While first-round draft choice Vernon Davis attracted a lot of attention at the 49ers’ recent minicamp, another newcomer, receiver Antonio Bryant, may have been the most impressive offensive player on the field.
The team’s top free-agent addition is still developing timing with quarterback Alex Smith, but it was clear that Bryant already has become Smith’s first downfield option. Smith twice opened team drills by finding Bryant on crossing patterns, and the new No. 81 has a sense of urgency about him that the old No. 81, recently traded Rashaun Woods, did not show.
“We’ve hung out, and we’ve done some things,” Bryant said of the rapport he’s building with Smith. “Just out here on the field – it’s gotten better every week as far as running the routes and understanding where the quarterback wants you to be. ... I’m just showing him my capabilities as someone who can go out there and make plays for him.”
Source: [Sacramento Bee]
Sportsbook.com has released their odds for Rookie of the Year. Reggie Bush (2-1) leads the list followed by Joseph Addai (5-1) of the Colts, Lendale White (5-1) of the Titans, and Santonio Holmes (5-1) of the Steelers. Here are a few of the names on the list. Niners Vernon Davis comes in at 20-1 odds.
[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2006 Full List]
Video of Vernon Davis on Stephen A. Smith’s Quite Frankly.
Part One
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TLcY3Zx4sIY"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TLcY3Zx4sIY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Part Two
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9MyoMhqgVZc"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9MyoMhqgVZc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
If 49ers vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan had his choice, reserve quarterback Cody Pickett would have skipped the club’s three-day minicamp.
That’s because McCloughan wanted Pickett to spend his spring in NFL Europe gaining valuable on-field experience, he said.
“But we’re not going to send anybody who does not want to go,” McCloughan said. “So hopefully next year we can send him because I think it’s valuable for a quarterback to just go play.”
McCloughan said coach Mike Nolan and former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy were in agreement that Pickett stood to gain from playing in the developmental league.
Nolan said he initially wanted Pickett to play overseas but later changed his mind.
“He wasn’t (excited) about it, but I would’ve said, ‘Go,’ if I really felt it,” Nolan said.
Full Article -[Press Democrat]
Here are some impressions of players and scenes from the 49ers’ three-day minicamp that concluded Sunday:
—Tight end Vernon Davis, the sixth pick in April’s draft, began practices nervously, dropping many catchable balls. He eventually settled, making receptions even in traffic. Davis looks more like a wide receiver because of his remarkable speed.
—Opinions varied on the team’s other first-round pick, linebacker Manny Lawson. Some thought Lawson looked too lanky (he’s 6-foot-5 and a svelte 240 pounds). He couldn’t finish a punishing shuttle drill imposed by linebackers coach Mike Singletary.
Full Mini Camp Article
Coach Mike Nolan said Saturday he would know more about injured center Jeremy Newberry’s status next month. Newberry underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in the winter. He is taking part in some individual drills during the 49ers’ minicamp but will be held out of team scenarios until he’s cleared to play.
The 49ers will have “organized team activities” sessions from May 29 through June 15. Nolan said he wasn’t sure if Newberry will be back at that point, but said he wanted the two-time Pro Bowl player back in time for training camp, which begins the last week of July.
“I know that if he’s going to be part of us in the fall, he’s going to have to do more in training camp than he did last year,” Nolan said.
Source: [Sacramento Bee]
There have been some rumors in Ninerland that Ty Law was set to meet with the 49ers. We checked with one of our sources and there are no truths to those rumors. Ty Law is not set to meet with the 49ers.
We have loaded up 7 parts of the 1981 NFC Championship Game. 49ers vs Cowboys. Here is part one for the remaining six parts follow the link below…
[Click Here for parts 2-7 of ‘81 NFC Championship Game]
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mn2Gj5I0tNo"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mn2Gj5I0tNo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
We’ll keep updating the list when we hear which undrafted free agents (UDFA) the Niners have signed.
