Aside from the quarterback situation, Josh Morgan has been the next biggest story over the last ten days.  He was making a name for himself with the coaching stafff in practice as he got first team reps due to Ashley Lelie, Bryant Johnson and Arnaz Battle suffering injuries.  Then in game situations against the Raiders and Packers, the 6th round pick out of Virginia Tech took it up a notch, making a name for himself on a more national level.

After last week's game, I broke down each of Morgan's four impact plays (all receptions).  Morgan had an even better game against the Packers, so it only seemed right to break down his performance.  Morgan was involved in eight passing plays, finishing with 5 receptions, 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

Play #1 - Incomplete Pass - Morgan was covered by Al Harris - He ran a short 2-yard crossing route across the middle of the field (Harris had dropped back into a zone coverage and nobody picked up Morgan); O'Sullivan just overthrew Morgan so that it went off the very tips of his left hand.  Had the pass been on the money, the safety was closing in and would have likely stopped him for a short gain.  Nothing Morgan could really do there

Play #2 - Incomplete Pass - Morgan was covered by Charles Woodson - I couldn't tell where he lined up or what the route was because of a graphic CBS had up at the snap.  Woodson broke up the pass with a nice little reach, however it looked a little underthrown.  in reviewing O'Sullivan's throw, he had some decent protection but a couple guys were breaking through and he seemed to short arm the pass just a little bit.  A little more behind it and he could have thrown it into Morgan's outstretched hands beyond Woodson's reach.

Play #3 - 3-yard reception - Morgan lined up to the right and was covered by nickel back Tramon Williams.  He ran a very quick 3-yard pattern on 3rd and 2, giving him enough space to make the first down.  Last week on 3rd and 18 or so he ran 15 yards out and after the catch couldn't get the first down.  Obviously it is easier to get past the sticks when you only have to go 3 yards, but it was still a good thing to see him do.

Play #4 - 22-yard reception - Morgan lined up to the short left covered by Jarrett Bush, a 2nd or 3rd string CB (depending on who you ask).  Hill had been split out wide to the other side of the field, but went in motion to line up just past Morgan.  Morgan ran a corner route and O'Sullivan dropped the pass right over his left shoulder.  It bobbled a little but he gained possession before going out of bounds at the Packers 3.  It wasn't the prettiest pass from O'Sullivan but the location probably could not have been more perfect.

Play #5 - 59-yard TD reception - Morgan lined up to the far right and was covered by Jarrett Bush.  Bush gave Morgan a push at the line but Morgan just pushed Bush away and ran what appeared to just be a go route.  On the replay, it appeared Bush was playing a short zone coverage, expecting the free safety, Nick Collins to cover him over the top.  A key to breaking such a big play was that Collins went to cover Jason Hill when Hill ran a short out pattern, even though Bush had Hill covered in his zone.  That allowed Morgan to blow right past him (Collins) and with the money pass from O'Sullivan, Morgan was going to the house.  Atari Bigby got a hand on Morgan's leg at the 10 but Morgan kicked it away pretty easily.

Play #6 - Incomplete Pass - Morgan lined up to the left in the slot, covered by Bush.  He had Bush beat easily by a couple yards but Smith underthrew it.  If it had been thrown in stride Morgan has his 2nd TD of the game.

Play #7 - 3-yard reception - Morgan lined up to the right in the slot, covered by 2nd string linebacker Tracy White.  Morgan zigged in and then quickly cut out on a play-action by Smith.  Morgan appeared to be the dump off option after Smith rolled out looking down field.  He went down to his knees and had to reach a little to haul it in, and I thought he showed good hands as he had to bring it in while sliding out of bounds.

Play #8 - 27-yard reception - Morgan was split out wide to the right, covered again by Jarrett Bush.  He ran what appeared to be a long 20-yard curl pattern.  Smith threw it a bit high, but Morgan was able to jump up and haul it in and pick up an additional 7 yards thanks in part to a nice stiff arm on Bush.

The running theme in most of these plays?  Jarrett Bush was Josh Morgan's personal bitch.  Bush's scouting report indicates he's more of a special teams dynamo who lacks deep speed and recovery ability when working as a cornerback.  Over at the Packers website, Bush is listed as a third teamer so clearly he's not going to see a ton of action at corner.

