49ers' Search For QB Begins

Buzz up!49ers' search for QB begins
Training camp opens without known starter

-- Before the 49ers' 2007 season collapsed in futility, before they found points tougher to come by than cheap gas, they were the chic pick in some circles to make the playoffs.

This year, you'd have to go out on a limb that would be out of Tarzan's comfort level to pick the 49ers as a playoff contender. They lack an established quarterback and a game-breaking receiver, and they're learning a new offense.

And yet coach Mike Nolan thinks the team that reports this afternoon to training camp in Santa Clara is better than the one that had some experts so excited last summer before the high expectations and Alex Smith's shoulder both gave out. The 49ers finished 5-11, their fifth straight losing season and third under Nolan.

"It's better for several reasons," Nolan said. "I think it's better from the top on down. I think the adjustment we made administratively with Scot (McCloughan being promoted to general manager and taking control of personnel decisions from Nolan) makes us better.

"I think the coaching staff is improved from a year ago, in particular on the offensive side. I think the free-agent acquisitions, as well as the draft, with a very minimal loss on our roster of our top players, makes us better on paper - with the healing of a couple of players who were injured last year.

"Going into it, there's a lot of reason for optimism, but I'll worry about (the record) at the end of the season. ... Our focus is just on where we're starting."

Even though Nolan doesn't really sit at games or practice, his hot seat might be the hottest in the NFL. In the offseason, he persuaded owner John York to give him another year, and he'll be working with the club's sixth offensive coordinator in six years.

According to Nolan, that coordinator is probably the team's biggest reason for optimism. After two seasons with the Detroit Lions and six as head coach of the St. Louis Rams, Mike Martz brings his creativity and moxie to a team badly in need of both.

So this training camp, besides being critical to Nolan's continued employment, also will be the latest laboratory for Martz, the NFL version of a mad chemist. It also offers competition for the starting quarterback job.

Smith, who is signed through 2010, is being challenged by Shaun Hill, who won a couple of late-season starts last year after five mainly inactive years in the league. J.T. O'Sullivan makes the competition a threesome, and he comes in already well versed in the Martz system from working in it last year in Detroit.

"It's important that we give them all equal opportunity," Nolan said, a difficult task given that all three men are eager for reps with the first unit.

He said he wouldn't set a timetable on when the decision will be made. The choice, he said, will be a collective effort by him, McCloughan, Martz and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner.

Both starting wide-receiver spots are up for grabs as well. Ex-Ram Isaac Bruce brings more than 14,000 yards of receptions to the mix and probably has the upper hand. Former Cardinals backup Bryant Johnson will compete with holdovers Arnaz Battle and Ashley Lelie.

Darrell Jackson, released in March, showed little in his one year in San Francisco, following in the shaky footsteps of Johnnie Morton and Curtis Conway.

Because the 49ers felt inside linebacker Derek Smith's scheduled 2008 salary of $3.45 million was too rich for their blood, they released him in January. So Jeff Ulbrich will compete with Brandon Moore and rookie Larry Grant to start alongside last season's Pro Bowl rookie, Patrick Willis.

Of course, Nolan is competing for his job, too. Counting Martz and assistant head coach Mike Singletary, there are high-profile coaches on the staff who could be promoted if the team gets off to a poor start.

"Job security, in my mind, comes second to winning," Nolan said. "I want to win first and worry about job security after."

Briefly: Center Cody Wallace, the 49ers' fourth-round pick, signed, and that leaves first-rounder Kentwan Balmer as the only unsigned draft pick. ... A limited number of single-game tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. Saturday. More information at 49ers.com.

Revolving door
THE INCOMING
DE Justin Smith - Durable player who consistently led Bengals' linemen in tackles.

WR Isaac Bruce - After 14 years of bedeviling the 49ers, he's on their side.

WR Bryant Johnson - A standout backup behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in Arizona

DL Kentwan Balmer - Top draft pick slated as backup at end or tackle

QB J.T. O'Sullivan - UC Davis alum joins the QB fray but faces long odds.

RB DeShaun Foster - Ex-Panther will spell Frank Gore.

THE OUTGOING
DT Bryant Young - Retired after 14 years, leaving a leadership void.

DE Marques Douglas - A capable player who signed with Tampa Bay.

ILB Derek Smith - Released after 7 seasons as a 49er. Signed with San Diego.

OG Larry Allen - Outside chance he might return. It's unclear whether team wants him back.

WR Darrell Jackson - Released in March after one unimpressive season.

49ers Camp
Where: Santa Clara headquarters

Players report: Today

First practice: Friday

Practice schedule: 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.

Practices open to the public: 9 a.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday; 4 p.m. Monday; 4 p.m. Wednesday; 4 p.m. Aug. 1; 9 a.m. Aug. 2; 4 p.m., Aug. 3

Exhibition Schedule
Aug. 8: At Raiders, 7 p.m.

Aug. 16: Green Bay, 6 p.m.

Aug. 21: At Chicago, 5 p.m.

Aug. 29: San Diego, 7 p.m.

49ers, First-Round Pick Balmer Reach 5-Year Deal

On the eve of the team's first practice of training camp, John Clayton of ESPN is reporting that the San Francisco 49ers have reached a five-year contract agreement with first-round pick Kentwan Balmer, a defensive lineman out of North Carolina.

The deal is said to be worth $11.5 million, with $6 million in guaranteed money.

The team will hold their first team meeting this afternoon and their first practice will take place Friday morning. Fans will get a chance to see Balmer in a 49ers uniform on Friday afternoon, which is the team's first practice open to the public.

Nolan Knows His Job Depends On A Good Start

Mike Nolan knows the rules. This season, he wins early or he goes home. Probably.
Meaning that, if the San Francisco 49ers coach wants to keep his job, it might not be enough for him to win eight or nine games this season. He might need to win four of the first eight.

Oh, did you notice? In those first eight games, the 49ers play both of last season's Super Bowl teams, the Giants and Patriots. Plus, there are two games against division champion Seattle.

But those are the rules. Mike Nolan knows the rules. Patience will be in short supply after he narrowly retained his position following last season's disappointing 5-11 record.

"If there's anything I've learned," Nolan said Wednesday in his office, "it's that whether you're 14-2 and you're Marty Schottenheimer, or if you're 5-11 and Mike Nolan, you can lose your job. It doesn't really matter. And if you're afraid of that in this profession, you're in the wrong profession. I've always known that."

With the 49ers opening their preseason training camp today, it seemed a good time to sit down with Nolan. The idea was to get a general sense of whether he is approaching this season in an uber-eager mode to prove how last year was an aberration caused by injuries and unforeseeable bad luck . . . or if he is looking at this as a chance to correct some major mistakes that were made in 2007 by Nolan and others.

The answer: both.

"Yes," Nolan said, "I'm eager to get into this season. But at the same time, I'm not so eager that I disrespect why we lost last season, and the things it's going to take to get us on track again."

Top Five with WR Lelie

July 23, 2008

Wide receiver Ashley Lelie sat down with TV49 for an Up Close segment where he shared his off-season interests and his enthusiasm for his second year with the San Francisco 49ers. Check out the Top Five from that interview.

Q: You’ve said that you enjoy traveling during the off-season. What types of things did you do this year?
A: I went to Europe. Hung out in London for a little bit. That was pretty fun. I also went to Amsterdam. I got to see some good art while I was in Europe. I went by Hawaii and went spear fishing. That was pretty hot, it’s a little hobby of mine. For everyone who doesn’t know, you are not standing on top of the water with a spear. It’s basically snorkeling and shooting at a fish.

