Take 5 with 49ers SE Josh Morgan

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The 49ers could have selected any wide receiver in the draft. But they passed on that position with the No. 29 overall pick. They debated taking Limas Sweed in the second round. Again, they passed on the position.

When the 49ers finally selected a wide receiver, they went with Virginia Tech's Josh Morgan in the sixth round.

Morgan (6-0, 219) has stood out more than any other rookie on the practice field in the three workout sessions open to the local media during organized team activities the past two weeks. Morgan looks the part. He's big, runs well and catches the ball.

Morgan is lining up at the X or split-end position, where Bryant Johnson is currently starting. He is a native of Washington, where he grew up down the street from new teammate Vernon Davis, he said. Morgan started 11 of 14 games as a senior and led the Hokies with 46 receptions for 552 yards.

Instant 49ers: What's the biggest challenge facing you with the 49ers?

Morgan: The biggest challenge is just getting more comfortable with the playbook. I'm learning the plays but getting to the point where I don't have to be standing at the line and thinking about what I have to do and second-guessing myself, that's going to be my biggest challenge.

Instant 49ers: What in your college career best prepared you for what you'll be facing with the 49ers?

Morgan: Just the adversity I went through in college. I came in as a freshman and had to work and basically had to do what I'm doing now -- learn the playbook and get more comfortable with the plays so I could become the kind of player I think I am. That's what helped me the most because I come in here and revert back to what I did my freshman year in college and how I adapted to the playbook.

Instant 49ers: When you came to the 49ers and looked around was there anyone you were in awe of?

Morgan: Of course, Isaac Bruce. When I first saw him it was like, "Wow, it's really you." All the records he has and the productive career he's had for 14 years in the NFL . . . it's great to see a man like that and be in the same huddle and the same meeting room as him.

Instant 49ers: Is he approachable?

Morgan: He's very approachable. He's down to earth. He talked to me a couple times when I first got here at the minicamp. He saw the coach getting on me. I just got there and didn't know the plays and the coaches wanted me to just go full speed. He came to me and said he saw me working and told me to keep working hard and that I looked good. Those comments took the load off my shoulders. For someone like him to tell me I was OK and to keep working hard meant a lot. He told me to get in the playbook and keep working hard. That's what I'm doing so far.

Instant 49ers: Is there anything from D.C. or Blacksburg, Va. (where Virginia Tech is located) you wish you could bring with you to California?

Morgan: I have great support, but I didn't bring them to Blacksburg. They loved and supported me from a distance. Whenever they can get to a game, they can. I take my Bible everywhere with me. Other than those two things, I'm good.

* * *

There was a report on Sirius NFL Radio that 49ers rookie guard Chilo Rachal tussled with outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain during Friday's practice, according to several people who heard the show. Rachal reportedly threw Banta-Cain around like a rag doll. The local media were banned from Friday's practice, so I was not there. The incident was reported by radio host Tim Ryan. Team spokesman Aaron Salkin said Ryan watched approximately 20 minutes of practice because he was at the team's workout facility in Santa Clara to speak with coach Mike Nolan about a coaching internship.

* * *

Posted June 15, 2008 6:30:55 AM

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Comments | Add Comment

Posted By: oneniner (16/06/2008 1:27:09 PM)
Comment: 4 receivers on game day!. really..isnt that a little light?....and only 5 receivers on the 53-man roster....this is news to me......I don't want us to lose any of this guys..Bruce will be here for only 2yrs.....I have a really good feeling about Morgan.....what is the SE in front of his name?

Response: Split end. Four receivers on the game-day roster is typical, unless there's a fifth guy who is a return specialist. --Matt M.

Posted By: ev9er (16/06/2008 12:15:50 PM)
Comment: Oh yeah Matt! What about Cam Colvin? Have you heard anything on what he has done at the OTA's so far? I understand that he joined the team on 6/13. I really think this WR is going to be good in the long run aswell! thanks matt

Response: I think he's had one practice (Monday) and the media was not allowed to watch. --Matt M.

