Posted By: HB (03/06/2008 8:05:57 AM)
Comment: If bait and switch nolan stays true to form then Jason Taylor should show up any day.

Posted By: ninermaniac (02/06/2008 11:49:46 PM)
Comment: Justim Smith at OLB, that means Tully is not a starter or has to switch sided. which side is Kentwan going to line up?

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (02/06/2008 10:53:12 PM)
Comment: Perhaps Arnaz feels slighted in the pecking order with a new OC and having everyone learning from the ground floor together? In an earlier post we discussed the leadership roles within the WR group. You indicated that Isaac seems more the loner type? Who in your opinion, is taking the initiative to set the pace within the WR group Matt? Any leadership skills apparent? Bryant Johnson and Josh Morgan seem like pretty confident guys, but both are very new to the team. I still feel this is the catalyst to our success. If we can throw and force some respect in the passing game, look out NFC West. Frank and Vernon could become unstoppable.

Posted By: http:// (02/06/2008 8:14:54 PM)
Comment: hey matt, how does damane duckett look?

Posted By: Merton Hanks (02/06/2008 3:32:01 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, any word on Tarell Brown's recovery so far?

Posted By: roasthawg (02/06/2008 3:29:01 PM)
Comment: Question: Why do we want a wolb who's alright against the run but can't cover or get to the passer? Answer: Because it's better than a wolb who sucks against the run and still can't cover or get to the passer. Smith lining up at wolb is a testament to how bad TBC is. Why didn't we draft Groves again?

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (02/06/2008 3:07:52 PM)
Comment: Guys - remember who our D-Coordinator is and where he came from. I had a sneaking suspicion he envisioned using Justin Smith the same way he used Shawn Merriman in San Diego (consequently, they are both of similar size). Today's OTA practice is further proof to that point. While Merriman does play the OLB in San Diego's 3-4 he is more of a hybrid Elephant DE and he doesn't drop into coverage much. Like Nolan said - Smith will be used as a "playmaker". Which means one thing: Pin back your ears and get after the QB and the ball and don't worry much about assignments. Manny Lawsome will be our coverage linebacker and he is good at it. Anyone looking at what Smith did on a talentless/horrible Cincy D is overlooking his potential. Put in the tape and watch the man play. He is a beast and was the only playmaker on that Cincy team. This should be one of the most exciting developments to watch this season.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (02/06/2008 2:18:44 PM)
Comment: I like Justin Smith rushing from the OLB spot, but I can't see him dropping into coverage... Disappointed in Battle's absence, but he probably knows there is some young talent in front of him. Hopefully, he's OK of course. Thanks for the quick updates Matt!

Posted By: Daniel (02/06/2008 2:14:34 PM)
Comment: I wouldn't get too excited about Justin Smith playing LB. He has never notched double digit sacks in his career. Nolan obviously sees something in the guy, all I've ever seen is a guy that never lived up to the hype and is the most over-rated player we've ever signed.

Posted By: Demian (02/06/2008 1:58:15 PM)
Comment: Matt thanks. I think this is very exciting news about Justin Smith and Ray McDonald. I think Justin could get double digit sacks this season if he see's a majority of his reps at outside linebacker. Plus, I like Ray McDonald alot. I always think back to when Flordia won the national championship and their defensive coordinator said that of all the talented players on that defense that got drafted that year ( Reggie Nelson, Jarvis Moss, Brandon Siler, etc ?? ), he thought Ray McDonald was the key. Now we truly get our best eleven on the field at the same time. All we could hope for now is that Takeo makes the right decision and Dashon never lets Roman have his job back. Then this defense could be very special.

Posted By: Indiana Jim (02/06/2008 1:50:59 PM)
Comment: I wouldn't read anything into the OTA first-teamers. Getting the younger guys reps in OTA's is important if you think they have a chance to push for starting time. This is primarily to see how the individual takes to his assignments, and his mental acuity to running the offense/defense. It's the old "Who's going to work hard and who's smart enough" before Training Camp, which is more like "I picked you to start, now go to work."

Posted By: PDX Mike (02/06/2008 1:50:21 PM)
Comment: Matt-do you have any details on hos Justin Smith looked at OLB? Did he fall back into coverage much? Thanks.

Posted By: Robert (02/06/2008 1:42:22 PM)
Comment: Seems like the coaches are giving some of the younger players a chance for some reps early in camp. Guys like Haralson and McDonald. I hope they're good enough to win starting jobs. Matt- How did Chilo look out there? Did anyone stand out who you weren't expecting?

Posted By: NinerTico (02/06/2008 1:37:26 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the info Matt! What is your take on how Johnson looked out there today? I know there was some talk that during the minis he didn't look good or not sharp...nothing stood out. What about now?

Posted By: NinerTico (02/06/2008 1:37:19 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the info Matt! What is your take on how Johnson looked out there today? I know there was some talk that during the minis he didn't look good or not sharp...nothing stood out. What about now?

Posted By: FloridaFan (02/06/2008 1:33:54 PM)
Comment: Hey 49ers Fans! Run out and get your copy of Lindy's Pro Football preview magazine. I just saw it on the shelves and our team preview is written by the best in the business, Matt M. I never bought this mag before, but it predicts us to finish tied for 2nd with the Cardinals and, again, the best preview of our team you will find. Let's all show support for our favorite beat writer! Matt, do you get any portion of the profits?

Posted By: petaluman (02/06/2008 1:20:10 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the update, Matt! How is Chilo looking at RT? I realize the OTA "depth chart" could change day-by-day, but I was very interested to see that Duckett stayed at OT while Mitchell moved inside to make room for Rachal in the tackle rotation. Please keep an eye on this for us, also.

Posted By: Dan (02/06/2008 1:13:11 PM)
Comment: Who cares about Larry Allen? I wouldn't want that dude to come back even if he begged us to sign him for a league minimum... His time has came and gone, and it's now for some of the younger guys to step up (Baas, Snyder, Rachal)... He is probably out of shape, will want a decent chunk of change for only 1 year, and is a liability in the passing game... Heck, the dude almost got Smith murdered last year by letting a 320 DL go straight through the O-Line unblocked... I hope he retires...

Posted By: Dan (02/06/2008 1:09:55 PM)
Comment: What do you think of the chance of Justin Smith lining up at OLB as our base defense in the 3-4? Or do you think that alignment is more of a situational thing?

Response: Based on today, I think it's a possibility. The funny thing is that Ray McDonald was at DE. Yep, the same McDonald who I wrote last week might not ever be a starter at DE in a 3-4. But, perhaps, McDonald could be a starter as long as a big OLB is there alongside him. --Matt M.

Posted By: coach hudd (02/06/2008 1:08:17 PM)
Comment: I like that they are going to move J.Smith around on the defense. Now we can find the offense's weakness and expolit it. This defense is going to be fun to watch this year!!!!!

Posted By: 949er (02/06/2008 1:07:45 PM)
Comment: Thanks, Matt. You wrote: Allen is considering retirement but has not made a public decision. 'I don't think it's 50-50,' Nolan" As written, that sounds as though Allen is leaning more toward playing another year. Could you glean anything more from your interaction with Nolan?

Response: No, actually, Nolan said he does not think the odds are even 50 percent that Allen will choose to play again. --Matt M.

Posted By: Weary9er (02/06/2008 1:06:45 PM)
Comment: Thanks again for the great reporting, Matt; can't wait to see what you have to say!

Posted By: jkc (02/06/2008 12:47:18 PM)
Comment: Awesome!