Q: You were also a mainstay in the 49ers off-season program. What were some of the areas you zoned in on?
A: I always try to get my legs strong and get them in the best shape that I can for the long haul. During the season, they start to wear so I like to get those in shape so that I can get in and out of my breaks. The focal point though was trying to learn the offense and getting the concepts down.

Q: Does this Mike Martz offense live up to the hype?
A: Yeah, just by the way he coaches it. He knows every in and out of the offense, from the receivers split to the offensive line’s blocking assignments. He knows every part of it and the way he teaches it to us, he also wants us to know every part of it. Once we start to get it and see it, we can pick defenses apart. Just in seeing how hard our defense is having covering us, and we don’t even know the whole offense yet, so once we get into the season and get it down, it’s going to be a special offense.

Q: Last year you didn’t really get many opportunities, and what I found impressive was the way that you just kept your nose down and never made a fuss at large about your situation. Some guys might have complained more vocally given those circumstances.
A: Well, when I was in Denver, I took that road before, getting upset and voicing my opinion and trying to change things that way. I saw how tough it was. It put me into the position I am. Doing that in Denver, it didn’t really lead anywhere. It just added friction with the team, and got me in the hot with the coaches and with other teams having a stigmatism about what type of player I was. I was in a similar situation where I could either choose to speak out and be a distraction or just go with the flow and so I just went with the flow and played football.

Q: Martz has gone on public record saying that he thought you were extremely talented when you first came into the NFL and that he’s surprised that you haven’t been given more opportunity. How does it feel to have your coordinator speak that way of you, and do you sense you will be a bigger part of things this year?
A: It’s encouraging to hear that from a guy who has been to Super Bowls. It makes you want to get better and work harder and to digest this offense. It’s kind of a receiver’s dream to be in this type of offense where they air the ball out like this. I haven’t been in this type of an offense and so it’s like being a kid again. I feel like a rookie

49ers Ink Wallace

July 23, 2008

The San Francisco 49ers announced Wednesday that they have signed fourth-round draft choice C Cody Wallace. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.

Wallace (6-4, 300) was the 107th overall pick out of Texas A&M. He served as the team captain last year and started 13 games, earning All-Big Twelve Conference and league’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year honors.

Wallace’s signing leaves the 49ers with first-round pick DT Kentwan Balmer as the last of the six 2008 draft picks to sign with the team.

49ers Veteran Guard Allen Considering Playing Next Season

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan said he believes guard Larry Allen might consider postponing his retirement to return for his 15th NFL season.

Allen, an 11-time Pro Bowler, spent the last two seasons with the 49ers after leaving the Dallas Cowboys. Nolan still hasn't spoken directly to Allen, a free agent, but said Monday that offensive line coach George Warhop had a recent conversation with him.

"He called a week or two ago to express his interest, but I haven't heard from him since," Nolan said Monday. "I just think because he's a free agent, he just left it up to his agent this time."

The 36-year-old Allen, who lives in the Bay Area year-round, was widely considered to be headed for retirement even though the soft-spoken guard hadn't said much publicly on the issue.

Fan Advisory: New Bus Service To Candlestick

July 21, 2008

FAN ADVISORY: Silverado Stages to Replace SamTrans Bus Service to Candlestick Park

49ers fans in San Mateo County and Palo Alto will have a new bus service provider for home games during the 2008 season. Starting this preseason, Silverado Stages will offer bus service from the Peninsula Area to Candlestick Park in place of SamTrans.

The change is the result of a new Federal Transit Administration regulation that prohibits SamTrans from continuing to provide bus service to the stadium. At this time, the new regulation does not impact fans that plan to take other forms of public transit to Candlestick Park including San Francisco’s Muni service.

Fans in San Mateo County that planned to travel to the stadium by bus are urged to contact Silverado Stages at 1-800-781-4699 for more information about routes, schedules and pricing, or click here for a list of public transportation service providers that offer game day service to Candlestick Park.

Although the timing of this new regulation is unfortunate, we commend SamTrans for its efforts to make the transition to Silverado Stages as seamless as possible, and thank them for their long-time service to our fans. Silverado Stages has assured us that our fans will be pleased with their level of service and commitment.

The 49ers regret any changes this new regulation may cause to your travel plans and we look forward to welcoming you back to Candlestick Park in August for the start of the 2008 season.

CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED PUBLIC TRANSIT MAP!

Updates From 49ers Brass

Monday, July 21, 2008

Here are a few updates from Monday’s press conference with head coach Mike Nolan and general manager Scot McCloughan.

Although the Raiders have confirmed that they would be practicing against the 49ers this training camp, Nolan said nothing is etched in stone at this point.

If it does take place, Nolan emphasized that it would be a practice, not a scrimmage, and would be up in Napa at the Raiders training camp.

Nolan also said that it would not be an open practice to the public as the 49ers would adhere to the rules that the Raiders follow for camp.

If the 49ers do work against the Raiders, Nolan will not hold his usual intra-squad scrimmage.

Larry Allen has not yet been ruled out for the 2008 season. Nolan said that the future Hall of Famer has been in contact with offensive line coach George Warhop in recent weeks, expressing interest to return to the team.

Nolan said he has a few calls into Allen, but has yet to hear back.

“Last year he was on our roster, this year he’s not, so he doesn’t have to call me,” said Nolan. “I think because he’s a free agent, he’s left a lot of it up to his agent more than anything.”

He also said that David Baas is on schedule and doing well, but that being on schedule could mean missing time at the start of the season.

“If he’s had zero practice up to that point, maybe not,” said Nolan of Baas starting in the season opener. “If he’s had some work, that could be the case. We certainly have expectations of him to come back and pick up where he left off, which was as a starter.”

Nolan hopes that head trainer Jeff Ferguson and staff can speed up Baas’ recovery, but in the meantime that Tony Wragge will continue to work with the starting unit.

Nolan did confirm that Chilo Rachal has been switched back from tackle to guard and that the rookie would also compete with Wragge at right guard.

“Leading up to the beginning of the season, they will be competing," said Nolan. "You’d hope everyone in training camp would be competing. Some have a little bit stiffer battles than others and when you talk about a rookie vs a veteran, it’s tough, in particular on the line to get in the lineup right away as a rookie. That’s one of the more difficult positions to start right away.”

When asked about linebacker Takeo Spikes, who recently visited with the Lions, McCloughan affirmed that the veteran player is still on the 49ers radar.

“Of course he is,” said McCloughan. “There are a lot of guys coach and I sit down and talk about of guys who could help us at some point, if not right now, maybe during training camp or once the season starts. We have an emergency board and he’s someone we talk about.”

The 49ers have three draft picks remained to be signed including first-rounder Kentwan Balmer, third-rounder Reggie Smith and fourth-rounder Cody Wallace.

McCloughan said discussions are underway and that he feels good with the current negotiations.

Check back later for Nolan's Notebook for more from this afternoon's conference call.

Saturday, July 19

The 49ers and the Oakland Raiders are in discussions over holding joint practices together during training camp. I am told that more news on this is to come in the following days.

