Niner News Thread
- Thread starter Chree
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49ers GM Trent Baalke says that rookie Kyle Williams will be given "every opportunity" to be the team's primary punt returner.
Williams doesn't project as long-term offensive help, so his future lies on special teams if he has one. His competition includes undrafted rookie LeRoy Vann and Ted Ginn, though the latter's strength is returning kickoffs.
There's "no question" that Nate Clements will keep his starting cornerback job this season, according to beat writer Matt Maiocco.
After an in-season benching, there had been speculation over the winter that Clements' job could be jeopardy. Due $7.25 million in 2011, the 30-year-old is entering a make-or-break season with the 49ers.
49ers waived WR Jared Perry.
Undrafted out of Missouri, Perry played second fiddle to Danario Alexander for the Tigers last season. The rookie doesn't have a bright future in the NFL.
49ers OLB Manny Lawson was reportedly in "tremendous physical condition" when he reported to mandatory June minicamp.
Always sculpted, Lawson didn't let himself go while skipping voluntary OTAs over displeasure with his lack of a contract extension. He's fully expected to report on time for training camp.
49ers DE Ray McDonald pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of driving under the influence stemming from a June arrest.
McDonald was arrested in San Mateo County when he clocked at 94 mph. A pretrial conference has been set for September 28 with a jury trial following on October 18 if the case hasn't been resolved.
The NCAA is looking into a party held at the South Florida home of Frank Gore as part of an investigation of agents and student athletes.
It sounds like bad news may be on be on the horizon for the Miami Hurricanes, but this won't affect Gore's status with the NFL.
Williams doesn't project as long-term offensive help, so his future lies on special teams if he has one. His competition includes undrafted rookie LeRoy Vann and Ted Ginn, though the latter's strength is returning kickoffs.
There's "no question" that Nate Clements will keep his starting cornerback job this season, according to beat writer Matt Maiocco.
After an in-season benching, there had been speculation over the winter that Clements' job could be jeopardy. Due $7.25 million in 2011, the 30-year-old is entering a make-or-break season with the 49ers.
49ers waived WR Jared Perry.
Undrafted out of Missouri, Perry played second fiddle to Danario Alexander for the Tigers last season. The rookie doesn't have a bright future in the NFL.
49ers OLB Manny Lawson was reportedly in "tremendous physical condition" when he reported to mandatory June minicamp.
Always sculpted, Lawson didn't let himself go while skipping voluntary OTAs over displeasure with his lack of a contract extension. He's fully expected to report on time for training camp.
49ers DE Ray McDonald pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of driving under the influence stemming from a June arrest.
McDonald was arrested in San Mateo County when he clocked at 94 mph. A pretrial conference has been set for September 28 with a jury trial following on October 18 if the case hasn't been resolved.
The NCAA is looking into a party held at the South Florida home of Frank Gore as part of an investigation of agents and student athletes.
It sounds like bad news may be on be on the horizon for the Miami Hurricanes, but this won't affect Gore's status with the NFL.
Interesting that the Niners were possibly looking to trade Coffee during the draft, wonder if Dixon will be #2 during some point in the season.
Singletary eager to go with youth movement
Michael Crabtree missed the entire offseason and the first six weeks of the regular season last year. But when he finally came in from the cold, he didn't spend any time waiting on the bench. Mike Singletary's reasoning then was that the team drafted Crabtree with the No. 10 overall pick because of his talent and that talent ought to be on the field. Crabtree rewarded Singletary with five catches for 56 yards in his first game, and he finished the season averaging 13 yards per catch.
Singletary struck a similar tone earlier this week at the 49ers "state of the franchise" event, saying that he would push to get his young, talented players on the field. That push would come against assistants, who typically prefer veteran players because they are more trustworthy and less risky.
Said Singletary: "I think my job is to make sure that the coaching staff understands the level of detail that we have to get to and make sure that we challenge our players to get there. Find a way to get there and not sit back and say, 'Well, this guy's too young, this guy's too immature, this guy's ...' No, I don't want to hear that. Let's figure out a way to make it work."
The coach presumably was talking about the team's two first-round picks, Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, and perhaps second-round pick Taylor Mays. Singletary heaped great praise on Mays - and perhaps put a little pressure on him as well - when he said he wanted the safety to be an intimidating presence like Ronnie Lott was a quarter century ago. The other rookie who could get significant playing time this year is Kyle Williams, who has a chance of being the primary punt returner.
