Marcus Lattimore's health likely will be a concern throughout his NFL career, and the 49ers continue to take the cautious route for the running back.
Lattimore was placed on the active/non-football-injury list last week because of a "combination" of his past knee and hamstring issues, coach Jim Harbaugh said.
"We believe we're doing the best thing for Marcus," Harbaugh said, referred other questions to Jeff Ferguson, the 49ers' vice president of football operations. (I've since submitted an interview request.)
What I predict will happen: Lattimore will get cleared to practice soon -- if he hasn't seriously aggravated those past injuries -- but could land back on an injury list to start the regular season, and then the 49ers could activate him when needed thanks to their depth.
"As an organization we do what's best for the youngster of our team," Harbaugh said, noting that the "trainers and doctors" ultimately make the decision regarding players' availability.
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Two rookies, wide receiver Bruce Ellington and center Marcus Martin, landed on the active/NFI list because of ankle injuries that shouldn't keep them out for more than a few days, Harbaugh said, noting that Ellington's return is most imminent.
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Tight end Garrett Celek sustained pain in his back after Wednesday's conditioning drill and landed on the physically-unable-to-perform list, said Harbaugh. MRI results are pending.
SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis was interviewed outside the 49ers’ locker room Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript:
Q: How is it being back?
DAVIS: It’s great. It’s great being back. I’m extremely excited to be here and working with the guys again.
Q: Was it an easy decision to come?
DAVIS: It was a very easy decision. All you have to do is think about the team, and that’s what I did. I thought about my teammates, especially some of the guys like Frank Gore, guys who are on the last end of their contract, guys who I love and would die for. There is nothing like being here. There is nothing like it. It’s great. It’s such a blessing to be able to go out here and practice with these guys and get better.
Q: What do you hope happens with you contract?
DAVIS: You know what, that’s in the past. I’m not really worried about the contract. That’s between the team and my agent.
Q: Have they given you any indication that they’re going to talk about the contract now that you’re in camp?
DAVIS: You know what, that’s not my focus right now. That’s between the team and my agent at the moment. My focus is out here, trying to get better.
Q: How did you stay in shape while you weren’t here?
DAVIS: Just training, just practicing, just giving my all like I try to do each and every offseason. Just staying on top of it. It’s a business – you have to take care of yourself and do the proper things that it takes to be good at your craft. That’s what I’ve pretty much been doing.
Q: Where did you train?
DAVIS: You know what, I go right over to my gym, D-1 Sports, and I train there. I put all the work in that I possibly can to get better each and every day.
Q: Do you think it was a mistake to miss training camp?
DAVIS: You know what, at the time, sometimes things happen. I can’t really speak for that moment because, as I said, right now I’m just focused on training camp and I’m just trying to get better. The only thing I can think about right now is being out here with these guys and getting better.
Q: Did the 49ers fine you for the time you missed?
DAVIS: I’m sure they did. Absolutely.
Q: $270,000?
DAVIS: Oooh yeah, absolutely.
Q: Was it worth it to you?
DAVIS: You know what, I just love playing football. I love playing football. Any time that I’m away from these guys, I’m hurting, I’m hurting. And it really hurt me to be away from this group because we have such a special group. We definitely have a playoff team and we definitely want to get back to where we left off.
ME: So why did you do it? Why did you hold out of OTAs and mini-camp?
DAVIS: You know what, the contract issue is up to my agent and the 49ers, like I said. Just like anything, everybody always wants a deal – every player in the league. It’s just the nature of the game.
Q: Do you regret the media tour you did, going on ESPN and making those comments?
DAVIS: I can’t really, I vaguely remember the things that I said. I can’t really remember at the moment.
Q: Now that you’re here, you’re in it to win it, though, right? Regardless of your contract situation.
DAVIS: I’m in it to win it. It’s all about the team. It’s all about winning games.
Q: What’s your take on the playbook and what they did to simplify it?
DAVIS: I think it’s great, some of the changes that they made. I can’t really get into it like I want to because that’s our business here. The playbook is tough, it’s challenging. But the key is staying on top of it during the offseason, when you’re not doing anything, when you’re just sitting around. Stay on top of it. That’s something I had the opportunity to do even though I wasn’t here. I stayed on top of the playbook because I knew that eventually I would be back here.
Q: Jim Harbaugh had some pretty pointed words during your holdout. Did he have a conversation with you specifically?
DAVIS: No, he didn’t, he didn’t. But you know, as a coach, you’re supposed to do the right, you’re supposed to say the right thing, you’re supposed to be all about your team. I have nothing against Harbaugh. He can say the worst things in the world about me, I don’t care. He’s my coach. I’m still going to love him regardless. I come here to do my job and that’s it.
Q: Are you happy?
DAVIS: I’m elated. Everyone is excited to be here. We look forward to the future. We’re optimistic about the whole entire season. We’re just trying to get from Point a to Point B. We can do that by going out here and putting it all together and keep getting better.