Training Camp Preview: Offense Gets Extreme Makeover

The 49ers head to training camp this week chastened by a 2007 campaign that fell well short of expectations but optimistic after a busy offseason. The team brought in big names on offense and defense, starting with former Bengal Justin Smith. The 280-pound Smith will assume a playmaking role at defensive end as well as fill the leadership void left by Bryant Young, who announced his retirement last season. The 49ers also augmented their defensive line with first-round draft pick Kentwan Balmer, the first lineman drafted by the Mike Nolan regime who truly fits the 3-4 defense the coach has wanted to run since he arrived.

On offense, the 49ers found two starting-caliber wide receivers in free agency, and better yet, plucked them from division rivals. Longtime Rams star Isaac Bruce was brought in for his leadership while Bryant Johnson is finally out of the shadows of former Cardinals teammates Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

The 49ers' biggest addition, however, was to the coaching staff.

The team's 2007 offense was so bad and so boring that at times it was hard to watch. In offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the team added a man whose name is synonymous with creative and high-scoring attacks. The 49ers hope that if they fix their problems on the offense, perhaps the lofty expectations they had in 2007 won't seem so unrealistic.

If the problems aren't fixed? Nolan's fourth season in San Francisco might be his last.


WHY THE 49ERS WILL IMPROVE


The Martz Effect

In the two years Mike Martz was in Detroit, the Lions' offense jumped from 27th in the league to 19th. If the 49ers experience a similar lift, the team's overall fortunes should improve dramatically. Perhaps the best sign is that Martz isn't forcing the 49ers, long a power-rushing team, to adhere to a new formula. Martz recognizes the team's talent at tailback and tight end, and he is tailoring the system to those strengths. In San Francisco, Martz has the rushing attack, offensive-line talent and defensive support he lacked with the Lions.


Willis, Part Two

Last season, rookie linebacker Patrick Willis was the scourge of offenses, chasing down ballcarriers in every corner of the field. He finished the season with a league-leading 174 tackles, 33 more than the second-place finisher. His run-down of Cardinals wide receiver Sean Morey, a tackle that kept the 49ers alive in an overtime contest they ultimately won, was the play of the year for San Francisco. And yet Willis says his performance was not good enough. If he adds turnovers to his repertoire, the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year could be looking at Defensive Player of the Year.


On The Hot Seat

After the 2007 season, the Yorks decided to retain coach Mike Nolan for a fourth season. A fifth, however, is a long shot unless the team improves dramatically. That pressure should prompt Nolan, who has a conservative tendency, to give Martz free rein with the offense.


WHY THE 49ERS WILL STRUGGLE


Two's A Crowd

The 49ers have a quarterback conundrum, and they haven't even reported for training camp yet. Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will continue to share snaps in practice, and Nolan said a starter won't be picked until the third exhibition game against the Bears on Aug. 21. Even then, the winner of the competition could lose the job before opening day, Nolan said. While that pressure is designed to squeeze the most out of the team's passers, it also could hurt if the starter is constantly looking over his shoulder and trying to avoid mistakes. Should the starter struggle, everyone – from the media to the players to the starter himself – naturally will look to see if the backup is warming up.


Where's The Rush?

The 49ers have three primary edge pass rushers – defensive end Justin Smith, linebacker Manny Lawson and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. All are decent, but not one has registered double-digit sacks in his career. Without a true sack artist, the 49ers again will have to engineer their pass rush, a situation that puts pressure on even the best secondaries. As games last season against the Saints' Drew Brees and the Cardinals' Kurt Warner proved, the 49ers' defense can't afford to give opposing quarterbacks time to throw.


When Egos Collide

The 49ers have a conservative, defensive-minded head coach and a risk-taking, iconoclastic offensive coordinator who used to be a head coach. Both men have strong personalities. Both crave control. So far, the relationship between Nolan and Martz has been cozy and cordial, and both coaches realize their own success hinges on the other man. But with a head-coaching job on the line – for both men – who knows what will happen should the team struggle.


CAMP FACTS

Report date: Thursday. Camp ends: Aug. 22.

Camp site: Team headquarters, Santa Clara.

Practices: Closed to public, except for selected dates/times – Saturday, 9 a.m.; July 27, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; July 28, 4 p.m.; July 30, 4 p.m.; Aug. 1, 4 p.m.; Aug. 2, 9 a.m.; Aug. 3, 4 p.m.

Coach: Mike Nolan, fourth season.

Record: 16-32.

Last season: 5-11, third place NFC West.

Key additions: Justin Smith, DE, free agent; Isaac Bruce, WR, FA; Bryant Johnson, WR, FA; Kentwan Balmer, DE, draft; Chilo Rachal, G, draft.

Key losses: Bryant Young, DE, retired.; Larry Allen, G, contract expired; Justin Smiley, G, FA; Kwame Harris, T, FA.

Key preseason dates: Aug. 26, roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players; Aug. 30, roster cutdown to maximum of 53 players; Aug. 31, clubs may establish practice squad of eight players.

Great America's Worth Could Be Key To 49ers' Stadium Hopes

Whether the 49ers ever play a single down in Santa Clara may hinge on a single question:

What's Great America worth?

Theme park owner Cedar Fair Entertainment says an NFL stadium next door would be bad for business, so it might sell the park. The 49ers might be willing to buy it.

Cedar Fair's asking price is over $110 million, according to two sources knowledgeable about the talks. That price is far more than $44 million - the value that the company is claiming the park is worth in its fight with the county assessor.

Neither 49ers officials nor Cedar Fair executives would confirm the $110 million price or provide much commentary about where the talks stand. But with Santa Clara's original July 22 deadline for a stadium deal about to pass, the impasse between the NFL team and the theme park operator is a big reason why the city council was recently forced to delay a ballot vote on the stadium until 2009.

"We continue to have discussions with the 49ers, and we continue to have discussions with the city" of Santa Clara, said Stacy Frole, a Cedar Fair spokeswoman. "We don't discuss the value of our individual parks."

Jed York, son of 49ers owners John and Denise York, said he couldn't comment because of a confidentiality agreement that binds the team and Cedar Fair.

The apparently large spread between what Cedar Fair is asking the 49ers to pay for Great America, and what the company is telling the tax man the park is worth, has attracted criticism from stadium boosters like Santa Clara Councilman Kevin Moore.
"Do they think they have an oil refinery out there?" Moore said. "They don't own the land under the park; the city of Santa Clara does."

Number Crunching

Real estate experts say the potential market price for a piece of property is not equivalent to its value for tax purposes - particularly if a piece of real estate has a unique value to the party buying it.

Nevertheless, tax assessments are supposed to be based on recent sale prices. Cedar Fair bought Great America from Paramount Parks in 2006 as part of a package of five parks, in a $1.24 billion transaction.

That year, Cedar Fair appealed its 2006 tax assessment, claiming the park was worth $44 million. That appeal was settled in May by the county's assessment appeals board, which reduced Great America's assessed value to $103.7 million, from $106 million.

As part of a second tax appeal filed with Santa Clara County in September, Cedar Fair said Great America had suffered a decline in value and asked for a reduction in the park's property taxes. Cedar Fair said the park's 181 acres of land were worth $20 million, while the rides and buildings were worth an additional $24 million, according to documents filed with the county. That appeal is pending.

Decreasing revenue

While Cedar Fair does not disclose financial data for individual parks, its rent payments to the city, which are tied to Great America's gross revenue, indicate the park's revenue has dropped over the past two years.

In addition to its base rent of $5.3 million annually, Great America pays 5 percent of its annual gross revenue over $56 million. That amounted to $265,623 in 2005, $162,452 in 2006 and nothing in 2007, city officials said.

