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Posted by MadRussky on 2008-08-04 07:46:04
49ers Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
7 hours, 18 minutes ago
Buzz Up Print
Inside Slant
All eyes continue to be focused on the 49ersâ€TM quarterback competition. But now itâ€TMs going to take another set of eyes to keep track of all the happenings.
Alex Smith and Shaun Hill were the only two competitors for the starting job through the first five days of training camp. Now, J.T. Oâ€TMSullivan has emerged as a candidate to start the season opener, Sept. 7 against the Arizona Cardinals.
â€oeIâ€TMm open to all three right now, and thatâ€TMs where my mindset is,” 49ers coach Mike Nolan said.
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Nolan originally said he would like to decide on the teamâ€TMs starting quarterback by the third exhibition game, Aug. 21 against the Chicago Bears. But now he said he is willing for the competition to run its courseâ€"no matter how long it takes.
â€oeWeâ€TMre all anxious to get to one. I know I am. And, then again, Iâ€TMm not,” Nolan said. â€oeItâ€TMs early in camp, thereâ€TMs a lot of work to get done. I want to know if we do have to go to another, if we get to a second quarterback, or a third, something like that. What is he capable of doing? So, this is a valuable time for us. This is not just trying to find out whoâ€TMs No. 1, this is also trying to find out who gives us a chance, our very best chance, to win.”
For the first time, Oâ€TMSullivan has emerged as a possibility.
Oâ€TMSullivan has endured a nomadic six NFL seasons, spending time with New Orleans, Green Bay, Chicago (twice), Minnesota, New England, Carolina and Detroit. He signed with the Lions last summer after then-offensive coordinator Mike Martz liked what he saw from watching film of him during NFL Europe. Oâ€TMSullivan won a job as the backup to Jon Kitna.
Nolan hired Martz as offensive coordinator in January. And Martz insisted that the 49ers sign Oâ€TMSullivan as a free agent. Oâ€TMSullivan and the 49ers settled on a one-year, $645,000 contract.
Oâ€TMSullivanâ€TMs experience in Martzâ€TMs offense gives him an edge over Smith and Hill, both of whom are trying to learn the intricacies of the system.
â€oeThere is a sense of familiarity with the offense and Iâ€TMm trying to grow from that,” Oâ€TMSullivan said. â€oeWhat I really try to do is get better and better every day. My job is to be ready.”
Said Nolan, â€oeItâ€TMs evident that heâ€TMs been in it because with the limited reps heâ€TMs had so far, if it was all new to him this year, he wouldnâ€TMt be where heâ€TMs at,” Nolan said. â€oeSo he is further ahead. That is one of the reasons, too, we felt early in training camp in fairness to the other two guys, we needed to get them up to speed because J.T. does have a year under his belt.”
Oâ€TMSullivan has gotten off to a strong start in training camp, based on his knowledge of the system. Nolan remains committed to giving each of the three quarterbacks a fair opportunity to win the job.
â€oeItâ€TMs early in training camp,” Nolan said. â€oeWeâ€TMve only been here a week. So itâ€TMs still early. But thatâ€TMs an important decision. I donâ€TMt want to sell us short. Itâ€TMs going to happen on the field, itâ€TMs going to happen in fairness, and three guys are competing for it.
â€oeItâ€TMs not going to be 100-percent fair with reps (practice snaps), but weâ€TMre doing the best we can.”
Camp Calendar: The 49ers have practices scheduled every day, leading up to their first exhibition game Friday, Aug. 8, at the Oakland Raiders. On Monday, Aug. 4, the 49ers will travel to Napa to hold two joint practices against the Raiders. The 49ers practice most mornings, beginning at 8:50 a.m. Every other day, they have a second full-squad practice in the afternoon. On the other days, they hold special-teams practices in the afternoon. The 49ers break camp on Aug. 22, the day after an exhibition game at the Chicago Bears.
Notes, Quotes
• Jerry Rice gave receiver Isaac Bruce his permission to wear No. 80 when Bruce signed with the 49ers. Although the 49ers have not officially retired Riceâ€TMs old jersey, the club plans to follow through with that plan in the coming years. Ultimately, the 49ers and Bruce decided it was best to go with No. 88.
