The 49ers set up a conference call with receiver Arnaz Battle, who reported to the club's organized team activities after missing the workouts last week. Here is what he had to say:
--The reason he missed the first week of organized team activities was for personal reasons. He did not elaborate. But he did take blame for a lack of communication.
Question: Were you disgruntled that Bryant Johnson and Isaac Bruce were signed? Did that play a role in this?
Battle: "If you look at the history since I've been here, every year they brought someone in to take a role in this offense as a receiver. I don't look at it as any different than the past. I just want an opportunity to do what I do and play a role in this offense."
Question: Being a receiver in a Mike Martz offense, doesn't that make you think you can post big numbers no matter what role you're playing?
Battle: "It does. You look at the history of his offense. Guys have had great numbers. Guys have been successful. It's an opportunity for myself and the rest of my teammates to step it up and have a great year."
Question: Isaac Bruce wasn't at practice today. What was your role in today's practice?
Battle: "I actually started out at the flanker position. I played some X (split end) and I played some Z (flanker). Just trying to get a lot of the guys who (they) think will have a huge role in this offense and get them some reps and get it going. I just worked my way back into the offense and tried to get back at a comfort level."
Question: You mentioned the lack of communication. Could you elaborate on that. What happened?
Battle: "It was just a lack of communication. This is a non-mandatory camp, and I felt there were some personal things I had to take care of, and I put that on my shoulders. I didn't communicate it, and that's that."
Question: When you come in today, do you feel like you're behind a little?
Battle: "They (other receivers) probably have a step. They've been here working out. They know more of the offense. But I played quarterback. I feel l have the intelligence to come in and learn the position and get out there and make plays and make things happen. Definitely, if you miss some time, you're going to be a little behind. But I feel like if I'm given an opportunity, I can make up for that grind. There's a lot of time left."
(Battle said he arrived back in town on Friday and will be here for the next two weeks. Then, he'll return to Dallas, where he makes his offseason home, and continue to get ready for the start of training camp.)
Question: How did the lack of communication get resolved?
Battle: "I called Nolan. I was actually emailed by one of the reporters. My plan was to come in. Kind of a big deal was made out of it. It was just one week. I'm here now. I'm practicing. I'm healthy. I'm here with my teammates, working out and learning the offense and trying to get better."
Question: Ever since you came to the team, there's never been any issues with you. Do you see this as an anomaly? Do think you could've acted in a different way?
Battle: "It was something that happened. Nobody is going to have a perfect career where the communication is there all the time and everything is perfect. Things are going to happen, mistakes are going to be made, and then you go from there. I feel like everybody is on even ground. Everybody is OK. There's no negativity between me and the coaching staff. I've talked to Nolan. I've talked to the rest of the coaches. I'm here and I'm working out and everything's good. I'm moving forward."
Question: You mentioned every year the team does bring in new receivers. This year, they brought in two new guys. At least initially you were the No. 3 receiver. How do you feel about that? Do you feel you're going to be the No. 3 guy or do you see yourself as a starter this season?
Battle: "Who knows at this point. We're all competing. That's my job, to come out here and do what I can do. I do it the best I can do it. Wherever the chips may fall, I feel I have a great opportunity in this offense. Like I said, everybody has a great opportunity. This is an explosive offense and we have a great mind at offensive coordinator. I just want to have a role. Every receiver wants to catch many balls and have a lot of yards and score a lot of touchdowns. I feel with me getting in this offense, I have that opportunity."
* * *
Receiver Isaac Bruce, who is ahead of Battle on the depth chart at flanker, is not practicing this week. A team spokesman said Bruce usually does not attend OTAs, but when he signed Mike Nolan asked that he attend the first week of the OTAs.
* * *
Next week's practice schedule for the final week of OTAs will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then, the club will be off until the start of training camp, July 24.
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (10/06/2008 12:02:57 AM)
Comment: Maybe the fact that this is the walk year of the contract and the flying monkees might be plotting an attack strategy? Nolan must be an interesting interview these days?
Posted By: Dan (09/06/2008 10:04:05 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt... Why do you believe that the 49ers are only allowing 4 OTAs open to the media (bare minimum)?? Especially when they are usually open to the media? Is it because they dont want the media to see the things Martz is doing with the offense as far as formations, personnel packages, etc...? Just curious if you had any idea why...
Response: I do not know the answer to that. The 49ers' answer is a bit murky, too. I don't think it has anything to do with strategy or personnel. People around the league are familiar with Martz as a coach, so nothing we report is going to provide any kind of revelation. Team spokesman Aaron Salkin said today that it was Mike Nolan's decision. Nolan will be asked about it on Tuesday. --Matt M.
Posted By: Jon in SoCal (09/06/2008 6:31:42 PM)
Comment: Nolan doesn't hold grudges...he just forms opinions of players and then refuses to change his mind about them. Matt, any word of the Simms workout? Does a player have an individual workout with position coaches, or can he be involved with the team to see how he meshes.
Posted By: Demian (09/06/2008 4:32:45 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt. So Bruce was attending but not practicing ? Or was he not there at all ?
Response: Isaac has left the building (until training camp). --Matt M.
Posted By: Mike in Sac (09/06/2008 3:59:18 PM)
Comment: Great Nolan holds grudges...now if he could only learn how to win!
Posted By: mikeeee uk (09/06/2008 3:23:55 PM)
Comment: Matt...Did Battle really Call Coach Just Nolan!!!!
Is this a lack of respect or just the way it reads??
Posted By: carl (09/06/2008 2:07:11 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the response Matt. Short sweet and to the point. That clears things up for me. Great job as usual... Side note, I wonder if closing off OTA's to the media is related to Barrows video camera...
Posted By: carl (09/06/2008 1:12:43 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, I'd be interested in reading anything you have to say about Nolan's decision to have fewer OTA's than he's allowed. Esp considering the revolving door at OC, 2nd year DC and all the new comers trying to learn the system. Love the blog, keep it up!!!
Response: They get such strong participation in the offseason conditioning program that this is the reward. There's no way to prove it, but the 49ers believe they get more work done in the offseason than just about any team in the leauge. So I don't see it as a big deal. If those two hours of practice in June are needed that much, the team has far larger problems that need solving. --Matt M.
Posted By: carl (09/06/2008 1:10:03 PM)
Comment: If Nolan is willing to drop some of the last OTA's because of good attendance... then that leads me to believe that the offense is picking up the Martz offense just fine... which leads me to believe that Battle isn't going to have any issues with the learning curve... and Smith/Hill are picking up the offense just fine... oh we're going to rock offensively this upcoming season. Or Nolan is a goner... call it an opportunity wasted if the offense struggles.
Posted By: Indiana Jim (09/06/2008 1:06:22 PM)
Comment: Second! And Ron O, I believe the term people should probably use is "not suffering fools gladly." He doesn't put up with drama. Show up and do the work or go away. I like that about Nolan. Jonas needs to put down his glass slippers and be a man. Alex Smith, unfortunately, cought the misinterpretation and unfortunate circumstance of Nolan's personality last season.
Posted By: RonO (09/06/2008 12:50:29 PM)
Comment: First..
.. and Mike Nolan is not famous for holding grudges. In fact, quite the opposite. He's well liked and admired throughout the league. Which is one of the reasons he manages to attract top coaching talent to the team.
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