It's hard to see Singletary getting much resistance from offensive line coach Mike Solari whose blessing, after all, was critical to the 49ers drafting two linemen within six picks. Solari said earlier this year that on-field work will be critical in getting Davis and Iupati up to speed. "The most important thing is to get them on the grass," Solari said. "The classroom's important, without a doubt. But the most important thing is to get them on the field. The most important thing is to work with them so they can execute." (Which is why getting them signed quickly is imperative).
Singletary might have a tougher argument for Mays. Secondary coach Johnnie Lynn told me in June that there was no need to rush Mays along because there was good depth ahead of him. Mays began spring practices with the No. 3 defense but had moved up to the No. 2 unit by the time OTAs ended. It will be interesting to see where he's playing in Monday's first practice.
One more interesting rookie note. I wonder if sixth-round running back Anthony Dixon might see a fair amount of action this year. A source recently told me that the 49ers tried to move Glen Coffee on draft day. If that's the case, it's an indication the 49ers were unimpressed when Coffee filled in for Frank Gore last season. Coffee averaged 2.7 yards a carry on 83 attempts, most of which came when Gore missed nearly three games with an ankle aprain. Coffee, who added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, is the No. 2 tailback as of now.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2010/07/singletary-eage.html
Singletary eager to go with youth movement
Michael Crabtree missed the entire offseason and the first six weeks of the regular season last year. But when he finally came in from the cold, he didn't spend any time waiting on the bench. Mike Singletary's reasoning then was that the team drafted Crabtree with the No. 10 overall pick because of his talent and that talent ought to be on the field. Crabtree rewarded Singletary with five catches for 56 yards in his first game, and he finished the season averaging 13 yards per catch.
Singletary struck a similar tone earlier this week at the 49ers "state of the franchise" event, saying that he would push to get his young, talented players on the field. That push would come against assistants, who typically prefer veteran players because they are more trustworthy and less risky.
Said Singletary: "I think my job is to make sure that the coaching staff understands the level of detail that we have to get to and make sure that we challenge our players to get there. Find a way to get there and not sit back and say, 'Well, this guy's too young, this guy's too immature, this guy's ...' No, I don't want to hear that. Let's figure out a way to make it work."
The coach presumably was talking about the team's two first-round picks, Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, and perhaps second-round pick Taylor Mays. Singletary heaped great praise on Mays - and perhaps put a little pressure on him as well - when he said he wanted the safety to be an intimidating presence like Ronnie Lott was a quarter century ago. The other rookie who could get significant playing time this year is Kyle Williams, who has a chance of being the primary punt returner.
It's hard to see Singletary getting much resistance from offensive line coach Mike Solari whose blessing, after all, was critical to the 49ers drafting two linemen within six picks. Solari said earlier this year that on-field work will be critical in getting Davis and Iupati up to speed. "The most important thing is to get them on the grass," Solari said. "The classroom's important, without a doubt. But the most important thing is to get them on the field. The most important thing is to work with them so they can execute." (Which is why getting them signed quickly is imperative).
Singletary might have a tougher argument for Mays. Secondary coach Johnnie Lynn told me in June that there was no need to rush Mays along because there was good depth ahead of him. Mays began spring practices with the No. 3 defense but had moved up to the No. 2 unit by the time OTAs ended. It will be interesting to see where he's playing in Monday's first practice.
One more interesting rookie note. I wonder if sixth-round running back Anthony Dixon might see a fair amount of action this year. A source recently told me that the 49ers tried to move Glen Coffee on draft day. If that's the case, it's an indication the 49ers were unimpressed when Coffee filled in for Frank Gore last season. Coffee averaged 2.7 yards a carry on 83 attempts, most of which came when Gore missed nearly three games with an ankle aprain. Coffee, who added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason, is the No. 2 tailback as of now.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2010/07/singletary-eage.html
Adam_Schefter
Niners keeping busy: Now they have signed their other first-round pick, guard Mike Iupati, to a five-year deal. 2 minutes ago via
www.twitter.com/Adam_Schefter
Niners keeping busy: Now they have signed their other first-round pick, guard Mike Iupati, to a five-year deal. 2 minutes ago via
www.twitter.com/Adam_Schefter
VIDEO OF ALL TOP 4 PICKS SIGNING!
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/...ur-Picks/0e291e78-0578-46d6-bd95-ff5eb3bb80b4
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/...ur-Picks/0e291e78-0578-46d6-bd95-ff5eb3bb80b4