HEY FAITHFUL!!!!!!!!! WHAT TIME IS IT??????
It’s time to start turning your attentions to the ovoid pigskin (even though it’s actually cow leather).
It’s time to notice that training camps are getting underway as early as this week in some parts of the country.
It’s time to start getting an idea where your 49er gear is and dust it off in anticipation of a double digit win season of 49er football.
It’s time to read the club news at the bottom of this newsletter for some important and timely info!!
PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS: Five out of the six major football publications (Athlon, Beckett, Lindy’s, PFW/Yahoo, Sporting News and USA Today) have picked our San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West division. Only USA Today disagreed, picking Arizona to repeat. Each one of them had different Super Bowl predictions with 5 teams getting 2 nods apiece (Packers, Vikings, Cowpukes, Colts, Ravens). Pro Football Weekly’s preseason rankings had the Niners #15 in their recent power poll. BTW, the Cardinals ranked #21, Seahawks #25 and the Rams came in at #30.
\SPEAKING OF SUPER BOWLS: The coldest Super Bowl in history will be played in New Jersey in the dead of winter in February of 2014. At the owner’s meeting held on May 25th (in Miami), on the third round of voting for the Super Bowl site, the new $1.6B Meadowlands Stadium was given the Big Game over such cities as Miami and Tampa Bay. Let’s hope Mother Nature is kind to the football gods that weekend!
JERRY RICE TO BE INDUCTED INTO HOF ON SATURDAY, AUG 7TH: For a guy who didn’t even go out for football until his sophomore year of high school to wind up in Canton, OH for a unanimous induction into the pinnacle of professional football is quite a story. It begins with Rice playing hooky one day from school. The next day, the prinicipal came up from behind him and scared Jerry to death. Rice took off running. The principal thought to himself: ” This guy can really run fast! He should go out for the football team!” After a thumping from the principal, he was sent to the football coach and the rest, as they say, is history. #80 turned into a receiver who has more catches, receiving yards and touchdowns than anyone in the history of the game.
Two newsletters ago, I promised you a litany of Rice’s statistics which makes him so deserving of this honor. Inasmuch as his big day is only about 8 days away here they are: (And these are only some, not all, of his stats!)
23,546 - All-purpose yards
23,540 - Total yards from scrimmage
22,895 - Receiving yards
1,848 - Receiving yards in a single season
1,549 - Receptions
589 - Super Bowl receiving yards
215 - Receiving yards in a Super Bowl (XXIII)
208 - Touchdowns
197 - Receiving touchdowns
79 - 100-yard receiving games
33 - Super Bowl receptions
14 - 1,000-yard seasons
13 - consecutive games with a TD catch
11 - receptions in a Super Bowl (tied with three others)
8 - Super Bowl TD catches
3 - touchdown catches in a Super Bowl (XXIV and XXIX)
Not bad for a guy who got the bejesses scared out of him by his high school principal! I’m pretty sure this will be televised so if you can’t watch it, at least set your DVR or Tivo or whatever recording device you have. On a very touching note, former owner Eddie DeBartolo will be his presenter. The whole Faithful Nation will well up with pride on August 7th!
SPEAKING OF HONORING JERRY RICE: #80 will be the next inductee into the Edward J DeBartolo Sr. Hall of Fame on the weekend of September 18-20, 2010. Rice will also be recognized during halftime of the Monday night home opener against the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints on September 20th. More details on this in the Week #2 newsletter.
OTHER 49ERS HONORED: Former Offensive Lineman Randy Cross was named as one of 14 inductees into the National Football Foundation Collegiate Hall of Fame. Cross, a 13-year veteran of the 49ers and a member of the team’s 10-year club enjoyed a successful career at UCLA and made the All-American team in 1975 and led the Bruins to a Rose Bowl Championship in that same year. Cross has three Super Bowl rings and was also named to three Pro Bowls. Inside Linebacker Patrick Willis became the first person to win the Dick Butkus Award twice, on two levels of competitive football. In years past, the Dick Butkus Award was handed out annually to the top linebacker in college football, but as of 2009, the trophy’s platform has been extended. It is now being presented to the best linebackers in high school and professional football as well. Butkus came to the facility in Santa Clara to present the award on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010.
