The 49ers announced this afternoon they’ve moved undrafted rookie Jewel Hampton from the non-football-related injury list to the active roster.
With Kyle Williams and Kendall Hunter on the injured reserved list, Hampton becomes the 52nd man on the 49ers roster, which means they can still sign another player at any time.
They were spotted working out kickers at their facility this morning.
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Wow! What does this say about James? This kid was a really good running back coming out of college. His running style is similar to Mr. Gores’. Could be a real Jewel. Good move, even better bringing in another kicker. We’ll need a dependable kicker come playoffs.
Nothing… 1 back went down so 1 back goes up from the practice squad. Jewel was nice in the pre-season, but they are going to give every opportunity to a second round draft pick to develop. LMJ will probably get special packages and won’t be exposed to pass blocking or whatever other perceived weaknesses he has. That’s what makes this coaching staff special; they build on strengths and limit the exploitation of weaknesses. Expect to see LMJ in space to take advantage of his shiftiness and speed. I would even like them to run a Wing T-Sweep that was so successful last year with him. On the kicker note, it sucks for Akers, but maybe he needed this as a wake-up call!
I don’t think LMJ plays this year regardless of injury. It typically takes a full year to build on enough muscle for an undersized back to compete in the league.
Jim Harbaugh isn’t interested in selling out a second round pick for 1 game with their remaining schedule.
Instead, I expect to see them push Gore more, also with Kaepernick in, you take some of the pressure off of Gore running. As has already been stated, We have a bruiser coming in late in the season on fresh legs.
Jewel might even get a few snaps and fill in on special teams. LMJ though, not this year’s regular season in my opinion.
@ Matt:
It typically takes a full year to build on enough muscle for an undersized back to compete in the league.
Hunter played last year.
Hunter was more muscular last year than James is this year.
James is the least muscular player on the team. Hunter was never that.
LMJ will be used as a change of pace guy and they will try to get him outside in space to take advantage of his speed and shiftiness.
The RB who will benefit most imo is Jacobs. I think he will work in tandem with Gore now with LMJ getting a few plays here and there to start. Hampton is intriguing though.
You seem pretty certain Grant
@ Grant:
James is the least muscular player on the team.
I thought that was Jenkins?
I hear what you are saying about their relative muscularity, but James weighed 194 lbs at the combine and Hunter weighed 199.
@ claude, Typically an undersized back does not play in the first year. Hunter was much stronger than James and has more muscle mass. That was actually one of the strengths in his(Hunter) draft analysis.
Comparing the rookies though, Hunter put up 9 more reps on the bench, ran a faster 3 cone drill, and has the same verticle leap as LMJ though he is an inch shorter and 5 lbs heavier.
The same analysis said that Hunter “Lacks the speed to consistently get the corner at the next level. Not a powerful runner that struggles to push the pile in short yardage situations. Does not always lower his shoulder and gets brought down by arm tackles too often. Lacks the technique and strength to be effective in pass protection.”- I’d say they got that one wrong.
James’ knock is that he doesn’t have the arm strength to secure the ball when big hits are put on him. He is a willing and technical blocker in pass protection but simply doesn’t have the bulk or anchor to be successful here early at the next level.
For those reasons and the SOS SF has for the remaining regular season, I just don’t think Jim Harbaugh is going to play James. I think he has more options in Jewel Hampton (4.4 40 at 5’9″ 218 lbs) short term.
They didn’t draft LMJ for his power running ability. He’s their Ray Rice – pretty much the same size Rice was coming out – and he was 5 pounds lighter than Hunter who played a lot last year. I have no idea where this idea he is not ready to play is coming from, but it makes zero sense to me.
I understand Rocket. It’s just my opinion. I’m by no means the coach or even a scout. I am only basing that opinion on my own prejudices.
Nothing wrong with that Matt, I just don’t get the idea he is not ready to play is all. RB is the easiest position on the field to plug and play. I agree LMJ is not going to come in and steamroll defenders, but that is not what he was drafted for anyway. He’s an explosive edge guy right now and the closest they have in style to Hunter on the roster.
Hunter wasn’t steamrolling defenders either, but he was picking up blitzes and averaging 2.82 yards after contact per rushing attempt.
Gore is averaging 2.94. Dixon is averaging 1.92 on 12 carries.
It would seem to be a pretty big coup for an undrafted, practice squad RB to suddenly jump the 2nd round draft pick in depth chart, in the last 1/4 of the season, when he’s had no game experience. I like the kid, but I don’t know what would prompt his sudden elevated status in the eyes of the coaching staff. But hey, whatever happens happens.
Dangle
I think it could have something to do with the 9ers not wanting to loose him to another team. Im not 100% sure on the rules but if they wanted to activate him from the pup list to the practice squad he’d have to clear waivers and someone could snatch him up. By putting him on the 53man roster they skip all that. And besides they dont have to activate him for games.
As for Hunter the knock on him last year was that he went down too often on first contact and arm tackles. He put in work in the off season and now he is running through those (the TD vs the bears best example, last year he is down at the 7) Its a tough loss, but hopefully between jacobs lmj and jewel we can fill the void.
Id rather have G Tovechio then billy “choke artist” cundif or nate “tight playoff sphincter” kaeding. These last 5 weeks im having Jose Cortez flashbacks but at least Akers can kick XPs
*groan*
James will take Hunters spot on the 47 man active roster IE he will suit for games while Hampton will be moved up to the 53 man roster but wo’nt suit on game day. more than likely
Agreed.
Jewel!!! 5’10″ 230?