Q: What do you think of Alex Boone holding out?
DAVIS: I have nothing to do with Alex Boone. That’s between him, his agent and the team.
Q: Are there going to be enough balls to go around with all these new receivers?
DAVIS: I hope so. It’s going to be great. We’ve got Stevie Johnson, (Michael) Crabtree, we’ve got all of those guys. At the end of the day if I’m just blocking, that’s good, too. If they’re catching passes, that’s good for me as well.
The 49ers didn't see much of Stevie Johnson on their practice field after they made a draft-day trade for him from the Buffalo Bills.
A hamstring strain limited Johnson's availability and cast mystery about his potential.
By passing Wednesday's conditioning drill, Johnson is ready to show what he can bring to a deeper receiving corps.
Does he have something to prove?
"Yeah, for sure," Johnson answered. "When you come off three straight 1,000 (-yard seasons) and you don’t get it the year after that, you feel you have to get better.
"That’s the goal collectively as a team. The Niners didn’t win a Super Bowl so we feel we have to get there and win."
Johnson had 597 receiving yards last season in his sixth and final season with the Bills. Prior to that, he had 1,073 yards (and 10 touchdowns) in 2010; 1,004 yards in 2011; 1,046 in 2012.
"I want to solidify myself as a contributor to the team," Johnson said. "That’s what we all want to do: be a valuable piece or asset to a championship team."
That team returns both starters in Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree. Johnson figures to see a lot of time, at least in three-receiver sets. Brandon Lloyd, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington are the unit's other leading candidates for roles.
"I can’t lie, it feels good to know you have other guys that can make big plays and it’s not all on your shoulders," Johnson said. "I’m happy to be a part of it and I’m sure the guys are happy to have me on the squad with them.
"Let’s get this thing rolling."
Asked how he’ll deal with a challenge from a phalanx of young and talented running backs this year, Frank Gore today smiled and said, “I’m from Miami, man.”
He could have left it at that. Gore became the hard-nosed running back he is today by fighting for carries, espcially at the talent-laden University of Miami where he first competed with Clinton Portis for a role in the Hurricanes backfield and later did the same with Willis McGahee. Gore was leading McGahee for the starting spot in 2002 when he blew out his knee and had to sit out the season.
Cornerback Chris Culliver said he's cleared to be on the field for Thursday's first full practice of training camp, a year after tearing his left knee's anterior cruciate ligament.
Culliver passed a conditioning test and gave a thumbs-up when asked how he's doing.
"I told you all I'd be ready," Culliver said Wednesday.
Culliver is expected to compete for his first starting job. Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook lined up at right cornerback in first-team drills during the offseason -- with Tramaine Brock on the left side -- while Culliver was limited to individual work.
Culliver served as the No. 3 cornerback behind Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers from 2011-12, totaling three regular-season interceptions as well as one in the 2012 season's NFC Championship win at Atlanta.
Culliver is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Last season went askew when Culliver's knee got hurt in an Aug. 1, non-contact drill running down on special-teams coverage.
Whether he gets a new deal remains to be seen, but the 49ers were spared one major headache with Vernon Davis’ decision to report to camp.
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The No. 1 mission of this 49ers training camp: boosting the Colin Kaepernick-led passing attack. It even has the defense raring to go for Thursday's first practice action. If the secondary can get its mitts on Kaepernick passes, both sides stand to grow.
"A huge goal for the secondary is to pick him off as many times as possible in training camp. He's trying to make us better, and we're trying to make him better," reasons safety Eric Reid, echoing the "iron sharpens iron" mantra of coach Jim Harbaugh.
Kaepernick, of course, has a few interceptions he'd like to erase. He had two passes picked -- and he lost a fumble on a sack -- in a forgettable fourth quarter that doomed the 49ers in last season's NFC Championship game loss at Seattle.
That crash landing underscored the 49ers' need to upgrade a passing attack that ranked 30th in yards per game. The additions of Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and Bruce Ellington appear to have done the trick -- even if Vernon Davis' contract discontent leaves some uncertainty at tight end.
Last season's finale also brought back memories of the 2012 season's ending, when Kaepernick threw three consecutive incompletions toward Michael Crabtree in a Super Bowl defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
The wounds are still fresh.
"That's something I constantly think about," Kaepernick said recently. "Not just red zone, but my play in general. How can I improve and how can I be better throughout the game?
"Whether it's taking a checkdown or whether it's making a big throw at the end of the championship game, what can I do different to make sure I'm making those plays?"
Training camp marks the 49ers' last chance to fine-tune their upgraded passing attack before they set out in search of their first Super Bowl victory in 20 years.
Much of that onus falls on Kaepernick, their dual-threat quarterback who recently signed a six-year contract extension worth up to $126 million. But he won't go it alone.
