Jimmy Raye spoke to the media yesterday afternoon and as always I thought there were a few comments worth pulling out. People generally seem to enjoy his media transcripts because he provides a bit more insight than we might otherwise find.

Raye spoke in depth about the development of rookies Anthony Dixon and Nate Byham. This is particularly pertinent given our recent discussion of Brit Miller and the fullback battle. I realize Byham is listed as a tight end and plays mostly tight end, but the team has utilized him in a fullback and H-back type of role, so it's useful info:

On the blocking improvements of RB Anthony Dixon and TE Nate Byham between the first two preseason games:

"Tremendous from week one to week two. And as I told them Tuesday, we got sacked over in Indianapolis four times, we got sacked the other night once, and we had one penalty on offense; so we played much improved. The versatility of Nate is increasing in terms of his ability to play, to move position in the backfield and then on the line, tight end. And Dixon played better in pass protection; he's ahead of schedule in the run part of it because that's the easier part for him; it comes easier for him. He played better a week ago. We're continuing to have blitz periods in practice. Communication for him and being able to see things when they switch, but it's not so much the sacks I'm worried about, it's the hits on the quarterback. Those are the ones that you have to try to cut down or eliminate. If we can get that down to a minimum because that affects the quarterback more than being sacked, if you get hit, that causes you to start looking at the rush more than the coverage. Sacks, you get sacked to get tackled. But when you throw it and you step into it and you get hit and you keep getting hit and knocked down, that's what we're trying to shore up and eliminate at this point."

Miller has gone through quite the seesaw among 49ers fans. Early in camp he was the guy everybody was psyched about. Now, while people might still be pulling for him, the crowd support is not quite so vocal. Although the 49ers have only played half their preseason games, one would imagine this week is a big one for backups to make some noise. Obviously there's the fourth game against the Chargers, but at that point, it's going to be tough to make a different impression.

Raye was also fairly forthcoming about his views on Josh Morgan in the upcoming season:

"Well I think Josh has made tremendous strides and improvements in terms of being a route-running receiver. I wouldn't refer to him as a possession receiver, but the quarterback is very comfortable with him in the short, the immediate area. He has ability to get up on top. I would think he would be a factor and his play will improve because of the other people on the field and we'll give him more room and opportunity to work against the side of the field that he's on based on where [WR Michael] Crabtree and [TE Vernon] Davis and [WR Ted] Ginn are displaced. So I would expect his contribution to be greater than it was a year ago."

In light of my comments about Morgan's potential fantasy impact in 2010, this is certainly an intriguing bit of news. Obviously it's only talk right now, particularly in light of his numbers (or lack there of) in the preseason. However, it makes sense that Raye would see him getting open more frequently given the weapons already on the field.

The final major talking points were in regards to the offensive line:

"I'm getting better with it. I think the test Saturday will be another examination of where we are. I think the Raiders have a huge front, a good rush front, big people; [DE Richard] Seymour and [LB Kamerion] Wimbley in particular, and then [DT John] Henderson. It'll be a good test. It'll be another evaluation process that will help us and understand that it is an evaluation process so that we can further gauge where we are going into the season and what we expose our young group to; what risk-reward factor we take. So, I think we're doing OK there. The continuity is getting better, but it's still youth, it's still young and the preparation and evaluation going forward will help us in terms of planning for them going into the season."

I'm definitely happy the offensive line is getting a ton of playing time together in the preseason. The first game of the regular season is at Seattle, which will be a very tough challenge for Davis and Iupati. You can't really prepare for the crowd noise all that sufficiently in practice. It's really just something the young guys will have to experience and adapt accordingly.

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Coach Mike Singletary spoke to the media today and he made an assortment of interesting comments that are worth pulling out from the transcript posted after the jump. A lot of times we don't get a lot of insight as Coach Singletary seems to play things close to the vest.

