Smith gets his shot with the first-team offense

Quarterback Alex Smith took snaps with the first-team offense today, but 49ers coach Mike Singletary said it “doesn’t mean anything” – other than the coaches just want to make his competition against Shaun Hill as fair as possible.

Hill had been taking the first-team snaps through the offseason program up to this point.

 

* * *

 

The competition continues at all positions, including the cornerback job opposite Nate Clements. Newly added veteran Dre’ Bly was not promised anything, Singletary said. “Everybody is competing,” he said. “He knew that coming in. He’s a competitor.” Bly will compete against Tarell Brown and Shawntae Spencer.

 

Right tackle is another spot where competition will take place. Veteran newcomer Marvel Smith has been taking part in only individual work after experiencing back problems the past two seasons. His main competition is Adam Snyder.

 

* * *

 

The 49ers held practice this morning during their mandatory minicamp. Every player on the 49ers’ roster is accounted for. Most are practicing. Only Michael Crabtree (foot), Arnaz Battle (foot), Ray McDonald (knee), Walt Harris (knee), Shawntae Spencer (knee) and Clements (pneumonia) are not taking part in the practices.

 

Clements will be evaluated on Monday to determine whether he can return to practice during organized team activities.

 

Crabtree is scheduled to step on the field to practice for the first time when the 49ers open training camp, most likely on July 30. Singletary said he does not want Crabtree to do anything that might lead to a setback before then.

 

“I don’t even want to try to get him out there,” Singletary said. “I want him to do everything he’s supposed to do, so when it’s time to go, he’s ready to go. I want him to stay with Jerry Sullivan as much as he can. When (receivers coach) Jerry Sullivan goes to sleep, I want him to have to tell Crabtree to get out.”

 

* * *

 

Singletary said he was excited about the prospect of the 49ers and Santa Clara agreeing to a term sheet on a stadium proposal, which will be presented to the voters for approval in the spring.

 

“As far as I’m concerned, we’ll play on the street,” Singletary said. “As long as the other team is willing to show up, we’re going to show up. It would be great to have a new stadium to play in. The fans deserve it. The city deserves it. The players deserve it – well, we will deserve it.”

 

* * *

 

Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer, who had a less-than promising rookie season, is a player Singletary has been raving about. Singletary said he tried to keep the veterans away from the minicamp after the draft that was designed for rookies and first-year players. “He was the only veteran I could not run off,” Singletary said.

 

Singletary said he spoke with Balmer’s defensive line coach at North Carolina, John Blake, who told him Balmer was “very raw.” Singletary said that was an understatement. But toward the end of last season, he said he began to understand why 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan selected Balmer at the end of the first round.

 

* * *

 

Center Cody Wallace, who did not suit up for a game last season after the 49ers spent a fourth-round pick on him last year, is seeing some action at guard. In order for Wallace to serve as a backup on game days, he will need to show the versatility to play the guard positions.

 

* * *

 

Here’s confirmation that the following players have legitimate Twitter accounts: Joe Staley, Takeo Spikes, Kory Sheets, Vernon Davis, Nate Clements, Ricky Jean-Francois and Dominique Zeigler. Oh, yeah, this guy’s account is real, too. But the 49ers say such accounts belonging to Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and Patrick Willis are not legit.

 

* * *

Comments are closed.