Justin Smith also sat out the contact part of practice, but he might be back this afternoon. I think the team was just resting him. Moran Norris was back on the field after missing the first two days to attend to personal issues.
Cornerback Tarell Brown (toe) and outside linebacker Parys Haralson (hip flexor) sat out this morning.
Here's a run down from the morning practice:
--The 49ers opened with the "nutcracker" drill, in which an offensive player and defensive player of relative size square off in head-to-head, straight-forward contact. Among the sequences I saw (there were six stations across the field): Frank Gore pushed back Dashon Goldson; Glen Coffee moved Michael Lewis, but I later saw Lewis flatten Coffee; after an initial statemate, Khalif Mitchell tossed down David Baas; Dominique Zeigler pushed back Jahi Word-Daniels; Alex Boone and Pannel Egboh were even; Manny Lawson more than held his own against Vernon Davis every time I saw (I'd give Lawson a slight win every time); Kentwan Balmer did OK against Adam Snyder, but Chilo Rachal powered Balmer; Arnaz Battle won against Marcus Hudson; Jay Moore and Bear Pascoe were pretty even; J.J. Finley got the better of Diyral Briggs; Cody Wallace fared well against Babatunde Oshinowo; Tony Wragge won against Egboh; Mitchell and Jacob Bender were even; Pascoe did well against Ahmad Brooks; and in the big surprise of the session, Kyle Howard got the upper hand on Isaac Sopoaga and received some high-fives for his effort.
--The 49ers worked on kickoff return. The first-team kick return unit featured Allen Rossum, Michael Robinson, Delanie Walker, Balmer, Norris, Takeo Spikes, Reggie Smith, Zak Keasey, Jeff Ulbrich, Hudson and Brooks. The second-team unit was
--The 49ers are sticklers for doing the little things. Mike Singletary made the defense reform their huddle the correct way.
--Ulbrich took over for Wills, while Balmer played RDE in place of Justin Smith.
--Shaun Hill opened with the first team. He completed all four passing attempts in the first portion of 11-on-11, but he had to scramble out of the pocket once. Singletary said there were too many bodies around the quarterback.
--Reggie Smith was the nearest player in coverage on Hill passes to Walker and Davis. On the first Alex Smith pass, Reggie Smith broke up the ball intended for Micheal Spurlock.
--Frank Gore did a nice job of picking up OLB Jay Moore off the left edge.
--Dominique Zeigler showed his fabulous hands when he stretched his 6-foot-3 frame to the maximum to catch a high pass from Smith on a short hitch.
--During a passing drill, Josh Morgan made a sensational leaping catch of a deep pass against the coverage of Nate Clements and Curtis Taylor.
--Inside linebacker Mark Washington got a lot of coaching on the field, as he did not seem to be always where the coaches wanted him.
--In one-on-one pass rush: Manny Lawson made a nice inside move to beat Joe Staley; Mitchell got through Cody Wallace, but later Wallace locked up Mitchell; Evans pushed back Joe Toledo but Toledo did a good job of staying between the pass-rusher and the QB; Boone had a very nice sequence against Jay Moore, eliciting a "Good job, Alex;" newly added guard Matt Spanos performed nicely against Oshinowo.
--On multiple-player rush drills, the offensive line did a good job of handling stunts. Rachal and Snyder fared well against Brooks and Balmer; Baas and Staley held their ground against Evans and Lawson; Harris got around Boone on one play, but the next time the Boone-Wragge tandem did well against Harris and Sopoaga.
--Back to 11-on-11, undrafted rookie Terrail Lambert blanketed Arnaz Battle on a Smith deep pass.
--The 49ers focused on the run game, as 13 of the 18 plays during this session were runs. Glen Coffee got the ball stripped from behind (well down the field) by
* * *
My wife, Sarah, asked me a good question last night: How far apart are the 49ers and Michael Crabtree, in terms of actual dollars?
Answer: First, it seems to me that the major difference is more philosophical. Like the real-estate market, it's all about comparables. Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, wants one set of comparables as the basis, while - as I understand it - the 49ers believe it's pretty straight-forward based on where Crabtree was selected in the draft.
So if I were to take an educated-but-uninformed guess, I'd say the sides are in the neighborhood of $8-10 million apart in guaranteed money.
* * *
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said of Michael Crabtree: "I don't know any more about him than I did when we drafted him."
Josh Morgan has a chance to be the No. 1 receiver this season. He is becoming more entrenched the longer Crabtree is away from the team. Raye said Josh Morgan's versatility is a real asset. Morgan - like
* * *
And more name-dropping . . .
--RB Thomas Clayton, a popular player among readers of this blog based on his play in the past two exhibition seasons, has not seen much work in 11-on-11. Undrafted rookie Kory Sheets is getting more action than Clayton.
