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Posted by MadRussky on 2008-08-18 11:47:51
49ers Team Report
Yahoo! Sports
10 hours, 1 minute ago
Buzz Up Print
Inside Slant
The big star of San Francisco training camp through the first two exhibition games has been rookie wide receiver Josh Morgan, an unheralded sixth-round draft pick.
Morgan has shown an ability to catch balls in traffic as well as supplying a deep-threat presence. His exceptional first preseason continued Saturday night in the 49ersâ€TM 34-6 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Morgan caught five passes for 114 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback J.T. Oâ€TMSullivan.
â€oeIâ€TMm just out there trying to make all of the plays that I can,” Morgan said. â€oeThe ball comes my way, I try to catch it and do something with it. Iâ€TMll do what I have to do for the team.”
Morgan has gotten his opportunity because of the injuries that have limited the practice time of some of the 49ersâ€TM veteran wideouts.
Three veteran receivers projected to be on the teamâ€TMs 53-man roster have missed significant practice time due to muscle pulls - Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle and Ashley Lelie.
â€oeThe lack of consistency in whoâ€TMs out there practicing is what everyone faces, and weâ€TMre facing a little bit of this,” 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. â€oeIt gives a chance to some guys who normally wouldnâ€TMt have reps, like Josh Morgan - heâ€TMs a great example.
â€oeIf that was a healthy crew, he probably wouldnâ€TMt have gotten as many reps as heâ€TMs gotten so far. Because of it, in the short period, he looks like heâ€TMs going to make us a better football team.”
When asked if Morgan could win a starting job, Nolan said, â€oeCould? Sure. It would be one thing if the people heâ€TMs competing with at that position were established.”
Morgan accepted the increased workload and he has not let up. He has the size (6-foot, 219 pounds) to catch balls in traffic. And he has the speed (4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to work down the field.
The most impressive thing about Morgan has been his durability through three weeks of training camp. He worked hard to get in tip-top conditioning entering training camp. Morgan set forth on a program with personal trainer Myron Flowers, who also trains teammate Vernon Davis in the Washington area, in preparation for training camp.
Now, there might not be any guarantees about veterans retaining their jobs when they return from their injuries.
â€oeJosh is doing a great job,” Johnson said. â€oeHis learning curve is better than some might have anticipated. Heâ€TMs picking up on everything and his play-making ability has definitely shown.”
Camp Calendar: The 49ers have concluded their two-a-day practice schedule. The team is set to break camp on Friday, after returning from their exhibition game at the Chicago Bears.
Notes, Quotes
• It was a trying week for quarterback Alex Smith, as he dealt with the death of his best friend and former roommate David Edwards. Smith missed practice Friday to speak at the memorial service, which was held at Smithâ€TMs family home in the San Diego area. Smithâ€TMs father, Doug, delivered the eulogy.
â€oeHe was really close with my family,” Alex Smith said. â€oeSo itâ€TMs been difficult for everybody.”
Smith then played Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 62 yards.
â€oeIâ€TMm pleased with Alex, especially with all the distractions heâ€TMs faced as of late,” 49ers coach Mike Nolan said.
• Niners offensive coordinator Mike Martz called the plays Saturday night against the Packers from the sideline after a couple weeks earlier saying he felt more comfortable in the booth. Martz was upstairs for the 49ersâ€TM exhibition opener against the Oakland Raiders.
â€oeThere are so many things I have to talk to the players about, it just works out better if Iâ€TMm down on the sideline,” said Martz, who is installing his offense with the 49ers this summer.
• Newly signed linebacker Takeo Spikes is not content to just play second fiddle to Patrick Willis, who led the league in tackles as a rookie.
â€oeIf there is a play out there to make, I am going to go out there and make it,” Spikes said. â€oeI tell them (his teammates) to meet me at the ball. I tell all the guys, â€~Meet me at the ball, all the time.â€TM”
• Jeff Ulbrich has the most to lose with the signing of Spikes. Ulbrich had been penciled in as the starter, but now that Spikes is on the team, that role might be changing.
â€oe(Spikes) is a great football player and a great addition to this team,” Ulbrich said. â€oeHeâ€TMll push me and Iâ€TMll push him. If my role changes from defense to special teams, Iâ€TMll embrace that.”
Quote To Note: â€oeIf it comes and goes, it comes and goes”â€"49ers coach Mike Nolan on his original target date of the third exhibition game to name a starting quarterback for the regular-season opener.
Strategy And Personnel
The 49ersâ€TM pass rush has looked good through the first two exhibition games. There is competition for roster spots. Among those competing for a job is OLB Tully Banta-Cain, who started last season. He had a disappointing season with 3.5 sacks.