OTAS AND MINICAMP A SUCCESS: All fourteen (maximum allowable) Off Season Activities and the three-day minicamp were held at the Santa Clara facility with all players under contract present. Only NT Abrayo Franklin, who has yet to sign his franchise tag tender, was MIA. Younger players like Ricky Jean-Francois worked at that position which will ultimately add more depth to that critical position as the season wears on. Even though all the rookies were present (no holdouts this year) all the veterans were there and all players got into the flow of the offensive and defensive schemes before the offseason wound down. Even the veterans who did not attend some of the OTAs were back for the minicamp. The veterans stayed in shape by working out with individual trainers and looked ready to go for the season in minicamp. Inasmuch as this is the last work the players will get until the start of Training Camp on August 2nd, there was great comraderie in minicamp. Most players will either go home to their hometowns or stay in the Santa Clara area and continue to work with strength and conditioning coaches during the down time between minicamp and training camp. The younger guys, rookies, and training camp invitees will be pouring over the playbook and working out close to the facility. The coaching staff was unanimous in concluding that the team finished minicamp in as good a shape and had a sharpness of execution as past teams have finished training camp heading into the preseason. In other words, the team is further along at this stage of the season than they have been in years past. The “older” guys are more than willing to lend their knowledge and expertise to the younger guys because, as a team, they sense they have a bigger toolbox this year to accomplish their goals. And, as you all know, the team is only as strong as its weakest link. So the veterans are doing what they can to strengthen the team and not only win the division but go deep into the playoffs. Perhaps the biggest thing to come out of this year’s OTAs and minicamp is that elusive thing called chemistry. And Training Camp is the Lab. Let’s get something good cooking, guys!!!!!
A DIFFERENT ALEX SMITH: From all I’ve read in my research, we are going to see a different #11 this year. During OTAs and minicamp, while working on third down plays in the shotgun (or Rayegun), Smith was animatedly barking out orders to the ten guys around him, calling out blocking assignments, point out where the middle linebacker was lining up on any given play, telling the receivers where to line up and so on. It was the most gung-ho and demonstrative that any observer has ever seen of Alex Smith. “What he has to do in the gun is direct all the blocking packages. A year ago he couldn’t begin to do that. Now he’s able to shout out the ‘Mike’ point, where the pressure’s coming from, where our protection is weak and so on.”……OC Jimmy Raye. That all translates to command presence and confidence in the huddle which is so important for any team but especially for this one which hasn’t seen much of that in the last several years. Smith is off to a good start in proving his detractors wrong, but true validation will have to wait until September. One of the most important factors here is continuity. Contininuity in coaching staff, playbook, quarterback and surrounding talent from one year to the next. This will be the FIRST year of continuity since 2003. This could very well be a breakout year for #11 which could translate into a breakout year for the entire team. Stay tuned. (Ed. Note: Think back to the glory years – continuity was the hallmark of those years with the same coaching scheme from year to year with talented players adjusting to the direction of the coaching staff).
OLD BUT IMPORTANT NEWS: As a WR who pushed some of Jerry Rice’s records as outlined above, Isaac Bruce was traded back to the St. Louis Rams on June 7th so he could retire as a Ram which was announced on June 9th. Bruce, while on the tail end of his professional career, was instrumental in guiding and teaching the receiver corps of the 49ers. I think you will see the effects of his influence this coming season. I think we will have a breakout year for both Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan this year. If OTAs and minicamp were any indication both Crabby and Morgan will live up to their billing as they were the “stars” of minicamp with Crabby looking like the YAC (yards after the catch) guy he was at Texas Tech. When you see our receivers making some great plays, think of Isaac Bruce. Bruce was a man of courage, strength, conviction and performance at the highest levels and leaves the NFL with the respect and admiration of virtually all who have worn the uniform and a legion of fans. He was the ultimate professional and a classy human being. I count myself among those legion of fans who respect and admire him.