--On the third-team defense, undrafted rookies Carlos Thomas is lining up at right cornerback, while Jahi Word-Daniels plays left cornerback.
--Behind the top four inside linebackers (Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, Scott McKillop and Jeff Ulbrich) are ted Mark Washington and mike Justin Roland.
--The designated leg in training camp is Alex Romero. The 49ers save a roster spot by having Romero serve as the backup punter and kicker. One thing about the first-year player from
* * *
Great stuff Matt, as always. The Crabtree deal sounds a long ways off. Crabtree might just buy himself a bench spot for the year like J Russell if this keeps up.
Thankfully we have Morgan to develop, who I think will really emerge this year.
Chilo Rachal is going to be in the Pro Bowl soon. That dude is nasty.
Matt,
I'm a little puzzled about the lack of practice time with Clayton. I know it's still pretty early in TC & I do like Sheets getting his share but Clayton should be getting some reps right?
Here's a run down from the morning practice ...
Good stuff. The context (not just who-did-what, but who-did-what-against-whom) on noteworthy plays is especially appreciated.
Josh Morgan has a chance to be the No. 1 receiver this season. He is becoming more entrenched the longer Crabtree is away from the team.
(cross-posted comment from Dan Brown's blog)
Crabwatch
It isn't difficult to find several 1st round WR holdouts in past drafts who started their NFL careers with extended holdouts -- and ended the same as extensive busts.
Not that one (holdout) has anything to do with the other (bust), ibid. Sing. Or that Crabtree is tempting fate.
Still ....
David Verser, Kansas, 10th pick 1981. Verser held out through most of training camp, giving 2nd rounder Cris Collinsworth all the reps he needed on the way to 67 recs as a rookie -- while Verser managed 6.
Clyde Duncan, Tennessee, 17th pick 1984. Drafted by the Cards, training camp holdout, 2 NFL seasons, 4 career receptions.
Desmond Howard, Michigan, 4th pick 1992. Missing all of training camp, Howard was the Crabtree of his era. A spectacular collegian who won numerous awards -- including the Heisman -- as a WR. Drafted by the Redskins as a can't miss game-changer, Howard did, in fact, miss BIG at WR, never snagging more than 40 recs in a season (123 total for his career). Mitigating bust status: his Super Bowl MVP worthy role as a return guy for the Pack.
Michael Westbrook, Colorado, 4th pick 1995. Another training camp holdout, another NFL bust. Westbrook delivered 1 good-not-great year out of 8, was often injured, is most remembered for pounding then-teammate Stephen Davis (available on Youtube) during a fight at a Redskin training camp in 1997.
Matt,
It's early, but I get the sense that the real QB competition is between Smith and Huard for a roster spot. When he was signed, I felt that Huard was an insurance policy in case Smith couldn't recover from his injuries, or that he couldn't adjust to another OC. Smith is getting a real chance to prove himself. If he does, I think Huard gets cut (or traded?). I can't believe that the Niners would expose Nate Davis to another team by placing him on the Practice Squad.And I don't believe that they would carry 4 QBs, especially with some promising players fighting to make the team at WR and DL.
"I'm a little puzzled about the lack of practice time with Clayton. I know it's still pretty early in TC & I do like Sheets getting his share but Clayton should be getting some reps right?"
I thought the same thing, initially, but it really does make sense. They know exactly what they've got in Clayton. They need to get a good look at sheets to see if they can afford to drop Clayton or if sheets can hang around on the Practice squad.
Hi Matt: how would you compare this years TC vs the Nolan era TCs?
1. Assistant coach involvement
2. Coaching style (Sing. vs nolan) (i always felt Nolan thinks he is better than anyone else)
3. attention to detail (I believe that during Nolan's TC, botched offensive plays were not repeated until they get it right)
4. Overall impression? is this a competitive team? do they have real leaders?
Great job on the coverage, I really enjoy your work.
Hi Matt,
I've heard that Adam Snyder is working mainly with the 1st team and Marvel Smith with the 2nd team? Is that true?
As I have said a number of times before, keep an eye on Khalif Mitchell. This guy is going to be a much better player than Balmer. Mitchell was ahead of Balmer on the depth chart at North Carolina, and then transferred to East Carolina and was nagged by minor injuries. When on the field, he was a monster! Thanks Matt for keeping an eye on him.
Matt, Do you see any issues with Smith throwing short passes? You mentioned that Zeigler bailed him out this practice and I seem to remember Bruce doing the same with a one hander on Saturday.
Question: I've heard that Adam Snyder is working mainly with the 1st team and Marvel Smith with the 2nd team? Is that true?