While I definitely enjoyed the 59-yard touchdown reception, it was in large part a product of a mistake by Nick Collins.  The two plays I enjoyed the most were actually play #6, an incompletion and play #8, the 27 yard reception.  In the first one he clearly burned Bush and was ready to make the big play.  In the latter play, he appeared to find a perfect seam in the zone and then used his physicality to gain an additional 7 yards.

In re-watching Morgan I'm able to temper my enthusiasm somewhat.  I still think he's got all the tools to be a very solid cornerback and in two games he's shown steady improvements in his game.  One key for any young receiver is recognizing mistakes in the defense and taking advantage of them.  At the same time, stick a #1 or #2 corner on him and he will probably struggle a little bit; not exactly a shocking statement considering he is only a rookie.  I certainly hope I'm not coming across as Debbie Downer.  I simply want to present both sides of the case.  Trust me, I'm still excited for what Josh Morgan is capable of doing.

This Thursday against the Bears will be the next test in the youngster's developing career.  The Bears bring very solid cornerbacks so we'll see if Morgan can make some plays early against the #1s.

While it'sonly the second preseason game of the season, it's also already the second game of the preseason.  The first team offense and defense will get a half of play under the belt.  The Packers finished last season 17th against the pass and 8th against the run.  Not spectacular against the pass, but Al Harris and Charles Woodson are definitely nothing to sneeze at.  Suffice to say, the 49ers offense will face a stiff challenge by ground and by air. 

On the other hand, the Packers offense was 5th in the air and 9th on the ground.  I'm not sure how the passing game will translate under Aaron Rodgers, but Ryan Grant is back running the ball, looking to build on an impressive 2007.  After getting thrashed by the Raiders running game, the 49ers will be looking to bounce back and put up a slightly stiffer front (that's what she said).  Although, I just checked Acme Packing Company, and it looks like Grant might be out.  If so, even more reason to do a better job against the run.

August 26 is the first cut-down date (to 75 players) and some positional battles are heating up, both for roster spots and for depth chart rotation.

Josh Morgan - We've talked plenty about the rookie receiver from Virginia Tech.  However, this is a particularly interesting matchup because of the corners he'll be facing.  Due to injuries, Morgan will be in the starting lineup.  This means a chance to square off against Charles Woodson or Al Harris.  This will be a big test for the rookie (as well as J.T. O'Sullivan).  You never want to get too excited after just one good performance in the preseason.  However, if Morgan can put up a second good performance against a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, I think it's safe to say Fooch will be getting more excited (first ever reference to myself in the 3rd person I think).

Louis Holmes - Holmes has been getting more and more press as he seems to be impressing during practice, even getting some first team reps.  However, he now finds himself in a potential numbers crunch, competing with Tully Banta-Cain, Roderick Green and Jay Moore.  Barrows had some interesting comments about the four players:

Holmes, who has shown real promise as a pass rusher, is an obvious practice-squad candidate, but the 49ers would risk him being plucked off it by a team with room on its active roster. Banta-Cain disappointed last year with just 3.5 sacks, but he is the most versatile of the bunch and there's a sense that he'll be more effective in a reserve role just as he was in New England. Green has been perhaps the best pass rusher of this latter group. But his versatility is limited and the 49ers know (from history) there's little risk in cutting him and bringing him back midseason if need be. Moore, meanwhile, hasn't shown much of a pass rush and is still very much in learning mode when it comes to coverage duties. He is practice-squad eligible.

I would like to see Jay Moore make the roster, but I'm feeling more and more like he will end up on the practice squad.  Holmes sounds motivated to make the roster, but the numbers crunch might get in the way.  If he can make some noise against the Packers, maybe he can force the situation.

Keith Lewis - Up to this point I considered Lewis pretty secure in his roster spot.  Barrows mentioned today that he thinks one of the final defensive backs could come down to either Lewis or Marcus Hudson.  In comparing the two, Barrows said Lewis's strengths being special teams place and solid backup play at strong safety, while his main weakness is a lack of speed and versatility.  Hudson, on the other hand, has less experience but more versatility in the secondary and is showing some special teams spark.  I'm not sure how strong a performance Lewis would need to secure his spot, but it'd be interesting to see which way the 49ers go.  Lewis has always been an under the radar guy, but considering he led the team in special teams tackles in 2007, he might be worth keeping around.

The team still has the Packers game and next Thursday's matchup at Chicago (along with several more practices) before the 75-man cut down date.  The third preseason game is usually where the starters go upwards of 3 quarters, so backups need to make things happen sooner rather than later.