Real estate experts said the problems with California's real estate market can't fully explain the spread between Cedar Fair's claim that the park should be assessed at $44 million and its asking price of more than $110 million.

"Real estate prices have gone down since 2006, but, in general, not by 60 percent," said Cynthia Kroll, an economist at the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at University of California-Berkeley.

Key to success

For the 49ers, the Great America parking lot on Tasman Drive where a 68,500-seat stadium might be built is more than a piece of land - it is the key to greatly increasing the value of the franchise.

Experts who study sports franchise valuations say a new state-of-the-art stadium stocked with expensive luxury suites and premium seating could add $200 million to the value of the 49ers franchise.

The 49ers rank near the bottom of the NFL in terms of franchise value, according to rankings published by Forbes magazine, mainly because the 49ers play in one of the league's oldest stadiums in San Francisco.

Complicating the picture is the fact that Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone is a passionate - and politically connected - advocate for a South Bay stadium. Cedar Fair last year accused Stone of having a political agenda when he criticized the big gap between the park's market price and Cedar Fair's tax appeal.

Stone said he believes Cedar Fair is the biggest obstacle to a South Bay stadium.

"Politically, the delay concerns me," said Stone, who said a ballot vote on the stadium as part of the general election in November would have had a better chance of approval than a 2009 special election. "Issues like this have a tendency to get stale."

49ers Likely To Receive Two Compensatory Picks In 2009 Draft

Hey, it's never too early to start talking about next year's draft.

The 49ers figure to have nine draft picks next season, including two compensatory picks based on net free-agent losses this offseason.

The formula the NFL uses to determine compensatory picks is kept as secret as the Colonel's special recipe, but it appears to be based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. Salary is the biggest factor in the equation with adjustments made for playing time and awards. Compensatory picks are awarded to teams, beginning at the end of the third round. The 49ers' two projected comp picks could be at the end of the fifth and sixth rounds (but who knows?).

Therefore, we can give you a sneak peak - but certainly not final projection - on how the 49ers' compensatory picks stack up for next year.

Losses (4): Justin Smiley, Dolphins; Kwame Harris, Raiders; Marques Douglas, Buccaneers; and Maurice Hicks, Vikings.

The big question when he signed his contract was whether Hicks would qualify. He signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract which should easily make his deal qualify for compensatory status.

Gains (2): Justin Smith; Bryant Johnson.

For a while it looked as if the 49ers might be in line to get three comp picks, but a couple weeks into free agency, they pulled the trigger on acquiring Johnson. The 49ers signed Johnson to a one-year, $2 million contract. The one question mark is Dontarrious Thomas. It appears his deal, which averages $866,720 over two seasons is just below the necessary threshold to be considered as part of the equation. J.T. O'Sullivan also does not count, as he signed a one-year, $645,000 deal.

* * *

As many of you know, the only free agent gains and losses that count in this equation are players whose contracts expired and hit the market as unrestricted free agents. Players who were released do not count. Therefore, Derek Smith signing with the Chargers and Darrell Jackson's landing with the Broncos are irrelevant, as are the 49ers signings of DeShaun Foster, Isaac Bruce, Allen Rossum and Barry Sims.

It also should be noted that if Larry Allen were to end up with another team, the 49ers would get no compensation because he was "not asked to re-sign" last month at a deadline to tender unrestricted free agents.

* * *

Oh, yeah, one more thing about why the 49ers would not sign Brett Favre . . . this is a critical season as the organization plans for the future because they have to find out whether Alex Smith is the long-term answer. Smith's base salary jumps from $2.3 million this season to $9.625 million in 2009 and $15 million in 2010. They need to find out one way or another about Smith this season before it comes time to make a decision on those large salaries.

* * *

One of the really good guys in the organization, assistant athletic trainer Jeff Tanaka, is leaving the 49ers on Friday to take a similar position with the Chicago Bulls. The San Jose native spent nine seasons with the 49ers. In 2001, Tanaka was on the staff that won the prestigious NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award in a voting of their peers.

Jeff, be sure to pack a nice, warm jacket.

Lawson Longs for his Return

July 21, 2008

Linebacker Manny Lawson heard the pop early last season as he came down from trying to defend a pass to tight end Billy Bajema along the 49ers sidelines, but after he ran sprints, hopped on the bike and worked on his cuts on the adjacent practice field, most of his teammates assumed the injury wasn’t all that serious.

Lawson held on to a similar hope, even later at the hospital when a nurse dashed most of that optimism with a glance at his MRI and a “wow, that doesn’t look good.”

The doctors shortly confirmed the nurse’s assessment, leaving Lawson to come to grips with a torn ACL and an abrupt end to what everyone expected to be the former first-rounder’s coming out party.

Despite the painful realization of the extent of his injury, Lawson first concerned himself with cheering everyone else up.

“Alex Smith and I are always joking around, so before I went for the MRI he was messing with me about how I was limping around for sympathy,” recalled Lawson. “When I got back and told him what had actually happened, he didn’t believe me because I still had a smile on my face. It was tough because I could see the disbelief on a lot of the guys’ faces, but I just kept telling everyone it was all going to be okay. I didn’t want anyone worrying for me.”

But for those who know Lawson best, it was anything but okay.

“I think my friends and family members who know me very well know how agonizing it was for me, but it’s just my way to make light of everything,” said Lawson. “I feel that I can deal with my own problems and listen to theirs. I really do hate burdening anyone with my problems, so I usually won’t go there. I’d rather just be the one holding everything together.”

Anyone describing the 24-year old as silly and carefree wouldn’t be off the mark, but Lawson is also thoughtful and very serious when it comes to holding things together and being the friend and leader that everyone can count on. Lawson professes to be a hermit at heart, but he’s the first to volunteer for airport duty and general chauffer service for his teammates in need of rides, the one to organize bowling events, and he’s even been known to babysit for an entire weekend for teammate Marcus Hudson’s two boys.

"Marcus and I have been friends since college and I know his family pretty well at this point," said Lawson. "The boys call me Uncle Manny and we have a good time."

Being just as dependable to his teammates on the field is why following his rookie year when he made the conversion from defensive end to linebacker, Lawson spent virtually every day of the 2007 off-season working out at the 49ers facility with a vengeance.

“I think my rookie year I was really still learning and feeling my way out,” said Lawson. “Towards the end of the season it all started to come together for me and I felt that if I worked at my best in the off-season, it could be my year.”

Players are encouraged to spend some time away from football in January and February, but Lawson basically pitched a tent at 4949 Centennial and clocked about as many hours as the full-time staff.

“I’d usually work out in the mornings and then sometimes come back at night,” said Lawson. “Whenever I’d get restless, I’d just go get another workout in. They threw me for a loop when they redid the weight room and moved all the weights into the locker room, but I still made it work.”

All of that hard work and extra effort looked to be paying off with two strong performances in the 49ers wins over Arizona and St. Louis. Against the Rams, Lawson forced the Rams to settle for a field goal when he broke up a 3rd down pass in the redzone, but the near interception had him thinking more work with the JUGGS machine that week after practice.

Turns out, that was all she wrote for Lawson’s 2007 season, and instead of working to get that interception, Lawson embarked on months and months of rehab on his surgically repaired knee.

“It’s been a long road but I think me making jokes all of the time is what helped me get better. I didn’t let anyone feel sorry for me and I never allowed myself to feel sorry for me. I didn’t want any excuses.”

