SANTA CLARA — The Niners’ cornerbacks stood out at Friday’s practice.
Tarell Brown beat Randy Moss both times he faced him in one-on-one drills. Brown also broke up two Alex Smith passes intended for Mario Manningham – one in a red zone seven-on-seven drill and the other at the very end of practice. Smith tried to throw a quick pass to Manningham but Brown tipped it out of the receiver’s hands and Dashon Goldson intercepted the pass.
Alex Smith threw a jump ball in the end zone to Randy Moss, but Chris Culliver out-jumped the legendary receiver and batted the ball to the ground. A few minutes later, Culliver picked off Scott Tolzien and ran for a touchdown.
Cornerback Tramaine Brock played well, too. He made two very strong pass breakups, raking the ball out of receivers’ hands. He did it once against Konrad Reuland and another time against Mario Manningham at the goal line to prevent a touchdown. As you may remember, Brock was the Niners’ No. 3 cornerback coming out of training camp last season; he intercepted two passes in the first two games but he had hand surgery and we didn’t see him much until the NFC Championship Game when he had to play for the concussed Tarell Brown, and he gave up a touchdown to Manningham. Brock got his redemption today. He looks stronger and faster and is the frontrunner for the team’s No. 4 cornerback spot behind Carlos Rogers, Brown and Culliver.
Running back Anthony Dixon, who’s fighting for a roster spot, had his best day of practice. He ran tough and picked up chunks of yards in a 10-play sequence of live hitting. After one run, Harbaugh slapped Dixon on the shoulder pads and yelled, “I like the way you’re running A.D.!”
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I wonder can anthony Dixon can make the team this year
He might beat out Jacobs or Cartwright.
I think Dixon has a good shot at beating Jacobs. TB doesn’t sign non-Niner FA’s for a lot of money, so no loss.
If we roll with 3 outside lbs and 4 safteys than yeah but that’s a big if
Its good to hear that the cornerbacks are playing well. This not only good news for the D but also for the offense – as they practice against a top flight secondary.
BTW, There was no mention of Cox. I wonder how he did.
“As you may remember, Brock was the Niners’ No. 3 cornerback coming out of training camp last season; he intercepted two passes in the first two games but he had hand surgery and we didn’t see him much until the NFC Championship Game when he had to play for the concussed Tarell Brown, and he gave up a touchdown to Manningham. Brock got his redemption today. ”
Are you kidding me? I know this is only your second training camp, which means you haven’t covered a full one yet, but just when do you think you can earn redemption for costing your team a superbowl birth by making interceptions in training camp? Ridiculous.
@ Grant
You mentioned Brock as the likely 4th cb. Just your impressions as stated? Or did you pick up something on background that he might be ahead of Cox?
Just my impression. Maiocco thinks Cox is in the lead.
Thx.
Grant, did Maiocco mention why he thinks Cox is in the lead for that 4th spot? What’s your take on the UDFA DB’s in camp? Any keepers for PS, or are they going to disappear when the roster starts getting cut down?
He thinks Cox is in the lead because he’s more versatile, I believe. I think Brock is in the lead because he’s a better cornerback, and they’ll count on Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown to be the versatile cornerbacks/nickelbacks. We’ll see how it shakes out.
Guess I’ll answer that one myself, Grant. I was going to ask if Matt’s opinion might be based on Cox’s ability as a returner, then while waiting for your response found this:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/tramaine-brock-vs-perrish-cox?blockID=748525
I’d opt for Brock over Cox as the 4th CB. Brock has more speed and better coverage skills. But jumping to conclusions this early is a little premature.
Grant, what I like about you is that your respond to your readership. It is one of the reasons I’ve been visiting your blog much more than others recently. Seeing Kevin or Eric involved is a rare thing nowadays. Not sure why that has changed, but I see the difference in the amount of posts and responses on this site. Thanks.
You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.