Day 3, practice 5: QBs hit the mark
Here is one clear observation through the first five 49ers practices of training camp: The team's passing game is far ahead of where it was a year ago at this time.
Shaun Hill and Alex Smith continue to throw the ball very well in practice, and the receivers continue to make all the catches.
Who knows how (or if) this is going to translate to when the team starts playing games, but Hill and Smith look infinitely better than a year ago when they seemed paralyzed by the complexities of the Mike Martz offense.
In today's 11-on-11 work during the team's two practices, Hill completed 16 of 20 passes, while Smith connected on 14 of his 18 attempts. Smith had an interception when blitzing defensive back Marcus Hudson got his hands on a pass at the line of scrimmage and outside linebacker Jay Moore gathered it in. After that interception, Smith completed his final 10 pass attempts of the day.
Here are some of the particulars from the afternoon workout:
--Takeo Spikes and Marvel Smith were afforded the luxury as vets of sitting this one out. Justin Smith returned to practice after resting in the morning. Patrick Willis (ankle), Parys Haralson (hip flexor) and Tarell Brown (toe) also sat out.
--Tight ends coach Pete Hoener is really working on rookie Bear Pascoe. He rode him pretty hard during a pass-protection session, going into umpire mode when Pascoe whiffed on three pitches vs. Jay Moore, Marques Harris and then the punch-out against Manny Lawson. But Hoener also showed his warm and fuzzy side when he gently instructed Pascoe on how he wanted a certain corner route executed.
--Right before 11-on-11, Willis told cornerback Dre' Bly that he wanted to see an interception. Bly nearly got it when he jumped an "out" route by Micheal Spurlock and got his hands on a Hill pass.
--Delanie Walker and Vernon Davis continue to catch a lot of passes.
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--Glen Coffee shows some good hands out of the backfield. He has caught all six passes thrown his way during 11-on-11 work this training camp. Likewise, Kory Sheets has hauled in all four passes to him.
--Dominique Zeigler was used as an emergency punt-returner late last season. He got a shot during the afternoon practice, and flubbed it.
--Back at it tomorrow morning. The 49ers have practices scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and 4:20 p.m.
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Thanks for the great insight Matt. I am giddy with excitement for the coming season.
Question: I know it is EARLY, but can make a judgment on which QB has a bead on being the starter?
Thanks!
Jay Moore suffered a season ending cut to his finger in today's practice. He's on the bubble, he better not give the turk an opening.
Haven't heard much about Bly... how's he looking? He's got the potential to be a HUGE FA signing for the niners.
If I remember correctly, Hill has struggled in practice, only to shine during game day. If the trend holds true, and if he and Alex both are looking just as good, I would expect Hill to be named the starter. Regarless, it is refreshing to hear postive things coming out of this offense.
We'll see. It's still early and we're still a long way from the regular season. Still, I know what you mean. With Goldson and Bly out there I hope we'll be taking away more than giving away. It's good to see the competitive nature of the D
It's very encouraging to hear that the offense is much further along then last year about this time. That in itself makes me think the offense is going to be much more productive then the 49ers have been in a long time. I also heard that Manny Lawson has looked really good coming off the edge & causing havoc. Boone & Sheets have looked really good too I've heard, not bad for 2 players that weren't even drafted.
Seriously was just trying to put that into words... Hill is "Shining" in practice for the first time ever!!! Where u at OneNiner??? Makin myself a Martini!!! :)
Matt- whats going on with Roman, is he lining up with the second team and has he even made a play?
Lol! Prepare yourself for a lot of silence from the Hill haters.
Hate Hill or not... great to hear that he's having good practices now. I'm really curious to see if that will transfer to game days. Perhaps he's one of the 'late bloomers'. I damn sure wouldn't be angry about that.
How is Scot Mckilop doing in practice? Haven't heard his name called out much.
Matt, the last few years the coverage of TC's and practices always showed the Defense having many interceptions in practice, yet in actual games the defense had far fewer against opposing offenses. Now it seems like so far there are more completions in practice/TC and far fewer INT's by the defense so far. Is there anything about our new offensive system that might explain this noticeable difference? Or is the O simply doing a better job at getting the ball out or is it something else like formations or disguising true routes, etc? It always seemed that the defense had our offenses number in practice...my feeling was always that if our offense can't beat our own defense in practice, how can we expect to beat others on Sundays? Hopefully this bodes well for the new system under Jimmy Raye and how it utilizes our players strengths.
Read these posts from my phone today. Love it. Nicely done MM
Hi Matt,
you wrote "The team's passing game is far ahead of where it was a year ago at this time. Shaun Hill and Alex Smith continue to throw the ball very well in practice, and the receivers continue to make all the catches."
