New offense under Martz is music to the 49ers' ears

Blogs

Home > Blogs > INSTANT 49ers

: Enlarge

There were two themes on the first morning of 49ers mandatory minicamp. The most notable aspect of camp is the "new" offense under offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The other theme, literally, was the NFL Films music that played as background noise throughout the workouts.

* * *

The terminology of the numbers system that Norv Turner installed a couple years ago is still in place in Martz's offense, but there is a huge adjustment period for the players.

Tight end Vernon Davis said he is having fun "exploring things with Martz." Davis believes he will be utilized a lot more effectively this season with Martz as the coordinator.

"I think it's going to happen," Davis said. He added that Martz is adjusting to, because, "he's never had a tight end of my stature."

Davis said he does not know exactly how Martz will use him. He has to remain patient and just continue to learn the offense.

* * *

Receiver Ashley Lelie is also excited. After all, made little impact with the 49ers last season. After watching Darrell Jackson cut loose in the offseason, one thing entered his mind: "Pick it up or I' won't be here."

Lelie said there are a lot more pass plays in the team's playbook. There is also a lot more shifting and motions. Last year, he sustained a quad strain in the first day of minicamp and missed the entire offseason program.

"Now I'll get more of a chance to show what I can do," said Lelie, adding that he didn't really get that opportunity last year.

On the second play Friday during the team session, Lelie lined up at flanker and got the ball on a reverse. Lelie, who played split end last year, is at flanker this year.

* * *

The big question facing the club is at quarterback. Alex Smith took the first reps with the offense. Shaun Hill will take the first reps in the afternoon practice. Coach Mike Nolan, echoing Martz's earlier comments, said J.T. O'Sullivan is also in the running for the starting job.

Since O'Sullivan already knows the offense, the other two quarterbacks are getting most of the reps.

Smith is throwing the ball without any limitations. He tossed a nice 15-yard out to Isaac Bruce during the team session, but most of the passes from the quarterbacks were check-downs.

Smith and Hill said Martz is changing their mechanics. Smith said he is working a lot on his drops. There are a lot of different variations on the simple drop-back. Hill said Martz is working with him on staying on balance and in rhythm. He is trying to work on using his entire body to throw - and not just using his arm.

In this offense, one of the talking points for the quarterbacks is that they should not throw to the open receiver; they need to throw the receiver open. That is something that Smith has struggled with during his brief career.

In order to do that, a quarterback must have a firm grasp - and confidence - in the offense, as well as the defensive coverage he's facing.

* * *

Both Smith and Hill are coming off surgeries. Smith's shoulder is doing well. He has yet to really air it out, but he said he's feeling comfortable throwing passes some 35 to 40 yards downfield. Meanwhile, Hill played with a broken right index finger late last season. The finger is now fixed and feeling normal. The back injury that kept him out of the season finale is also healed.

* * *

Nolan and Smith embraced in front of the media. Smith said he and Nolan have talked about (and joked about) their rift of last year. Smith said this is a chance to start over.

* * *.

David Baas (torn pectoral) is out for this camp. Manny Lawsons (ACL), Joe Cohen (ACL) and Melvin Oliver (ACL) are all limited to individual drills as they continue their rehabs. Tarell Brown, who sustained a partially torn ACL in the final game of the season, is working on the field.

* * *

When asked about the team's interest in veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes, Nolan said, "Right now, the interest is holding tight." In other words, the 49ers have not made any move since the draft to acquire Spikes' services.

* * *

The reason for the NFL Films music? Nolan said it was his idea. He said whenever a team goes to a stadium on gameday, there is never a time when something is not playing over the PA system. He said the players might draw a little inspiration from the music. The key, he said, is to have it at a low enough volume that the coaches to have to shout over the music to communicate with the players.

* * *

Posted May 2, 2008 11:08:02 AM

Permalink: http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2199242

TrackBack URL: http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/utility/tb/?id=2199242

Images

: The 49ers hi...; Enlarge

Comments | Add Comment

Posted By: Razoreater (03/05/2008 1:08:39 PM)
Comment: Vernon is one of the best blocking TE's in the NFL. He is about to be one of the best receiving TE through a creative & opportunistic Martz system provided the OL does not need Mr. Davis' aid.

Posted By: Clifton McNeil (03/05/2008 12:04:11 AM)
Comment: YeahCody, I also read Vernon's comments the same way. After all, it would not be the first time he told us how much of a star he is. But in Vernon's defense, stature can also refer to height/size. Just a possibility

Posted By: Cody Pickett (02/05/2008 10:58:19 PM)
Comment: Vernon Davis sure has an exaggerated opinion of himself ("he's [Martz] never had a tight end of my stature"). It would be nice if he had some above-average production to show for his braggadocia. OK, Vernon - It's time to put up or shut up!

Posted By: nyniner (02/05/2008 10:14:11 PM)
Comment: I just wanted to say thank you to Matt Maiocco for always keeping all of us updated with news that makes a fan in New York feel like they are in the Bay Area. Thank You for the great information and keep up the great work.