11-85 CHEMISTRY: One thing that occured during the OTAs and minicamp was the growing relationship between Alex Smith and Vernon Davis. Davis and Smith spent considerable time together watching film and analyzing the plays involving the two of them. Davis would give Smith advice on when and where to throw it with Smith trusting Davis to be at the designated target area each time. As witnessed towards the second half of the season, the chemistry between the two of them was increasing week by week and I look for it to continue and get even better this season. Alex now has a receiver corps with multiple options and abilities that he did not have in the past years. One or two receivers were always good but you need your entire corps to be good and this year, I think we have that. Davis, Crabby, Morgan, Walker, Zeigler, Hill, Jones, Williams, Perry, Grant, LongFinley, Curtis, Byham – what an embarrassment of riches for Alex!! Not only that but the recievers (except for the rookies) don’t have to learn a new playbook.
STADIUM: The Boy King, Jed York, was in high school when he first heard about the original stadium vote in 1997. Now, with guidance from Mom and Dad, a college degree in business, some real-life business experience in New York (pun intended) and lots of on-the-job training, 13 years later Jed is celebrating the 60-40 Yes vote on the new stadium to be located across the street from the training facility. The 49ers spent in the neighborhood of $3.5M in their attempt to pass the measure on June 8th. That works out to about $360.00 for each vote they needed to pass Measure J. Doubts about the current plans for a $937M stadium abound, and with good reason. After the $114M subsidy from Santa Clara, the Yorks will need to find at least $500M in financing. An additional $300M is projected to come from seat licenses, concessions contracts and naming rights. Given that Jerry Jones still hasn’t found a sponsor to slap its name on his palace in Dallas, the assumptions seem very optimistic. Some of the $500M in financing might come through the NFL. But the threat of a league lockout in 2011 (collective bargaining agreement issues), on top of a weak economy and a tight credit market, appear to be substantial obstacles to securing the funds for a 2012 ground-breaking. Yet the Boy King says that short-term concerns won’t derail a long-term investment. Let’s hope he’s right. The City of San Francisco says they are still in the picture for a proposal at Hunter’s Point but there is nothing definite on the horizon just yet. The one advantage SFO has is that they already have lined up the approvals and agreements needed for the Hunters Point Shipyard redevelopment area. The SFO Board of Supervisors is slated to vote on this for final approval later this summer. This election on Measure J doesn’t make a studium happen. It simply makes a stadium about 30 percent easier when all the public costs are totaled. Stay tuned for further details on the Stadium Saga. For an architect’s look into the new stadium go to www.49ersnewstadium.com
WHO IS COMING TO TRAINING CAMP?: There will be 78 players (as of this writing) in training camp this year with every one of them competing for one of the 53 spots on the opening day roster. Cutdown dates will be announced later but obviously 18 of these men will be looking for other opportunities elsewhere besides San Francisco. Seven, or so, will make the practice squad and some of those decisions will be based on position vs athletic ability. Here is a breakdown of how many players at each position will be reporting to training camp at the end of this week(rookies only) with all players donning pads and helmets on Monday, August 2nd.
