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.