The 49ers tout the deepest receiving corps of Harbaugh's four-year tenure, and they have arguably the league's best offensive line. That's presuming the potential contract holdouts of Davis and right guard Alex Boone get settled, and that left guard Mike Iupati fully recovers from the broken left leg he suffered in the NFC title game.
Kaepernick needs to go through his pass-route progressions better and read defenses faster, his critics say. Of course, getting the ball over Seattle Seahawks nemesis Richard Sherman in crucial, game-altering moments also will help come Thanksgiving Night at Levi's Stadium.
The 49ers are certain Kaepernick can do it. His passer rating ranks third among the franchise's quarterback heritage, behind only two guys named Steve Young and Joe Montana. And Kaepernick's interception percentage (1.7) is a franchise-best.
But the 49ers clearly realized he couldn't improve the passing attack without better targets.
"We're a lot deeper at receiver," starter Anquan Boldin said.
First, the 49ers acquired San Francisco native Stevie Johnson in a draft-day trade with Buffalo. They lured Brandon Lloyd out of a one-year hiatus (as they did with Randy Moss in 2012). And they drafted speedster Bruce Ellington in the fourth round out of South Carolina.
"It gives us an opportunity as an offense to do a lot more," Kaepernick said. "You have a lot of weapons that you can put in a lot of different places. ... They all have the capability of getting open and making plays."
Perhaps most important, the 49ers re-signed Boldin and kept Crabtree healthy through the offseason (see: 2013 Achilles tear).
Crabtree is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Running back Frank Gore and Iupati also are unsigned beyond 2014. That trio's plight has been overshadowed by the offseason contract holdouts of Davis and Boone.
No matter who lines up on the 49ers' offense this fall, more is expected from them. None more than the guy behind center.
Said Reid, "Our ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, and we can't do that without our starting quarterback."
Here is a look at the 49ers roster, position-by-position, heading into training camp, with all players set to report Wednesday and the first full practice scheduled for Thursday (projected starters indicated with an asterisk):
Quarterbacks (5): *Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Josh Johnson, Kory Faulkner.
Kaepernick must take charge like never before in only his second camp as the starter. Gabbert has the inside track for the No. 2 role vacated by Colt McCoy. Johnson is battling for the No. 3 role as in 2012, when he lost to Scott Tolzien. Johnson thinks his mobility better suits a Kaepernick-oriented offense than the 2012, Alex Smith-version. Bethel-Thompson's practice-squad familiarity helps his case. Faulkner might make practice-squad.
Running backs (9): *Frank Gore, *Bruce Miller (FB), Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Carlos Hyde, Marcus Lattimore, Jewel Hampton, Will Tukuafu (FB), Trey Millard (FB).
This is Gore's 10th camp but his first with so many viable candidates to share the load. Lattimore's comeback attempt is of utmost interest, and aside from running, can he pass protect? Hunter remains the No. 2 back, though he's coming off a career-low 358 rushing yards and is in a contract year. Hyde could be a rookie gem with his deft hands and power legs. If that quartet proves strong, James finally might get traded.
Wide receivers (11): *Michael Crabtree, *Anquan Boldin, *Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Kassim Osgood, Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington, Jon Baldwin, Chuck Jacobs, Devon Wylie, David Reed.
Crabtree and Boldin get to enjoy their first camp together, and complementing them are proven veterans in Johnson and Lloyd. Ellington is expected to emerge as a deep threat. Patton's energetic presence has been a positive, as has Jacobs' on the scout team. Keeping six wideouts seems like the maximum (and we'll start three here for ideal purposes).
Tight ends (6): *Vernon Davis, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Derek Carrier, Asante Cleveland, Kevin Greene.
Davis' offseason holdout underscored the 49ers' need of his play-making presence. McDonald had only eight receptions as a rookie -- or as many as Davis had in an Oct. 13 win over the Cardinals. If Celek and Carrier return, they'll need to fend off undrafted rookies (as they once were): Cleveland and Greene.
Centers (3): *Daniel Kilgore, Marcus Martin, Dillon Farrell.
Kilgore has spent three seasons learning the scheme while awaiting his first career start. He seems to have a needed rapport with Kaepernick. But Martin's strength and athleticism make him an instant contender for a spot filled the past three seasons by Jonathan Goodwin (now on the Saints).
Guards (8): *Mike Iupati, *Alex Boone, Adam Snyder, Joe Looney, Ryan Seymour, Al Netter, Fou Fonoti, Brandon Thomas.
Boone's offseason boycott was understandable from a financial perspective (his $2 million base salary ranks 24th among NFL guards). Iupati ($2.97 million) could use a bounce-back season in his own contract drive. Looney looks ready to pounce after barely playing his first two years. Snyder is the veteran option, while Seymour is lurking for a job, too.
Tackles (4): *Joe Staley, *Anthony Davis, Jonathan Martin, Carter Bykowski.