Posted By: Razoreater (02/05/2008 9:21:30 PM)
Comment: Cool idea with the dramatic NFL music. I like it! Now, let's wake 'em up during warm ups with Judas Preists' "Nostradamas" to get their blood flowing!! How 'bout it Mike?

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (02/05/2008 8:47:36 PM)
Comment: The beauty of the Martz concept is simply to run an Up-Tempo high speed offense. This is the key to getting Alex's head on a swivel and getting him to read and react not stare and anticipate. Who remembers Jim Kelly and the Bills' (KGun?) attack. Walsh had a similar style as well, run the plays Left/Right in 5-10 yd chunks at breakneck pace. This should work well, forcing the D to react to multiple patterns and faster execution. Our bread and butter in the 80s was Rice/Taylor on the slant beating LBs on the hash. For that reason, I think the OL benefits from our weak OT ranks, less time needed to hold off the edge guys if the ball comes out quickly. If VDavis uses his God given speed to get off quickly, he becomes unstoppable in the slot. He'll make Fitzgerald look slow.

Posted By: Rich, DE (02/05/2008 7:57:22 PM)
Comment: It's like throwing the ball to a spot and knowing that the receiver will be there to catch it. It's the kinda stuff that a great college quarterback may have a hard time adjusting to in the pros. But, he must eventually learn how if he's gonna succeed at that next level.

Posted By: montana to rice (02/05/2008 6:54:44 PM)
Comment: Tim V- Throwing to the reciever open is another way to try to explain timing. Split seconds seperate whether a reciever is open, or whether the defense will close in. So, essentially, Smith is going to throw the ball a split second before the break instead of waiting for the reciever to get open. It's called timing routes. Something that has been soley missed in s.f. I am excited about Martz making Smith a star providing he beats out Hill. If a Q.B. can master a system like Martz's it's off to the hall of fame so all 9er fans should be excited. He's the most innovative mind we've had on "O" since Shanahan in '94!

Posted By: drspaceman (02/05/2008 6:14:43 PM)
Comment: NFL Films Music over the PA system? Who is Nolan trying to be, Michael Scott?

Posted By: John V. (02/05/2008 6:10:58 PM)
Comment: About the offense Matt wrote "...the quarterbacks is that they should not throw to the open receiver; they need to throw the receiver open." What does throwing the receiver open mean? I don't get it. If anyone can explain this better please do. Thanks.

Response: It means that a quarterback needs to anticipate when a receiver is going to get open. If he waits until the receiver is open . . . and then throws, it's generally too late. A quarterback has to throw to where he wants/expects the receiver to be. Sometimes that means throwing it out there for the receiver to go get before he even makes his break. --Matt M.

Posted By: Darth (02/05/2008 3:02:29 PM)
Comment: Well VD does have like 24pack abs and big old Battleship guns for arms. I really think O'Sullivan will be like our Bulger this year.

Posted By: KG (02/05/2008 2:39:32 PM)
Comment: I thought this was a very interesting quote. I hope it's not bubbling under the surface too much. Looks like he might be taking a backhanded swipe at his competition. Hill downplayed it last season, but the injury was certainly a hinderance to his throwing. "I downplayed it to myself, too," he said. "You don't want to go into ant games with excuses. You're setting yourself up for failure if you do that."

Posted By: KG (02/05/2008 2:39:24 PM)
Comment: I thought this was a very interesting quote. I hope it's not bubbling under the surface too much. Looks like he might be taking a backhanded swipe at his competition. Hill downplayed it last season, but the injury was certainly a hinderance to his throwing. "I downplayed it to myself, too," he said. "You don't want to go into ant games with excuses. You're setting yourself up for failure if you do that."

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (02/05/2008 2:35:36 PM)
Comment: I checked Vegas, they're not taking any bets. Vernon should have said, Martz has never had a tight end with so much potential. He is a bit optimistic when he says "stature"

Posted By: Alburns (02/05/2008 2:33:24 PM)
Comment: Did the hug between Nolan and Smith appear orchestrated or do you think it was legit? It was in front of the media, so I am guessing the former

Posted By: Mike in SF #1 (02/05/2008 2:23:01 PM)
Comment: What's the Vegas line on Jennings hurting something before the 3 day minicamp is over?

Posted By: Ed (02/05/2008 2:21:18 PM)
Comment: Nolan and Smith need to share a hug at a press conference and say, "We were both idiots last year, but now we are over it. All families have fights. Time to move on." That is it. Time for some football.

Posted By: Ed (02/05/2008 2:21:05 PM)
Comment: Nolan and Smith need to share a hug at a press conference and say, "We were both idiots last year, but now we are over it. All families have fights. Time to move on." That is it. Time for some football.

Images

Comments | Add Comment

Search

Recent Postings

RSS Feeds

Blog Calendar

Categories

Links

Archived Posts

PressDemocrat.com Articles

« November 2009 »
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30