No kidding. When in immense pain following surgery, Lawson even chucked the pain pills and gritted his teeth, believing the only true way to get better was time and rehab -- loads of rehab.

“At first I became Jeff Ferguson’s (head athletic trainer) shadow, always asking him if I could do more,” said Lawson. “The answer was usually no, but then I think the training staff started to give me my exercises pared down so that when I asked to do more they could act like they were letting me push the envelope when I was really just doing what they wanted me to do in the first place. I’d still try to sneak in extra and that’s when Fergy became like a hawk and I couldn’t shake him.”

Every day Lawson would log a few hours with the ever mindful 49ers athletic training staff, but then up to four nights a week he’d head back to the facility on his own and do extra rehab exercises and then soak in the cold tub.

But like many of his 49ers teammates who have spent time out due to injury, the rehab paled in comparison to the mental struggle on Sundays.

“It was torture,” confessed Lawson. “Watching your team play without you and wondering whether you could make a difference or not out there was agonizing. There were several times where I got really fed up with just having to watch, but I stuck with it because I still felt obligated to support my teammates.”

One Sunday proved to be particularly difficult as Lawson, unbeknownst to the 49ers Faithful, sat in their midst at Candlestick for a home game.

“I sat there and listened to the fans cheer guys on, but then completely heckle guys too,” said Lawson. “I wanted to open my mouth and defend my guys, but I knew it was best to just keep my mouth shut. But the hardest part was when they talked about me being hurt and maybe what I could have done out there because that’s what I was always wondering too. That was the last home game for me. I just watched the rest from home.”

Lawson was never one to take football for granted in the first place, but his lost year kicked the importance of every single snap into overdrive.

“I’d always heard stories about what Jerry Rice and Bryant Young went through when they had serious injuries and had to sit out and how much more the game meant to them afterwards, and now I understand,” said Lawson. “I just know when I get back out there that I’m going to make every single snap, and every single play matter.”

Additional logs got tossed onto that fire of desire when Lawson accompanied linebacker Patrick Willis to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii this February.

“I think the coaches initially planted the seed for me to go with Patrick as an older brother,” said Lawson. “In doing so, it really instilled in me that it’s something I really want to achieve. Patrick said in an interview over there that he wished I wasn’t there just watching and that we should have been there playing together. That fueled the fire for me because now I’m working to get there and have the chance to actually play alongside him.”

Given his affable and entertaining personality, it was no surprise that a collective cheer from both sides of the ball occurred during one of the OTA practices in June when Lawson finally received the okay from the head athletic trainer to take some reps in the team period.

But the shout outs for 99 extended well beyond his popularity.

Although the 49ers defense did what they must in 2007 and marched on without him, Lawson’s ability to play multiple positions allowed the 49ers greater flexibility with their defensive schemes. When the versatile linebacker went down defensive coordinator Greg Manusky relied on a few different personnel groupings to take the singular place of Lawson, thus limiting the 49ers ability to camouflage their defensive schemes.

That’s why players like Willis can’t wait to welcome their teammate back full-time.

“I think we are both guys who are versatile and can do more than just one thing,” said Willis. “I don’t think you can categorize us as only being able to do this or that. Last year I knew that together we could cover some ground and that nobody could ever get away from us. It was tough when he went down, and so I’m very excited to get him back because he’s a multi-positional player and he’ll help us out.”

Helping out couldn’t arrive soon enough for Lawson, who might just be the only player literally frothing at the mouth for training camp to start.

“I understand and appreciate the cautious approach that they’ve taken with me, but I would say I’ve pretty much been in a bad mood since mini-camp,” said Lawson. “I really will be the happiest person alive to get in pads and just go. I might just cry.”

That last part is once again Lawson’s way of making light of the matter, but his return and commitment to being something special in 2008 is no joke. And that’s something his teammates, coaches and fans can count on.

Favre won't be coming to San Francisco or Oakland

We know this much about the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders: They aren't dealing with trade offers for Brett Favre. Is he playing? Retiring? Demanding a trade? Bored with driving his lawn tractor in circles in Kiln, Miss. Who cares?

Given what we've seen from the Green Bay Packers' quarterback the past two weeks, maybe Favre should invest in a Waffle House, which are as ubiquitous in the South as pickup trucks and mildew.

The Bay Area NFL teams might not be playoff locks, or even sure bets to reach the magical .500 mark. But they don't need Favre. Heck, they've got plenty of quarterbacks — a pair of young, expensive No. 1 overall draft picks in Alex Smith and JaMarcus Russell, along with ample backup possibilities.

So Favre can waver, whine, accuse or tamper somewhere else. Here in the Bay Area, the 49ers and Raiders will be busy with two of the most intriguing training camps in the NFL, on and off the field.

49ers Sign G/T Chilo Rachal

July 16, 2008

The San Francisco 49ers announced today that they have signed second-round draft choice T/G Chilo Rachal. Terms of the contract were not announced by the team.

Rachal (6-4, 315) did not allow a sack in 21 games during his college career at USC as a guard. The 49ers coaching staff moved Rachal to tackle during the organized team activities in June.

Rachal is the third of the 49ers six 2007 draft picks to sign with the team.

I'm pretty happy they are signing everyone so we can get stronger on Offense too! What do you think?

Grant Could Be Immediate Special-Teams Standout

Grant could be immediate special-teams standout

The 49ers signed linebacker Larry Grant to a four-year contract on Friday. Grant was the team's seventh-round draft pick, the No. 214 overall selection.

Grant becomes the second of six 49ers draft picks to sign. Each is expected to sign a four-year contract, with the exception of first-round selection Kentwan Balmer, who will sign a longer deal.

Receiver Josh Morgan was the first 49ers draft pick to sign on June 19. Morgan, selected in the sixth round, signed a four-year, $1.826 million deal that included a $106,000 on June 19.

Grant (6-1, 235) is competing for a job at the ted linebacker position, along with Jeff Ulbrich, who currently tops the depth chart, and free-agent pickup Dontarrious Thomas. Brandon Moore might also work his way into the competition, coach Mike Nolan said.

In last month's organized team activities, Grant had to acclimate to Mike Singletary's demanding coaching. During individual period, Singletary pushes his linebackers and Grant had a difficult time keeping up. But the two men were also seen staying on the practice field for extra work long after most of the players had gone back into the locker room.

Grant was born in Santa Rosa and moved down to the Bay Area when he was a toddler.
Grant's football career to this stage has been nothing short of nomadic.
He attended Football Foothill High in Sacramento as a freshman, where he lettered as a running back and safety.

Then, he moved Georgia to live with his brother. He attended Meadow Creek High as a sophomore and junior. He transferred to more-competitive Norcross High as a senior. He lettered as a tailback, gaining 450 yards with six touchdowns on only 35 carries. He left Norcross in the winter, moving back to Sacramento where he re-enrolled and graduated from Foothill.

Grant enrolled at Murray State in 2003, but failed to qualify academically. He spent the year out of school, spending time as a youth football coach in the Sacramento area. He then enrolled at the City College of San Francisco in 2004.

As a sophomore at CCSF, Grant earned NJCAA All-American and National Defensive Player of the Year honors. The All-NorCal Football Conference Defensive MVP delivered 85 tackles (56 solos) with four sacks and nine stops for losses from his weak-side outside linebacker position. He blocked six punts in each season at CCSF.

Grant was scheduled to enroll at the University of Florida, but was a math class short of academic requirements. He decided to enroll at Ohio State in 2006, where he was the first junior college transfer signed by coach Jim Tressel.