Right tackle Anthony Davis hasn't practiced since April shoulder surgery, so his status bears watching. Staley is eternally locked up as Kaepernick's blindside protector. The job here is to find a swing tackle in reserve, at least other than Boone or Snyder. Martin looks to mesh after his controversial Dolphins exit, and if he falters, next up is Bykowski, a 2013 seventh-round pick.
Nose tackles (3): *Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Mike Purcell.
Dorsey delivered once Williams sustained a broken ankle in Week 2, an injury that remains untested in practice. Dorsey, the 49ers' reigning Blue Collar Player of the Year, is poised for another payday as he finishes out his contract this season.
Defensive tackles (8): *Justin Smith, *Ray McDonald, Demarcus Dobbs, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial, Lawrence Okoye, Kaleb Ramsey.
Carradine's year-in-the-making arrival should bode well in relief of Smith and McDonald, who both played hurt last season. It'll be interesting to see who else settles into backup roles. Okoye, the former British discus thrower, must show he's improved his technique to earn more than practice-squad consideration. Ramsey started camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
Inside linebackers (7): *Patrick Willis, *NaVorro Bowman (injured), Michael Wilhoite, Nick Moody, Blake Costanzo, Chris Borland, Shayne Skov.
Wilhoite is first in line to step in for Bowman (knee rehabilitation), but Moody's athleticism makes him an exciting contender. Borland had an encouraging spring, and he'll be pushed by Stanford-product Skov.
Outside linebackers (6): *Ahmad Brooks, *Aldon Smith, Dan Skuta, Corey Lemonier, Chase Thomas, Aaron Lynch.
This top-tier unit has enough depth to compensate for whatever suspension Smith might draw from the NFL. Skuta and Lemonier split time in place of Smith last season, but Lemonier might be ready for an expanded role. Lynch (hamstring) is on PUP.
Cornerbacks (8): *Tramaine Brock, *Chris Cook, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox, Darryl Morris, Dontae Johnson, Kenneth Acker, Keith Reaser.
This unit's extreme makeover sees Brock enter his first camp as a bona fide starter while Cook spent the offseason program as the right-side starter. Culliver could leap Cook, however, if all goes well in Culliver's return from last training camp's ACL tear. While Cox has been a trusted agent at nickel back and Morris' speed is enticing, that role ultimately could go to safety Jimmie Ward.
Safeties (8): *Eric Reid, *Antoine Bethea, Craig Dahl, C.J. Spillman, Jimmie Ward, Bubba Ventrone, D.J. Campbell, James McCray.
Bethea replaces Donte Whitner (Browns) to partner with Reid, a rookie Pro Bowler. Ward, this year's first-round draft pick, gets his first chance to practice since March foot surgery, and his main task will be to cover slot receivers. Spillman, Dahl and Ventrone are special-teams mainstays. McCray is an under-the-radar prospect.
Long snappers (1): * Kevin McDermott.
McDermott has looked solid since last summer's training camp when he unseated longtime snapper Brian Jennings.
Punters (2): *Andy Lee, Colton Schmidt.
See 2013 comment: Lee's leg won't get overworked this camp thanks to the recent addition of Schmidt, a UC Davis product.
Kickers (1): *Phil Dawson.
The 16th-year veteran re-signed after a terrific debut last season with the 49ers, including walk-off field goals in back-to-back weeks at Arizona and the playoff opener at Green Bay. He was 7 for 7 in the playoffs.
The 49ers did not place Chris Culliver on the physically-unable-to-perform list, which indicates he is full steam ahead for training camp.
Now, the 49ers hope recent history will repeat itself after selecting Northern Illinois’ Jimmie Ward in the first round in May. Ward is expected to serve as a backup safety, but the 49ers mostly want him to replace Carlos Rogers as the nickel cornerback.
As long as Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks are available, they are every-down players. But the 49ers have plenty of depth at outside linebacker.
We continue to examine the 49ers most intriguing training-camp battles today with a look at what has been one of the most stable spots in recent years, the offensive line.
If Alex Boone’s holdout continues as expected, Joe Looney is the frontrunner to replace him at right guard.
Justin Smith is not expected to be his usual dominant force in his 14th NFL season, opening the door for new impact players along the line.
The 49ers have drafted a running back for six straight years, which has led to annually misguided speculation about the new guy cutting into Frank Gore’s substantial workload.
Over the next three days, I’ll try to hit on the most intriguing battles in 49ers training camp, which gets underway with a Thursday practice.
San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) jubilates with San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) after St. Louis Rams quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) was sacked in the fourth quarter in a game at Candlestick Park Sunday December 1, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif.
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Since January 2013, 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver has A) caused a national stir by making anti-gay comments; B) had a career-worst performance in a Super Bowl loss; C) sustained a torn ACL and D) been arrested on misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and felony possession of brass knuckles.
Every once in a while the 49ers official shop just has an awesome piece of merchandise that I just have to share. Check these guys out… or better yet, get yours now 🙂
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As with most NFL teams, the 49ers’ season will be sunk if their starting quarterback sustains a serious injury, right?