Offense: QB: (4) (Smith, Carr, Davis, Brown); RB: (4) (Gore, Coffee, Robinson, Dixon); FB: (3) (Norris, Miller, Caulcrick); WR: (10) (Crabtree, Morgan, Ginn, Hill, Jones, Zeigler, Williams, Perry, Grant, Long); TE: (5) (Davis, Walker, Finley, Curtis, Byham); Linemen: (14) (Staley, Baas, Heitmann, Rachal, Snyder,Davis, Iupati, Sims, Wragge, Boone, Wallace, Patrick, De la Puente, Kopa). On the Defensive side of the ball are: Linemen: (9) (Franklin, Sopoaga, Balmer, McDonald, Francois, Evans, Walker, Mitchell); Inside Linebackers: (7) (Willis, Spikes, McKillop, Wilhelm, Bowman, Balogun, Kristick (Oregon State);Outside Linebackers: (7) (Lawson, Haralson, Brooks, LaBoy, Briggs, Burnett); Cornerbacks: (9) (Clements, Spencer, Brown, Paymah, James, Adams, Brock, Stoudamire (cousin of Damon’s and graduate of Centennial High School), Vann); Safties: (6) (Goldson, Lewis, Mays, Smith, Taylor, Maragos).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN TRAINING CAMP: Much to the player’s dismay, they were informed at the end of minicamp that the infamous nutcracker drill would be back. The nutcracker drill, which Coach Singletary said he leared from Mike Ditka, is a one-on-one showdown that looks like a sumo wrestling match. The goal is to muscle the other guy out of a three foot circle. The idea is that players learn a lot more about proper leverage and blocking techniques in a few seconds of the nutcracker than they would with hours of classroom time. Last year the nutcracker came at a price with injuries to ILB Patrick Willis, G David Baas, CB Tarell Brown and RB Michael Robinson. The trainers and coaches are trying to design a safer way to conduct the drill (ya think?)…………………….Red Zone drills will be yardage specific for both the offense and defense. OC Jimmy Raye has it broken down into High Red (20-16 yard lines), the Middle Red is from the 15-10, the Low Red is from the 9-3 yard lines and Goal Line is used for the remaining three yards. DC Greg Manusky doesn’t have the terminology that Raye has but his intent is still the same in protecting the red zone. San Francisco’s defense was among the league’s best in that area last year……………….Raye’s offensive unit ranked fifth in the NFL in red zone TD efficiency, scoring on 84.6 percent of their 39 red zone possessions (23 TDs, 10 FGs). Manusky topped Raye by two spots, with his defense ranking third last season in red zone touchdown efficiency, holding opponents to a touchdown in 40.4 percent in 47 red zone appearances. Look for lots of red zone drills in training camp…………………………….Look for more emphasis on the two-minute drill. At the end of the OTAs the first and second units squared off in several two-minute drills. The players got a lot out of the drills because it’s the closest thing to a game-like atmosphere. The drill starts with the premise that the team is trailing in a game and needs a touchdown to win the game. This adds to the urgency in play calling, defense, offensive execution and overall realism……………………….The Offensive Line ??…….New Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari’s biggest influence is Bobb McKittrick with whom he worked in 1992-1996. At every stop in his coaching career he has had a Pro Bowl blocker. Following his time in San Francisco, Solari spent nine years in Kansas City and the last two in Seattle. Solari and his new assistant, former 49er Ray Brown, are looking for a measurable improvement over last season’s performance. He has two first-round draft choices (T Anthony Davis and G Mike Iupati) plus virtually all of last season’s players to work with. If Solari is successful, it will be credited to his intense focus, attention to detail and an emphasis on technique. LT Joe Staley notes that he sees a marked difference in the demeanor, focus and metality that he is injecting into his players. Solari favors the physical, straightforward approach that Coach Singletary is looking for in an aggressive offensive line unit. On the field, Solari preaches repetition and technique, footwork, hat placement and hand placement. He wants the offensive line to perform as a single coordinated unit with every player moving on every play. I like what I’m seeing and reading. The offensive line can go nowhere but up and that will go a long way in improving our offensive performance from last season. If our offense doesn’t markedly improve beyond three-and-out look for heads to roll at the end of the season………………………………..
SIGNINGS AND PLAYER MOVES: Most everyone who will be in training camp has dry ink on their contracts but there are some notable exceptions which will probably have wet ink on their contracts come training camp or shortly thereafter. Unsigned as of yet are our two first-round draft picks LG Mike Iupati, LT Anthony Davis and second-round S Taylor Mays. Also, NT Abrayo Franklin has yet to sign his franchise tag tender ($7M) but is expected to do so in the next couple weeks……………..The Niners released WR Jared Perry, possibly to make room for signing more draft picks. There was a considerable logjam at the WR position to begin with.
