Day 7, practice 13: First non-padded practice
After 6 ½ days of practices, 49ers coach Mike Singletary finally gave his team a break. Oh, they practiced this afternoon. It's just that they did it without full pads.
One of the new elements of the team's afternoon practice was the addition of a 3-second clock. During passing drills, the clock began counting down from :03 at each snap. If the quarterback had not yet gotten rid of the ball in the allotted time, an electric collar fastened to his neck shocked him into submission.
Sorry, I'm getting a little punchy. That's what I've come to expect from a Mike Singletary training camp. Alas, there was no electroconvulsive therapy. But there was an annoying buzzer that sounded when the 3-second clock reached zero. The thinking was that the QB should have already gotten the ball out of his hands.
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With Michael Crabtree yet to join the team and Brandon Jones out for two months with a broken shoulder, the 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver Chris Francies, who has two career receptions in eight career games with the Packers in 2006 and '07.
The 49ers released defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo to make room for Francies on the roster.
A note on Jones: Because he did not report to training camp with an injury, he is not eligible to be placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list to start the regular season. The 49ers must carry Jones on their 53-man roster to open the season if they plan on him playing in 2009 (which they do).
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Neither quarterback is separating himself in the QB competition. Hill was much better in the morning session, and Smith won the afternoon. Smith completed 12 of 15 passes in the recently completed practice. Hill was 7 of 11 with an interception by Parys Haralson off a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage.
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Some folks have asked about receiver Jason Hill. He has been sort of lost in the shuffle through the first week. He has an opportunity now with Brandon Jones out of action to step up and win the job as the No. 3 receiver. Right now, Arnaz Battle has been better through the first week.
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The 49ers concluded practice with a two-minute drill. Hill completed each of his three attempts, but Vernon Davis turned it over when Jeff Ulbrich punched out the ball from behind after a completed pass. Reggie Smith recovered it.
Smith made a very nice 25-yard throw to Dominique Zeigler on a dig route. The 49ers ended up settling for a short Alex Romero field goal.
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How's RJF lookin so far?
Question: How's RJF lookin so far?
My response: Haven't seen much of him thus far. I'll keep an eye out at practice tomorrow, though. --Matt M.
Good one on the electro collar. Oh you were only joking? LOL's. I think that's just what Smith would need to solve his decisiveness problem. Sorry Alex. Seriously good recognition & idea by Coach Sing & Staff. Hopefully this can shake Smith some out of his holding the ball too long funk. Man, haven't you seen how Hill does it long enough?? C'mon Smithy I'm pullin' for ya bro. Get that thing outta there!
Yeah I was also wondering about Jason Hill. Same with Reggie Smith. Too bad about my man Brandon Jones. He was my sleeper pick this camp. Him & my man Sheets. Like Big Al on the other side of the Bay I too am obsessed with SPEEEEED. I believe Jones was playing the slot so c'mon Hill this is your time to show us something. Bring it on baby!!
All due respect it's a deep loss for Brandon Jones not to open in the stretch (I think it might be even more of a loss for Alex Smith's chances of starting), but I was hearing from some friends who are Titans fans that Brandon's biggest flaw in the past has been his inability to stay healthy. -It's the reason he hasn't separated himself to become a notable threat at WR.
We're so lucky this year though, Jason Hill is clutch, and the only reason we didn't really offer him a lot of reps at the start of training camp was due to Jones' contract (and eventual performance).
So it looks like we'll be opening the season with our 2008 squad (which is now a sharp squad thanks to Sullivan).
Matt, do you think Ahmad Brooks has the ability to effectively drop into coverage or will he be used as more of a pass rusher?
I don't think you can say that about Jason Hill. Singletary is as straight a shooter as you'll see. If Hill could beat out Jones in camp he would get the job fair & square. From what I'm hearing Jones legitimately is so far the better receiver making plays left & right. Barrows has reported Jones' speed is as advertised so that makes me like him even more. Sounds like he runs routes decent as well. Hill has the same knock as Jones on the injury bug. Hopefully one of these 2 can start getting passed that but looking at both of their histories it doesn't look good right now. Speaking of injuries, Hill's just now getting back from one again right? He's close to being labeled as an injury prone type if he isn't already. Hopefully he can step it up.