That is why Bruce drew some attention Saturday when he went out to the practice fieldâ€"in front of more than 2,000 fansâ€"wearing No. 80. (It is the jersey number that Bruce wore for 14 seasons with the Rams.)
When a reporter asked about wearing No. 80, Bruce abruptly walked away without answering. Coach Mike Nolan said Bruce has not changed his numberâ€"he was just wearing a practice jersey.
• J.T. Oâ€TMSullivan, whoâ€TMs with his eighth NFL team in six seasons, has a much different personality than the other two quarterbacks with whom heâ€TMs competing. He is not nearly as laid back and affable as Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. Nolan said thatâ€TMs why itâ€TMs a good mix of personalities.
â€oeThereâ€TMs a pretty big difference between all three of them with their personalities,” Nolan said. â€oeItâ€TMs probably why they get along as a group pretty well. If two of them were like J.T., there might be some in-house duking.
â€oeAnd if there were two of them like Alex or Shaun, itâ€TMs just not enough competition. Itâ€TMs a good complement for one another. Kind of like opposites attract.”
• Not only do the 49ers employ tight end Vernon Davis, an imposing vertical threat, but Mike Martz is tinkering with ways to get backup Delanie Walker better involved in the passing game, too.
â€oeI consider myself an H-back,” Walker said. â€oeIâ€TMm been studying fullback, tight end, slot wide receiver. I can do all those things. I can line up in the backfield, the wing or the slot. Iâ€TMm fired up because Iâ€TMm in the rotation a lot more. I expect a lot out of myself this season.”
Walker caught 21 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown last season after being held to two catches as a rookie. The 49ers rewarded him with a three-year, $6 million contract extension through 2012 in the offseason.
â€oeJust because our offense wasnâ€TMt productive last year doesnâ€TMt mean that we canâ€TMt see who a good player is,” 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. â€oeHeâ€TMs a good character guyâ€"the kind of guy that you want to sign early and keep him around.”
• Nolan said he has not decided which defensive player will wear the radio device in his helmet. The logical choice is linebacker Patrick Willis, who played every defensive snap of every game last season. He does not want to reveal his thoughts on the subject.
â€oeWeâ€TMll let somebody else learn how it helps them,” he said. â€oeIâ€TMd like to know what the 31 other teams are doing with it. It would help me.
â€oeObviously, the whole premise of the thing is to make sure people quit stealing (signals), as we saw last year. What occurred last year (with the New England Patriots) is not right. So this will eliminate all that and stay focused on the game and the way it should be playedâ€"with integrity and sportsmanship.”
Quote To Note: â€oeI donâ€TMt want to talk numbers, nothing. Iâ€TMm just going to go out there, try to stay healthy, try to play hard and just give it all I have, you know?”â€"RB Frank Gore on avoiding making a lofty prediction, such as saying last year he expected to rush for 2,200 yards.
Strategy And Personnel
The 49ers are generally thought of as playing a 3-4 defense. But coach Mike Nolan said itâ€TMs not that simple. Some opponents might view the 49ers as a 3-4, while other see them as a 4-3. He considers it a hybrid 3-4 defense.
The distinction is, when the 49ers are in a 3-4, Ray McDonald plays right defensive end and Justin Smith lines up, primarily, at right outside linebacker. In a 4-3, McDonald plays right defensive tackle and Smith plays right defensive end.
PLAYER/PERSONNEL NOTES
• OL Jeb Terry was waived/injured after sustaining a foot injury in training camp. Terry was competing for a roster spot at guard before seeing his camp cut short.
• OL John Booker, an undrafted free agent from San Jose State, was signed to take Jeb Terryâ€TMs place on the roster. The 49ers originally signed Booker after the draft but they released him leading up to camp to create room to sign their draft picks.
• WR Robert Jordan, a promising undrafted free agent, was waived during the first week of camp to enable him to grieve over the death of his grandfather. Coach Mike Nolan said he would like Jordan to rejoin the team when heâ€TMs ready.