â€oeNow, Iâ€TMm in a situation where Iâ€TMm basically back to that use-when-needed category,” Banta-Cain said. â€oeThatâ€TMs fine, but I never accept that as a player. I see myself as a player who can play every snap and every down.”
Coach Mike Nolan said he considers Banta-Cain more than just a third-down pass rusher.
â€oeHe can rush on third downs. But he should be an every-down player,” Nolan said. â€oeWe did not dilute him by playing him in base. He needs to be a good base player. We did not sign him to be a specialized designated pass rusher. In order to make our squad, heâ€TMs got to do more of the every-down stuff than just the one dimension.”
• OT Chris Patrick was signed to a roster spot to replace Damane Duckett, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Patrick saw some action at left tackle in his first game with the 49ers.
• LB Takeo Spikes signed with the 49ers as a free agent and saw some action at the strong inside position in his first exhibition game. Spikes is competing against Jeff Ulbrich for the starting job.
• LB Jeff Ulbrich has been the starter at strong inside linebacker this entire offseason. But his job might be in jeopardy with the recent signing of Takeo Spikes. If Ulbrich loses the starting job, he could see action in the teamâ€TMs sub package as well as on all special teams.
• OG Tony Wragge is filling in for David Baas on the right side. Baas is expected to be ready for the teamâ€TMs regular-season opener. However, Wragge has played so well during training camp that he could enter the mix for a starting job at either guard spot.
• DB Marcus Hudson, who is competing for a roster spot, has seen some time at safety this training camp, as the 49ers want to test his versatility.
Battle Of The Week: Jeff Ulbrich vs. Takeo Spikes for starting strong inside linebacker - Ulbrich was the presumptive starter throughout the entire offseason. But the 49ers did not know if he could withstand the punishment of a 16-game season, so they signed the free-agent Spikes. Ulbrich knows the system well. Spikes has been a little unsure of himself in the early days with his new team. Ulbrich is still working with the first team, but Spikes is expected to get more and more chances to win the starting job.
Other Battle Fronts: J.T. Oâ€TMSullivan vs. Alex Smith for starting QBâ€"The competition is down to two players with Oâ€TMSullivan owning an edge over the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 draft. Shaun Hill has fallen back to No. 3. … Mark Roman vs. Dashon Goldson for starting free safetyâ€"Roman missed a couple weeks with a hamstring injury, but he returned to his starting job. Goldson has continued to find his way to the ball and make plays, but Roman has the knowledge of the defense. … Moran Norris vs. Zak Keasey for roster spots at fullbackâ€"The 49ers might keep only one fullback on their roster this season. Keasey has been working with the No. 1 offense.
Player Of The Week: DE Ray McDonald - He has provided a consistent pass rush from the defensive-end position. He recorded 1.5 sacks in the 49ersâ€TM exhibition game against the Packers after recording one sack against the Raiders. The 49ersâ€TM pass rush appears to be in much better shape, thanks in large part to McDonaldâ€TMs contributions. â€oeWe got to get them (sacks) when the season gets here,” McDonald said. â€oeThatâ€TMs when it really counts. So thatâ€TMs what weâ€TMve got to do.”
Rookie Report: DE Kentwan Balmer has not had much of an impact, and he might be in a fight to get into the mix this season. Although his effort is not an issue, he does seem to have a difficult time getting off blocks. … RG Chilo Rachal worked with the No. 2 offense and had an up-and-down game. It does not appear as if heâ€TMll challenge for playing time and might not be active on game days. … CB Reggie Smith showed up well in coverage against the Packers, but itâ€TMll be difficult to make a contribution once the real games begin. … WR Josh Morgan has been one of the stars of training camp. He has gotten an opportunity play due to injuries, and he has performed. Morgan caught five passes for 114 yards and a TD against the Packers. … C Cody Wallace has played very well after getting off to a rough start in training camp. He played the entire second half against the Packers after starter Eric Heitmann left the game.
Injury Report: WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring) and WR Ashley Lelie (calf) have not practiced since Aug. 4. Both have sat out the 49ersâ€TM first two exhibition games.
• WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) missed the 49ersâ€TM game Saturday against the Packers, but he believes heâ€TMll be able to return to the field shortly.
• 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.
• S Lewis Baker (thigh) has missed two games with a contusion. His return is listed as day-to-day.
• RB Michael Robinson (knee) underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. He has resumed light running and should be ready for the regular-season opener.
• CB Tarell Brown (hip) sat out Saturdayâ€TMs game with an injury he sustained in practice. His status is day-to-day
BY, you signed up for another year? You think I should come back?
AOR
"If the Bucaneers are the Bucs and the Jaguars are the Jags, what are the Titans?"
- MadRussky 2008-08-18 11:47:51 (283 views)