Notes and observations from the first practice of the 49ers’ 2010 training camp…
• Despite his usual bluster, TE Vernon Davis is taking the high road on talk of a contract extension. When I asked him if he had seen the numbers on the five-year extension the San Diego Chargers recently gave Antonio Gates – a maximum of $36 million, with $20.4 million guaranteed – he said he had, but that he’s more worried about training camp than being the league’s highest-paid tight end.
“It’s not something on my mind at the moment,” said Davis, who is in the final year of his contract. “I just don’t want to deal with it.”
• When I asked Singletary whether he is concerned about the conditioning of NT Aubrayo Franklin, who is skipping camp as he mulls over his franchise tender, the coach replied: “No, that’s the least of my concerns. In terms of being in shape, the one thing that he has done is he has really done a tremendous job in the offseason. He really is an example that all our D-Linemen have learned from, our young guys, seeing the work that you have to put in to be a good football player.”
• Other than Franklin, every member of the team was in uniform and practicing. G Mike Iupati exited a drill late in the afternoon, but it was only because his shoes were bothering him.
• O-line coach Mike Solari spent about 15 minutes with linemen, linebackers, fullback and tight ends before practice, going over parameters of the infamous nutcracker drill. Singletary said it will be run pretty much like last year, but with a little movement added to the defensive side of the ball.
When I asked Vernon Davis if there was anyone in particular he was looking forward to facing in the drill, he grinned widely and said: “My guy, Parys Haralson. Seems like we always hook up, so I might as well get ready for him.”
• The 49ers will put the pads on for the first time Monday, with practices in both the morning (8:30) and afternoon (5:00).
• Here’s how the first-team defense looked in the initial team period: Isaac Sopoaga, Ricky Jean Francois and Justin Smith on the line; Manny Lawson, Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes and Haralson at linebacker; and Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Dashon Goldson and Michael Lewis in the secondary.
The second team was Ray McDonald, Jean Francois and Kentwan Balmer on the line; Ahmad Brooks, Matt Wilhelm, Scott McKillop and Haralson at linebacker; and Tarell Brown, Karl Paymah, Taylor Mays and Reggie Smith in the secondary.
Later, Ray McDonald got first-team work at LDE, with Sopoaga moving to the nose.
• Alex Smith’s first deep pass was an overthrow to Dominique Zeigler in 7-on-7. Smith was nearly intercepted by Lewis in team period, and Goldson later got him on a short pass over the middle that sailed over TE Joe Jon Finley. All in all, though, Smith looked all right as the offense practiced a lot of short passing plays.
• Rookie RB Anthony Dixon got heavy work in team period. Now healed from a lingering hamstring injury, he looked surprisingly nimble. He seemed to blow one play, though, when QB David Carr turned to pitch and Dixon was nowhere to be found.
• Singletary spent extra time after practice working with the linebackers.
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