Perhaps. But they hope they purchased quality Colin Kaepernick insurance in March when they traded for Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Jacksonville fans, of course, will scoff at the suggestion Gabbert could serve as reliable fill-in if Kaepernick is sidelined for the first time in his 29-start career. After his first three seasons, Gabbert has the third-lowest completion percentage (53.3) and passer rating (66.4) among the 93 quarterbacks who have thrown at least 700 passes since 2000.
A hopeless case? It’s perhaps telling the Jaguars dealt Gabbert, the No. 10 pick in 2011, to the 49ers for a sixth-round pick (No. 205).
Two days before the 49ers full squad reports, the fates of tight end Vernon Davis and guard Alex Boone remain undetermined. Both are expected to hold out.
As has already been mentioned, the 6-8, 300-pound Boone has drastically out-played his contract. If he realizes his $200,000 roster bonus, he will make $2.2 million this year, less than half what he should be making.
The issue with Boone is re-doing his deal without impacting the team’s salary cap. The 49ers are only $5.9 million under the cap, and once the team sets its final roster in September, some roster bonus money will be due. That will likely gobble another one or two million more of cap space
With Vernon Davis' status up in the air, the 49ers need Vance McDonald to step up and be more of a threat in the passing game this season.
In need of depth in the secondary, the 49ers used their fourth-round pick on NC State's Dontae Johnson. Get to know the 49ers' cornerback.
The 49ers have one of the most powerful and cohesive offensive lines in the NFL, but a holdout and the loss of a veteran has the unit in flux.
For the last 100 years, the Florida town of Pahokee’s most valuable commodity was thought to be its soil. The 49ers’ Anquan Boldin, a native son, believes its people will be its salvation. And the hope is that the kids who escape Pahokee and its poverty don’t leave forever but, like him, return to help lift it from the muck.
On the shore of Lake Okeechobee in south Florida, Pahokee High School quarterback Anquan Boldin strikes a pose in November 1998. Boldin, now a veteran wide receiver for the 49ers, grew up in a government-built housing project on the outskirts of Pahokee. He used his football talents to escape the poverty-ridden town, but has given back to the community via his Q81 Foundation in the form of college scholarships and other donations.
A new football stadium that opened at Pahokee High School in 2009 is named after Anquan Boldin, who was starting safety on the Blue Devils’ football team and also its starting quarterback.
Ian Williams was the latest 49er to be placed on an injury list. But the bullish nose tackle still expects to take part in this year's training camp.
The 49ers head comfortably into training camp with an All-Pro placekicker and punter, but the return position remains a wide open competition.
The 49ers used a fourth-round pick on South Carolina wide receiver Bruce Ellington. Get to know the speedster.
The NFL will limit the number of underclassmen who can receive evaluations for the draft to five from a single school, although special exceptions will be allowed.
The 49ers apparently will leave up to the league any further discipline of linebacker Aldon Smith, who was sentenced Friday to 12 days in jail and three years probation for misdemeanor weapons and drunk-driving convictions.
Here is a statement issued from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke:
“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s proceedings. We are pleased that Aldon has moved past this phase of the process, and will support any action the NFL may take with respect to this matter."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Friday regarding Smith's sentencing: "It will be reviewed under our policies."
Most suspensions for personal-conduct violations have ranged between one and eight games since Roger Goodell became commissioner in 2006. An eight-game suspension was given to then-Bengals wideout and repeat offender Chris Henry in 2007, as a result of gun and DUI charges. First-time offenders, which Smith may be, drew one- and three-game suspensions following gun or drunk-driving incidents.
Baalke's statement concluded: "The organization will continue to support Aldon’s efforts to grow personally from this experience.”
The 49ers firmly have stood behind Smith since a Sept. 20 drunk-driving accident, even allowing him to practice hours after his arrest and play in a Sept. 22 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Smith checked himself into a treatment center a day after that game and returned to the active roster Oct. 31.
Smith’s 42 regular-season sacks are the league’s second-most since 2011, behind only Jared Allen’s 45 ½. After setting a 49ers rookie record with 14 sacks, he produced 19 ½ in the 49ers’ 2013 season that led to a Super Bowl berth. Last year he had 8 ½ sacks, with 4 ½ coming before he took a voluntary leave of absence from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31.
Frank Gore appears to be solid in his standing as the 49ers' starting RB, but the training camp battle for playing time in the backfield will be extremely fierce.
The NFL draft is leaving New York after 49 years.
Joe Staley picked up an additional $12 million with his two-year extension Thursday, a league source confirmed Friday.
Staley's deal apparently does not adversely affect the 49ers' 2014 cap space, which stood at $5.9 million, according to the NFL Players' Association.
Staley's extension includes a $6 million bonus in 2015, a $4 million bonus in 2016 and a $2 million raise in 2017, as first reported by NFL Media's Albert Breer and later confirmed by a source.
