http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14291691p-15127982c.html
Rookie can take the ribbing
Brandon Williams could be an explosive small package in the 49ers' return game.
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 9, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- The NFL can be a pretty rough place when you're a 5-foot-9, 175-pound rookie -- even when you're sitting at your locker.
"I get (teased) all day, every day," said receiver Brandon Williams, who has the dubious honor of being the smallest 49er. "They say things like, 'Why don't you go eat something? Why don't you grow?' I tell them I eat all day long."
Height isn't the only thing Williams lacks.
"They call me little fat man because I'm the only guy who doesn't have a six-pack (of abs)," he said while examining his belly. "I don't know why. I do all the exercises these guys do. I just can't get a six-pack."
But calling Williams soft would be going too far.
He is being groomed for perhaps the most perilous job on the roster -- punt returner. The 49ers used a third-round pick on the University of Wisconsin product based largely on his return statistics from last season: a 14.6-yard average and two touchdowns on punt returns and a 28-yard average on kickoffs.
The 49ers drafted Rasheed Marshall in 2005 with the hope the former West Virginia quarterback would find his niche as a return man. Marshall, however, struggled as a rookie and only recently has begun to look comfortable tracking down punts.
Williams, meanwhile, has shown the confidence of a 10-year veteran and will be the team's primary punt returner in Friday's exhibition against the Chicago Bears. He also will show his skills at kickoff returning.
Sacramento State's Otis Amey and Marshall also will return punts against the Bears.
Coach Mike Nolan said watching Williams brought back memories of Dave Meggett, the 5-7 former New York Giants return man whose 3,708 punt return yards are the second-most in NFL history.
"He's got that low profile yet has a lot of strength in his legs," Nolan said. " … He's got very good ball skills, good vision. Obviously, that was one of the reasons we drafted him."
Special-teams coach Larry Mac Duff said he was impressed that Williams did not bring bad habits with him from college. He squares his shoulders to the ball, follows it with his eyes and cradles it in his hands. And once he has it under control, he has outstanding quickness and balance.
"When you watch him go after a ball, he's very smooth and very under control," Mac Duff said. "It allows him to operate with a lot of confidence."
With solid special-teams tacklers such as Terry Jackson, Jim Maxwell and Keith Lewis, the 49ers' coverage unit was one of the best in the league last year.
The return game, however, was a different story. The 49ers tied for 19th in the league with a 7.6-yard average on punt returns. On kickoff returns, only the Green Bay Packers had a lower average than San Francisco's 19 yards.
Notes -- Nolan said the first-team offense and defense could play most of the first half Friday in an effort to build cohesion. Most teams use their starters for only a quarter in their first exhibition game.
• A day after saying he didn't know if he could continue playing on two ailing knees, center Jeremy Newberry rehabilitated in the team pool while the rest of the squad practiced. Newberry will not play Friday.
• The team had a special visitor, 10-year-old Jeffrey Place of Connecticut, who watched practice and met players afterward. Place, who is battling a brain tumor, became an avid 49ers fan after watching old clips of Joe Montana. Place will be on the sideline for Friday's game.
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49ers camp report
Quote of the day: "Get in your book!" -- Defensive coordinator Billy Davis, urging linebacker Parys Haralson to study his playbook after the rookie misread an offensive formation. Davis admonished the team's other rookie linebacker, Manny Lawson, earlier in practice.
Player watch: The 49ers have a full house at tight end, but one player virtually guaranteed to make the final roster is Billy Bajema. The second-year player is the best blocker of the group and proved it when he pancaked free safety Mike Adams during a morning running play.
Play of the day: Receiver Antonio Bryant has been toying with the 49ers' cornerbacks during camp, but one of those corners, 10-year veteran Walt Harris, exacted revenge. With Bryant streaking down the sideline, Harris didn't bite on an Alex Smith pump fake, then outmaneuvered Bryant for the ball when the pass was underthrown. It was Harris' second interception of the day.
Injuries: Anthony Adams, Bryant Young and Terry Jones returned from minor injuries. Linebacker Andre Torrey sprained a knee ligament after colliding with Scott Scharff on kickoff coverage. Cornerback B.J. Tucker is out with an ankle sprain but hopes to be back for Friday's exhibition game against Chicago.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Rookie can take the ribbing
Brandon Williams could be an explosive small package in the 49ers' return game.
