49ers Minicamp Link Dump/Open Thread

by Fooch on May 2, 2008 10:56 PM PDT in News

It's official: The new 49ers are in uniform for the first time since free agency and the draft. The May mini-camp is underway and I thought I'd set this thread up for any articles or thoughts people may have. There are plenty of places to find eyewitness information. Rather than link to every post by Maiocco or Barrows check out:

Matt Maiocco's Blog

Matt Barrows' Blog

Niner Insider

The most interest information is of course who has been lining up with the first team offense and defense:

offense
LT: Joe Staley
LG: Adam Snyder
C: Eric Heitmann
RG: Tony Wragge
RT: Jonas Jennings
TE: Vernon Davis
RB: Frank Gore
FB: Moran Norris
WR: Isaac Bruce
WR: Bryant Johnson
QB: Alex Smith

Defense
RDE: Justin Smith
NT: Aubrayo Franklin
LDE: Isaac Sopoaga
OLB: Tully Banta-Cain
OLB: Parys Haralson
ILB: Patrick Willis
ILB: Jeff Ulbrich
SS: Michael Lewis
FS: Mark Roman
CB: Walt Harris
CB: Nate Clements

With Baas injured, it makes sense for Wragge to get the initial start at right guard. I would assume training camp will see Chilo Rachal getting playing time with the first string offense. Apparently Dontarrious Thomas and Brandon Moore lined up as inside linebackers with the second team. Reports after the draft
indicated Moore would back up Willis, while Ulbrich and Thomas would split time at the Ted. And with Manny Lawson rehabbing his injury, Haralson gets the first team nod for now.

As more information comes up I'll do what I can to get it posted here. In the meantime, feel free to use this as a thread for mini-camp discussions (and anything else really). I'd expect that we wouldn't see anybody getting much of a bump in the depth chart after a weekend mini-camp, but I'd imagine crazier things have happened.

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Comments

I am so happy

to see Staley on the left where he belongs, and Jennings on the right, where he belongs.

What were the details of Lawson’s injury? When is he expected back?

by rufio on May 3, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

+1

I am also interested in Lawson’s rehab. Is there even a timetable as of yet?

by shlecko on May 3, 2008 8:02 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Lawson

The team doctors wanted to give Lawson another month off, so he should be back in time to participate (to some extent) during OTAs, and will most definitely be back in time for training camp and preseason.

by sfgfan on May 5, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Kentwan Balmer, DE

Sounds like Balmer will start out at right DE and then transition into the NT.

by methodrampage on May 3, 2008 12:01 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

I love sopoaga…. im pumped he got his contract but i was hoping he would start at NT… I’m not a big Franklin fan… it seems like nolan shows a little favortism towards the ex-raven….. I know sopoaga could be effective at NT and then we could get our young talent at DE some PT… like Balmer, McDonald, and Oliver.

by Qbgetter13 on May 3, 2008 12:43 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

We're like opposites

Sopoaga has never impressed me very much, and he’s always looked more comfortable to me at end.

But, that’s why they’re called “opinions.”

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on May 3, 2008 4:38 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Sopoaga @ end

He’s probably more comfortable at end because it’s the type of player he is. I don’t think he’s ever been a serious multi-gap player or played like he had tons of size. He plays like he’s a 300 pound 4-3 DT, meaning he likes to slash and penetrate more. That’s why he’s been lower on the team’s depth chart during the Nolan regime, as he doesn’t seem like he wants to grasp that the to be a DT, he needs to take one for the team.

Franklin, while smaller, knows how to take on blocks and doesn’t look to penetrate. However, if Balmer shows that he’s a really capable DE, Sopoaga may be forced back inside, at which, he may lose out to Franklin, still.

by sfgfan on May 5, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs