Category Archives: Offseason camps

The first day of full practice – veterans and rookies, free-agent acquisitions and rehabbed medical patients – is generally a happy day for an NFL team. It’s like a glance at the future, if through a very hazy piece of glass. But fairly or unfairly, Monday’s practice in Santa Clara was defined as much by those who were absent as those who were in attendance.
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Random thoughts and observations from this morning’s chilly voluntary practice in Santa Clara…
• Tough day for the passing game. Alex Smith started the day with a completion to Michael Crabtree, but was generally up and down, floating a few deep balls. And even when Smith hit the target, the football didn’t always stick. TE Delanie Walker had a pass bounce off his chest. Dominique Zeigler saw one go through his hands. So did Ted Ginn, and that one was intercepted by rookie CB Phillip Adams.
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Mike Singletary told his captains, and the captains passed the directive down the chain of command this morning: When the ball’s in the air, let the offensive player catch it. No reason to get tangled up and risk an injury this early in the campaign. “Obviously, it did not sink in deep enough,” Singletary said after practice.
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Excitement is building for the four consecutive days of organized team activities that begin Monday in Santa Clara. And I don’t mean Alex Smith’s excitement, or Taylor Mays’, or Mike Singletary’s or yours. I mean MY excitement. I need some live football to report and analyze. To set the mood, here are 49 questions I hope to be able to answer after the dust settles Thursday.
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According to the San Jose Mercury News, the 49ers have offered a free-agent contract to former UC Davis wide receiver Bakari Grant, who was in Santa Clara over the weekend for a tryout. But at least one undrafted rookie who came for a tryout does not expect to be signed.
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Turns out undrafted free-agent cornerback Patrick Stoudamire’s cousins include basketball stars Damon and Salim Stoudamire, plus former NFL player Chris Mims. For the record, Patrick Stoudamire stood out with a pretty good performance at the Niners’ rookie camp this weekend, but not sure about his crossover dribble.
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I covered Jimmy Raye for his two seasons in Oakland, 2004-05, and I knew he could spin a yarn. But my exposure was limited; we didn’t get to talk to assistant coaches much in those days. I’m looking forward to hearing Raye on a regular basis — starting with this Q&A from Saturday.
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Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky spoke to reporters Saturday, ambling to the podium with the use of a cane (I’m told he’s had hip replacement surgery) to discuss his newest defenders. Here are some excerpts.
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A lot of you have been asking me for more details from today’s rookie practice – especially, who stood out from the pack.
To be honest, there wasn’t much opportunity to stand out. After position drills, the 49ers went through one session of 7-on-7 and one team period. Then they turned to conditioning and got the rookies running.
That said, I’ll make a few tepid nomination:
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As the offseason progresses, I will be able to tell you about Anthony Dixon’s cutting ability, Taylor Mays’ ball-tracking skills and Kyle Williams’ fit in the slot. With limited reps in today’s rookie practice, very little intelligence emerged.
But before you really get to know someone as a football player, the first things that stand out are the purely physical measures. And the 49ers have welcomed some very impressive specimens into the fold.
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A football player’s first NFL practice is a day he’ll never forget. That’s not necessarily a good thing for Jarrett Brown.
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Today’s 49ers practices are like a two-seating dinner. The veterans swept through for a voluntary OTA this morning. At 3:45 this afternoon, they will be supplanted by 35 rookies and first-year players: eight draft picks, nine undrafted free agents, 12 rookies getting tryouts and six players who are technically first-year guys though they came out a year ago.
For those of you keeping score at home:
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