Grant played in a national JC title game as a sophomore and then in the BCS championship game in his two seasons at Ohio State.

Grant started 14 of his 25 games at Ohio State. He recorded 69 tackles (43 solos) with 5.5 sacks and 10 stops for losses. He caused a fumble, deflected three passes and intercepted two others for 68 yards in returns. He also blocked three kicks, returning two errant punts for a total of 17 yards.

Grant could immediately make his mark for the 49ers as one of the team's core special-teams players.

When asked on draft day for his reaction to getting chosen by the 49ers, Grant could barely contain his excitement.

"It's a real true blessing, man," Grant said. "I'm happy. It was a die-hard, life-long 49ers fan. So this is the best situation that I can ever be in. I'm excited for this opportunity. My family is excited. We're all 49ers fans, die-hard, and now it's better than ever. It's crazy, man."

Take 5 With 49ers LB Larry Grant

Take 5 with 49ers LB Larry Grant

Linebacker Larry Grant, who signed a four-year deal with the 49ers on Friday, will continue competing for a starting job at the strong inside linebacker position (ted) when he reports to training camp later this month.

Veterans Jeff Ulbrich and Dontarrious Thomas are currently ahead of Grant on the depth chart. Although Grant is a long shot to win a starting job, the club believes he has a chance to earn his ticket on special teams. He blocked 12 punts in two seasons at City College of San Francisco, and three more during his two seasons at Ohio State.

I asked Grant what he wishes he could bring with him from Columbus, Ohio, to California. His answer: Raising Cane's, a restaurant with two locations in Columbus that specializes in chicken fingers. "It's quite addictive," he said.

Instant 49ers: You couldn't join the 49ers full-time until after the first week of OTAs. Was that rough?

Grant: Yeah, I couldn't be there. I had to finish up some classes that I was taking at Ohio State. I'll graduate next year in African-American studies. I have to take a couple more classes in the winter. I'm going back to Ohio in January. My mom is looking forward to me getting my degree. Nobody wants to upset mom.

Instant 49ers: Is the 'ted' position similar to what you've done in the past or is it a big learning experience?

Grant: The position is similar to what I've done in the past, but learning a new defense is a lot different. It seems all the linebackers work together. I've learned from basically everybody. I've learned from Pat (Willis), I've learned a lot from Jeff (Ulbrich). I've learned some things from Dontarrious (Thomas) and B-Moore (Brandon Moore). The whole linebacker corps helps everybody out with everything.

Instant 49ers: Did it take you long to mesh with that group?

Grant: It didn't take long at all. It's like a family here with the 49ers organization. We became brothers quickly.

Instant 49ers: What part of your college experience prepared you most for what you'll be facing with the 49ers?

Grant: Just being at Ohio State, they run their program a lot like the NFL programs. Being on the quarter system, camp is a lot different than at other schools. We're actually not in school for the first couple games so we're staying in hotels and doing all the things people do in the NFL to get everybody ready and keep focused as a team. Now that I've been here, I see where they do some of the same things.

Instant 49ers: What have you learned since coming to the 49ers?

Grant: A lot of these guys look young. I look around and think that we're all rookies. Everybody has young-looking faces even when they're 29 years old and been in the league. I'm surprised they've been in the league six, seven, eight years.

Take 5 With 49ers OG Jeb Terry

Take 5 with 49ers OG Jeb Terry

Before the 49ers drafted two offensive linemen . . . before the 49ers signed veteran free-agent Barry Sims . . . before the 49ers added those three players who are expected to make the final roster, they signed a player with 30 games of NFL experience to provide depth.

Originally a fifth-round draft pick of the Buccaneers in 2004, Jeb Terry (6-5, 320) has played 30 NFL games with one start at right guard. He was expected to be a valuable backup for the Bucs last season but reached an injury settlement after sustaining an injured ankle in the team's second exhibition game.

After signing with the 49ers on March 25, Terry played left guard during the club's first minicamp and then shifted to right guard during organized team activities.

Terry moved to right guard after Chilo Rachal switched to right tackle. Terry worked with the second team while Tony Wragge played with the first unit. Now that it appears Rachal will move back to right guard after the signing of Sims, Terry might return to seeing action at left guard behind Adam Snyder.

Instant 49ers: What has stood out about the 49ers in your brief time here?

Terry: Shoot, the weather. The weather out here is unbeatable. That's the first thing I noticed. I was fortunate enough to play with a good team for the early part of my career and I feel the guys in this locker room are great, also. There's good camaraderie out here and it's been great getting to know these guys and learning to play with them.

Instant 49ers: What's the biggest challenge you face in coming to a new team?

Terry: My biggest challenge right now is trying to knock the rust off from last year. After getting hurt and not playing for a while, that's my biggest thing - getting my reaction time and getting my eyes back into offensive line play. It's not gone, but it's taking a little longer than I'd like to get up to speed. That's my challenge. The next one is learning the offense, through and through, and all the different nuances and how they want us to read coverages and things of that nature. I'll just take it one step at a time.

Instant 49ers: Are there a lot of similarities between what you tried to do in Tampa as opposed to what the 49ers ask of their offensive linemen?

Terry: Oh, yeah. I had a great coach in Tampa (Bill Muir) who taught me a lot of great techniques, and coach (George) Warhop has some of his own, too. I'm trying to learn them and erase any bad habits I have. You know, offensive line play can be similar and it also can be different. Fortunately, it's not too different here. They have similar reads and techniques, and I'm just trying to learn any new ones that coach Warhop puts my way. I'll try to execute them as best as possible.

Instant 49ers: What's it been like meshing with the offensive linemen who are already here?

Terry: These guys have been great from Day 1 when I got here. They've been real accommodating and opened their doors to me. I've met their wives and families, and they've all been super.

Instant 49ers: (Terry grew up in Dallas and attended North Carolina, where he was a first-team All-ACC selection.) Anything from Texas or Chapel Hill that you wish you could bring with you to the Bay Area?

Terry: I wish I could bring the whole state of Texas with me, that's for sure. I'm getting used to the left coast. I've actually enjoyed it a lot. The weather, of course, you can't beat it. The traffic, I can do without. But I'm learning to like it a lot out here.

Take 5 - WR Robert Jordan

The purpose of these "Take 5" pieces is to familiarize true 49ers fans with some of the players who will be wearing the team's colors for the first time this exhibition season. When the starters have checked out of the lineup, these are the players who will get their chances to show if they have what it takes to play at this level.

Today, we keep it local.

Receiver Robert Jordan set a Cal record with a pass reception in 41 consecutive games, but he did not receive an invitation to the scouting combine. Cal teammates DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins got most of the attention around the draft. Jackson was drafted in the second round (Eagles), while Hawkins was chosen in the fourth round (Titans).

Jordan never heard his name called. The 49ers signed Jordan as an undrafted free agent. He is lining up at the Z (flanker) and also in the slot in three-receiver sets to be utilize his 5-11, 172 size.

Jordan had a thrill at Cal's pro day in April when he met Jerry Rice, who was mentoring Jackson. "I shook his hand and told him I was honored to meet him," Jordan said of Rice.

Instant 49ers: What's the biggest challenge facing you with the 49ers?

Jordan: The playbook, by far. Getting in the playbook and figuring out what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. Everything else is falling into place, but the biggest challenge isn't the physical, it's the mental, and knowing my assignments.

