http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13335022p-14177047c.html
Scuffles a welcome sign in 49ers training camp
Coach Mike Nolan likes the spunk his team is showing.
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, August 1, 2005
SANTA CLARA - The 49ers showed more fight Sunday than they did all last season.
As the team's afternoon practice drew to a close, tackle Jonas Jennings took exception to what he considered a rough hit on the quarterback by reserve defensive end Corey Smith. The two shared a few harsh words - "Stay off my quarterback!" Jennings was heard yelling - and had to be restrained by teammates.
Training camp fisticuffs, of course, aren't unusual. What is notable, however, is that last year's 49ers squad made it through the entire summer session without getting into a melee before going 2-14 during the regular season.
Another indication that this year's team will have a new, meaner attitude is how coach Mike Nolan reacted immediately after the fracas, allowing the two sides to vent their frustration in the first full-contact scrimmage of the season.
Defensive players, especially rookie cornerback Daven Holly and linebacker Ray Wells, delivered several big hits before rookie receiver Fred Amey (Sacramento State) dove across the goal line on a reverse to end practice.
"Everybody wanted to fight, so we just let them punch it out a little bit," Nolan said. "... That was a good thing. That shows that guys are competing."
Nolan said he liked the intensity Sunday but also was wary about wearing his team out too early. To that end, the coach said he already had decided to cut back the total number of padded practices this summer from 17 to 14.
In addition, he said there will be a good deal of contact in training camp, but not a lot of tackling.
"We're trying to stay away from tackle football because that's where guys get twisted up a little more," he said.
On target - Quarterback Alex Smith ran the first-team offense for the second straight day and looked fluid and accurate, especially on short and intermediate passes. His best pass of the day may have been a 15-yarder over the middle to tight end Eric Johnson fired through traffic.
Like the other quarterbacks, however, Smith appeared to have trouble throwing deep in the steady afternoon wind. The rookie threw his first training-camp interception on a pass that deflected off receiver P.J. Fleck and was grabbed by safety Tony Parrish.
Et cetera - Nolan said he plans to form a three-or four-player committee to keep him posted on the tenor in the locker room. The team's elder statesman, Bryant Young, will likely be a member. "I need about four Big Brothers on the team that can bring me info, and BY will be one of those guys," Nolan said.
* Kicker Joe Nedney has been consistently sending his kickoffs into the end zone, something Todd Peterson had trouble with last season.
* The team signed guard Paul Zukauskas. The 320-pounder started 15 games for the Cleveland Browns over the last two years and takes the roster spot of Khiawatha Downey, who was released Saturday.
Camp Buzz
Sights and sounds from 49ers training camp
Hit of the day
Saturday, Kevan Barlow had trouble with the sun. Sunday, linebacker Brandon Moore had Barlow seeing stars when he plowed over the running back on his way to the quarterback. The two clashed again on the following play, and to his credit, Barlow held firm that time.
Block of the day
Tackle Kwame Harris, a dud on the left side of the line the last two seasons, looked far more at home on the right side when he knocked down both defensive end Chris Cooper and linebacker Saleem Rasheed on the same play. The double pancake (short stack?) drew loud applause from the 2,000 or so spectators.
Catch of the day
Diminutive receiver P.J. Fleck (5-foot-10) came up with the biggest offensive play when he fought off defensive back Randee Drew and dove for a catch on a deep sideline pass from Ken Dorsey.
Quote of the day
"We don't get enough face time anyway; if I had a visor on, too many people wouldn't know who I am."
– Barlow on whether he'll wear the tinted face shield he’s been donning this summer when the season begins.
The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
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Signs of life from the 49ers? I LIKE IT!!
Scuffles a welcome sign in 49ers training camp
Coach Mike Nolan likes the spunk his team is showing.
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, August 1, 2005
SANTA CLARA - The 49ers showed more fight Sunday than they did all last season.
As the team's afternoon practice drew to a close, tackle Jonas Jennings took exception to what he considered a rough hit on the quarterback by reserve defensive end Corey Smith. The two shared a few harsh words - "Stay off my quarterback!" Jennings was heard yelling - and had to be restrained by teammates.
Training camp fisticuffs, of course, aren't unusual. What is notable, however, is that last year's 49ers squad made it through the entire summer session without getting into a melee before going 2-14 during the regular season.
Another indication that this year's team will have a new, meaner attitude is how coach Mike Nolan reacted immediately after the fracas, allowing the two sides to vent their frustration in the first full-contact scrimmage of the season.
Defensive players, especially rookie cornerback Daven Holly and linebacker Ray Wells, delivered several big hits before rookie receiver Fred Amey (Sacramento State) dove across the goal line on a reverse to end practice.
"Everybody wanted to fight, so we just let them punch it out a little bit," Nolan said. "... That was a good thing. That shows that guys are competing."
Nolan said he liked the intensity Sunday but also was wary about wearing his team out too early. To that end, the coach said he already had decided to cut back the total number of padded practices this summer from 17 to 14.
In addition, he said there will be a good deal of contact in training camp, but not a lot of tackling.
"We're trying to stay away from tackle football because that's where guys get twisted up a little more," he said.
On target - Quarterback Alex Smith ran the first-team offense for the second straight day and looked fluid and accurate, especially on short and intermediate passes. His best pass of the day may have been a 15-yarder over the middle to tight end Eric Johnson fired through traffic.
Like the other quarterbacks, however, Smith appeared to have trouble throwing deep in the steady afternoon wind. The rookie threw his first training-camp interception on a pass that deflected off receiver P.J. Fleck and was grabbed by safety Tony Parrish.
Et cetera - Nolan said he plans to form a three-or four-player committee to keep him posted on the tenor in the locker room. The team's elder statesman, Bryant Young, will likely be a member. "I need about four Big Brothers on the team that can bring me info, and BY will be one of those guys," Nolan said.
* Kicker Joe Nedney has been consistently sending his kickoffs into the end zone, something Todd Peterson had trouble with last season.
* The team signed guard Paul Zukauskas. The 320-pounder started 15 games for the Cleveland Browns over the last two years and takes the roster spot of Khiawatha Downey, who was released Saturday.
Camp Buzz
Sights and sounds from 49ers training camp
Hit of the day
Saturday, Kevan Barlow had trouble with the sun. Sunday, linebacker Brandon Moore had Barlow seeing stars when he plowed over the running back on his way to the quarterback. The two clashed again on the following play, and to his credit, Barlow held firm that time.
Block of the day
Tackle Kwame Harris, a dud on the left side of the line the last two seasons, looked far more at home on the right side when he knocked down both defensive end Chris Cooper and linebacker Saleem Rasheed on the same play. The double pancake (short stack?) drew loud applause from the 2,000 or so spectators.
Catch of the day
Diminutive receiver P.J. Fleck (5-foot-10) came up with the biggest offensive play when he fought off defensive back Randee Drew and dove for a catch on a deep sideline pass from Ken Dorsey.
Quote of the day
"We don't get enough face time anyway; if I had a visor on, too many people wouldn't know who I am."
– Barlow on whether he'll wear the tinted face shield he’s been donning this summer when the season begins.
The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
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Signs of life from the 49ers? I LIKE IT!!
