The 49ers have two first-round picks in the 2010 draft, and they would be wise to assess their needs this season before deciding the best way to use those selections.
Camp and contract updates
If you want to see the 49ers practice during training camp, we have two words that might be helpful: Good luck. The 49ers have announced only four practices this summer will be open to the general public. (The 49ers and their South Bay media partner, the San Jose Mercury News, have devised a system for allocating the tickets to the four practice sessions. Click here for all the information.) …
Lotsa questions remain, but Niners have reason for hope
I’m thumbing through my Athlon Sports Pro Football 2009 Preview, and I pause on Page 126 to look at the NFC predictions.
Exhibition opener worth watching
Every year the NFL sends a memo to its 32-member teams reminding them that people are actually paying to watch the preseason games. And every summer, 32 teams understandably ignore the plea to give substantial playing time to their starters.
Original 49ers player passes away
Bob Titchenal, a charter member of the 49ers and former San Jose State head coach, died Sunday in Santa Rosa. He was 91.
Lining up for return duty
Allen Rossum enters training camp as the 49ers’ main man on kickoff and punt returns. But who else can handle the chores?
Smooth transition to new O.C.
Jimmy Raye is the 49ers’ seventh offensive coordinator in seven years. Mike Martz, Jim Hostler, Norv Turner, Mike McCarthy, Ted Tollner and Greg Knapp held the position from 2003 to 2008.
Niners locker room leadership begins at the top
There is no handbook on being a leader. And there certainly is not just one way to go about that duty. While the 49ers might have leaders on the team, there are not many who fit the traditional label.
How 49ers earn income in offseason
Several years ago during training camp in Stockton, I witnessed an undrafted rookie with whom I had spoken several times leaving the 49ers’ executive office with his bags packed.
Niners thought ‘safety first’ with offseason lineup change
Within the first month of the offseason, coach Mike Singletary decided it was time for practice-field standout Dashon Goldson to unseat Mark Roman as the 49ers’ starting free safety.
Niners reporting dates set
Coach Mike Singletary said at the conclusion of organized team activities that the 49ers are behind many of the top teams in the league because they: a) don’t have a starting QB named; b) have their seventh offensive coordinator in seven years; c) they need to work out their depth chart at WR, and d) have a head coach who has not spent a full season on the job.
How Niners decision-making has changed
Mike Nolan was hired in 2005 as coach. But he was more than a coach, he was also the decider. Today, we answer two questions about the 49ers’ decision-making process.
Don’t expect late arrival of impact players
It’s late June, so don’t expect the 49ers to add some quality, team-changing player at a position of need. After all, an overwhelming percentage of the really good players already are on teams.
Niners’ salary cap no longer a concern
Remember the not-too-long-ago days when the 49ers were in a yearly battle to create salary-cap space? Those days are over.
O-line must make big leap in production
The 49ers’ offensive line is a promising group. But promise and productivity are two different things.
Two measures 49ers took to improve pass rush
It all starts defensively with the pass rush. The best secondary in the world is going to look pedestrian if the opposing quarterback can sit in the pocket all day. Without a pass rush, a defense is not able to generate as many turnovers. This is the subject of today’s question.
Why playbook must remain on 49ers property
Today’s question is in reference to the blog item I posted earlier this week. Rookie offensive lineman Alex Boone was behind his new teammates because NFL rules prohibited his participation in 49ers workouts before Ohio State staged its graduation ceremonies.
Harris’ injury most significant on-field development
Today is the first day of the remainder of the NFL offseason. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the staff here at Instant 49ers is starting a perhaps-daily feature we like to call “Question of the Day.”
Progress report with six weeks until 49ers open camp
The 49ers have concluded their offseason practices. The next time I’ll watch these men run around in Santa Clara will be July 30 – the first day of training camp.
Boone confident he’ll catch up by start of training camp
Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has a little rule about his playbook. Basically, the book is not allowed to leave the building at 4949 Centennial Boulevard – for fear it might fall into the wrong hands.