Offseason camps

The 49ers have concluded their offseason practices. The next time I’ll watch these men run around in Santa Clara will be July 30 – the first day of training camp.

Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has a little rule about his playbook. Basically, the book is not allowed to leave the building at 4949 Centennial Boulevard – for fear it might fall into the wrong hands.

Coach Mike Singletary says the 49ers are still playing catch-up to some of the elite teams in the NFL.

Undrafted rookie Kory Sheets is having some problems, and he’s not afraid to admit it.

Coach Mike Singletary was pleased with the final three practices of the week, he said, because the 49ers took the opportunity to get better every day. Today was the 49ers’ seventh consecutive day of practices.

Yes, there is daily competition at the quarterback position. But while that competition is taking place, there’s some pretty good action at cornerback, too.

Yours truly did not make the trek to Santa Clara today for another day of OTAs. However, The Press Democrat was represented all the same.

Today’s practice in 49erland had a little bit of everything, including heavy doses of humor and discipline – you laughed, you cried.

The 49ers hired an assistant coach this offseason whose sole focus is on improving the team’s pass rush. Appropriately, Al Harris’ position is listed as “pass rush specialist.”

There is a logical reason tight end Vernon Davis saw his total of receptions plummet from a respectable 52 catches in 2007 to a meager 31 last season.

Linebacker Patrick Willis said there is no doubt in his mind the 49ers will rank in the top 10 of defenses in the NFL this season.

A couple days ago Reader Danny had a question about the 49ers’ quarterback competition.

Quarterback Alex Smith took snaps with the first-team offense today, but 49ers coach Mike Singletary said it “doesn’t mean anything” – other than the coaches just want to make his competition against Shaun Hill as fair as possible.

Just spent a few minutes catching up on some of the happenings around 49erland, courtesy of fellow beats Bee-Rows, Mr. Angels and Demons, and S.F. Boys. Now, I think I’m caught up on what’s going on:

Expect to see a continuation of Vick-to-49ers speculation. It will remain that way until somebody in a position of power with the 49ers comes out and says, “No,” or Vick ends up on another team’s roster.

Jerry Rice attended the last part of 49ers practice today for a filming of the ESPN show, “Homecoming.” After today’s session of organized team activities, the team gathered around as he spoke to them for about 10 minutes on the field.

The 49ers might not be in midseason form – and that’s OK because it is the month of May. But coach Mike Singletary is exhibiting mid-November intensity.

The big competition of the 49ers’ offseason is taking place at quarterback – just as it did a year ago. In fact, it was the only head-to-head comparison going on during the 49ers’ recently completed minicamp.

The 49ers’ minicamp concluded today, and I can’t even begin to say which quarterback is in the lead for the starting job. (But you would think Shaun Hill began with a significant edge, based on how he played last season after Mike Singletary elevated him to the starting lineup.)