Niners plan for Lelie to get more playing time
Receiver Ashley Lelie will get more playing time when the 49ers return from the bye week to face the Giants on Oct. 21, coach Mike Nolan said Thursday.
"The important thing is that the plan is to utilize him a little more," Nolan said.
Through the first five games, Lelie has been on the field for just 10 offensive snaps. Yet, Lelie was 49ers' receiver that the Ravens feared the most when the team met on Sunday.
Nolan spoke after the game with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who told him that he planned to double-team Lelie when he was on the field. Lelie played just one snap. The Ravens did not double-team any of the 49ers' other receivers, thus they could devote more defenders to stopping Frank Gore.
"Sort of gets your attention, doesn't it?" Nolan asked. "There were some things after this game I knew clear-cut we had to do better. There wasn't a lot of gray area on some of things. It didn't surprise me."
The other receivers haven't received that kind of respect this season. Teams have been able to devote an extra defender to containing Gore because the 49ers lack playmakers at wide receiver. Lelie was the one players, with his size and speed, that the Ravens had to worry about. Yet, Lelie was the 49ers' No. 4 wideout.
With Lelie expected to get more playing time, it also casts doubts on whether rookie Jason Hill will see action when he returns. Hill sustained a hamstring strain in the days leading up to the game against the Steelers. If he had not been injured, the 49ers planned to suit him up for that game.
Now, Hill's situation is up in the air. Lelie will get more playing time, and Bryan Gilmore is in the mix, too.
"The complexion around him has changed a little bit," Nolan said of Hill. "If he'd been healthy, maybe I wouldn't have make the decision to bring Bryan Gilmore back. Maybe I wouldn't have brought in (LeRon McCoy). He's got a little more competition."
Hill is practicing at full speed after missing three games with the injury.
* * *
Quarterback Alex Smith did not throw today. He tested his shoulder pretty good on Wednesday, and said everything felt "really good."
"He looks good," Trent Dilfer said. "I caught for him. He had good velocity on the ball. He's as tough as anyone I know."
Dilfer said he has experienced 10 shoulder separations in his career, including six on his throwing shoulder. Dilfer said Smith's return will be based on pain tolerance.
Smith agreed.
"It's not a functional issue," Smith said. "The question is if I can withstand a hit."
Smith, who estimated he threw at 90 percent on Wednesday, said he plans to throw over the weekend. He might to throw 80 to 100 passes. He expects to practice Monday and then decide Wednesday whether he'll play against the Giants.
"I don't want it to be a game-time decision," he said. "I want to make the decision on Wednesday and get ready to play."
* * *
Tight end Vernon Davis said he probably would not be able to play if the 49ers had a game this weekend, but he said he expects to be ready to go against the Giants. He said he is running at near full speed, and expects to practice Wednesday.
* * *
The 49ers' coaches will work Friday, while the players have three days off. Nolan told his players he wanted them to continue to think about football, and what they need to do to help the 49ers be successful. He told them to rest their bodies but not their minds.
About time!
Receiver Ashley Lelie will get more playing time when the 49ers return from the bye week to face the Giants on Oct. 21, coach Mike Nolan said Thursday.
"The important thing is that the plan is to utilize him a little more," Nolan said.
Through the first five games, Lelie has been on the field for just 10 offensive snaps. Yet, Lelie was 49ers' receiver that the Ravens feared the most when the team met on Sunday.
Nolan spoke after the game with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who told him that he planned to double-team Lelie when he was on the field. Lelie played just one snap. The Ravens did not double-team any of the 49ers' other receivers, thus they could devote more defenders to stopping Frank Gore.
"Sort of gets your attention, doesn't it?" Nolan asked. "There were some things after this game I knew clear-cut we had to do better. There wasn't a lot of gray area on some of things. It didn't surprise me."
The other receivers haven't received that kind of respect this season. Teams have been able to devote an extra defender to containing Gore because the 49ers lack playmakers at wide receiver. Lelie was the one players, with his size and speed, that the Ravens had to worry about. Yet, Lelie was the 49ers' No. 4 wideout.
With Lelie expected to get more playing time, it also casts doubts on whether rookie Jason Hill will see action when he returns. Hill sustained a hamstring strain in the days leading up to the game against the Steelers. If he had not been injured, the 49ers planned to suit him up for that game.
Now, Hill's situation is up in the air. Lelie will get more playing time, and Bryan Gilmore is in the mix, too.
"The complexion around him has changed a little bit," Nolan said of Hill. "If he'd been healthy, maybe I wouldn't have make the decision to bring Bryan Gilmore back. Maybe I wouldn't have brought in (LeRon McCoy). He's got a little more competition."
Hill is practicing at full speed after missing three games with the injury.
* * *
Quarterback Alex Smith did not throw today. He tested his shoulder pretty good on Wednesday, and said everything felt "really good."
"He looks good," Trent Dilfer said. "I caught for him. He had good velocity on the ball. He's as tough as anyone I know."
Dilfer said he has experienced 10 shoulder separations in his career, including six on his throwing shoulder. Dilfer said Smith's return will be based on pain tolerance.
Smith agreed.
"It's not a functional issue," Smith said. "The question is if I can withstand a hit."
Smith, who estimated he threw at 90 percent on Wednesday, said he plans to throw over the weekend. He might to throw 80 to 100 passes. He expects to practice Monday and then decide Wednesday whether he'll play against the Giants.
"I don't want it to be a game-time decision," he said. "I want to make the decision on Wednesday and get ready to play."
* * *
Tight end Vernon Davis said he probably would not be able to play if the 49ers had a game this weekend, but he said he expects to be ready to go against the Giants. He said he is running at near full speed, and expects to practice Wednesday.
* * *
The 49ers' coaches will work Friday, while the players have three days off. Nolan told his players he wanted them to continue to think about football, and what they need to do to help the 49ers be successful. He told them to rest their bodies but not their minds.
About time!
