Former Stanford center Chase Beeler, who wasn’t selected in April’s NFL Draft, was in a peculiar position this morning.
Heitmann has surgery; expected to miss 2011
Left tackle Joe Staley was unaware of Heitmann’s surgery, but had been in touch with his teammate earlier this offseason. Staley said he knew Heitmann, 31, a nine-year veteran, was weighing his career options because “his neck was messed up.”
Long and short of it: Kaepernick has a rifle
It was telling that wide receiver Lance Long reached up to catch rookie Colin Kaepernick’s pass at today’s players-only offensive minicamp and … catapulted backwards to the turf at Spartan Stadium as if he’d just attempted to grab a flying boulder.
49ers to honor Johnson
The 49ers will honor Hall-of-Fame running back John Henry Johnson this season with a football-shaped helmet decal with Johnson’s jersey number “35.”
DE Sopoaga says he’d be OK with move back to middle
If Aubrayo Franklin leaves, it’s conceivable the Niners could fill the hole in the middle with Isaac Sopoaga, a seven-year veteran who spent his first four seasons at nose tackle.
Kaepernick nearly back at full strength after procedure
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick can now throw without limitations and run. Jump? He’s not quite there yet.
Former Louisville QB Froman mulling post-lockout options
There is little question the 49ers are interested in signing undrafted quarterback Adam Froman to a free-agent contract when the NFL lockout ends. The unanswered question: Is the former Louisville quarterback interested in signing with the 49ers?
Harbaugh terms Crabtree a team-oriented player
Jim Harbaugh dismissed the notion that Michael Crabtree’s character would be a problem, terming the wide receiver “a good guy and a good football player.”
Strong-legged Scaccia drills another long field goal
Fabrizio Scaccia, the only player on the 49ers roster currently playing pro football, has added another lengthy kick to his collection.
Grab bag: Alex offers ‘poor’ self-assessment
Alex Smith has his share of critics, including … Alex Smith.
Free-agent Baas expects to be back with 49ers
It was an odd sight at the 49ers’ offensive camp: Alex Smith, a quarterback not on the 49ers’ roster, taking snaps from David Baas, a center not on the 49ers’ roster.
Smith dismisses talk of rift with Crabtree
Alex Smith said the negative buzz about his off-the-field relationship with Michael Crabtree – chatter fueled by recent comments from both Smith and Crabtree – has been blown out of proportion.
Grab bag: RB Dixon longs to be a do-it-all back
At 233 pounds, Anthony Dixon resembles a power running back. But he longs for another title.
Rookie WR Johnson is married to the game
If sixth-round pick Ronald Johnson doesn’t make it in the NFL, one thing seems absolutely certain: It won’t be for lack of effort.
Crabtree rests sore feet; Morgan quizzes Kaepernick
On the second day, Michael Crabtree rested.
Grab bag: Kudos for Coach Alex
In news that will no doubt inspire eye-rolling in some circles, Niners quarterback Alex Smith was applauded by his teammates Monday for his leadership.
Crabtree, Smith still not connecting
Michael Crabtree says he’s spent much of his offseason in the Bay Area, but the 49ers wide receiver evidently hasn’t been paying attention to coach Jim Harbaugh’s glowing assessments of quarterback Alex Smith.
From JCU to NFL: A well-traveled route
Niners offense coordinator Greg Roman isn’t the only former John Carroll University football player to make a name for himself in the NFL.
The lockout and me
A casualty of the NFL lockout? That sounds a bit dramatic since I’m not getting furloughed, having my salary slashed or missing my workout bonus. So let’s just say I’m being affected by the ongoing lockout.
Grab bag: Harbaugh’s prediction
Jim Harbaugh didn’t throw a single pass during his final NFL season, but he did make quite a prediction.