The 49ers had just one practice session, and here's a quick recap:
--Alex Smith opened with the first unit. (Shaun Hill went out with the first-team offense on Saturday.) In the 11-on-11 work, but QBs worked primarily underneath. Smith tried to hit Brandon Jones with a couple deep passes. One was broken up by good coverage from Nate Clements and Michael Lewis. On the other, Clements might have impeded Jones' route with a subtle hold.
--Hill's arm was hit once while throwing - and that's a no-no. D-line coach Jim Tomsula reminded his players that the QB is not to be touched. Another time, Kentwan Balmer pushed the pocket and Hill nearly got swallowed by the mass of bodies. Somehow, he spun out of the congestion to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
--Both Smith and Hill completed 5 of 8 passes, while rookie Nate Davis was 1 of 2.
--Rookie running back Glen Coffee continues to work as Frank Gore's backup, and undrafted rookie Kory Sheets saw some practice time, too. Sheets carried twice and caught a short pass from Hill. Sheets is getting more work than Thomas Clayton.
--Outside linebacker Parys Haralson (right hip flexor) sat out, and Ahmad Brooks took his spot. Brooks went over to work on pass-rush drills during the one-on-one session. Dre' Bly stepped into right cornerback with Tarell Brown still out with a toe sprain. Both Haralson and Brown are listed as day-to-day.
--Fullback Moran Norris missed the first two days of practice due to personal reasons. He was spotted on the practice field today, walking off with Frank Gore. Norris is expected to take part in practice tomorrow.
--When the 49ers worked on kickoffs and kickoff return, Allen Rossum, Arnaz Battle and Micheal Spurlock worked handling kicks as the deep men.
--Through two days of practices, tight end Vernon Davis has caught seven passes in 11-on-11, while Brandon Jones and Michael Robinson have caught five apiece, while Gore has four receptions.
--Back at it tomorrow morning, as the 49ers hit the field at 8:30 a.m. The second practice begins at 4:20 p.m.
* * *
Meaningless question, but I'm curious to know what the QB's did during the Nutcracker drill. If you tell me it was Smith v. Hill butting heads, I'll know you're putting me on. But seriously, they didn't...did they?
Why not offer Parker / KC a swap?
I'd gladly pay Top 5 money for TyJax and give KC another weapon for Cassel.
Talk it up Matt!
I don't think KC would pay Crabtree 3rd overall money, otherwise they would've drafted him at 3. I could be wrong tho.
Or hey, maybe rather than writing Crabtree off completely because he missed two days of practice, everyone can take a deep breath, discover the ability to rationally appraise a situation and realize he's not the first holdout in the history of the NFL.
Very few receivers make an impact Year 1, last year was an anomaly, and he doesn't even really have a role until Bruce retires anyway. He'll sign eventually, ride the bench while he learns the pro game and be a weapon in 2010. Because that's how the NFL has always worked.
Seriously, he misses four practices and suddenly he should get traded, I mean honestly...
Since Parker represents both guys we might have at least a little desire to talk "Average Cost".
I'd rather have the OLB/DE anyway and he was on my wishlist for our 10 pick in April anyway.
Granted KC got an excellent piece for their 3-4, I just wish we had him. Pie in the sky perhaps, but I'd ask KC if they had any interest in averaging and swapping.
Agreed it's only 2 practices and he's not needed etc, but I'm starting to turn my head a little in the direction of those 'Diva' comments that I've dismissed all along.
My comment had more to do with having more of an option to talk to KC and averaging the 2 Parker clients to gauge any interest in swapping players.
Yes, pie in the sky perhaps, but both we and KC have at least a common interest by virtue of the agent in charge.
I could easily say sit and watch too. I wouldn't place any heavy expectations on him other then to learn the offense and heal completely.
We do have some depth at the WR position for a change and Parker can't leverage too much by advising his client to hold out in our case.
We'll see how the worm turns this week.
Matt...I hear quite a bit about Jones making catches, where's Josh Morgan?
Read the article in the PD. It's all about Morgan
Question: Matt...I hear quite a bit about Jones making catches, where's Josh Morgan?
My comment: Your wish is my command.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090802/SPORTS/908029969/1010/SPORTS?Title=Morgan-takes-advantage-of-Crabtree-s-absence
--Matt M.
MM.- it seems Boone is playing well, do you see him taking over the #2 RT spot?
Where do u think snyder will end up?
How are the other rookies playing....
MM - Any info on this ?
"on Saturday, Singletary stopped an 11-on-11 team drill, stepped into the offensive huddle and had a quick, animated discussion with a slightly surprised Alex Smith....I cannot remember ever seeing Nolan step into any offensive huddle, have words with any offensive player or have any kind of public conversation with Smith." - kawakami
What was A.Smith reaction after ?
I am loving this...finally he gets to learn from a true leader.....
..."For three straight seasons, the Arizona defense has been average against formations with the quarterback under center and one of the three worst defenses in the league against formations with the quarterback in shotgun. Ben Roethlisberger marched the Steelers down the field to win the Super Bowl using shotgun, and the Patriots blew out the Cardinals by using shotgun, even though there was a snowstorm. Asks Football Outsiders: "Why don't teams use shotgun against Arizona all the time?''"......
Hi Matt: I have not heard that much about Bear Pascoe. any update on him? I am really high on him, more than Crabtree.
Reminds of me of Ronnie Lott.
Michael Crabtree WR SF - 5 years, $29.15 ($17.8M guaranteed)
Hi Matt, T.Brown can't seem to get on the field. So far in his career he does not seem dependable enough for a starting position due to his persistant injury problems. I hope he works it out and gets some PT during camp and in the preseason games. Always liked Ahmed Brooks he could be someone to watch.
Anyone attend practice on Saturday? I have tickets for Saturday morn and am wondering what I should expect. I attened one last year; I think they issued too many tickets, the place was a zoo. Hopefully they've figured it out. Thanks in advance.
I agree entirely Danny! If Crabtree signs in the first couple of weeks of practice, catches a couple of passes, we'll hear most of the guys cutting him down here praising Crabtree and the 49ers for picking him! He'll suddenly become "the man!" It'll be who cares if he's a "diva!"
Why? Because he'll be a 49er in RED and GOLD!
Oneniner: The reaction that I noticed was the "surprised" (deer in the headlights look ?) of Alex Smith to Sing needing to step into Smith's huddle and take over. Hill has no trouble LEADING his own huddle !
...And there is no problem with Crabtree and he is still THE catch of the draft. Even Sing held out of camp two different times in his career and he is as oldschool as it gets.
Some of you guys make me laugh when you talk about trading Crabtree .