Arguably the most significant comments related to David Baas and Dominique Zeigler. As to Baas, Singletary said:

On whether G Tony Wragge is still in competition to replace C Eric Heitmann:

"Well, yes. I think he is, but the fact that [guard David] Baas had a really good showing last week; the thing that we wanted to know was if Baas could do it. And it's just one of those things where you never really know until you get in the game and Baas just really handled himself really well. He handled the calls really well, the protections, he snapped the ball with ease. So there was a lot of comfort in that. So yes, [guard Tony] Wragge is still in that, but at the same time I think Baas did a really nice job last week and hopefully we can continue to go forward with that."

While Singletary hasn't completely ruled Tony Wragge out of the starting center position, it's safe to say, based on these comments, that David Baas has a sizable lead in the battle for the starting center role. It would seem to take something pretty bad to remove David Baas from the starting center role.

What I found interesting about this media session was that Coach Singletary had a lot to say about Dominique Zeigler. While Zeigler is apparently going to be nothing more than an emergency option as a punt returner, he has done enough in all aspects of the wide receiver position that it seems like we should be fairly surprised if he doesn't make the roster. Maybe not stunned, but at least a little bit surprised.

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After yesterday's practice 49ers OC Jimmy Raye and QB Alex Smith both spoke to the media. We posted Jimmy Raye's transcript yesterday afternoon and I thought I'd post Smith's today. It's after the jump.

A little over a week ago I put together a post looking at what we might want to see from Smith in the preseason games to give folks some level of confidence heading into the 2010 regular season. I mentioned the idea of closing out some scoring drives, among other things. Obviously we didn't see that this past Sunday as Smith struggled a bit with some inaccuracy. I'm willing to blame it on rust in that first game. Smith recognized the struggles in his discussions with the media today:

On looking back at the game film from the first preseason game:

"I guess I look back on all our plays with the first group, 14, 15 plays. Didn't finish, didn't finish anything is kind of what I looked at. We turned over the ball, didn't finish plays, had a penalty, didn't finish throws or catches, kind of off. We missed opportunities because of that and I think in the NFL you don't get a lot of second chances in games like that. Obviously, it was an exhibition game and we didn't game plan at all for them. We didn't even look at one piece of film or anything. But with that said, obviously you'd love to go out there and I think you look to be in a good frame of mind as an offense, an offense that's communicating well. I don't put any crazy expectations as far as points or anything like that. I think you look for us to go out there and execute obviously at a decent level. I don't think we did that."

Heading into this Sunday's battle with the Vikings, we're all expecting improvement and hopefully some of that rust will be cleaned up. The Vikings bring a solid defense to the table, which should provide a stiff test for Smith and the 49ers offense.

One issue that affects accuracy and the offense as a whole is the timing between a QB and his wide receivers. Michael Crabtree hurt his neck and sat out this past Sunday. It sounds like he's been practicing on a limited basis so I'm not sure what that means for Sunday. Crabtree obviously can step in and make the necessary plays without a ton of preparation, as we learned last season. And yet, the timing between a QB and arguably his #1 receiver (Vernon Davis will have something to say about that) will be essential for this offense to be able to take it to "the next level." Obviously if a healthy Crabtree requires him to sit out another game, so be it. But let's hope he can get back on the field this Sunday.

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Given all the excitement of the last few days, it would have been easy to forget that the team has things like practice during the week, and we're still involved in training camp. Who woulda thunk it?

The 49ers continue to look to get healthy from a rash of injuries. Prior to this week they had some pretty bad injuries, but at this point, the injuries from this past week don't seem to rough. Vernon Davis continues to sit out, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him sit out this Sunday night against the Vikings. Brandon Jones and Brandon Long are also dealing with some bumps and bruises.

The worst of the new crop in terms of a combination of length of time and the player impacted would have to be punt returner and wide receiver Kyle Williams. Williams appears to have turf toe, which is always a tough injury. And, while he didn't blow things up this past Sunday, he showed enough to get folks excited about his possible contributions as a punt returner.