Hampton is actually listed as 5’9, 210.
is’nt that exactly what gore is listed as
It sure is, and he has the same type of running style.
Maybe they think he can pass protect?…..?
Yeah, Jewel apparently ran a 4.47 40 yard dash in February, according to cbssports.com. So he’s pretty fast! I saw some videos of him and he looks like a pin ball in a pin ball machine, bouncing off would be tacklers and keeps going. Check it out.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S72MQW1JP0
Lot to like about Hampton in that video. Takes the hand-off and gets busy with no hesitation, but is also very Gore-like in finding his blockers and hiding behind them until he finds a seem and then the jets come on. He looks strong running inside even though he took it outside in a lot of those plays. A little tougher to do against the speed he’ll see in the NFL. Still, he looks like a great prospect.
His biggest knock by scouts was that he’s had several knee injuries. He’s really another Frank Gore though playing with an even bigger chip on his shoulder because no one was interested in him.
I think he wasn’t drafted due to bone spurs in his left foot that he had surgery on prior to the season. He’s actually faster than Frank or Kendall with a similar style to Gore, as others have pointed out. Would really like to see how he does against NFL defenses since Gore is getting up there in years and mileage.
He got some nice moves.
This organization has dotted all the “I”s and “T”s it seems. Quite proud to be 49er. Everywhere I go around here in South Bend, Indiana, it never fails that at least one person everyday says something to me about the 49ers.
Seems they have! South Bend huh? I’m a huge Irish fan! You?
Check this out, he looks like Earl Campbell, a man playing with the boys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S72MQW1JP0
“They were spotted working out kickers at their facility this morning.”
About time. May be a sign Alex will start on Sunday.
…as the placekicker?
Just kidding, please nobody stab me
Jack
Perhaps they should give this kicker a shot:
http://youtu.be/gq99O88eeUM
Good one dangle.
Jack, you’ve officially joined the drama queen brigade. Congratulations! It’s about your speed!!
What does this mean for Jacobs?
I think Jacobs moves up into the primary backup RB spot.
Maybe we see the old Counter Trey this week. The DEs love to come upfield could be some whams too.
Good call, got to slow down Chris Long somehow, or is it jake long, i can never remember. Too many of those Longs to keep track of.
I think Hampton helps the offense get to the edge while still being able to take it inside like Hunter. He brings a bigger tool box than LMJ, he can help in more ways. James reminds me more of a Darren-Sproules-in-training, but Harbs recently was praising his progress, so we’ll see.
Jacobs can greatly enhance his earning power with his next employer by taking advantage of his opportunities these next few weeks.
I’m really stoked to see AJ Jenkins get some reps. I’ve been saying for quite awhile i think he can be the next John Taylor. With Kaps ability to lead WR”S and Jenkins ability to run the underneath routes his YAC could be unbelievable
Ya me too, we have all this talented depth and it sucks somebody has to get hurt to see them but I’m really looking forward to it!
such great depth at the WR and RB positions….
such great signings at the front seven
so many picks for the next draft….what is the strength of the next draft if not QB…..will the baalke try and defer some picks for the next year and have maybe 20 picks in 2014….does sound like new england
will goldson really get signed
still think the secondary will be addressed …. maybe they will pull a stunner and draft a kicker high in the draft…..
probably will have to evaluate the team and decide which positions will have to be revolving doors as far as personnel to be able to control the cap
which positions are they….guess RB is one and maybe even TE when VD contract comes up….
guess maybe this jewell guy is the future or is that being too 23j like….since i did say a couple of years back gore should be traded
we have needs at safety, cb and NT/DE. A Qb to replace AS on the roster.
Hampton will be a special teams player. I don’t see him get any touches on offense at all….
I’m sick of hearing about LMJ being not muscular. PUT HIS A$$ IN THE THE SLOT or run back a pick off. Jesus, the dude has wheels let him get used to NFL type games. Move him from the back field to flanker and have him run into the tunnels instead of Moss for a few plays. Then motion him back and give him the ball on a sweep or speed option in the middle. He played against big boys in collage and the preseason and ran in the middle…no??
Do you think a team will draft the Black Mamba out of Oregon in a couple years and not play him?….yeah right, D. Thomas is like 170 lbs wet. Kenjon Barner is the same size as LMJ, think he will sit next year. Percy Harvin is muscular but only 185.
LMJ is not playing b/c he is young and learning the system. But more importantly, KH was a freakin beast. Now that he is gone, move Jewel to 53 and dress the 2 rookies.
We lost last years play off to the Giants b/c of 2 reasons (forget the fumbles).
1. We could not throw the ball to any WR or down field for that matter.
2. WRs could not get open.
Topic one is resolved by starting CK the rest of the way so we can build confidence and make timely throws down field…he better hit those WRs if he wants to go up to the next level…of and they better catch the ball
Topic two is something I do not have too much knowledge of b/c I can’t see the secondary. They really need to send other camera angles in the broadcasts. Eff it, give me the wide soccer shot all the time. I can care less about the QB and line. If he is sacked I’ll catch it on the replay. This is a passing league and the real action is down field. Anyway back to the WRs getting open, They brought in and drafted talent… so come playoffs if that talent is not getting open, I’m firing the WR regardless if we win it all.
Sorry I’m bitter with this KH…err and KW… and freakin Akers… *sigh* full stop
…
Oh wait, great signing of Bowman. Now lets use that Alex cash next year and lock in the baddest free safety in the bizz. This dude reminds me of Sean Taylor the year he passed. Sean was all about flying in and destroying WRs, then he started finding the ball too.
out