Morgan quickly emerging as 49ers' go-to receiving target
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Josh Morgan is breaking out from the San Francisco 49ers' logjam at wide receiver.
The second-year pro continues to build on his promising rookie season and a standout spring. Now he's challenging not only for a starting position but also to be the 49ers' No. 1 passing target.
The 49ers haven't had a legitimate No. 1 receiver since Terrell Owens left after the 2003 season. Isaac Bruce has been the closest thing to it since then, leading the team with 61 receptions for 835 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Bruce is back with the 49ers this year for his 16th NFL season and again figures to play a prominent role. But the team is grooming Morgan to make a bigger impact, particularly with first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree still unsigned and not yet in training camp.
The 49ers also have veterans Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill and Dominique Zeigler on the roster -- that trio combined for 59 receptions last year -- giving the team seven legitimate receivers competing in camp.
But Morgan is quickly emerging as a front-runner. One of the team's stars of spring workouts, Morgan has carried that over to the summer and has been shining on a daily basis in camp.
"For a big-bodied guy his size, for a big receiver, he has excellent explosion," new 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said. "He doesn't look like he would have that kind of explosion, but he's an explosive guy and a great leaper. His circumference range, because of his arms, is very good. He can get to some balls with extension that some guys can't. So his progress has been good, and he's doing a good job."
The 219-pound Morgan's combination of size, strength, speed and sticky hands was on display Sunday when he hauled in a deep pass from quarterback Alex Smith. Morgan got behind safety Dashon Goldson, who interfered with him as the ball arrived. But Morgan still was able to make the grab with one hand, then used his thick legs to break Goldson's tackle attempt and streak away for a touchdown.
It's the kind of thing that Morgan has been doing since he arrived in San Francisco last year as an unheralded sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech. Morgan broke into the 49ers' starting lineup during the exhibition season and quickly established himself as a playmaker before a staph infection and groin tear limited his playing time and forced him to miss four games.
Morgan averaged 16.0 yards on his 20 receptions, and each of his three touchdown catches went for 30 yards or longer. He made several of San Francisco's most spectacular catches.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Josh Morgan is breaking out from the San Francisco 49ers' logjam at wide receiver.
The second-year pro continues to build on his promising rookie season and a standout spring. Now he's challenging not only for a starting position but also to be the 49ers' No. 1 passing target.
The 49ers haven't had a legitimate No. 1 receiver since Terrell Owens left after the 2003 season. Isaac Bruce has been the closest thing to it since then, leading the team with 61 receptions for 835 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Bruce is back with the 49ers this year for his 16th NFL season and again figures to play a prominent role. But the team is grooming Morgan to make a bigger impact, particularly with first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree still unsigned and not yet in training camp.
The 49ers also have veterans Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill and Dominique Zeigler on the roster -- that trio combined for 59 receptions last year -- giving the team seven legitimate receivers competing in camp.
But Morgan is quickly emerging as a front-runner. One of the team's stars of spring workouts, Morgan has carried that over to the summer and has been shining on a daily basis in camp.
"For a big-bodied guy his size, for a big receiver, he has excellent explosion," new 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said. "He doesn't look like he would have that kind of explosion, but he's an explosive guy and a great leaper. His circumference range, because of his arms, is very good. He can get to some balls with extension that some guys can't. So his progress has been good, and he's doing a good job."
The 219-pound Morgan's combination of size, strength, speed and sticky hands was on display Sunday when he hauled in a deep pass from quarterback Alex Smith. Morgan got behind safety Dashon Goldson, who interfered with him as the ball arrived. But Morgan still was able to make the grab with one hand, then used his thick legs to break Goldson's tackle attempt and streak away for a touchdown.
It's the kind of thing that Morgan has been doing since he arrived in San Francisco last year as an unheralded sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech. Morgan broke into the 49ers' starting lineup during the exhibition season and quickly established himself as a playmaker before a staph infection and groin tear limited his playing time and forced him to miss four games.
Morgan averaged 16.0 yards on his 20 receptions, and each of his three touchdown catches went for 30 yards or longer. He made several of San Francisco's most spectacular catches.
