It’s too early to take stock of the quarterbacks, so I’ll just give an observation. The three top QBs on the training camp roster – Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, and Jeremiah Masoli – are all most comfortable throwing the ball from the shotgun. Each guy played strictly in shotgun or shotgun-like offenses in college. Smith ran the spread, Kaepernick ran the pistol, and Masoli ran the option. When you think…
SANTA CLARA – After warm-ups and drills, the real practice started with a 9-on-9 goal line scrimmage. It was the first team offense against the first team defense, but backup Anthony Dixon lined up at tailback instead of Frank Gore. Alex Smith hiked the ball and handed it off to Dixon, who chose to bounce his run outside to the left. This was a bad move. Patrick Willis caught him…
SANTA CLARA – When you watch Aldon Smith work individually with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, you think, “Here’s a rookie with a lot to learn.” Today Fangio worked with Smith on the blocking sleds, and he’d repeatedly stop Smith to work on his technique. Fangio wanted Smith to hit the sled, rip away to the right and square up. But Smith wasn’t squaring up, he was ending up sideways. Parys…
SANTA CLARA – Practice is over for the day and I will post two interviews shortly, but first here are the good things and the not-so-good things I saw on the field. THE GOOD Colin Kaepernick. By my count he was 15-23 with one interception and one fumbled snap in 11-on-11 scrimmages. He connected with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker repeatedly on crossing routes and deep outs. Kaepernick makes throwing…
SANTA CLARA – I just interviewed Jeremiah Masoli in a group at 49ers headquarters. The transcript is below, but first, here are my impressions of the rookie. Like Delanie Walker, he was a pleasure to interview. He made eye contact whenever a reporter asked a question, and he responded thoughtfully. I’m not saying his pleasant manner indicates he’ll be a good football player, I just found it surprising, considering his…
The 49ers will sign former Oregon Duck and Ole Miss Rebel Jeremiah Masoli, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. If this is true, this is a departure from the 49ers pattern of signing “character guys.” As Carmen Policy once put it, the 49ers like to do things with “class.” Masoli, the 5’11 220 lb. San Francisco native has gotten in trouble with the law three times. In 2005 when he was…
