http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14302818p-15175090c.html
No matter what, never stop moving
The 49ers give rookie Delanie Walker a workout at F-back
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 20, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- If coaches are hardest on players they think have potential, well, the 49ers must believe Delanie Walker will become a star.
The rookie is in the unenviable position of playing under two of the 49ers' most demanding assistants, offensive coordinator Norv Turner and tight ends coach Pete Hoener. And it's a rare day when one of them isn't barking into the earhole of Walker's helmet.
The sweet-natured Walker, who stood out last Friday in his first NFL game, is the first to admit he has a lot to learn. After playing wideout in college, he is cramming two new positions this summer -- tight end and the latest wrinkle in the 49ers' offense, F-back.
Turner's system calls for constant motion and shifting, and the F-back runs nearly as much before the snap as he does after it. On one play Walker will line up in the backfield. On the next he will wind up on the end of the offensive line. Later in the game he might be split outside like a receiver.
"I'm trying to get into the playbook every night, but it's definitely been hard," Walker said. "The biggest thing is knowing where you have to line up at the end of the call."
He isn't alone as far as late-night study sessions go.
Eric Johnson, a five-year veteran with a Yale degree, admitted that at times his mind has been "jumbled" by his new responsibilities.
But if the 49ers' offensive players get confused by the F-back's inability to stay still, imagine how opposing middle linebackers and safeties feel.
"It can create matchup issues," Johnson said. "More importantly, it's to throw the defense off right before the snap."
The 49ers use the term F-back because the player often begins the formation as a fullback. But Turner admits it's just a new name for an old position.
The Los Angeles Rams used Pete Holohan in that capacity when Turner was the team's receivers/tight ends coach in the late 1980s. Jay Novacek filled the role when Turner was with the Cowboys. St. Louis' Marshall Faulk plays a version of F-back, as did former Cardinals fullback Larry Centers, whose 826 receptions are the most ever for a running back.
An effective F-back needs to have a variety of skills, and as it happens, the 49ers' roster teems with guys who fit that description.
Rookie running back Michael Robinson, for example, handled everything from split end to quarterback at Penn State and has looked sharp breaking tackles and catching the ball for the 49ers. That combination has prompted position coach Bishop Harris to begin whispering in Robinson's ear about what the similarly talented Centers was able to accomplish at the position.
"Sometimes the F blocks. Sometimes the F motions out and is put on linebacker," Robinson said. "If I'm on a linebacker, I feel it's a mismatch."
The 49ers also intend to create matchup problems with tight ends Johnson and Walker, both of whom were wide receivers in college.
Walker broke the school record at Central Missouri State with 65 catches last year, and he showed off those skills in the team's preseason opener against the Bears. Walker tied Antonio Bryant for a team-high five catches for 54 yards -- all of them from the F-back position.
On the team's final touchdown drive, Walker took a handoff on a reverse 16 yards, touching off a few screams of encouragement from the 49ers' sideline.
"That's the F reverse," Walker said. "I love that play. I knew it was going to open up big.
"Don't worry, we've got some more surprises for teams. We've got things that are going to be a big surprise."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
No matter what, never stop moving
The 49ers give rookie Delanie Walker a workout at F-back
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 20, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- If coaches are hardest on players they think have potential, well, the 49ers must believe Delanie Walker will become a star.
The rookie is in the unenviable position of playing under two of the 49ers' most demanding assistants, offensive coordinator Norv Turner and tight ends coach Pete Hoener. And it's a rare day when one of them isn't barking into the earhole of Walker's helmet.
The sweet-natured Walker, who stood out last Friday in his first NFL game, is the first to admit he has a lot to learn. After playing wideout in college, he is cramming two new positions this summer -- tight end and the latest wrinkle in the 49ers' offense, F-back.
Turner's system calls for constant motion and shifting, and the F-back runs nearly as much before the snap as he does after it. On one play Walker will line up in the backfield. On the next he will wind up on the end of the offensive line. Later in the game he might be split outside like a receiver.
"I'm trying to get into the playbook every night, but it's definitely been hard," Walker said. "The biggest thing is knowing where you have to line up at the end of the call."
He isn't alone as far as late-night study sessions go.
Eric Johnson, a five-year veteran with a Yale degree, admitted that at times his mind has been "jumbled" by his new responsibilities.
But if the 49ers' offensive players get confused by the F-back's inability to stay still, imagine how opposing middle linebackers and safeties feel.
"It can create matchup issues," Johnson said. "More importantly, it's to throw the defense off right before the snap."
The 49ers use the term F-back because the player often begins the formation as a fullback. But Turner admits it's just a new name for an old position.
The Los Angeles Rams used Pete Holohan in that capacity when Turner was the team's receivers/tight ends coach in the late 1980s. Jay Novacek filled the role when Turner was with the Cowboys. St. Louis' Marshall Faulk plays a version of F-back, as did former Cardinals fullback Larry Centers, whose 826 receptions are the most ever for a running back.
An effective F-back needs to have a variety of skills, and as it happens, the 49ers' roster teems with guys who fit that description.
Rookie running back Michael Robinson, for example, handled everything from split end to quarterback at Penn State and has looked sharp breaking tackles and catching the ball for the 49ers. That combination has prompted position coach Bishop Harris to begin whispering in Robinson's ear about what the similarly talented Centers was able to accomplish at the position.
"Sometimes the F blocks. Sometimes the F motions out and is put on linebacker," Robinson said. "If I'm on a linebacker, I feel it's a mismatch."
The 49ers also intend to create matchup problems with tight ends Johnson and Walker, both of whom were wide receivers in college.
Walker broke the school record at Central Missouri State with 65 catches last year, and he showed off those skills in the team's preseason opener against the Bears. Walker tied Antonio Bryant for a team-high five catches for 54 yards -- all of them from the F-back position.
On the team's final touchdown drive, Walker took a handoff on a reverse 16 yards, touching off a few screams of encouragement from the 49ers' sideline.
"That's the F reverse," Walker said. "I love that play. I knew it was going to open up big.
"Don't worry, we've got some more surprises for teams. We've got things that are going to be a big surprise."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.