49ERS STATE OF THE FRANCHISE ADDRESS: On Tuesday night, 27 July, the Big Three (Jed York, Trent Baalke, Mike Singletary) gave a State of the Franchise address to about 1,000 season ticket holders at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Approximately 4,000 others listened in on 49ers. com. It was less of a pep rally and more of a nuts and bolts, brass tacks presentation of where the franchise stood currently and where they see the franchise going in the future. What the Big Three did guarantee is this: Another 8-8 season simply will not do. “We took a step forward last year but that was not good enough. That’s not the standard for the 49ers. The standard is winning with class and winning Super Bowls. It’s about playing all the way through February”………………..The Boy King……………..”The 2010 season will be a very special year”…………Coach Singletary
TRAINING CAMP ITSELF: Singletary and OC Jimmy Raye like to play up the running game, but it’s a bit of a smokescreen. These two are not blind to the obvious. They’re keenly aware that the NFL has become a passing league, even if they don’t necessarily openly embrace that fact. They may cite the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens as two examples of effective lunch pail, tough guy football, but both those teams spent first round picks on quarterbacks and considerable off-season resources on receivers as well. A good offense must run and pass and if they can only do one proficiently, then the latter is the better choice. Most of the OTAs and minicamp were spent on the passing side of the football but that was dictated by the fact that the defensive guys couldn’t really hit anybody in these sessions. Defensively, no one really gets to stand out during these practices because hitting isn’t allowed and the defensive backs have been instructed to pull up and let receivers catch any ball that’s close to them. Shorts and helmets does not make a football team. When Training Camp begins next Monday, THEN we’ll see where the playbook comes into play and what the emphasis, if any, will be. Full pads and two-a-days are a whole lot different than OTAs and minicamp………………………………….Back in the glory years, the roster was basically set, back-ups and all. Clearly, the progress of the 49ers is not to that stage yet so let’s examine some training camp competition. The QB spot is Alex’s to lose but he will be pushed by David Carr. There will be no competition for starting QB as there was the last two training camps. Crabby appears to have the No. 1 WR slot sewn up but he will be pushed by Josh Morgan who, in turn, will be pushed by newly acquired Ted Ginn, Jr. Then there is the rest of the crowd at WR in Brandon Jones, the always-productive Jason Hill, rookie Kyle Williams, crowd favorite Dominique Ziegler and a couple rookie free agents. The offensive line returns all of its starters. The real question is when the two rookie first-round draft choices, Davis and Iupati, will crack the starting lineup. My guess is that day will come when there are too many quarterback sacks, hits and hurries being allowed somewhere around the fourth game of the season. The addition of these two guys might be able to alter the character of the run game. These first-round rookies are big (6’4″, 330+ pounds) and capable of creating space, which would provide Gore and company a free yard-an-a-half past the line of scrimmage. That could cut down on lost yards and would let Gore and others to consistently obtain those crucial 4- and 5-yard runs, thus sustaining drives and cutting down on so many three-and-outs that we suffered last season. Another intriguing battle for back up tackle matches veteran Barry Sims against the physically re-made Alex Boone. On the defensive side of the ball, again, all the starters are returning. And given that our defense was a top-ten defense in the league in many statistical categories I don’t think you will see many changes. S Taylor Mays will spend most of the season on the bench and will learn as much as he can from SS Micheal Lewis. He will be inserted in special packages and on special teams. Speed is a critical need in our secondary and Mays is loaded with it. Look for him to develop and perhaps start late in the season. The team is not likely to keep more than four safeties. With Dashon Goldson and Michael Lewis as the starters and Mays as their understudy, competition for that fourth spot between Curtis Taylor and Reggie Smith should be intense. The determining factor there might be their work on special teams. OLB Manny Lawson may be challenged by Ahmad Brooks but Lawson is better at sealing off the edge on running plays than Brooks. Lawson appears to be realizing his first-round draft potential but will Brooks surpass him later in the season?
GGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPORTLAND49ERFAITHFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim
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