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Wednesday, August 9, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- The NFL can be a pretty rough place when you're a 5-foot-9, 175-pound rookie -- even when you're sitting at your locker.
"I get (teased) all day, every day," said receiver Brandon Williams, who has the dubious honor of being the smallest 49er. "They say things like, 'Why don't you go eat something? Why don't you grow?' I tell them I eat all day long."
Height isn't the only thing Williams lacks.
"They call me little fat man because I'm the only guy who doesn't have a six-pack (of abs)," he said while examining his belly. "I don't know why. I do all the exercises these guys do. I just can't get a six-pack."
But calling Williams soft would be going too far.
He is being groomed for perhaps the most perilous job on the roster -- punt returner. The 49ers used a third-round pick on the University of Wisconsin product based largely on his return statistics from last season: a 14.6-yard average and two touchdowns on punt returns and a 28-yard average on kickoffs.
The 49ers drafted Rasheed Marshall in 2005 with the hope the former West Virginia quarterback would find his niche as a return man. Marshall, however, struggled as a rookie and only recently has begun to look comfortable tracking down punts.
Williams, meanwhile, has shown the confidence of a 10-year veteran and will be the team's primary punt returner in Friday's exhibition against the Chicago Bears. He also will show his skills at kickoff returning.
Sacramento State's Otis Amey and Marshall also will return punts against the Bears.
Coach Mike Nolan said watching Williams brought back memories of Dave Meggett, the 5-7 former New York Giants return man whose 3,708 punt return yards are the second-most in NFL history.
"He's got that low profile yet has a lot of strength in his legs," Nolan said. " … He's got very good ball skills, good vision. Obviously, that was one of the reasons we drafted him."
Special-teams coach Larry Mac Duff said he was impressed that Williams did not bring bad habits with him from college. He squares his shoulders to the ball, follows it with his eyes and cradles it in his hands. And once he has it under control, he has outstanding quickness and balance.
"When you watch him go after a ball, he's very smooth and very under control," Mac Duff said. "It allows him to operate with a lot of confidence."
With solid special-teams tacklers such as Terry Jackson, Jim Maxwell and Keith Lewis, the 49ers' coverage unit was one of the best in the league last year.
The return game, however, was a different story. The 49ers tied for 19th in the league with a 7.6-yard average on punt returns. On kickoff returns, only the Green Bay Packers had a lower average than San Francisco's 19 yards.
Notes -- Nolan said the first-team offense and defense could play most of the first half Friday in an effort to build cohesion. Most teams use their starters for only a quarter in their first exhibition game.
• A day after saying he didn't know if he could continue playing on two ailing knees, center Jeremy Newberry rehabilitated in the team pool while the rest of the squad practiced. Newberry will not play Friday.
• The team had a special visitor, 10-year-old Jeffrey Place of Connecticut, who watched practice and met players afterward. Place, who is battling a brain tumor, became an avid 49ers fan after watching old clips of Joe Montana. Place will be on the sideline for Friday's game.
---------------------------------------------------------
49ers camp report
Quote of the day: "Get in your book!" -- Defensive coordinator Billy Davis, urging linebacker Parys Haralson to study his playbook after the rookie misread an offensive formation. Davis admonished the team's other rookie linebacker, Manny Lawson, earlier in practice.
Player watch: The 49ers have a full house at tight end, but one player virtually guaranteed to make the final roster is Billy Bajema. The second-year player is the best blocker of the group and proved it when he pancaked free safety Mike Adams during a morning running play.
Play of the day: Receiver Antonio Bryant has been toying with the 49ers' cornerbacks during camp, but one of those corners, 10-year veteran Walt Harris, exacted revenge. With Bryant streaking down the sideline, Harris didn't bite on an Alex Smith pump fake, then outmaneuvered Bryant for the ball when the pass was underthrown. It was Harris' second interception of the day.
Injuries: Anthony Adams, Bryant Young and Terry Jones returned from minor injuries. Linebacker Andre Torrey sprained a knee ligament after colliding with Scott Scharff on kickoff coverage. Cornerback B.J. Tucker is out with an ankle sprain but hopes to be back for Friday's exhibition game against Chicago.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.