Some folks outside the Bay Area have said this hurts his chances of making the roster. While it certainly doesn't help his chances, would the 49ers be willing to write him off just because of the injury, just like that? I'm hoping the team will have him healthy at least in time for the preseason finale versus San Diego on September 2. If he can get healthy by then he could get one more chance to show his stuff.

However, if Williams misses the rest of the postseason preseason, what do people see happening to him? Does the team roll the dice based on one preseason game, or do they hope they can get him on the practice squad? Or does it depend on how the other punt return options, which are dwindling, do in the next couple games?

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I managed to score some brief Internet access at a coffee shop in the Planet Hollywood casino's Miracle Mile Shops and came across the Glen Coffee insanity. Reading through the comments in Tre9er's FanShot was certainly amusing seeing some folks actually on the ledge over a busted third round pick that wasn't likely to play a huge role this year. Not to say that it sucks blowing a third round pick (because it does), but that and the Balmer nonsense is not the end of the world. I wish Glen Coffee the best of luck and if he is doing this because of a higher calling, more power to him. I know some folks think he'll be back eventually, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. So, best of luck Glenn.

For those who want to continue discussing Glen Coffee, head to Ninjames' thread that followed up Tre9er's FanShot. Thanks to Tre for getting the initial FanShot and James for putting together the thread itself. We'll certainly have more about this as more information breaks. And for those outside the organization who bring up the thought of overwork by Singletary (as mentioned by folks in our thread, and naturally brought up by Peter King), maybe the 49ers should worry if they get some of the leaders on the team complaining. Nothing is as fun as speculating about something with next to no information to base it on. Way to go Peter King. But please take discussion of that topic to the Coffee thread.

In the meantime, I thought we'd mix things up a bit with an always favorite old topic: Alex Smith. Before people start throwing fits, the 49ers sent out transcripts for today's media sessions and Smith took a few minutes to speak about the offense and his arm heading into Sunday.

For purposes of relatively "new information," Smith spoke a bit about how his arm is feeling heading at this point in camp heading into Sunday's game:

On how his arm feels:

"It feels good, camp arm. Compared to the last couple years though, not even close. I don't have any more of the soreness or the aching that I had the last couple years, so it feels really good. For as many reps and throws as I'm getting, I'm happy with where I'm at."

On the limited soreness and it being a positive sign:

"I think so. I think the more strength you get back, the more mobility you get back. I don't know, break down that scar tissue I guess. I don't totally know the signs behind it, but I do know that it's getting better and better the more I get away from it."

On what he does to keep his arm safe and healthy and how the team monitors his throws:

"Different things. I kind of think that I like that they are doing it because I think it's something that doesn't happen a lot around the league, guys tracking pitch counts and things like that. I like it, you do different things. Ice is the main thing, ice and rest, that I do. But obviously continue to train in the weight room, getting your shoulder and mobility in there as well. So those are things that I focus on, and then the biggest thing I think it's just knowing your body, knowing your shoulder, being conscious of it, not pushing it too far, not doing stupid things with it. I'm at the point now where I'm being vocal about it where I'm like ‘I'm good, or I've had enough throws.' If it comes to that point just being ready to speak your mind."

Is there anybody out there that has played a bit of QB, or even someone who's been a baseball pitcher at some level? I ask because I'm curious if anybody has experienced anything like this and has any insight into it? Given his shoulder issues in the past, he seems to be generally pleased with how he feels. Given the shoulder problems during his 49ers career, I'd think he'd be especially attuned to potential problems there. 

