Day 7, practice 12: Good day for defense
This is when I'm supposed to draw out some of the interesting tidbits from the morning practice and explain how it's going to carry over into the regular season.
Or, I could just write that there was not a whole lot noteworthy going on this morning.
Shaun Hill completed 6 of 10 passes in 11-on-11. All the throws were short. He tried to go deep, but he and Josh Morgan were not on the same page. The pass landed 20 yards in back of the nearest receiver. Alex Smith struggled to complete a pass, hooking up on just 2 of 8 2 of 7 attempts.
Chalk this one up to the defense. Cornerback Dre' Bly got some credit by the coaching staff for his diagnosis on run plays. Marques Harris got his fingertips on a pass toward the sideline to Bear Pascoe. The ball changed direction ever so slightly, and Pascoe could not make the grab.
Justin Smith worked over J.J. Finley for what would've been a sack of Hill. Michael Lewis had good coverage downfield to break up a pass to Vernon Davis.
The young guys took over at the end of practice again. Nate Davis was 0 for 2, but one of the throws was a nice toss downfield to Pascoe, who dropped it. Kory Sheets got the call on four run plays during that sequence.
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Of course, you know about receiver Brandon Jones sustaining a fractured right shoulder. He is expected to miss eight weeks. Linebacker Jay Moore returned to practice after missing three days with a cut middle finger on his left hand, and tight end Delanie Walker remained out with a concussion.
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NFL officials have been on the field the past two days to update the players and coaches (and media) on the rules changes. Referee Carl Cheffers is here, along with line judge Charles Stewart, field judges Rob Vernatchi and Jon Lucivansky.
Among the topic covered:
--Any hit to the helmet on a defenseless player, regardless of whether it's helmet to helmet, is against the rules.
--A point of emphasis will be low hits on the passer. The defender now bears the responsibility to avoid a low hit. If he's blocked to the ground, the onus falls on him to get up and make a high hit. Just call this the Brady Rule.
--Areas of concern for the league include horse-collar tackles and "in your face" taunting.
--Receiving team on kickoff is not allowed to form a wedge of more than two players. Infraction will be a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call.
--Kicking team can't bunch everyone together on onside kicks. Teams much have four players on either side of the kicker with at least three players outside the hashmarks on each side, with one player outside the numbers. Penalty is 5-yard illegal formation.
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Shaun Hill will Start Week 1 and deserves the chance, he has earned it!
Hi Matt, Thanks for the great coverage. Sounds like we're getting closer to flag football. Teams have specialists for first, second and third downs. Old 9er fans will remember Leo Nomellini, never missed a game in 14 years, guess they don't make them like that anymore.
Matt is N Davis still throwing with gloves? What happened with this habit, are the coaches ok with it, or they try to take it out? Thanks
Have the 49ers practices tailed off? What hapened to all the excitement and improvement?
Hi Matt, Can the 49ers place Brandon Jones on the PUP list resulting in him taking up one less roster spot at the beginning of the season? If so, don't you think that would be the best option because he could rejoin the team after week 6 when, hopefully, he has fully recovered?
Question: Can the 49ers place Brandon Jones on the PUP list resulting in him taking up one less roster spot at the beginning of the season? If so, don't you think that would be the best option because he could rejoin the team after week 6 when, hopefully, he has fully recovered?
My response: The PUP list is only for players who report to training camp with an injury. So the 49ers are unable to save a roster spot and still keep Jones eligible to play this season. Jones must take a spot on the 53-man roster at the start of the season. The 49ers will make him one of their inactive players on regular-season game days until he's ready to play. This likely means that the 49ers will keep one more receiver on their 53-man roster. --Matt M.
They're taking away the on side kick? Why?
"Linebacker Jay Moore returned to practice after missing three days with a cut middle finger on his left hand..."
Perhaps words just don't the injury justice but 3 days?
Smith 2 for 7....OUCH!!! MS must have allowed a half speed pass rush!
I wish the team still held the workouts in the heat of Rocklin (although this year it's been cooler than usual.) It seems the heat does a body good and keeps the muscles and tendons loose. I think it also helps players when the games start. The cool weather seems to make it easier on the player and easier for pulled muscles. NOW this is my opinion. I have no proof to back me up. But it just seems to me that the hot weather makes for better conditioning and that's why so many teams like their TC in the heat.
Maybe it's also because I live near Rocklin!
Question: They're taking away the on side kick? Why?
My response: They're taking away the alignment when a bunch of players on the kicking team can converge on the guy getting ready to field the onside kick. They're doing it because of safety concerns. --Matt M.
I get the new onside kick rule, but I don't understand why the wedge isn't allowed anymore.
Stampede: I read earlier this week that injury concerns are why they've disallowed the 3 or 3+ man kickoff wedge. I assume that they have the stats to make the changes. Since just about everyone uses the 3 man wedge, it will be interesting to see what the coaches come up with now for kick returns. 5decadefan