MM – I have to hand it to you that you've not succumbed to the media frenzy we call Crabcakes crying for cash.
Thank you my brotha for keeping it real with the TC coverage 24/7. The spotlight is on Jason Hill to step up in Jones' absence.
Gore will miss Jones more than anyone. His ability to attack the deep seam would keep def coordinators from putting 8 in the box, jamming the cut back lanes. The 9ers need to attack the whole field because their QB's lack pinpoint accuracy, and Hill especially is weak downfield. I like Battle but he's not going to force any cover 2's. If Hill has deep speed, this is his chance
Gore will miss Jones more than anyone. His ability to attack the deep seam would keep def coordinators from putting 8 in the box, jamming the cut back lanes. The 9ers need to attack the whole field because their QB's lack pinpoint accuracy, and Hill especially is weak downfield. I like Battle but he's not going to force any cover 2's. If Hill has deep speed, this is his chance
the 3 second clock is brilliant! The biggest obstacle for QB's is recognition and then decision-making and I think putting a timer on it will really help them develop faster reflexes. Kurt Warner always said that Arena Football forced him to recognize and release far faster than other QB's, and is one of the reasons why he took the league by storm in Martz greatest show on turf offense back then. He played fast in that offense, so if our guys learn to play fast we can only benefit IMO.
The 3 second buzzer was something walsh had emphasized in terms of releasing on time. The timer
was in the feet. The film on him showing Montana timing
drops is incredible. Two long strides, two short strides, hip bounce and ball is gone. Cool. I saw Norm Chow use it to during pratice to emphasize to his qb's that they couldn't wait for the rush to get them.
With respect to Crabgate...I hear all this stuff about
the owners pressuring the 9ers to hang tough. Why don't these same people get pissed at Al? Parag has been nothing
but brilliant in negotiating contracts and extentions, Al is the one giving crappy players loads of money and overdrafting.
I know Sing wants to stay out of Crabgate and is supportive of the holdout as a negotiating ploy, but now that he works for the man you would think if this drags on much longer he has to pick up the phone and tell Crabs to get his butt in TC
If Singletary was to call Crabtree and demand he get his butt into training camp, some may interpret it as interference with negotiations.
Looking at the list of free agent WR's, I'm sure it makes the Crabtree camp very happy to know they have the 49ers cornered. We could've gone after any of these guys (since we have plenty of cap space) and instead get Chris Francies, who has two career receptions!?
Booker, Marty
Carter, Drew
Carter, Jason
Colbert, Keary
Hackett, D.J.
Hall, Dante
Harrison, Marvin
Hilliard, Ike
Hurd, Sam
Jackson, Darrell
Jones, Matt
Jurevicius, Joe
Lelie, Ashley
Looker, Dane
Maxwell, Marcus
Porter, Jerry
Robinson, Koren
Taylor, Travis
Toomer, Amani
Js, Francies is not a replacement for Jones. He's a "camp body" who will be cut at the first cut down date, or when Crabtree signs.
J's,
We could have gone after Darrell Jackson? Brilliant post...Francies is a guy to catch passes in camp, nothing more, nothing less.
The three second buzzer idea is a good one, you want your QB to get the ball away quickly. However, you also don't want a robot out there who will automatically throw the ball away if a receiver is not open in three seconds. Some of the more memorable plays in the history of the game have come as a result of the QB buying more time by scrambling. I believe the 1981 Montana to Clark play took about 8 seconds before Joe threw the ball.
Matt: You have not commented on the play of Marvel Smith so far. How is M. Smith and the rest of the O Line done so far in camp.
The three second buzzer idea is a good one, you want your QB to get the ball away quickly. However, you also don't want a robot out there who will automatically throw the ball away if a receiver is not open in three seconds. Some of the more memorable plays in the history of the game have come as a result of the QB buying more time by scrambling. I believe the 1981 Montana to Clark play took about 8 seconds before Joe threw the ball.