Instant 49ers: Is learning Mike Martz's offense everything you thought it would be?

Jordan: I've been in a West Coast offense, coming from coach Jeff Tedford. It's real similar. I played the Z for three years at Cal. Being in a system at Cal and learning the West Coast offense and knowing what they're trying to get done, it's helped me here. A lot of the plays are identical to what coach Tedford did. It's just a different name and a different way to run it.

Instant 49ers: When you came to the local combine did you know the 49ers were interested?

Jordan: I had a couple calls before the draft was even over. Cleveland and the 49ers called. I talked to my agent. I'm a local, Bay Area guy. I feel I can make an impact on this team. I feel I can help this team, and keep my fan base in the Bay Area. From high school to college to the pros. That played a big part of me coming to the 49ers. I always liked this organization, and growing up Jerry Rice was my favorite receiver. What other team would I rather play for?

Instant 49ers: Growing up in the East Bay, you were more of a 49ers guy?

Jordan: I was born and raised Oakland. I just went to high school in Hayward. I was a Raiders fan growing up, but you can't go against Jerry, especially me playing receiver my whole life. I kept it hush around my family because they are Raiders.

Instant 49ers: What have you learned about the game in the few weeks you've been around the 49ers?

Jordan: Just study, study and get stronger. This is a grown man's game now. This is a big business. There are no more scholarships getting handed out. Nothing is guaranteed. One of the main things I've learned here is not to get comfortable. Just always take it one day at a time and go hard, and you can never get comfortable.

49ers Right Guard

Right Guard

Moving over the offensive line with our assessment, we've landed at right guard, the domain of David Baas. He replaced the injured Justin Smiley last season and started 11 games. I wasn't sure how to evaluate Baas, he struck me as a powerful run player but weak on pass protection and finesse.

I reviewed two tapes from last year to get a better handle on him. One was the team's last season win over the Buccaneers at home, when the 49ers played the top-ranked defense in the league based on yards. The Carolina game was the other - a brutal 31-14 loss, in which Trent Dilfer was sacked six times.

In Charlotte, Baas, believe it or not, had a decent performance. Of the six sacks, he yielded only one and that was late in the fourth quarter, after Baas had collided with center Eric Heitmann and injured his right elbow. In fact, Baas didn't finish the game. He had the best game of any of the team's offensive linemen that day.

Against the Bucs, Baas struggled in pass protection, whiffing three times on defensive tackle Kevin Carter, but excelled as a run blocker - often collapsing the right side along with tackle Joe Staley - to clear a large avenue for running back Frank Gore.

He's a bruising player, but he's not nifty. He struggles getting to the second level and he didn't pull often in those games, and when he did, he was ineffective. Left guard Larry Allen was far better at pulling, even though he's bigger and older.

At times, he plays a little tentatively, which isn't surprising, since he hasn't played that much. With more seasoning, he could become a dominating run player. The concern is his pass protection, but that could improve also.

Baas torn his pectoral muscle during a bench press at the facility this off-season and could miss all of training camp. The injury could be disruptive to the team's early-season continuity, particularly with Baas getting paired with a new right tackle (either Jonas Jennings or Barry Sims).

BACKUPS

The strength of the offensive line is in its guards, not its tackles. It's far deeper and possibly more talented at guard and that includes Chilo Rachal, this year's second-round choice. After his daliance with tackle during OTA's, Rachal returned to his rightful spot at guard after Sims was signed.

Rachal and Baas share similarities - both rely on strength and girth to bully their opponents. It's almost impossible to evaluate Rachal in OTA's, which are non-padded practices. Check back in 10 days when Rachal starts mixing it up.

The team's best back up at any position might be Tony Wragge, who can play both guard spots and center. If the 49ers drafted Wragge in the second round of the 2005 as Baas was, Wragge would be the starter. Instead Wragge made the team in 2005 as a free agent.

In 2006, in two of the four games Wragge started, the 49ers didn't yield a sack. When he replaced Eric Heitmann after he broke his leg in the first quarter of a game in Seattle that year, the 49ers broke out for 228 yards rushing. Coincidence?

Wragge is the strongest guy on the team and has that against-the-odds mentality of a guy who made the team as a free agent.

Intrigue At Right Guard; Takeo Spikes Update

July 15, 2008

Intrigue at right guard; Takeo Spikes update

Right guard wasn't going to be an intriguing 2008 training camp plot line until one afternoon in late April. That was when David Baas tore his right pectoral tendon while hoisting 335 pounds on the bench press. Baas, the 33rd overall pick in 2005, had had trouble getting on the field early in his career and seemed perennially stuck behind Justin Smiley on the depth chart. But Smiley had his own injury issues in 2007. Baas came in and played well enough last season that, with Smiley now in Miami, his name could safely be written down as the starting right guard to begin the season.

And while it's too early to erase his name, you probably shouldn't write it in pen. A few days after Baas was injured, the team spent a second-round draft pick on USC guard Chilo Rachal. Rachal played right guard (behind Tony Wragge) in minicamp and then was moved to the team's neediest o-line position, right tackle, during OTAs. Since then, the right tackle situation improved significantly with the signing of Barry Sims. Presumably, that means Rachal will move back to what is now the neediest position, right guard, in training camp, but no one has said for sure yet.

The questions, then, are when will Baas be back? And will his absence allow Rachal, assuming he's at right guard, to usurp the position? I'm told that Baas is progressing nicely from his injury. He's out of his sling and he's been able to do some light work in the weight room. He is expected to go on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list when players have their physicals next week. He likely will miss all of the preseason but the team expects him back for the regular season. Baas has the added concern of losing upper body strength while he is kept from fully working out in the weight room.

Obviously one of goals of training camp is to solidify a line that was shaken up in the offseason. On the opening day of training camp, every starter save Eric Heitmann will be in a new spot. Wragge, whom the team likes as a backup at both guard positions, probably will be the team's starting right guard when camp opens July 25. I think the key will be whether Rachal replaces him before the third preseason game. That seems to be the bewitching hour for Mike Nolan. Last year, he inserted Patrick Willis into the starting lineup before the third preseason game. This year, he said he'd like to pick a starting quarterback by the third preseason game. If Rachal is the starting right guard for the final two preseason games and develops chemistry with Jonas Jennings (or Sims) at right tackle, it might be hard for Baas to reclaim the starting job again.

*****************The Takeo Spikes story is like a ship stuck in the doldrums - no movement. A handful of teams, including the 49ers, have made offers that the 31-year-old Spikes feels are too low. It seems that Spikes is going to wait it out, perhaps until the regular season, and hope that a linebacker-needy team grows desperate enough to meet his demands.

The 49ers right now are not desperate. They have one player, Jeff Ulbrich, who has proven he can play the position Spikes would play, and two other players - Dontarrious Thomas and Larry Grant - who have the potential to play it but are still learning. If one or more of those players gets hurt, of course, Spikes' demand might not seem so steep.

***************Ronnie Lott and some of his friends will be a hosting a Fantasy Football Draft Party at Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco on Friday. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and all proceeds will benefit All Stars Helping Kids, which is Lott's charitable foundation.

Who are Lott's friends? The list includes Marcus Allen, Warren Moon, Michael Irvin, Charles Haley, Tim Brown, Brent Jones, Ted Hendricks, Nnamdi Asomugha and Darren McFadden. They will serve as team captains during the draft and participants will be assigned to one of the teams. The winners will receive a trip for four to the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame and a $20,000 donation to the charity of their choice. Irvin's team won last season. The event is open to the public. VIP tickets are $1,000 and general admission is $250 - with all of the proceeds going to charity. All tickets include dinner and access to the silent auction items, including Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders autographed jerseys.

