It’s too early to take stock of the quarterbacks, so I’ll just give an observation. The three top QBs on the training camp roster – Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, and Jeremiah Masoli – are all most comfortable throwing the ball from the shotgun. Each guy played strictly in shotgun or shotgun-like offenses in college. Smith ran the spread, Kaepernick ran the pistol, and Masoli ran the option. When you think…
Taking stock of the organization
Today’s the first break in the action of the 49ers training camp, so let’s take stock of the organization. I apologize if this is redundant. It seems like the appropriate exercise for this off day. Have the 49ers improved from last year? They’ve lost six starters. They are: Nate Clements, Dashon Goldson, Takeo Spikes, Manny Lawson, Aubrayo Franklin, and David Baas. They’ve also lost some backups: David Carr, Troy Smith,…
Harbaugh’s post-practice presser
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the complete transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s post-practice press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. On whether he has a different perception on the look of his team compared to last week: “We’ve added some new players, it’s changed that way. I wouldn’t say any dramatic change. The guys have come in and worked and have been very hungry throughout the training camp. I think it’s just been…
8/6 Practice notes
SANTA CLARA – After warm-ups and drills, the real practice started with a 9-on-9 goal line scrimmage. It was the first team offense against the first team defense, but backup Anthony Dixon lined up at tailback instead of Frank Gore. Alex Smith hiked the ball and handed it off to Dixon, who chose to bounce his run outside to the left. This was a bad move. Patrick Willis caught him…
Donte Whitner Q&A
SANTA CLARA – The 49ers new starting strong safety, Donte Whitner, spoke in a group interview this afternoon. Whitner recorded the fifth most tackles in the NFL last season, and the most amongst defensive backs with 140. In this interview Whitner describes the philosophy of this new Vic Fangio defense in more depth than any member of the 49er defense has gone on record so far. He makes compelling comparisons…
Alex Boone Q&A
SANTA CLARA – I participated in a group interview with third-year backup tackle Alex Boone. He starts with praise for Aldon Smith, and then he talks about his own role on the team this year. I included almost the entire 10-minute interview because Boone had some great lines. He’s a funny guy. Enjoy. Q: What’s it like to go against Aldon Smith in practice? BOONE: What’s it like to go…
Practice notes II: Defense’s honor at stake
Niner42 and mcniner felt I skimped on the practice notes, and I aim to please, so here’s some more. Most of training camp has been fully padded but light on tackling. The lineman bang into each other, but the skill positions basically play two-hand-touch. Jim Harbaugh constantly reminds the players to “Keep them up! Keep them on their feet!” He doesn’t want any injuries. Today was a full-on tackling day,…
8/5 Practice notes
SANTA CLARA – Before I get to the good and not-so-good of the day, here’s a funny scene from the 49ers first practice in front of fans. During 11-on-11’s, Alex Smith threw one pass at Ted Ginn’s feet on a five-yard out. The fans didn’t boo, but they gave a collective “oooooo,” and the stands got uncomfortably quiet. Suddenly, a lady in the front row lost it. She yelled right…
Taylor Mays talks
SANTA CLARA – Taylor Mays ended practice this afternoon by breaking up a touchdown pass. On the last play of the first-team offense’s two-minute drill, Alex Smith dropped back from the 10-yard line and spotted Vernon Davis open in the middle of the end-zone. Smith zipped a pass on target to Davis, but Mays closed in quickly and slapped the ball out of Davis’ hands. It was one of the…
Carlos Rogers on his hands
SANTA CLARA – The hands in question belonged to Carlos Rogers. They hid underneath the cornerback’s armpits as he answered a group of reporters’ questions this afternoon. They were hiding because he spoke with his arms folded across his chest. Rogers’s hands are his biggest source of criticism. His former team, the Washington Redskins, did not resign him because they didn’t like his hands. They thought he dropped too many…
The State vs. Braylon Edwards
All credit to the 49ers for signing Braylon Edwards, the big wide receiver they’ve long needed. As you know, Edwards has had continuing trouble with the law, and may even face suspension from the league. This is not to question the Niners’ choice of him as they try to become winners. In fact, they deserve praise for showing the guts to get someone who’s so good but personally flawed. In…
Jim Harbaugh on Alex Smith
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh was the first person to speak at the podium after practice. He was winded at the beginning of the interview and he was sweating. He spends a ton of energy coaching during practice. He participates in every drill he watches. It’s good to see a coach so actively involved. Here’s the complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers, of his fascinating interview. Play close attention to what…
Alex Smith Q&A
Alex Smith spoke to the media after his first day of real, live practice. He spoke about getting rid of the rust and the excitement of the competition with Colin Kaepernick. As always, he was the perfect gentleman. Read and enjoy. This is courtesy of the 49ers. On what it feels like to be back with Braylon Edwards again: “Yeah, as far as the same draft class. I got to…
Meet Braylon Edwards
Braylon Edwards spoke in the media tent after his first practice with the team this evening. Here’s the complete transcript of the interview, courtesy of the 49ers. On whether he thought he would play for the 49ers when he visited the team facility prior to the 2005 NFL Draft: “Back then, I was thinking it was possible. I thought there was a chance that I could go first to this…
8/4 Practice notes: Smith vs. Kaepernick
SANTA CLARA – Practice was windy and cold in the Santa Clara dusk. Braylon Edwards lined up with the first and second-team offense today and looked good, considering he’d been on the team for about an hour. He caught a few short passes and hustled hard. Madieu Williams stood behind the defense with secondary coach Ed Donatell and took mental reps. Donatell seemed to be talking Williams through the plays….
49ers sign Braylon Edwards, Donte Whitner
Adam Schefter reports the 49ers have signed two free agents today – wide receiver Braylon Edwards and strong safety Donte Whitner. The 28-year-old Edwards just confirmed via twitter that he will sign with the 49ers. He wrote, “It’s official #Team17 we have moved to the bay. I’m a proud member of the San Francisco 49ers.” Team17 is his fanclub – he wears No. 17. His deal is reported to be…
49ers shop Taylor Mays
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the 49ers sent out a mass e-mail to the other 31 teams that they want to trade safety Taylor Mays. This move seems to suggest they like Reggie Smith, and that they’ll sign one more person to play strong safety, whether he be Dashon Goldson or another free agent. I’ve never liked Mays as a player. One year when I was a student at…
Joe Montana vs. Steve Young
I just got back from a walk around the neighborhood with my dad, and on that walk I asked him this loaded question: You are the GM of the 49ers, and there is an NFL expansion draft, and every player who’s ever played the game is 22-years-old and draft-eligible, but you know what they are going to do in their career. So, who would you rank higher on your big…
New way to measure quarterbacks, and Alex Smith
ESPN’s Mike Sando just came out with an interesting article comparing the NFC West Quarterbacks by their Total Quarterback Rating – a new, highly subjective, supposedly more accurate metric for measuring quarterback performance. Sando explains it in detail in his article, but all you need to know is that a TBR of 50 is average, and a TBR of 65 is pro-bowl caliber. Last season, Alex Smith’s 82.1 quarterback rating…
Free agents who may practice today
According to Jason La Canfora, the Collective Bargaining Agreement will be ratified by 1 p.m. Pacific Time today. However, La Canfora also reports that the NFL Players Association has issues with the HGH testing and will not sign off on that issue, but this is not expected to hold off ratification. If it is indeed ratified, that means all the free agents the 49ers signed should be able to participate…