My response: Yes, you did see that in this blog. I put together a first-day depth chart, and nothing has changed (other than injuries). Smith and Snyder are competing for RT job. --Matt M.
Question: Do you see any issues with Smith throwing short passes? You mentioned that Zeigler bailed him out this practice and I seem to remember Bruce doing the same with a one hander on Saturday.
My response: Through the first four practices, Smith and Hill are doing as advertised. Smith does look better than I've seen him, but the short passes are still not as automatic as they should be. I'd take Hill on any pass of less than 15 yards, while Smith has been very good on the intermediate and deep throws. --Matt M.
My 5 cents worth on the QB situtation... Hill and Smith are our two top QBs and that is not going to change. So far, coaching is evaluating Nate... he has gotten more snaps than Huard. If they see promise, they´ll keep him as our 3rd QB.
Let´s be serious, what are the chances that both Hill and Smith get seriously injured. Huard is a safety blanket (injuries only) and they already know exactly what he is capable of. If he had any upside, he´d be competing for the sarting job. Huard should be ready to be cut... unless Nate Davies plays like Barbie.
hey matt,
where do the players eat lunch? do they bring there own? or does the 49ers provide it for them? also are they provided dinner?
I wouldn't be surprised if Huard did get cut. If, by chance, one of the QBs has a serious injury, they can always sign a vet FA... perhaps even Huard again. Even if both were to go down, you've got numerous college QBs on the team and a veteran FA probably wouldn't lead to many wins, anyway.
Sorry if it is wrong to continue this argument from your Crabtree article Matt but I wanted F49er to see this. I prelude this with me saying I do not want to trade crab's I want him signed with us.
Matt can you tell us which one of us is wrong please so it can be cleared up. I know I am right but I will man up and admit it if proven wrong. I expect the same from F49er when he is proved wrong.
F49er: What is it with some of you 49er fans that come on Matt's blog that don't know the "protocol" of actually trading a #1 draft pick once the player is actually picked by a team? Here's how it goes & I'm going to start yelling to get the facts of the matter....THE 49ers HAVE TO ACTALLY SIGN THE PROSPECT FIRST!....IN ORDER TO BE IN THE POSITION OF TRADING THE PLAYER! .....HELLO!
&
Brekkon,
You're the clueless one! The Manning - Rivers Trade was done on Draft Day & that is the ONLY time you can trade a prospect without actually signing him. Look it up!
My Response: You look it up and you prove it... Your the one citing rules that don't exist so go find them and prove me wrong.
Goodness you are stupid. NFL teams can not trade a player that is not contracted. You are right about that.
HOWEVER, A draft pick is different because you did not draft the player. When a team chooses the player they win the EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS to sign that player. At any time you can sell those rights to another team. NOT just during the draft. It is the disillusionment of most fans that they actually get the player on draft day. He is not a player yet! He is an unsigned draftee. He can not join the union as a player because he has never had an NFL contract.
A prime example is the Redskins, Denver trade of Bailey and Portis. The Broncos had to sign Bailey to a deal and Redskins had to sign Portis to a deal BEFORE the trade could be completed. Without the signed deals with the new teams the trade of a non player was not allowed. They had both been franchised but not signed to contracts with their old teams so each team had the rights to their players and allowed those players to enter into contact discussions with the other team to be worked out. If both players signed then the trade would go through.
IF the 9ers did a trade with Crabtree it would work the same as that trade did except it would probably be for pick/picks next year rather than a player.
If you disagree then prove to me I am wrong post the rule that counters what I am saying!!!
Question: where do the players eat lunch? do they bring there own? or does the 49ers provide it for them? also are they provided dinner?
My response: During training camp, the players stay at the team hotel, which is a short drive from the practice facility. They are provided breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel. --Matt M.
thanks matt! i wish i had your job! do you ever get to eat with the players?
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.
This week's SI has Peter King saying that Smith has more people pulling for him to be the starter than Hill. This scares me cause I've had the feeling that King is a knowledgible guy and I've not seen any strong support for Smith except for one niner fan. I'm in agreement with most of what I've seen, that Hill should be appointed starter now.
Matt,
We are just a couple of days into training camp and there are a handful of injuries. I do understand that they are minor but do you think that coach Singletary's approach is putting undue pressure on bodies that are not not in playing form yet. Don't you think that it is just too much rough stuff at this point in the season?
Question: do you ever get to eat with the players?
My response: Why would I want to do that? I might lose a couple fingers.
--Matt M.
I would be surprised if Boone does not get a roster spot. Too much of a beast and too much raw ability.
Not to worry, Rick. Peter King is one of those guys who hardly ever is correct but always sounds like he knows what he's talking about and for some reason he remains employed for the sound and not the substance.
