The Education of Bear
Rookie tight end Bear Pascoe is just that: a rookie. And the young man has a lot to learn about the rigors of playing in the NFL.
"It's a lot rougher than I thought," Pascoe said today. "But that's OK. I can handle it."
Tight ends coach Pete Hoener has only four players under his tutelage during camp, and Pascoe is clearly getting the most attention. Sometimes, the coaching might look a little harsh - such as the time Monday when Hoener played the role of a baseball umpire and called Pascoe out on strikes after he whiffed in pass protection on three consecutive plays.
But moments later, Hoener was gently advising Pascoe through a downfield pass route, specifying to him exactly how he wanted the pattern executed.
"Coach Hoener is doing a great job of teaching the offense," Pascoe said. "He's a great coach, and I look forward to continuing to learn from him."
(Hoener was not available for comment. It's the 49ers' new policy that position coaches are prohibited from discussing players with the media.)
Hoener's contrast between tough love and a pat on the back appears to be exactly what Pascoe needs. He admitted that sometimes his confidence gets shaken when things are going poorly.
"I'm my own worst critic," he said. "Sometimes I have a tendency to remember one bad play."
Pascoe said he feels comfortable with his assignments in the run game. And that's a good thing because the 49ers envision Pascoe being an immediate contributor in short-yardage situations as a second tight end. He'll be taking over the role of since-departed blocking specialist Billy Bajema.
However, Pascoe admits the transition is a little more difficult in the passing game - both in pass protection and route-running.
This is all very natural. It's a fact of life that rookies struggle in training camp. Pascoe has a bright future. It would not surprise me if he becomes a starting-caliber tight end in the next couple seasons.
* * *
I crunched the numbers through six practices. Shaun Hill has completed 39 of 51 passes (76.5 percent) in 11-on-11 drills, while Alex Smith has connected on 40 of 53 passes (75.5 percent).
This morning, Hill completed 7 of 8, while Smith completed 8 of 10. It breaks down like this:
Under-10 yards: Hill 6 of 7, Smith 6 of 7.
Between 10-20 yards: Hill 1 of 1, Smith 0 of 1.
Over 20 yards: Smith 2 of 2, Hill 0 of 0.
* * *
I'm not going to attend the 49ers' afternoon practice. I have a darn-good excuse, though. I'm going to watch my man, "Huddy," throw out the first pitch at tonight's A's game.
* * *
Honestly..i dont know why you are givin us pass completions during TC....
we all know Hill can't stand in front of pressure, and to the Smith critics he his not always accurate wit his passes...
We already know Hill is good for one thing - SHORT PASSES
And Smith is good for everything..LONG AND SHORT PASSES...
Have fun at the Coliseum!
I love watching you squeal!!!
"we all know Hill can't stand in front of pressure"
Are you serious dude??? If Hill has shown anything it's that he is by far superior at handling pressure in game situations then Smith.
And I also guess the 48 Yrd TD to Morgan vs St Louis last year to win the game was a short pass?!? LMAO
Your posts OneNiner make the day go by faster bro :)
You're right about Alex and his long passes... Unfortunately, they go 10 yards past and above the WR 99.9% of the time... Hill's a winner while Alex has a lot to prove.
I think he is the steal of the draft for the 49ers. After seeing him in practice, do you think he is still a 6th rounder?
Hey Matt,
The bulk of the passes thrown are under 10 yards. Is this because the coverage is very tight down the field or are the bulk of the pass plays selected more short yardage plays?
Oneniner: Why do you always post such nonsense?
We all know that Hill is great at standing in against pressure and we all know that Hill is naturally great at getting away from pressure when he can no longer stand in the colapsing pocket (and Smith is poor at both of those things,as well as most other aspects of playing QB in the NFL).
And Smith usually underthrows ALL his long passes in games,as we have all seen over the years. And can't hit a wide open receiver short if it were to save his life. (and we know Smith usually doesn't even SEE the wide open receivers or maybe he just holds the ball fat tooi long with his indecision because he is afraid?) .
C'mon oneniner enough of the Hill bashing. You DO know that the 49ers will probably need both QB's this year right? So if you're a true 49er fan you're going to support whoever takes snaps behind center thru out the whole season. Can we agree on that & stop this nonesense?
Gotta believe TOP_CAT Oneniner!! Smith has a lot of problems to work out of his system. He's a panic attack in a pass rush! And his release of the ball has a lot to be desired. Sorry buddy!
Maybe Bear's the answer.....I know it's very early but...
Davis bumbling the ball on a pass brings back bad memories. And it sounds familiar. I know this guy is an excellent blocker, he can get open with his speed, but he has problems holding on to the ball whether open or not. I don't know if MS can take care of this problem or not. I hope so. Or the 49ers need to move Walker into the TE position and use Davis only on certain double TE lineups.