His 2014 pay remains the same: a $2.7 million base salary, a $200,000 bonus from offseason workouts and $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses, according to a source.
That could be good news for teammates seeking new deals. Tight end Vernon Davis and guard Alex Boone held out of offseason workouts seeking to extend their deals beyond 2015. Starters entering the final season of their contracts are running back Frank Gore, wideout Michael Crabtree, guard Mike Iupati, nose tackle Glenn Dorsey and cornerback Chris Culliver.
Kaepernick took every meaningful snap last season. The 49ers' clear objective during the regular season was to limit the risk of injury to their franchise quarterback. The 49ers ranked 30th in the NFL with just 186.2 yards passing per game, though Kaepernick was ninth in the league with 7.0 yards per attempt.
After a midseason slump, Kaepernick picked it up late in the season. About the only offense the 49ers were able to generate in the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks came on designed quarterback runs. Kaepernick gained 130 yards on 11 rushing attempts.
In the regular season, he threw for 3,197 yards and 21 touchdowns – the highest totals for a 49ers quarterback since Jeff Garcia threw for 3,344 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2002 en route to the Pro Bowl. Kaepernick’s passer rating of 91.6 was the highest for a full-time 49ers quarterback since Garcia’s 94.8 rating in 2001.
Ghe 49ers will finally get an opportunity to see what their first-round draft pick can do on the football field.
Safety Jimmie Ward took part in classroom sessions but no on-field work during the 49ers’ offseason program. He underwent surgery on March 9 – two days after he ran a reported 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash – to repair the fifth metarsal bone in his right midfoot area.
Ward's injury, which was discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, clearly was not a concern for the 49ers. Ward was selected with the No. 30 overall selection out of Northern Illinois. The surgery had an expected six- to eight-week recovery time. But the 49ers never had any intention of allowing him to take part in the offseason program.
Everyone talks up the 49ers defense, but what if that isn’t the strongest unit on the team this season? Here are eight reasons why the 49ers offense might be better than its defense in 2014.
With guard Alex Boone and tight end Vernon Davis holding out for new contracts, the 49ers extended tackle Joe Staley’s deal on Thursday. Message sent? Staley signed a six-year, $43.2 million deal in 2011, with $11,460,000 coming up front. That deal quickly became obsolete for a left tackle, and Staley wanted the deal to be […]
Photos from the 49ers' ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Running back Marcus Lattimore was one of eight players placed on procedural injury lists upon reporting to 49ers training camp.
Joining Lattimore on the non-football-injury list are wide receiver Bruce Ellington, center Marcus Martin, running back Trey Millard, defensive back Keith Reaser and guard Brnadon Thomas. The later three are recovering from knee surgeries, while Lattimore is attempting to do so as well from his 2012 injury.
The reasons for Ellington and Martin going on NFI are undisclosed.
Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (hamstring) and defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey were placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
Rookies and first-year players reported Wednesday. Quarterbacks and rehabbing players can arrive Friday, and the full team is due in next Wednesday.
The 49ers added some competition for the offensive line with the selection of USC center Marcus Martin in the third round.
College career: He entered the starting lineup at left guard in 2011 and played two seasons there before transitioning to center last season. He was a team captain and was a consensus All-Pac-12 Conference first-team choice.
Vernon Davis is now the fourth highest-paid tight end in the league. As expected, the Saints’ Jimmy Graham now leads the way at the position after agreeing to a four-year deal that, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is worth as much as $40 million.
Vernon Davis was a no show at the 49ers’ spring practices. The question now is whether he’ll be on hand next week when training camp opens. The team’s tight end is seeking a new deal.
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Updated: Running back Marcus Lattimore has been added to this list since he qualifies as "first-year" status, the 49ers report.
Rookies and first-year players check into 49ers training camp today, as do those with the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills -- the only other teams starting this early.
They’ll get overshadowed when the Pro Bowl-decorated veterans and incumbent starters show up next Wednesday – or don’t show, if tight end Vernon Davis and guard Alex Boone continue their contract holdouts.
But don’t overlook upstart rookies. The 49ers annually rely on some to forge their way into the postseason.
So here’s ranking which rookies and first-year players are most likely to contribute:
S Jimmie Ward: The first-round draft pick finally should be cleared to practice for the first time, having been restricted from previous team workouts because of March foot surgery. He’s projected as the starting nickel back, and his chief competitors could be Perrish Cox, Darryl Morris or whichever Chris (Culliver or Cook) loses the starting cornerback battle.
RB Carlos Hyde: Aside from his potential as a power rusher, Hyde’s hands looked great in offseason workouts. That’s a weapon the 49ers seemingly have lacked out of the backfield, and that could win him more playing time in a crowded backfield.