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I was taking a look back at the "49ers training camp battles at the first turn" post I did on August 2, and it's amazing how quickly the defensive position battles changed fairly drastically. The defensive battles included the following:

Left Defensive End: Isaac Sopoaga vs. Kentwan Balmer vs. Ray McDonald

Starting Outside Linebackers: Parys Haralson vs. Manny Lawson vs. Ahmad Brooks

Backup Ted Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman vs. Scott McKillop

Of those three, for the short term the starting outside linebackers is set until Brooks' lacerated kidney heals. Scott McKillop's season ending injury called the backup Ted battle. Of course, Bowman has been a revelation in camp and probably would have won that battle anyways. I have to say I'm excited to see Bowman on Sunday. He's one guy to whom I plan on paying particularly close attention.

I'll move left defensive end to its own paragraph because of the bizarre and insane nature of the Kentwan Balmer saga. One day in the not too distant future, somebody will write an ode to this completely random and odd time in the life of the 49ers. At this point, given the player involved, I would argue fans are more perplexed and annoyed by the whole situation, as opposed to actually concerned. It's annoying to see a first round pick bust, but at this point, I just want to move past it. As I mentioned on the Stampede Blue podcast, we're talking about a reserve defensive lineman. It sucks, but whatever at this point.

Looking to Sunday

There are plenty of players that will be competing for some amount of playing time this Sunday. Looking at Matt Maiocco's projected depth chart for Sunday, there are numerous battles that will be available for our viewing pleasure.

Aside from Ray McDonald's battle for the left defensive end position, he'll be battling with Demetric Evans for the role of first defensive end off the bench to spell Sopoaga or Smith, but also for when the team goes to a four-man front on passing downs.

It will also be interesting to see what combinations of Reggie Smith, Taylor Mays, and Curtis Taylor we see in the secondary after Dashon Goldson and Michael Lewis hit the bench. Chris Maragos will get his licks as well, but I'm of the belief that Smith, Mays, and Taylor are the ones most likely to stick around into the season.

In looking over the defense, what players are you most excited to watch do battle on Sunday?

For me, Ricky Jean Francois will be doing a lot of dirty work, but I'm really quite excited to see how much he's improved based on all the talk coming out of camp. I could end up disappointed, but I'm still excited to see how he is doing. In the linebackers I'm excited to see NaVorro Bowman given all the talk of his performances in camp. And, of course, in the secondary I'd imagine everybody is excited to see Taylor Mays finally talk the field for the 49ers in real action.

What position battles and players are you going to be paying close attention to on Sunday?

After the jump I've posted Coach Manusky's post-practice media session.

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Afternoon practice has just started, and Michael Crabtree is sitting out again. Personally, I want Crabtree sit out for awhile, at least a week. I don't want any chance of that neck getting worse. Some veterans that are out are Willis, Spikes, LaBoy, Sims, Lewis, Jones and Justin Smith. Brit Miller is present, not sure if he's practicing.

I did this awhile back and it seemed to go over well - I'll be updating this post with tweets from training camp, maybe with my own thoughts thrown in. Their twitters are here: Barber, Maiocco, and Barrows.

Jump.

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Just sayin'. I don't want to come off as a fanboy (I totally am) but Zeigler legitimately is the "haps" today. Zeigler had a field day with other receivers being out or taking it easy. Michael Crabtree and Brandon Jones were out, and Jason Hill mixed his way into the lineup eventually, but it was all Zeigler, all day. Maiocco noted (here), as well as Barrows (here), just how good of a day Ziggy had.

Been saying for awhile now how much he can bring to this group of wide receivers. Given Alex Smith's tendency to throw over the head of a receiver, a player with the leaping ability of Dominique Zeigler can be very valuable. I will say that he's never looked as good as he is now, though. He made several leaping catches and put up a couple of touchdowns in one of his best practice performances yet.

With Crabtree, Ginn and Morgan as locks and Kyle Williams as a potential slot option and special teams returner, it's clear to see that Zeigler, Brandon Jones and Jason Hill are competing for a roster spot. One has to think Jones doesn't have much of a shot at this point as he's injured - yet again.

Jump for less Zeigler, more other stuff that I don't care about because it's not Zeigler.

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