Matt? I know that things could change, but why would the 49ers use Norris on the kickoff team when it seems they went after him right after last season. He seems to be an very important part of the run game and the guy that knows Gore's moves more than anybody. I've read where Gore was so glad to see him back.
Why risk an injury to Norris by using him on kickoffs knowing kickoffs are so brutal, when he seems so important to the team in the fullback position?
I've got to agree with Skeebers... PK is one of the worst 'reporters' I've ever read. The only good thing about him is the KSK breakdown of his MMQB column.
http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2009/08/peter-king-wants-you-to-know-that-ed-reed-isn%e2%80%99t-giving-you-his-gloves.html
New one every monday... spectacular.
HAHAHAHHA! so true! im going to training camp on the 11th. can i get your autograph?
I was thinking that same exact thing. It may not be a coincidence that he didn't get any reps today (or was it yesterday?). Huard, you know what you're getting so he may be expendable. I can't imagine they would want to risk putting Davis on the PS.
Hey Matt,
First time poster here. I just signed up. First I would just like to say that I think you do an excellent job covering the team. I always enjoy reading your columns, blog, and hearing you on KNBR. Very informative, and very well presented. Great job!
Anyway, I guess what I have been wondering as of late is who will get cut from the receiving corp? I'd say that our group of receivers over the past 4-5 years might be the worst assembly of talent at that position that I have ever seen in the NFL. Isaac Bruce made it a little better last year, but it was still pretty bad.
I can't help but notice how much things seem to have changed over the last year, as we appear to be stacked at WR now. Crabtree, Bruce, Josh Morgan, Zeigler, J. Hill, Battle, Spurlock and a few others. Crabtree is obviously staying, as with Bruce and Josh Morgan.
After that, to me , it seems to be a little more unclear as to who stays and who goes. J. Hill is really fast and can return kicks. Zeigler is tall, and has good hands. Brandon Jones seems to be pretty decent, and we just signed him so I can't see him getting cut. It seems to me that Arnaz Battle's days are numbered. I can't see him beating out any of those guys, as they simply seem to possess more skills and physical attributes than he does.
I envision this by the end of the year:
1.Michael Crabtree
2.Josh Morgan
3.Isaac Bruce
4.Dominique Zeigler
5.Brandon Jones
6.Jason Hill
Thats a lot of receivers. Any thoughts?
Thanks
The Niners would be screwing over every other team should they decide to completely cave to Eugene Parker's demands. I'm calling it now. Six years, $42 - 45M with about $23M guaranteed. That's about on par with the ridiculous amount the Raiders gave Darrius Heyward Bey. The "slot-determined" amount of guaranteed money should be around $18M based on what Brian Orakpo and Heyward Bey (the players who have signed and were drafted behind and ahead, respectively) got. The Niners have to be careful how they structure the amount of guaranteed money because that will adversely affect the "slot" structure used by the rest of the teams that have yet to sign their #1s.
--RB Thomas Clayton, a popular player among readers of this blog based on his play in the past two exhibition seasons, has not seen much work in 11-on-11. Undrafted rookie Kory Sheets is getting more action than Clayton.
----------------------------------------------------
That is very good news. Now if Sheets makes the final roster that will be the best news.
Excellent reporting Mr. Maiocco. Sounds as if the injury bug is nibbling already. The strategy used by Mr. Crabtrees' agent is detrimental to his clients success this year. Has an incentive laden contract been proposed by either side I wonder? That is the only compromise I would agree to from the 49er perspective.
Big news. Panthers lose Maake Kemoeatu for the season with a torn ACL. 49ers get Carolina's 1st round pick in '10.
Hi Matt, I just read that the Raiders are shopping Pass Rusher Derrick Burgess. Do you think the 49ers would be interested or would it take an injury at OLB or DE (God forbid) for us to bite?
Clayton looks expendable if SF needs a camp spot. M-Rob & Keasey have also carried the rock before, giving us a 5th & 6th tailback if need be.
From what I sense, Raye may have to compensate like his predecessors did: S-Hill remains more of a rhythm passer, whereas Alex still comes off more mechanical.
Odd WR out? Could be J-Hill. In particular cuz B-Jones is showing he can be a viable 3rd WR (at least). Won't be surprised if Battle makes the team either. Nothing about J-Hill, but his breakthrough came in Martz's system (which always produced a Hakim or Furrey or Shaun McDonald who proceeded to underwhelm in other systems).
No way it's J.Hill. He was a 3rd round pick and was coming along nicely last season. I don't think it was the system.
I agree Stampede. J. Hill started looking like he was getting comfortable playing in the NFL. Early on he looked nervous and uncomfortable and was dropping passes right in his hands. I would be shocked if he doesn't make the team,shocked.