Maybe Pascoe can help with the Davis problem by stepping up and doing it quickly. But Walker is by far the better receiver at TE. I keep remembering TO had that problem early in his career. I hope Davis will be the same deal and turn into what the 49ers thought they drafted.
No use. I'm convinced 1niner is either "as advertised," or it's all an act. I'm betting on the former.
Matt, Are the amount of injuries more/less than what you have seen in the past? Do you think, if it is an increase, that it is due to Singletary's physical style of practice.
Also, do you think this will take a toll on the team in the later part of the season?
Terry: But it seems that all reports out of camp so far have VD catching almost everything that comes his way. He did drop a couple but overall his hands seem much improved. Besides,he didn't drop all THAT many passes before,he was pretty good as a matter of fact. He just dropped some at the worst possible times and the fans were not very forgiving,especially since he was acting like such a hot dog most of the time (before Sing got a hold of him,lol ).
I think this year that VD will pleasantly surprise those who have been thinking he is not top notch.Especially with jimmy Raye calling plays to have the QB (Hill,lol) feed him the ball !
Question: Are the amount of injuries more/less than what you have seen in the past?
My response: I really don't believe there are more or less than in the past. I think there are always going to be muscle pulls and some ankle and knee tweaks once the pads go on. Heck, Walt Harris' season ended during a non-contact drill. There have already been a handful of season-ending injuries around the league, so that stuff is going to happen. --Matt M.
jay22: Sing doesn't even allow his players to tackle at practice. He is tough ,sure,but I think all this talk about how like a marine training sgt. he is ,is waaaaay overblown.
I for one am glad that Sing is getting these guys ready for the tough times they will all face during crunch time in tough games this year. When that time comes,Sing's players will be ready for it and hopefully it will be the other teams players who are not prepared and fade away at the end.
Matt: Any validity to the report from this newspaper that Crabtree HAS signed?
http://www.augustagazette.com/sports/x154264178
I thought they were far apart?
This is the quote from the :Agusta Daily Gazette" today (is that even a real paper ?).
"-The San Francisco 49ers signed their top pick Michael Crabtree to a four-year contract to end the rookie's short holdout. Crabtree was the No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft. "
I thought this might bring a smile to Niner's fans and a frown to Raiders fans...
http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=09000d5d811a3f6e&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Matt,
One writer referred to Reggie Smith as the invisible draft pick. But I think the real invisible draft pick is Cody Wallace. What is the story on this guy. Is he a player or just a guy who will be out of football in a year or two?
Pomeroy -
He may be a player... but unfortunately the starting center is pretty damn good. I didn't really understand that pick even when they made it.
That was" the Augusta Daily gazette " (not Agusta ) . I still don't know if it is a real newspaper or a hoax,but at least I spelled it correctly this time (I think,lol)
Here is the link to the quote...
http://www.augustagazette.com/sports/x154264178
and this is the quote...
-The San Francisco 49ers signed their top pick Michael Crabtree to a four-year contract to end the rookie's short holdout. Crabtree was the No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft.
Come on Matt ,check this out and let us know if it is in any way legit.
hey matt this website is reporting crabtree is signed. is this true? http://www.augustagazette.com/sports/x154264178/NFL-news-and-notes
its the augusta daily gazette
Hi Matt, 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 consider bringing in somebody new at this point?
sorry the website was a joke. my apologies. i was fooled.
Oh my! this is more info than I need for now. I am handing off to all you football dweebs and dorks for now. Eat this training camp minututiae up then get a life!!!! the old sage
Also found in the Augusta paper...
"Carolina Panther defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu tore his right Achilles' tendon 30 minutes into the team's first day of training camp Monday. He likely will not play this season. The 6-foot-5, 345-pound Kemoeatu was the key cog in Carolina's run defense, often drawing double teams and opening up lanes for the linebackers."
May help our draft next season.
Matt --- In a recent item somewhere it was said that the 49ers couldn’t trade Crabtree because he’s not under contract. But isn’t it true that they could trade their “rights” to him? (Their “rights” simply being the fact that under NFL rules only the Niners have the right to sign him.)
Presumably they wouldn’t get as much in return just trading his rights because the team that got the rights then has to deal with bonehead Parker. So, 3 questions –1. What history is there of teams trading away the “rights” to an unsigned player? 2. What NFL teams are so weak at WR that they might go for such a trade? 3. What might the Niners get in return?
jerry --- why r yu wasting your brain-cells?
Today's starting guards: wragge on left, wallace on right. - what happened to Joe Toledo?
Most serious injuries: baas and robinson.
Best play of camp: 25-yard td from smith to bruce.....SAY WHAT!!!.....A.Smith is da Man...