Tickets are available by calling All Stars Helping Kids at 650-363-1395 or by visiting allstarshelpingkids.org.

Camp Preview - Linebackers

July 16, 2008

LINEBACKERS: (11) New: Larry Grant (Rookie), Dennis Haley (3rd Year), Dontarrious Thomas (5th Year) Returners: Tully Banta-Cain (6th Year), Roderick Green (5th Year), Parys Haralson (3rd Year), Manny Lawson (3rd Year), Brandon Moore (7th Year), Jay Moore (2nd Year), Jeff Ulbrich (9th Year), Patrick Willis (2nd Year) Departed: Derek Smith

Patrick Willis will look to continue the phenomenal success he enjoyed as a rookie in 2007. Willis started his professional career by setting an unofficial NFL single-season record with 226 tackles on his way to a Pro Bowl selection, a spot on the All-Pro team and AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Still, neither he nor Nolan is satisfied with what he accomplished in his first season in the league.

“We expect him to be one of the top defensive players in the NFL year in and year out,” stated Nolan. “I thought he was the best defensive player in the league last year. Had we won some more games, I think there’s no question that he would have been honored as such.”

“You don’t want to make it to the Pro Bowl one year and then come back the next and not make it,” added Willis. “But, I don’t really think about that as much as I think about just doing what I need to do to help this team win. If it means being selected to the Pro Bowl then that’s good, but I just want to win.”

The 49ers are also excited about the return of Manny Lawson to line up at his outside linebacker position. Lawson’s promising 2007 campaign was cut short by a knee injury suffered during practice prior to the third game of the year. In two starts, he had contributed 14 tackles to follow up a rookie campaign in which he totaled 65 stops after being selected as one of the 49ers’ two first-round selections in the 2007 NFL Draft.

“Manny has all the tools we’re looking for,” commented Manusky about the college defensive end. “We’re looking forward to having him back in the fold. He can set the edge in the running game and create some problems for opponents. He’s a talented football player that should keep getting better and better.”

Tully Banta-Cain is expected to return to the other starting outside linebacker spot opposite Lawson. A situational player in New England, Banta-Cain showed signs of being a strong pass rusher after accumulating 5.5 sacks in 2006. He has done extremely well in the off-season program and seems primed for an even better year in his second season as a full-time starter in 2008.

“Tully can really shed blockers and get after the quarterback,” emphasized Manusky. “That’s what we need from him this year.”

Jeff Ulbrich is tied for the team’s longest-tenured player and has had his moments as a full-time starter since his arrival to the club in 2000. The San Jose native started all but eight 49ers’ games from 2001-04 but has made his mark primarily in nickel packages and on special teams over the past three seasons. This year, he is back in the running for a full-time starting job.

“Jeff has played a number of years in this league and his experience will be big for us,” reasoned Manusky.

Although Willis and Lawson seemingly have locked up their starting jobs, the others may be strongly challenged.

Parys Haralson is penciled in as Lawson’s backup on the strong side but is also capable of taking a run at Banta-Cain’s position.

Dontarrious Thomas was acquired in the off-season after four campaigns with Minnesota and is expected to compete with Ulbrich for the starting TED linebacker job.

Brandon Moore, who was the team’s top tackler in 2006 but was beaten out by Willis last year, should also be a factor.

Other linebackers competing for roster spots include veterans Roderick Green and Jay Moore, along with seventh-round 2008 draft pick Larry Grant (Ohio State) and undrafted free agent Shaun Richardson (Tennessee State).

I feel like our defensive will be ten times better than last season, what do you think?

Yahoo! Fantasy - Position Primer: QB - Shaun Hill

This is what Yahoo! Fantasy Football had to forecast about our own Shaun Hill, what do ya'll think??

Shaun Hill

'07 Stats: 68.4 CMP%, 167.0 PYPG, 5:1 TD:INT, 14 RSHYDs, 1 RSHTD

Lowdown: Mike Martz's arrogant genius is only good for one thing: turning suspect quarterbacks into serviceable fantasy commodities. After stringing together three mundane starts in Weeks 14-16 last year (166.7 YPG, 5:1 TD:INT) the former Amsterdam Admiral enters camp embroiled in a battle with $49 million snoozer Alex Smith and journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan for the starting job. Mike Nolan recently told the San Francisco Chronicle that Hill's minicamp was "OK" but emphasized he's always performed better on game days. At this point, it appears Smith is the clear frontrunner, but with an impressive training camp Hill could reshuffle the depth chart.

He doesn't possess the arm strength of Smith, but his quick, accurate delivery gained Nolan's respect last season. With soft-handed Frank Gore, Bryant Johnson, Isaac Bruce and Vernon Davis as targets, the 49ers have enough prospectors to strike fantasy QB gold. Fearless Forecast.

2008 Niners Draft Picks

Round 1: (29) Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
Round 2: (39) Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
Round 3: (75) Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
Round 4: (107) Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M
Round 6: (174) Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
Round 7: (214) Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State

What do you guys think of these picks??

49ers Waive DE Melvin Oliver

July 15, 2008

The San Francisco 49ers announced today that DE Melvin Oliver has been waived.

Oliver originally joined the 49ers as a sixth-round draft pick out of LSU in 2006. As a rookie, he played in 16 games with 14 starting assignments and finished with 50 total tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown. Oliver missed the 2007 season after suffering a knee injury during organized team activities in June.

Training Camp Ticket Info

Training Camp Ticket Info

July 11, 2008

The San Francisco 49ers will open eight, free practices to the public during training camp. Sponsored by the San Jose Mercury News and Samsung, each of the eight open practices feature interactive football drills and games, appearances by members of the Gold Rush, Sourdough Sam and player autograph sessions for fans, as they experience the excitement of training camp in person.

Season ticket holders received an email on Wednesday, July 9 with the necessary information to register online. Tickets will then be released to the general public on Friday, July 11.

The free open practices are scheduled for Saturday, July 26 (9-10:30 a.m.), Sunday, July 27 (9-10:30 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.), Monday, July 28 (4-5:30 p.m.), Wednesday, July 30 (4-5:30 p.m.), Friday, August 1 (4-5:30 p.m.), Saturday, August 2 (9-10:30 a.m.) and Sunday, August 3 (4-5:30 p.m.).

The open practices are free ticketed events with a limit of 3,000 tickets available per practice. To obtain tickets, fans must register online by clicking here!

During the open practices members of the Gold Rush Cheerleading team also will be in attendance. Participants will have the opportunity to take pictures with the team’s five Super Bowl trophies and visit the 49ers sponsor booths.

“I like the idea of having fans at our practices,” Head Coach Mike Nolan said. “Our players are energized by their excitement and enthusiasm. We are happy that they will be a part of our training camp.”

The 49ers training facility is located at 4949 Centennial Boulevard in Santa Clara, CA.

San Francisco 49ers Open Training Camp Practice Dates

Saturday July 26 9-10:30 a.m.
Sunday July 27 9-10:30 a.m. AND 4-5:30 p.m.
Monday July 28 4-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday July 30 4-5:30 p.m.
Friday August 1 4-5:30 p.m.
Saturday August 2 9-10:30 a.m.
Sunday August 3 4-5:30 p.m.