RB Marcus Lattimore: His inspiring comeback from a 2012 knee injury reaches its biggest test, at least when it comes to facing live contact for the first time. Seemingly everyone is rooting for him to succeed. If he has a minor setback or isn’t fully healthy, perhaps he starts the season on the PUP list. (He can report today because he wasn't activated last season; he was on the reserve/non-football-injury list most of 2013, practiced for three weeks and went on injured reserve Dec. 9.)
WR Bruce Ellington: It is asking too much for a fourth-round draft pick to transform an offense when he’ll bid for a No. 3 role with Stevie Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and Quinton Patton? Ellington’s down-field speed and slot ability are what the 49ers need.
C/G Marcus Martin: Martin is being pushed as a strong challenger to Daniel Kilgore as the starting center. The third-round draft pick from USC also could see time at guard, even if Boone reports to camp.
WR Chuck Jacobs: Most fans haven’t seen him since he made a winning touchdown catch in an exhibition at Kansas City. But this energetic wideout spent last season on the practice squad, and that meant mimicking opponents’ top wideouts on the scout team.
LB Chris Borland: This third-round draft pick was a tackling machine at Wisconsin and that carried over to the 49ers practice field after the draft.
OT Carter Bykowski: This 2013 seventh-round draft pick will compete for the backup tackle spot, and he saw time in OTAs at left tackle. He was on the practice squad as a rookie.
CB Dontae Johnson: Camp now offers this 6-foot-2 cornerback a chance to showcase his press-coverage skills. He’s a fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina State.
DT Kaleb Ramsey: Injuries extended his Boston College career, and if his body (6-3, 285 pounds) stays healthy, this seventh-round gamble should make a bold bid on a deep unit.
LB Aaron Lynch: His body (6-6, 244) somewhat resembles that of Aldon Smith (6-4, 265). Intrigue surrounds Lynch, and while most is a result of his college baggage, he missed some OTAs and minicamp with a hamstring strain.
NT Mike Purcell: A 2013 practice-squad member, this nose tackle’s roster chances could hinge on how well Ian Williams is recovered from an ankle injury.
LB Shayne Skov: Undrafted out of Stanford, he likely will need to beat out Borland to land a roster spot, or perhaps Nick Moody.
OL Al Netter: This 2012-13 practice-squad linemen recently was re-signed to fill the 90th and final roster spot heading into camp.
OLB Chase Thomas: He’s already on his fifth team in just one year since leaving Stanford (others: Saints, Raiders, Falcons, Packers).
G Fou Fonoti: Undrafted Michigan State product (6-4, 310) lined up as the third-string right guard at minicamp.
TE Kevin Greene: Opportunity is knocking on a suspect unit for this undrafted, 6-foot-3 product out of MiamiUSC. (He’s no relation to the former star linebacker with the same name.)
TE Asante Cleveland: Opportunity is knocking on a suspect unit for this undrafted, 6-foot-5 product out of Miami.
CB Kenneth Acker: A fifthsixth-round pick out of SMU, he’s going to have to make a lot of plays and also show well on special teams to improve his chances beyond the practice squad.
S James McCray: With so much turnover in the secondary, can this rookie from Catawba College continue to get noticed (like he did with a minicamp interception)?
OL Dillon Farrell: Undrafted out of New Mexico, versatility might be his best shot at scoring a practice-squad return. He saw time at right tackle in minicamp.
QB Kory Faulkner: Undrafted out of Southern Illinois, his sturdy frame (6-foot-4, 227 pounds) could be ticketed for the practice squad
P/K Colton Schmidt: The UC Davis product returns to camp to ease the workload of incumbent specialists Phil Dawson and Andy Lee.
CB Keith Reaser: ACL recovery will dominate this fifth-round pick’s rookie year.
FB Trey Millard: ACL recovery will dominate this Oklahoma product’s rookie year.
G Brandon Thomas: ACL recovery will dominate this Clemson product’s rookie year.
Former North Carolina linebacker Darius Lipford, who was not selected in last week’s supplemental draft, worked out Tuesday for the 49ers at their Santa Clara practice facility.
A source said Lipford had a good workout but the 49ers did not sign him on Tuesday. The 49ers are at their 90-player limit with rookies scheduled to report to camp on Wednesday. The full squad is scheduled to report on July 23.
It's back-to-work week, for me and many 49ers.
Rookies are scheduled to report
Wednesday to training camp, followed by quarterbacks and injured veterans on
Friday in what's basically a prelude to next week's full-tilt camp opening. Neither of those reporting dates come with media access.
In between those reporting dates will be Levi's Stadium's ribbon-cutting ceremony on
Thursday. Yes, that is an off-field event but stadium-oriented stories will be a common theme in this season's debut season inside the $1.3 billion facility. CEO Jed York gave 49ers.com an
interview Monday to preview the ribbon-cutting at a stadium, where he thinks fans are "going to see great football on the field" this season.
