Day 7, practice 12: Good day for defense
This is when I’m supposed to draw out some of the interesting tidbits from the morning practice and explain how it’s going to carry over into the regular season.
Or, I could just write that there was not a whole lot noteworthy going on this morning.
Shaun Hill completed 6 of 10 passes in 11-on-11. All the throws were short. He tried to go deep, but he and Josh Morgan were not on the same page. The pass landed 20 yards in back of the nearest receiver. Alex Smith struggled to complete a pass, hooking up on just 2 of 8 2 of 7 attempts.
Chalk this one up to the defense. Cornerback Dre’ Bly got some credit by the coaching staff for his diagnosis on run plays. Marques Harris got his fingertips on a pass toward the sideline to Bear Pascoe. The ball changed direction ever so slightly, and Pascoe could not make the grab.
Justin Smith worked over J.J. Finley for what would’ve been a sack of Hill. Michael Lewis had good coverage downfield to break up a pass to Vernon Davis.
The young guys took over at the end of practice again. Nate Davis was 0 for 2, but one of the throws was a nice toss downfield to Pascoe, who dropped it. Kory Sheets got the call on four run plays during that sequence.
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Of course, you know about receiver Brandon Jones sustaining a fractured right shoulder. He is expected to miss eight weeks. Linebacker Jay Moore returned to practice after missing three days with a cut middle finger on his left hand, and tight end Delanie Walker remained out with a concussion.
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NFL officials have been on the field the past two days to update the players and coaches (and media) on the rules changes. Referee Carl Cheffers is here, along with line judge Charles Stewart, field judges Rob Vernatchi and Jon Lucivansky.
Among the topic covered:
–Any hit to the helmet on a defenseless player, regardless of whether it’s helmet to helmet, is against the rules.
–A point of emphasis will be low hits on the passer. The defender now bears the responsibility to avoid a low hit. If he’s blocked to the ground, the onus falls on him to get up and make a high hit. Just call this the Brady Rule.
–Areas of concern for the league include horse-collar tackles and “in your face” taunting.
–Receiving team on kickoff is not allowed to form a wedge of more than two players. Infraction will be a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call.
–Kicking team can’t bunch everyone together on onside kicks. Teams much have four players on either side of the kicker with at least three players outside the hashmarks on each side, with one player outside the numbers. Penalty is 5-yard illegal formation.
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