http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14281128p-15089360c.html
This time, Nolan foresees plenty of healthy competition
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, July 23, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Every NFL training camp has competition. But as coach Mike Nolan explained Saturday, there's healthy competition, and then there's what the 49ers had last summer.
"With everyone being new, it was kind of like, Put a bunch of guys in the ring and let them swing," he said.
At several positions, the players battling for starting and backup spots had little or no NFL experience. To make matters worse, some of the outcomes were decided by attrition rather than competition.
When injuries decimated the 49ers' secondary by midseason, for example, Nolan and his staff had to reach far down the depth chart for healthy bodies. By the end of the year, rookies and unknowns such as Derrick Johnson, Bruce Thornton, Ben Emanuel and B.J. Tucker were playing critical roles.
Neophytes a year ago, those players will enter 2006 with a bit of seasoning. The 49ers also head into training camp with the healthiest roster they've had in years, giving Nolan the type of summer competition he desires.
"I'd like to think that in a year or two, we'll have some of these positions settled," he said. "But right now, I like what I see."
One of the most intense battles could be at center, where former Pro Bowler Jeremy Newberry has been cleared to play after a delicate offseason procedure on his right knee.
Nolan said Newberry will be limited to one practice a day, and because of that, he will start at the No. 2 position behind Eric Heitmann.
"I'm hopeful that (Newberry) is well, but I'm not going to bank on it right away," Nolan said.
Second-year player David Baas will be the backup center when Newberry can't practice, but will move to guard when Newberry is on the field.
Farther down the line, Kwame Harris will try to hold off Adam Snyder at right tackle. Snyder filled in at several positions in 2005 and was perhaps the team's most impressive rookie.
Another second-year player eyeing a starting spot is Frank Gore, who outrushed veteran Kevan Barlow by 27 yards last season despite 49 fewer carries. Gore (both shoulders) and Barlow (knee) are returning from offseason surgery.
The biggest defensive concern is outside linebacker, where offseason departures created openings at both starting spots. Brandon Moore currently is atop the depth chart at left outside linebacker even though coaches feel he is better on the inside. Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Manny Lawson is the starter for now on the right side despite his struggles there during spring practices.
"I'd say Manny Lawson is going to be a very good player, but right now he is a very young guy," Nolan said.
There is more competition in the secondary. Johnson, Thornton and Tucker will vie for two backup cornerback positions, with veterans Mike Rumph and Sammy Davis also in the mix. At safety, Tony Parrish is the only player virtually guaranteed a starting spot. Emanuel, Mike Adams, Keith Lewis and Chad Williams, as well as rookies Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn, are competing for the remaining openings.
There is even a duel at punter, where incumbent Andy Lee will try to hold off newly signed veteran Tom Rouen.
In other 49ers news, the team reached a contract agreement with fourth-round pick Michael Robinson. Nolan said he was optimistic the three remaining draft choices -- Vernon Davis, Lawson and Brandon Williams -- would be on hand for the team's first practice Friday.
"I think we'll be in on time," he said. "I don't see any glitches so far in any of our conversations."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
This time, Nolan foresees plenty of healthy competition
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, July 23, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Every NFL training camp has competition. But as coach Mike Nolan explained Saturday, there's healthy competition, and then there's what the 49ers had last summer.
"With everyone being new, it was kind of like, Put a bunch of guys in the ring and let them swing," he said.
At several positions, the players battling for starting and backup spots had little or no NFL experience. To make matters worse, some of the outcomes were decided by attrition rather than competition.
When injuries decimated the 49ers' secondary by midseason, for example, Nolan and his staff had to reach far down the depth chart for healthy bodies. By the end of the year, rookies and unknowns such as Derrick Johnson, Bruce Thornton, Ben Emanuel and B.J. Tucker were playing critical roles.
Neophytes a year ago, those players will enter 2006 with a bit of seasoning. The 49ers also head into training camp with the healthiest roster they've had in years, giving Nolan the type of summer competition he desires.
"I'd like to think that in a year or two, we'll have some of these positions settled," he said. "But right now, I like what I see."
One of the most intense battles could be at center, where former Pro Bowler Jeremy Newberry has been cleared to play after a delicate offseason procedure on his right knee.
Nolan said Newberry will be limited to one practice a day, and because of that, he will start at the No. 2 position behind Eric Heitmann.
"I'm hopeful that (Newberry) is well, but I'm not going to bank on it right away," Nolan said.
Second-year player David Baas will be the backup center when Newberry can't practice, but will move to guard when Newberry is on the field.
Farther down the line, Kwame Harris will try to hold off Adam Snyder at right tackle. Snyder filled in at several positions in 2005 and was perhaps the team's most impressive rookie.
Another second-year player eyeing a starting spot is Frank Gore, who outrushed veteran Kevan Barlow by 27 yards last season despite 49 fewer carries. Gore (both shoulders) and Barlow (knee) are returning from offseason surgery.
The biggest defensive concern is outside linebacker, where offseason departures created openings at both starting spots. Brandon Moore currently is atop the depth chart at left outside linebacker even though coaches feel he is better on the inside. Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Manny Lawson is the starter for now on the right side despite his struggles there during spring practices.
"I'd say Manny Lawson is going to be a very good player, but right now he is a very young guy," Nolan said.
There is more competition in the secondary. Johnson, Thornton and Tucker will vie for two backup cornerback positions, with veterans Mike Rumph and Sammy Davis also in the mix. At safety, Tony Parrish is the only player virtually guaranteed a starting spot. Emanuel, Mike Adams, Keith Lewis and Chad Williams, as well as rookies Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn, are competing for the remaining openings.
There is even a duel at punter, where incumbent Andy Lee will try to hold off newly signed veteran Tom Rouen.
In other 49ers news, the team reached a contract agreement with fourth-round pick Michael Robinson. Nolan said he was optimistic the three remaining draft choices -- Vernon Davis, Lawson and Brandon Williams -- would be on hand for the team's first practice Friday.
"I think we'll be in on time," he said. "I don't see any glitches so far in any of our conversations."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