When I read something like this I'm not sure that it's a good thing for the team: in your opinion, is 49ers offense really better or is 49ers defense worst than last year?
-Ciro
Big J,
From what I've heard both have been throwing alot more of the 10 yard range passes in TC so far than the intermediate to long passes thus the high completion ratio for both QB's. So you have the ball getting out of the QB's hands faster & not letting the defense get in position to intercept the ball. Matt, can you cofirm this?
Also just read on SFgate that Gore had singled out McKillop as "one tough guy" when he mentioned how physical this TC is & getting knocked around by the LB's. Nice!
"With Goldson and Bly out there I hope we'll be taking away more than giving away. "
Close to what I was thinking. If Bly can return to Lions form, having two very good corners out there is going to allow Goldson to have a field day. When he was with the Lions, Bly was widely regarded as a 'shutdown corner'... When he teamed up with Bailey, they were supposed to be the best corner duo in the league, but Bly fell off a cliff. Now that he got his boat rocked, here's to hoping he can return to form, potentially putting the D in the top 10 or better.
the thing I like about Bly was he was concerned about his conditioning and weight in the offseason. He said most guys bulk up and put on 10 -15 lbs after being in the league for a couple of years. Bly says he's about the same, if not 5 lbs lighter to be quicker this year. We.ll have to live witht the occational blown coveage, but that's OK. i can live with that if we have an agressive, physical top 10 !
Matt -
Did the team do many pass rush drills in last year's TC? I'm curious how Lawson is looking this year compared to last. I know they haven't done many drills thus far, but I'd love it if you could keep an eye on Lawson and tell us if he appears to be a legit pass rusher.
...thanks for the updates....
...just one thing..:)
"but Hill and Smith look infinitely better than a year ago when they seemed paralyzed by the complexities of the Mike Martz offense."
I am confused...A.Smith was hurt last yr, so he had a good legit reason to suck.....what was Hill's excuse?...
...it is obvious A.Smith is going to be the starter....if Hill is really that good he would have been named the starter long time....
I am glad they are both throwing the ball well.....by the end of training camp we will see who still has the arm strength......i doubt the guy wit the noodle arm makes it...
...MM....cmon you got to give us the info...
Quarterback Shaun Hill emerged from the morning practice with an ice pack on his throwing shoulder but practiced unimpeded in the afternoon.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/04/SPTD193F0B.DTL&feed=rss.49ers#ixzz0NECTg1Tq
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Comment: cmon you got to give us the info... Quarterback Shaun Hill emerged from the morning practice with an ice pack on his throwing shoulder
My response: Alex Smith ices after every practice, too. It's common practice during training camp, just like a pitcher who ices his arm after an outing (Tim Lincecum excluded). --Matt M.
Question: whats going on with Roman, is he lining up with the second team and has he even made a play?
My response: Yes, and no. --Matt M.
You're a goon.
Sheets could surprise the league. GO!
Hey Matt - it's great to hear that both Hill and Smith are completing the majority of their passes. But here's my questions, does that mean our secondary is playing awful?
So Far so good! From your reporting it looks like we have real reasons for optimism. Coach is on target and I am very happy with the direction since he took over!
Gaels have an open practice Thursday before leaving for Ausraila!
Alex Smith "had a good legit reason to suck". OMG! Is that a hint of objectivity? Did you and Alex have a spat? His reasons to suck are as follows:
Lack of pocket presence
Inaccuracy as a passer
Poor decision making
Questionable leadership skills (although I like his quotes on false leadership)
I'm just busting your chops. I couldn't resist. Hopefully Alex will be able to hold off Nate to win the backup job. I do not believe Smith was hurt most of training camp last year. His injury came toward the end of training camp or even toward the 1st regular season game. His suckage was his own doing.
cmon ..even yu should know better...Alex was not heal 100% from the shoulder surgery...
All those things you stated could be also associated with Hill....
Lack of pocket presence - he his more erratic than any other QB we hav...
Inaccuracy as a passer ...the only reason the stats show him accurate is cuz of those "stupid" short passes
Poor decision making - unless Hill has no interceptions - then he also makes poor decisions..like that cowboy game last yr...
Questionable leadership skills - I really dont see Hill up and down emotions as a leadership quality...i am not hearing any teammates callin him a leader..have u?
I think Hill has won more games than Alex Smith in much fewer starts. Thats the true measure between these guys. Hill doesn't set the world on fire but he seems to get the job done.
Alex just isn't very good . It's really that simple.
Now if a miracle happens and he changes and vastly improves almost his entire game and finally shows some NFL caliber skills,I will be happy.