• WR Robert Ortiz was signed to take the roster spot of Robert Jordan. Ortiz (6-1, 188) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Chargers in 2006. He caught 27 passes for 255 yards and two TDs for the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europa in 2007. He signed with the Seahawks last summer, but was waived in training camp. He signed with the Patriots in May and was waived last week.
• FB Moran Norris is in a battle to win a roster spot. A starter the past two seasons, Norris is competing with Zak Keasey. The 49ers might keep only one fullback this season because of the overlap that exists in the Mike Martz offense with the tight ends - or H-back position.
Battle Of The Week: Mark Roman vs. Dashon Goldson for starting FSâ€"Goldson has gotten plenty of opportunities to shine with Roman out with a hamstring strain. Goldson has been all over the practice field with numerous passes broken up and a few interceptions. Goldson also saw all the time with the first unit during organized team activities when Roman sat out due to arm surgery. Roman is a smart veteran but seems to lack true playmaking skills. He did not record an interception last season. Goldson is a second-year player who seems to find his way into the action regularly at practice.
Other Battle Fronts: Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and J.T. Oâ€TMSullivan for the starting quarterback job. Smith is the former No. 1 overall pick, while Hill and Oâ€TMSullivan have a combined two starts (both by Hill) in a combined 13 NFL seasons. … Jeff Ulbrich and Brandon Moore are competing for the starting job at the strong inside linebacker position alongside Patrick Willis in the 49ersâ€TM 3-4 defense. … Moran Norris and Zak Keasey are in competition to earn roster spots at fullback. The 49ers might keep only one fullback on their roster this season. … Tony Wragge and rookie Chilo Rachal are lining up at right guard, as the team has to start making plans in case presumptive starter David Baas is not available early in the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pec tendon in April.
Player Of The Week: QB J.T. Oâ€TMSullivanâ€"A week ago he was not even being talked about as a candidate for the starting job. Now, he looks better than Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. Oâ€TMSullivan had a couple solid days of practice to become a factor in the race. His big advantage is that he has been in Mike Martzâ€TMs system for a year. It shows in his command of the offense. If the 49ers were to play a game today, he would give them their best chance to win.
Rookie Report: DE Kentwan Balmer missed most of the week of practice with a right ankle sprain. He is listed as day-to-day. Before getting injured he lined up with the second-team defense at left defensive end. … RG Chilo Rachal is working with the second-team offense. Tony Wragge appears to be comfortably ahead of Rachal. Wragge is working with the first team because David Baas will miss training camp with a torn pectoral tendon. … CB Reggie Smith has looked good in training camp, but it might not be enough to work his way into a significant role during the season because of the 49ersâ€TM improved depth in the secondary. … WR Josh Morgan continued to show a lot of good things during training camp. He has picked up the offense well, and appears to be in solid position to make the 53-man roster. … C Cody Wallace appeared to struggle early in camp during one-on-one blocking drills. But as he has become more comfortable, Wallaceâ€TMs play has picked up. The 49ers are not second-guessing their decision to select him in the fourth round.
Injury Report: G David Baas is not expected back until late in the exhibition season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pec tendon. He is on PUP. … NT Aubrayo Franklin (calf) was activated off the PUP list and is back practicing at full speed. … LT Joe Staley was removed from the non-football injury list after missing four days with a foot infection. He is back working at full speed. … WR Ashley Lelie (calf) has missed a week with his strain but appears to be ready to return to action. … Rookie DE Kentwan Balmer sustained a right ankle sprain, but is running and is expected to return to the practice field in the coming days. … OT Damane Duckett (knee) missed four days with a sprain. He is back working with the second offense. … S Mark Roman (hamstring) has been out since the middle of the week with a hamstring strain. He is still listed as day-to-day. … S Lewis Baker (thigh) missed most of the week with a contusion. His return is listed as day-to-day
BY, you signed up for another year? You think I should come back?
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- MadRussky 2008-08-04 07:46:04 (117 views)