Thoughts and observations from this morning’s practice

Random thoughts and observations from this morning’s chilly voluntary practice in Santa Clara…
• Tough day for the passing game. Alex Smith started the day with a completion to Michael Crabtree, but was generally up and down, floating a few deep balls. And even when Smith hit the target, the football didn’t always stick. TE Delanie Walker had a pass bounce off his chest. Dominique Zeigler saw one go through his hands. So did Ted Ginn, and that one was intercepted by rookie CB Phillip Adams.

May 17, 2010
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Why 49ers’ receivers had advantage today

Mike Singletary told his captains, and the captains passed the directive down the chain of command this morning: When the ball’s in the air, let the offensive player catch it. No reason to get tangled up and risk an injury this early in the campaign. “Obviously, it did not sink in deep enough,” Singletary said after practice.

May 17, 2010
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49 questions heading into OTAs

Excitement is building for the four consecutive days of organized team activities that begin Monday in Santa Clara. And I don’t mean Alex Smith’s excitement, or Taylor Mays’, or Mike Singletary’s or yours. I mean MY excitement. I need some live football to report and analyze. To set the mood, here are 49 questions I hope to be able to answer after the dust settles Thursday.

May 16, 2010
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Ready to bring out ‘the best linebacker that’s in Navorro’

Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes form one of the savviest and most physical sets of inside linebackers in the NFL. But Spikes is 33 years old, heading into his 13th NFL season out of Auburn. The 49ers need to groom a replacement. Maybe Matt Wilhelm or Scott McKillop will emerge as the third man. Or maybe it will be Navorro Bowman. Here’s a Q&A with the third-round pick out of Penn State.

May 3, 2010
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Free-agent tryouts produce winners, losers

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the 49ers have offered a free-agent contract to former UC Davis wide receiver Bakari Grant, who was in Santa Clara over the weekend for a tryout. But at least one undrafted rookie who came for a tryout does not expect to be signed.

May 3, 2010
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Undrafted free agent has famous relatives

Turns out undrafted free-agent cornerback Patrick Stoudamire’s cousins include basketball stars Damon and Salim Stoudamire, plus former NFL player Chris Mims. For the record, Patrick Stoudamire stood out with a pretty good performance at the Niners’ rookie camp this weekend, but not sure about his crossover dribble.

May 2, 2010
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Jimmy Raye grades his new beef

I covered Jimmy Raye for his two seasons in Oakland, 2004-05, and I knew he could spin a yarn. But my exposure was limited; we didn’t get to talk to assistant coaches much in those days. I’m looking forward to hearing Raye on a regular basis — starting with this Q&A from Saturday.

May 2, 2010
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Manusky’s first impressions

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky spoke to reporters Saturday, ambling to the podium with the use of a cane (I’m told he’s had hip replacement surgery) to discuss his newest defenders. Here are some excerpts.

May 2, 2010
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Highlights (though not many) from p.m. practice

A lot of you have been asking me for more details from today’s rookie practice – especially, who stood out from the pack.
To be honest, there wasn’t much opportunity to stand out. After position drills, the 49ers went through one session of 7-on-7 and one team period. Then they turned to conditioning and got the rookies running.
That said, I’ll make a few tepid nomination:

April 30, 2010
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BIG things happening in Santa Clara

As the offseason progresses, I will be able to tell you about Anthony Dixon’s cutting ability, Taylor Mays’ ball-tracking skills and Kyle Williams’ fit in the slot. With limited reps in today’s rookie practice, very little intelligence emerged.
But before you really get to know someone as a football player, the first things that stand out are the purely physical measures. And the 49ers have welcomed some very impressive specimens into the fold.

April 30, 2010
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35 expected for afternoon practice

Today’s 49ers practices are like a two-seating dinner. The veterans swept through for a voluntary OTA this morning. At 3:45 this afternoon, they will be supplanted by 35 rookies and first-year players: eight draft picks, nine undrafted free agents, 12 rookies getting tryouts and six players who are technically first-year guys though they came out a year ago.
For those of you keeping score at home:

April 30, 2010
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Rookies’ first task: watch and learn

Interesting sight at the 49ers’ voluntary OTA this morning: the team’s new rookies, both drafted and undrafted, sitting around in T-shirts and shorts, watching the veterans practice. Mike Singletary wanted the young cats to see how an NFL practice is conducted – which explains why the team changed the original schedule and set up a veteran OTA on the same day as a rookie minicamp.

April 30, 2010
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Gore is no fan of RB-by-committee

Running back Frank Gore does not like to come off the field. There is no urgent need for the 49ers to add a third-down back because that’s when Gore might be his best with his ability to run, catch and block.   But 49ers director of player personnel Trent Baalke intimated last week that he’s open to adding a running back to make the 49ers’ backfield more of a collaborative…

March 30, 2010
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Baas attends ‘voluntary’ OTAs, but several other veterans do not

Starting left guard David Baas had a great excuse for skipping the first day of 49ers organized team activities today. He is not under contract to the 49ers for the 2010 season. But that did not prevent him from signing a waiver and showing up to work.   “We’ve got something to prove and I’ve got something to prove,” Baas said. “And I’m covered while I’m out here, so that’s…

March 29, 2010
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Smith hits ground throwing in ’10, looks back at ’09

Something happened today that has never before happened in Alex Smith’s NFL career.   When the 49ers went out to the practice field for “voluntary” organized team activities, Smith was not learning a new offensive system. Also, in a departure from the past two offseasons, he was not rehabilitating his right shoulder.   Smith is healthy. And he’s building on what he’s already learned from offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye’s playbook.

March 29, 2010
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Unsigned Baas working to keep spot with 49ers

The 49ers have scheduled two days of organized team activities. It is rare that teams use any of their allotted OTA days before the draft. But this is no ordinary draft. The 49ers believe they have a roster ready to do some damage in the NFC – or, at least, in the NFC West. But they believe they need some help on the offensive line. While coach Mike Singletary is…

March 29, 2010
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Singletary hits road to scout, turns over OTAs to 49ers coordinators

The 49ers have organized team activities scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at the club’s practice facility in Santa Rosa Clara. Coach Mike Singletary has excused himself. He will be on the road scouting with 49ers director of player personnel Trent Baalke, who will take the lead role in the 49ers’ draft preparations.   This seems to suggest Singletary will be more involved in evaluating pro prospects with the departure of…

March 26, 2010
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