The full team is scheduled to report to camp next Wednesday
July 23, when media access begins. "Full team" might be a misnomer if tight end Vernon Davis and guard Alex Boone continue their contract holdouts. (Boone reportedly will; Davis' plans are unknown.) Practices will start July 24, with the first padded session July 26.
* * *
Now to catch you up on a few items while I've enjoyed my final weeks of the offseason (highlighted by family trips to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe; my oldest daughter's softball team took second place in a picturesque Tahoe tournament to remind me I've seen far too many runner-up teams as a 49ers beat writer these past few years):
-- Saturday's
Candlestick Park farewell game between 49ers Legends and the Dan Marino-ites apparently was pulled off nicely. Capping it with a Joe Montana TD pass to Eddie DeBartolo? Brilliant.
DeBartolo getting carried off on the shoulder of his former players? That picture should be worth more than any 1,000 words given by whomever next pleads DeBartolo's case to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Here is a
link to Dan Brown's recap of that fun-filled finale.
DeBartolo shared his thoughts Monday on SiriusXM NFL Radio (
audio link here).
-- Levi's Stadium will hos three public practices during training camp: Monday, Aug. 4 (noon to 4 p.m.); Friday, Aug. 15 (4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) and Aug. 20 (4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). It will be interesting -- and perhaps a trial run -- to see how the traffic flow coincides with those nearby office workers rushing to get home on Highways 237 and 101.
Only 10,000 fans will be allowed at each session, and those tickets are being awarded through a random, online drawing. Winners will find out Wednesday if they can claim tickets.
-- Former North Carolina linebacker Darius Lipford will work out for the 49ers on Tuesday, according to the Sacramento Bee. Lipford went unclaimed in last week's supplemental draft.
The 49ers' roster is maxed out at 90 players, so if Lipford signs, they'll have to make a corresponding roster move. Perhaps the 49ers might delay signing him until they find out Aldon Smith's fate at a July 25 sentencing in Santa Clara County Superior Court which could factor into his active status on the roster.
In what has become something of an offseason ritual, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has added yet another tattoo to his ink resume. Kaepernick posted this striking shot of his gigantic new torso tat on Instagram: In case you can’t tell, it’s an homage to the “money is the root of all evil” Bible verse, complete […]
Gone are the days when Bruce Ellington would rush from a basketball workout with South Carolina teammates to a football meeting room to learn the complex schemes of coach Steve Spurrier. Ellington's only focus is the San Francisco 49ers and making an impact on the NFL.
"It was fun, all the rushing around," said Ellington, taken in the fourth round by the 49ers. "I thought I could do and I went after it."
Ellington hosted a youth camp Friday at his high school with his older cousin, Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington who twice rushed for 1,000 yards while playing college ball at Clemson.
Michael Crabtree responded to Richard Sherman's latest barbs on Thursday, taking the high road once again.
The 49ers wideout told ESPN, "I don't get into talking about these guys.
"I concentrate on football. It's my life. I don't have too much to prove when it comes to talking on TV. I'm a baller."
Sherman had appeared on Discovery Channel's "American Muscle," a new sports-documentary show, when he had some powerful words for Crabtree.
The 49ers will hold three open practices at their Levi's Stadium during training camp, the club announced Wednesday.
Fans can enter an online random drawing for the opportunity to receive free tickets to attend.
The open practice sessions are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4 (noon to 4:00 p.m.), Friday, Aug. 15 (4 to 7:30 p.m.) and Wednesday, Aug. 20 (4 to 7:30 p.m.).
Also, Santa Clara residents will have an opportunity to attend practice on Aug. 15. The 49ers will announce additional information about that practice session at a later time.
Time may heal all wounds but it hasn’t changed the Seattle DB’s opinion of 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree. Six months after igniting a firestorm with his comments after the NFC Championship Game, Sherman was back at it in Wednesday’s episode of “American Muscle” on the Discovery Channel. As reported by the USA Today, Sherman said, […]
The 49ers’ rookies will report for training camp a week from today. Veterans will follow six days after that. Yes, 49ers’ football is on the horizon.
When training camp begins, most of the concern will center on the passing of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the anticipated holdout of guard Alex Boone, and the emphasis on the team’s mediocre red zone offense. However, the team’s greatest challenge this season will be their defense. The unit that defined their success the last three seasons has taken some serious hits. Also, the 49ers will likely start the season without two of the team’s best players in linebackers Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman.
The last NFL game played at Candlestick Park consisted of a thrilling win by the 49ers over the Falcons on a Monday night. The last football game of any kind to be played there happens on Saturday, with slightly lower stakes.
Joe Montana and 62 other players will be participating in a flag-football game that Montana’s wife dubs the “Geriatric Bowl.”
“And it’s true,” a laughing Joe Cool told the San Francisco Chronicle. “The biggest expense we’ll have for this whole thing will be ice.”
Not all of them will need ice. Former Montana teammate Roger Craig has been keeping in peak shape.