49ersNews.com

“There’s no doubt in my mind I’m going to play this year, and I’m playing 16 games,”

Those were the words spoken by center Jeremy Newberry while watching Tuesday’s practice.

Matthew Barrows of the Sacramento Bee is reporting that the 49ers will consider making a bid for former Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks in the July 13 supplemental draft, personnel director Scot McCloughan said Tuesday.

Last year at this time, Brooks was being mentioned in the same breath as A.J. Hawk—picked fifth overall in last month’s draft—when it came to the nation’s top linebackers. But the junior’s status soon plummeted because of injuries and questions about his maturity.

Guard Larry Allen’s gray T-shirt was soaked with sweat after he ran wind sprints at the conclusion of Tuesday’s OTA (organized team activity). Moments earlier, left tackle Jonas Jennings completed his first practice since injuring his shoulder in October. And though center Jeremy Newberry won’t engage in any of the OTA that takes place over the next three weeks, he ran off the field with neither a knee brace nor a limp.

The 49ers’ offensive line could be much improved this year with Allen rounding into shape, Jennings returning from last season’s shoulder surgery and Newberry’s possible rebound from last year’s microfracture operation on his right knee.

[Full Story] – San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that fullback Moran Norris has been signed as a free agent.

Norris (6-1, 254) is entering his sixth NFL season after spending one season with New Orleans in 2001 and the last four seasons with the Houston Texans.

Norris was originally a fourth-round draft choice in 2001 by New Orleans out of Kansas. Norris was claimed by Houston off waivers from New Orleans prior to the start of the 2002 season. During his NFL career, Norris has been utilized on special teams and as a part-time starter at fullback. He also has been used as a kickoff returner.

Last season in Houston, Norris played in all 16 games with five starts and had one reception for four yards and 12 special teams tackles.

Third-round receiver Brandon Williams just spent the weekend in Los Angeles for the Reebok NFL Rookie Premiere where he helped lead more than 250 fourth and fifth graders in skills and drills competitions at the Reebok Kids’ Clinic at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills, CA. Catch up more with Williams in this 49ers.com exclusive Q&A!

Q: Was it hard to come in to a new team without really knowing anyone or do you adapt easily?

A: No, not really because I knew one guy on the team already, BJ Tucker. We went to college together for two years and so that helped a lot, and I just look at it as a chance to get to know people. Making new relationships is always a good thing.

Q: Did you study the roster once you were drafted?

A: Oh yeah, I looked at the roster, just seeing who was out there and who was at the positions I am shooting for, but we are all a team.

[Full Q&A] – 49ers.com

Dennis Georgatos, writing for the Sporting News, reports the San Francisco 49ers are not likely make any salary cap-driven cuts June 1. The team will watch the waiver wire to see if they can add a cornerback or defensive end and an offensive tackle.

San Francisco 49ers 1984 Yearbook – Season in Review

Niners still interested.

Adam Shefter reported on NFL Total access that Ashley Lelie refuses to play for Denver anymore and is demanding a trade. Interest has been mild so far, but it comes from Tampa Bay, KC, Philly and the Niners.

Denver wants a first day pick, or a player of equal value, and no offers have come close to that level yet.

Mike Rumph puts a hit on TO.

I recently came across this article from the fine folks at The Phat Phree:

In case you don’t follow the NFL too closely, the Cleveland Browns recently traded quarterback Trent Dilfer to the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Ken Dorsey and a draft pick. To the common football fan, this was the equivalent of swapping poop for pee. However, there may be more to this trade than most think. Many NFL insiders feel that the true motivation for this move by Cleveland was to reunite Dorsey with his college teammate, Kellen Winslow. Many feel that Dorsey would provide a positive influence for Winslow. This is the same Kellen Winslow who lost a shitload of contract incentives after missing all of last season due to a motorcycle crash (a motorcycle crash where he hit a curb in a parking lot and had no license, or helmet).

[Full Article] – The Phat Phree

Through mini-camp and the early sessions of rookie camp, it appears that Michael Robinson has become a jack of all trades, and he is showing very strong potential to be very versatile at the next level. The majority of the focus has been in the backfield, where he has taken snaps at halfback and tailback. Here is what some observers have to say about what they have seen.

He runs with “focus” and “determination,” showing “a good first step” and good vision in drills.

Aside from running the ball he has spent some time at wide receiver and quarterback. Here is what Mike Nolan had to say.

“He did a very good job. He handled himself very well and it was evident because he was in on a lot of plays. He played a little quarterback, a little running back. We split him out on some things.”

The coaches have Robinson penciled in at running back, but they are starting to realize that he has the potential to move around as a utility weapon. Whether it is running back, wideout, punt returner or even 3rd string QB. He has made an impression early on with the coaches.

[Camp Report: Michael Robinson] – Scout.com

One of the more puzzling aspects of quarterback Alex Smith’s first season in the NFL was his inability to keep his grip on the football. He fumbled 11 times in his seven starts, but on several occasions the ball slipped out of his hand.

In his first two road starts, the ball squirted away from him six times, resulting in one incomplete pass, four fumbles and one botched handoff. Moreover, Smith said that some of his incomplete passes during a 9-for-22 passing performance against the Seahawks were off target because the ball slipped as he was throwing.

But thanks to a new NFL rule, Smith does not have to be at the mercy of the footballs that are handed to him when the game begins. Now, both the home and visiting teams are allowed to prepare 12 footballs to their liking to be used when their team is on offense.

“The problems I had in the past with the balls were always on the road,” Smith said. “It’ll be nice to travel with our own.”

[New rule could help Smith avoid ‘slipsies’] – Scout.com