Matt: You have not commented on the play of Marvel Smith or Chilo Rachal so far. How has M. Smith, Rachal and the rest of the O Line looked so far in camp.
I understand the concept of getting a guy to catch passes in camp. What I also understand is that there is no guarantee that Crabtree will sign and that Jones will be able to play in October.
As such, I see a lot of free agent WR's, who are still available NOW and could contribute like Bruce does. That list was more inclusive than suggestions.
My suggestions would be Booker, Harrison, Hillard, Hurd, Porter and Toomer. Alphabetically not in order of preference (my preference is Crabtree signs today and Jones is healthy earlier than expected).
Signing those guys though, would give them time to learn the system, develop chemistry and if Crabtree/Jones aren't available ... they can certainly help, even if it's as a KR/PR.
I know what you're saying. Somehow we would get dinged a first rounder. But Sing is pretty persuasive, it would be nice.
Saw a pic of the field, looks pretty tore up
Well, that's how it is, no? I mean, the Niners were punished for tampering with Briggs, when, in all likelihood, there are multiple teams who may be actually tampering with players who got away without so much a slap on the wrist.
As it's been said, there's generally an East coast bias in professional sports, and sometimes, I get the feeling it extends beyond just the media. If such were the case, then the Niners would likely get the short end of the stick in any arbitration as punishment for being successful during the Walsh era.
Crabtree will sign,probably this coming week. And remember that Crabs himself has said NOTHING. He can come in and say he was only following his agents advice and that his cousin didn't speak for him etc. So far he is above it all. If he comes in and works hard,as he always does, then all will be forgiven,as a matter of fact there will be nothing that has happened that needs forgiving (only nonsense that has NOT come out of the mouth of anyone associated with the Niners or from Parker or from Crabtree,but just a bunch of bogus hot air from the media and a cousin).
The Niners can offer a bit more in incentives and Crabs and Parker can claim victory and brag that they got "more" in the total contract than their slot called for. Parker can then lie and claim to next years prospective clients that he performed a miracle,when in fact he did a poor job and had his client fall out of the top 5 ,all the way to #10 (to the future delight of all Niners fans and the future anguish of all Raiders fans.).
And the Niners have handled this with class and have elevated their reputation throughout the League and even with the media.
Even Parkers other holdout signed with KC and it seems accepted his slotted amount of cash,like Crabs will probably do this coming week.The Niners hold all the cards and Parker knows it.
And the WR group we have now,even without Jones and Crabs,is the best we have had in about a decade. We certainly don't need to waste any money on signing another WR free agent that we expect to actually make the team. NO WAY.
...And I love the idea of the collar on smith (Hill doesn't need it because he gets rid of the ball on time and on target as well as anyone in the NFL,no indecision there !). I am sure they have tried everything before to get smith to change that SLOW clock in hius head to one that ticks a bit more quickly. I am sure they have tried the buzzing clock or other such ploys for years on him with no effect. Maybe Sing should just get frustrated enough to tell him and the defense that hitting smith in passing situations is not only now allowed but encouraged. A couple of hits and if smith doesn't kick that clock into high gear ,then he is hopeless and just CAN'T do it. Maybe that is the case because he certainly has been killed by pass rushers in some games and still has that slow as molassas style. You would have thought that would have been one of the first improvements in his game a couple of years ago,to stop the pass rush from hitting him so much. But NOOOOO,nothing seems to make him alter his natural slow stlye. Oh well,they havn't tried the shock collkar yet,great idea and mayb Smith's last hope to find something to speed him up.
Funny but when Urban Meyer said that smith is a slow learner and slow absorber of information (although very smart) ,I didn't think he was just a slow thinker that has a built in delay between what his eyes see and when his brain tells his body to react. But we have seen ,that IS the case. Hard to change what is your nature,unfortunantly for Alex.
When is MS going to put the electric collar on Davis everytime he coughs up the ball!? If he's coughing the ball up and dropping passes in training camp, what's he going to do in the real game?
It seems this guy just can't catch the ball! As a receiver out of the TE position, he's turning into a flop! Sorry! It's just what I see from him!