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Scouting out 49ers RB rotation: Hyde leading charge ahead of Bush, Hunter, Hayne
"We've got a group of running backs where anybody can be the guy," Hyde added. "I don't feel it's just my shot. I feel I have to compete and win the job."
Hyde is the presumed starter, however, and he likely didn't lose that status through the offseason program, even if a leg strain kept him out of some practices. Drafted in the second-round last year out of Ohio State, Hyde's skill set seems to fit what the 49ers are installing under new offensive coordinator Geep Chryst.
Hyde isn't clamoring to be a one-man show. He's fine if the 49ers go with a rotation in the backfield, and that indeed is possible with Reggie Bush's all-purpose talents and Kendall Hunter's recovery from a 2014 knee injury.
Behind them are a trio of first-year hopefuls: fourth-round draft pick Mike Davis, Australian rugby-league import Jarryd Hayne and 2014 practice-squad player Kendall Gaskins.
Hyde likes how Chryst, in his promotion from quarterbacks coach, has made the scheme simpler yet more widespread to utilize everyone's capabilities. Coach Jim Tomsula's emphasis on an up-tempo approach also is approved by Hyde.
"That's way different, the way we're walking up to the ball at 24 seconds," Hyde said. "We're being quick and not letting the defense get in position to get their cleats planted. Last year, it was a little slow to me."
The running game could be bolstered on several fronts: the installation of a zone-blocking scheme, the improved threat of going deep in the passing game, and the development of Kaepernick to recognize defensive alignments.
Odds are the 49ers will deploy Hyde as the workhorse back, with Bush coming in to spell him on occasion while also sparking the short passing game. Bush, entering his 10th season, still looks graceful with 9,758 all-purpose yards on his odometer.
"The offense has really started clicking and we're starting to find our identity as a team," said Bush, declining to elaborate on the identity's identity.
Bush added that there is "so much opportunity in this offense to go showcase my talent." Opportunities abound elsewhere, too.
Hunter, assuming his comeback remains on track, will be a change-of-pace back, if not more.
"It's coming, man," Hunter said of his knee. "When you're out there, you can't think; you just go. I've still got room to improve."
Davis, who's 5-foot-9 frame is similar to Gore's, is full of charisma and confidence. His learning process is understandable for any rookie, and working in his favor for a roster spot is a contract with nearly $500,000 guaranteed.
Hayne no longer sneaks notes into his shorts in practice as he's gained a better grasp on the offensive system. His hands and field vision seem solid, but he runs with his upper body way too high. Once Hayne experiences full contact, his prospects will be better known, even though his best contributions likely will come as a return specialist.
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Minicamp report, Day 3: no major injuries ; Kaepernick-to-Smith gem; rookie WR shines
Hunter made a cut in Thursday's practice that put a lot of torque on his knee and he showed no hindrance whatsoever.
"It's coming, man," Hunter said. "When you're out there, you can't think, you just go. I still have room to improve and now I've got time off."
Bowman declined to comment Thursday, but he's spoken throughout the offseason about his encouraging process, and his play-making ability was on display throughout this week's minicamp, at least as much as possible in non-contact drills.
Players whose availability is in question for the start of training camp, while recovering from 2014 issues, include center Daniel Kilgore (ankle), defensive lineman Darnell Dockett (knee), nickel back Jimmie Ward (foot) and wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (knee).
Aldon Smith (toe) did not practice the past two days but the injury does not appear serious.
-- Vernon Davis, a 10th-year veteran, on being the longest-tenured 49ers: “I look at all the other guys I came in with and they’re all gone, and I’m still standing. Hopefully I continue to be here.”
Left tackle Joe Staley, a 2007 first-round pick, has the second-longest tenure, to which he said: “That happened fast.”
-- Play of the day (and perhaps offseason): Colin Kaepernick threw a 35-yard pass into Torrey Smith’s hands along the left sideline against Dontae Johnson’s tight coverage, for a would-be touchdown.
-- DeAndrew White, an undrafted rookie out of Alabama, capped his strong offseason with back-to-back catches Thrusday, including a touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert.
Tomsula’s assistants finally talk, coordinators discuss their new approaches
As the 49ers wrapped up minicamp Thursday, Colin Kaepernick stretched on the Levi’s Sideline sideline and laughed out loud with offensive coordinator Geep Chryst.
