Day 12, practice 21: 'Taser' is unveiled
The 49ers' version of the spread offense is called the "Taser," offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye revealed. (Insert your own don't-taze-me-dude bro joke here. I'm feeling a little sluggish today.)
Let's get right to the deets from the morning, as Mr. Raye stood in front of the assembled media to answer some questions:
--Receivers Micheal Spurlock (the team seems to be really high on him) and Arnaz Battle took the direct snaps out of the formation today. Michael Robinson, who has been out since Aug. 4 with a groin strain, is the other player Raye has identified for the role. Spurlock is small and shifty, while
"I think they're totally different players," Raye said. "Micheal is a sudden, quick, initial quickness type of guy. Arnaz Battle is a bigger, stronger, more physical receiver, probably in the line of his true qualities are as a receiver from the transformation that he's made from college to being a receiver. He's played it longer. I see them differently. They have some similar traits, but they are very dissimilar in their physical abilities."
--Spurlock is a very intriguing player. The coaching staff seems to be very high on him. He's put himself in the conversation for a roster spot. Spurlock seems to be having a better camp than Jason Hill. We'll see how these things shake out during the exhibition season, but Spurlock also brings return skills to the team. In 2007, he became the first player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in Buccaneers history. Spurlock played behind Eli Manning for three seasons at Ole Miss. He became the Rebels' starting QB as a senior.
--Spurlock attempted one pass out of the "Taser" formation, and he completed it to Isaac Bruce.
--The 49ers have yet to name a starting QB for Friday's exhibition opener. It's really not a big deal. Raye said the decision will not be any indication on where the competition currently stands. It's reasonable to think the pecking order involving 1-2 will be reversed for the 49ers' second game, Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Raiders.
--Shaun Hill lofted a nice pass 40 yards down field that hit receiver Josh Morgan in perfect stride behind the defense of Nate Clements and Michael Lewis. Alex Smith responded moments later with a laser on a deep-in to Dominique Zeigler.
--Despite being tightly covered by Marcus Hudson, Bear Pascoe caught a throw from Damon Huard along the left sideline when
--Adam Snyder has taken every snap with the first-team offense at right tackle this summer. Marvel Smith has yet to make his mark, as he bids for the starting job. Said Raye, "(Smith) is being evaluated along with Adam Snyder. I think the rep count is basically pretty close. When we make the decision to give him some more reps with the first unit, it will be from the medical staff that gives us clearance to practice him a little more. If his play to that point dictates that he's deserved or earned the right to get some snaps with the first team, we will do that going forward."
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Get it right Matt ... it's "Don't tase me, bro!"
I really hope they don't have to decide b/w Spurlock and J.Hill. Hill is solid out of the slot.
Matt- Regarding your tweet about the Crabtree situation, at what point does the original offer begin to become obsolete? I mean, we offered him 10 overall money assuming he'd be in camp and would contribute this season. If he doesn't sign until after the preseason is over, he can't be worth the same as he was if he'd have been in camp. I would hope McLoughlan is lowering the offer every day, as Crabtree's value goes down each and every day he is not in camp, and eventually it will go down to zero when he's been out of camp so long that he is unable to play this season. Can you offer a contract that pays 0? :)
& Allen Rossum is playing a lot of CB too. Plus Battle, Spurlock & Brandon Jones (PRs) can all contribute to the return game. What a tight competition!
I've got J-Hill ranked as 6th WR at best, & that's sans B-Jones & Crabtree. Will we carry 8 WRs on the 53?
I LOVE JIMMY RAYE!
"Hill is solid out of the slot. " - NO HE HIS NOT
....Again confusing what you wish will happen to what is exactly happening..
I am not knocking Hill, but the dude is too stiff.....he sure will catch the ball but his agility and elusiveness is terrible
i want him on the team but i will take spurlock, battle over him anyday...
It's getting to a point where i might actually move ziggy cuz of his height over Hill...
Marvel Smith... It makes you wonder why they signed him if he isn't really getting reps needed to forge a O-Line?
As for Crabtree.. NO his value isn't going down. Four in front of him haven't signed. With the Huge Contract Curry got he will make more money now. His agent has played it smart. In the end Crabtree will make more money for having sat out. That is just the way it is in the NFL. It's is just insane.
So much for slotting as Curry got more than Jackson.
