!
You wrote: ..."Do you really think the fans really care about who you think should start?...the only opinion that matters in the QB battle is Coach Sing, McGM and York."
MM has NEVER given his opinion who should start at QB! He's given the good and bad on both QB's! Maybe you're reading somebody else's Blog and are confusing it with MM's!
As for the rest of your opinions, who cares what you think!!?? Do us ALL a favor and go somewhere else!! Or put the beer away and sober up!
Since you wrote so many comments, I'll take it upon myself to answer your ignorance! We ALL know you went out and bought your new Alex Smith jerseys, pants and underpants! We all know you believe Smith was born in a manger! We all know you believe Smith healed the sick and drove demons out of the possessed! We all know you pray to Smith every night before you go to bed! We all know you believe Smith died on the cross for us!
We also know your comments today have to be about the most ignorant we've read in a long, long time! Dude!? Do us a favor and cool it with the beer! And go somewhere else and cry in it! Nobody cares what you think!