Update: 05.05.06 – Niners have signed Tavares Washington, a 6-3, 320-pound tackle from Florida. [Washington Bio]
_
Update: 05.03.06 – Ole Miss OT Bobby Harris has signed with the 49ers. [Harris Bio]
_
Update: 05.02.06 – TE Onye Ibekwe signed a two-year, free agent’s contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[Ibekwe Bio]
–
KGMB9.com is reporting the 49ers are interested in undrafted rookie free agent
OL Brandon Eaton (Hawaii). However he is to attend a 4 day camp this Thursday with the Redskins. The Patriots are showing interest as well.
– The Daily News Journal reports undrafted rookie free agent
DE Bobby Payne (Middle Tennessee State) has backed out of his deal with the Dallas Cowboys and signed with the San Francisco 49ers. [
Payne Bio]
– ScarletKnights.com reports the San Francisco 49ers have signed undrafted rookie free agent
WR Chris Baker (Rutgers). [
Baker Bio]
– The Los Angeles Times reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to terms with undrafted rookie free agent
P Tom Malone (USC). [
Malone Bio]
– The AP reports the San Francisco 49ers have signed
WR C.J. Brewer to an undisclosed contract. He was recently with the Albany Conquest, of Arena League 2 as an offensive specialist. Brewer, currently recovering from a broken collarbone, caught 15 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns in three games for the Conquest.
The San Francisco 49ers announced Thursday they have traded Ken Dorsey and an undisclosed seventh-round selection in the 2007 draft to the Cleveland Browns for QB Trent Dilfer.
“Trent was a player we had interest in last season,” Head Coach Mike Nolan said. “We were looking for a veteran quarterback with experience that could help mentor Alex Smith. Trent fits the bill on both counts and we are excited to have him with the 49ers.”
Update: 05.04.06
The Browns and 49ers are talking about a trade for quarterback Trent Dilfer, a league source said Wednesday.
It could be done within the next day or two, the source said. The 49ers are interested in Dilfer as a backup to Alex Smith, the first pick of the 2005 draft.
Dilfer, who was at odds with Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon last season, would be closer to his hometown of Fresno, Calif., and reportedly wants out of Cleveland.
Problem is, the Browns need a backup/mentor for Charlie Frye.
The Browns and 49ers have had preliminary discussions recently, but talks have resumed in the past couple of days. A trade could have been completed over the weekend
Source [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
The 49ers have a renewed interest in Cleveland quarterback Trent Dilfer, whom they nearly traded for last year. One NFL source said the 49ers might have made an offer for Dilfer on Sunday if the Browns could have swung a deal for Lions quarterback Joey Harrington. Cleveland apparently doesn’t want to trade Dilfer unless they it has a veteran replacement to compete with Charlie Frye.
Source: [San Francisco Chronicle]
The 49ers are said to be the team interested in Dilfer as a backup for Alex Smith, the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. Dilfer wants to play for the 49ers, according to a source in San Francisco, because they are the closest team to his hometown of Fresno, Calif. Dilfer told a friend he thought he would be traded Sunday, according to a source. The 49ers tried to acquire Dilfer from Seattle in the 2005 offseason, but offered only a sixth-round draft choice. The Browns beat that by giving the Seahawks a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.
News Herald: [Dilfer wants to be traded to SF]
Video from the 1st round of the NFL Draft.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9IRXe4GwmAY"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9IRXe4GwmAY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
This info was reported late last week, by Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat. It is now official:
The San Francisco 49ers signed free agent safety Chad Williams on Wednesday to a contract. Terms of the deal were not released.
Williams began his career with the Baltimore Ravens as a sixth-round selection in the 2002 draft. He played in 64 games with the Ravens, making five starts, and registered 158 tackles, eight interceptions, three forced fumbles and 5.5 sacks.
The 5-foot-9, 207-pound safety also has three defensive touchdowns, including a 98-yard interception return for a score. Williams also spent time on Baltimore’s special teams.