Jason seems to be like his brother Shaun Hill, they seem to suck in practice, but exceed expectations within games.
-I won't count Jason out just yet, this guy comes in handy towards the mid-point of the season. Jason is still very intriguing, he's a junk yard dog sometimes (and will take defenders on once and a while for an extra yard).
Please young fella, you should be the last person telling people about confusing what they wish and what will actually happen.
How is he not a solid receiver? He averaged about 10 yds per catch last year (yes, that actually happened). I don't know how many times he's been thrown to though. Maybe I should have said possession receiver. Terrible agility and elusiveness? Where'd you get that?
Marco: Curry's was a 6 year deal, as opposed to a 5 year deal for Jackson, which is why he got more money.
Blitz
Just think back a couple of years when Brandon Williams
was returning punts getting like 3 yards per return or muffing it. Rossum is highly underrated and he's a huge asset in the return game. As long as he stays healthy
Report: Crabtree holdout likely to reach September
I like the "taser" offense. Pretty cool for an ole school coordinator.
Here's what I like about what I'm hearing this year... No one on *this* coaching staff appears stuck on having to go with Jason Hill or Reggie Smith because they were both drafted in R3. It seems if Spurlock is better, Hill will be sent packing if there's no room for him. The Marvel Smith / Adam Snyder commentary is equally compelling. *This* coaching staff appears ready to give Snyder the starting job at RT if he proves to be the best option, regardless of the FA signing and presumed starting spot for Marvel months ago. (Of course, this is entirely consistent with *this* coaching staff's decision to install Rachal at RG and Goldson at FS after Nolan maintained his decision-making based on something other than performance.) Here's what else this should tell you: the QB that starts this season will have earned it, regardless of whether he was a cast-off of the #1 pick in the draft.
Lol wait...why are folks takin' digs at J.Hill? It's the mans 3rd year in the league. He was injured/didn't play his rookie season. He showed promise last year, and now folks want to chop his knees? Man I'm glad I don't work for any of you people.
Razor,
I heard that too about Crabbs holdout until Septmeber. I say WHAT! First of all I don't see how anybody could say that with a straight face when the fact of the matter is that this thing hasn't even unfolded yet duo to the draft picks ahead of Crabbs that haven't even signed? It's assenine & irresponsible to even perdict that this is what's going to happen!
I'm a 49er fan and that includes season tickets and all.
Now I've been getting worried about the injury list expanding. I was until I checked out the Raiders injury list. They have way more guys on the injury list than the 49ers do and it kind of relieved my worry's!
Before anybody jumps on me, I snuck over to Phil Barber's blog and checked it out. I PROMISE never to do it again. That is bringing the Raiders up on MM's blog and the 49er family site! PLEASE forgive me!
Heads-Up!
Alex Smith will be on the "live cam" on Total Access on the NFL Network today.
Terry, you are forgiven. And the Eagles have 10 guys who can't suit up for the first pre-season game, too. It's football. Guys get hurt every day. You gotta be nuts to play pro ball. Thank God there are 1,696 of these official nuts doing it, though, so nuts like us can have some entertainment.
And so guys like Matt can have a job and be a famous Twitter Tweeter.
*GASP!* YOU SHALL BE STONED!!!
It is funny though how Coach Sing got hit with some lightweight criticism for his physical (with an F) approach towards training camp. And the only serious injury thus far (knocking on wood) occurred during OTAs.
Alex is coming up on Team Cam in a few minutes
As I said several times Stampede,how can Sing's camp be so bad when he doesn't even allow tackling in practice,even though everyone has pads on? Some of these media types sure love to over blow every story !
Roaringback
Won't have to look that further back. Zeigler as an emergency PR last year was hapless enough...
I am looking more at the practice auditionees this camp & wondering how the competition will affect the 53. Although if you believe in Barrows, he has steadfastly listed Spurlock at #2 return specialist & B-Jones at #3.)
The backup kickoff returner is actually less clear, with D-Walk & M-Rob currently sidelined. IMO Kory Sheets may get get a look here, along with Spurlock. Then again, only D-Walk (KRs) & Robert Ortiz (PRs) got to field returns with Rossum last preseason.
Who knows, Spurlock may beat out not just J-Hill but also Battle (if SF elects not to overstock at WR).