Posted By: Josh (16/06/2008 11:13:03 AM)
Comment: NEXT TAKE FIVE: Bryant Johnson

Posted By: ninermaniac (16/06/2008 11:12:24 AM)
Comment: I think the 49ers will definitely benefit from Tully this year as a DE or OLB. Morgan sounds like hes in the zone, to get to the endzone. Theres some big WRs hopefully i can see some YAC this year.

Posted By: oneniner (16/06/2008 10:58:45 AM)
Comment: Hey Matt, I can't recall how many receivers we usually have active on game day....Do you agree "only" these 6 receivers make the gameday roster - Bruce, Johnson, Battle, Leile, Hill, Morgan.......

Response: No, I don't agree. If you're talking about the number of receivers suiting up on game day, you're probably looking at four of them. As for the 53-man roster, probably five of those guys make the team. --Matt M.

Posted By: ev9er (16/06/2008 10:02:18 AM)
Comment: Matt, what are the chances that Mr. Morgan takes the forth spot on the WR's corp this year over Hill. I like Hill and I would like to see him play more but If Josh Morgan is getting the praise, why not give hime a shot. I know Jason Hill was not getting this kind of praise last year as a rookie so Morgan might be a sleeper WR this year? What is your take on this Matt?? thanks

Response: It was pretty obvious fairly early that Hill would not make much of an impact in Year 1. I don't get the same impression with Morgan, though he still has a long ways to go and a lot to prove. The door is open for him to contribute. Now, he just has to take advantage of the opportunity. --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (16/06/2008 7:36:18 AM)
Comment: very nice- Chilo Rachal --

Posted By: matt (15/06/2008 10:18:39 PM)
Comment: jsl--I believe I saw something a few months back where the niners would actually gain cap room by cutting TBC, something in the range of 1.5-2 million dollars. Maybe Matt can validate that. But I think this is more of a good sign that Rachal is a beast on the field and the niners oline will be a lot better off this year than last.

Response: If the 49ers released Banta-Cain, they'd clear $1.2 million in cap room this year, but he'd account for $966,668 in dead money in 2009. --Matt M.

Posted By: buzz (S.F.) (15/06/2008 9:24:03 PM)
Comment: Thanks for the interview -I asked about him in my last post as the word was spreading about him!I find his respect for Mr Bruce as a good indicator of high character -coupled with what appears to be real (albeit "raw") talent and maybe we have something here!!!

Posted By: Dan (15/06/2008 4:17:17 PM)
Comment: yea and I bet Walt Harris put Jonas Jennings in a pile-driver too

Posted By: jsl (15/06/2008 2:06:51 PM)
Comment: No surprise that Rachal was playing "rag doll" with TBC in practice. Everybody else in the league was playing that game with TBC last year anyway. My sense is he's still here only (1) for cap-related reasons and/or (2) because he's a "Nolan guy." Good that Rachal's getting a workout anyway. My guess is he'll be starting at RT by mid-season, at the latest, unless Jennings gets "injured" before that. (I don't see Sims, even if he signs, as bringing anything to the table more than Harris did.)

Posted By: drspaceman (15/06/2008 1:15:28 PM)
Comment: Happy Father's Day Matt. Is Tim related to Buddy, Rex, and Rob Ryan?

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (15/06/2008 10:01:35 AM)
Comment: jgo: I was thinking the same thing. great way to shoot your mouth off AND yourself in the foot at the same time. I guess it is reporting though. This stuff happens all the time in practice, brawls and stuff. Great interview, Matt. Can yo interview Aubrayo Franklin? We know absolutely nothing about him

Posted By: jgo (15/06/2008 2:18:53 AM)
Comment: "..Ryan watched approximately 20 minutes of practice because he was at the team's workout facility in Santa Clara to speak with coach Mike Nolan about a coaching internship." And he surely improved his chances by starting a rumor about a closed practice. Guess who WON'T be getting any coaching internship with the 49ers any time soon.

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