The franchise quarterback is definitely happy to still have around Chryst, who was elevated from quarterbacks coach while Jim Tomsula patiently compiled his staff after Jim Harbaugh and many assistants departed.
Glimpses of Chryst’s offensive philosophies have come to light in recent weeks of practices. One aspect is unmistakable: maximizing Kaepernick’s dual-threat talent.
“You start with the quarterback, right? That’s pretty simple,” Chryst said. “Having been around Kap, maybe that put us a little further ahead of where we were.”
Thursday marked the first time Chryst and all other assistants spoke to the media since their hiring back in January and February.
“I know making us available now makes it feel late,” Chryst said, “but it feels good that we’ve got our work done first, instead of talking about what we may or may not do.”
Tomsula’s staff is incorporating an up-tempo approach with new schemes, or at least blending in new strategies to complement the ones that worked under Jim Harbaugh’s regime.
“This is one of the best offseasons we’ve had since I’ve been here,” ninth-year lineman Joe Staley said. “Everybody is very focused and excited. New coaching staff, new energy, new ideas -- I think that has something to do with it as well.”
Defensive players have raved about how aggressive and unpredicatable they’ll be under Eric Mangini, who was an offensive assistant the past two years before replacing defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
“I couldn’t say it is going to be highly aggressive, or categorize it,” said Mangini, a former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. “We’re trying to build in flexibility. As a play caller, I’ve blitzed 30 times and I’ve blitzed three times. It’ll be week to week on that.”
The offense has been the 49ers’ weak link in recent years, however. Chryst’s job is to fix that.
Thus, the 49ers hope to recharge their rushing attack with the help of a zone-blocking scheme (without altogether ditching other blocking sets), and they’ve worked tirelessly on improving the passing game with deep threats, including newcomers Torrey Smith and Jerome Simpson.
Running back Kendall Hunter said of Chryst: “He’s been around and knows the players. We trust him.”
Another goal is to bring tight end Vernon Davis back into a play-making fold. “The first two weeks of practice, I was kind of surprised,” Davis said. “It’s been a while since I caught that many balls in practice. But it’s been like that the entire camp.”
Kaepernick’s importance is not understated. Chryst is moving him around in the pocket more, because: “That plays to Kap’s advantage. He’s always been good throwing both to his left and to his right.”
Kaepernick, however, got sacked a franchise-record 52 times last season, and Chryst attributed that to multiple factors.
“You always want to stay healthy on the offensive line for cohesiveness, and maybe for the first couple years, we weren’t,” Chryst said. “And you have to want to get the ball out. If you’re vulnerable, the defense will make you cry uncle. … Yeah, we’re trying to play to Kap’s strengths.”
Tomsula said of Chryst: "He’s done a tremendous job."
While Chryst will call plays from up in the coaches’ box, Mangini hasn’t decided if he also will, having typically run defenses from the sideline. The question on many minds is whether Mangini has enough defenders to run his ideal system, considering the departures of seven players who started last season, including the retirement of mainstays Justin Smith and Patrick Willis.
“We’ve got quite a few players that were here, some really talented guys,” countered Mangini. Among the first names Mangini listed off were Aldon Smith (“He can cause problems for anybody at any time”) and NaVorro Bowman (“He’s so much fun to watch when he plays”).
Tomsula seemed genuinely pleased with how his staff has come together, months after he scrambled to make hires. “We wanted to get the right people and I feel great about that right now,” Tomsula said.
Here are some other snippets from the coaching round table (all assistants sat at round tables, one or two coaches each, for an hour long session):
-- Running backs coach Tom Rathman walked into the media session invoking Marshawn Lynch's Super Bowl line: "I'm just here so I don't get fined." Rathman was joking; he's been one of the most gregarious and friendly (and astute) assistants over the years.
-- Defensive line coach Scott Brown doesn't think it will be a major issue that first-round pick Arik Armstead hasn't been part of the offseason program, aside from the rookie minicamp. League rules prevented Armstead from joining the 49ers until Friday because of Oregon's academic calendar.
"We've got to let him grow, develop and learn," Brown said. "He'll get through the process and we're not trying to put unrealistic expectations on him."
Brown spent the past three years as a 49ers scout, including the past two in the Big Ten region. He did not scout Armstead's two seasons at Oregon, and that work instead was done by Reggie Cobb, Ethan Waugh and general manager Trent Baalke.
"He has all the traits you're looking for," Brown said of Armstead. "Certainly for a man his height (6-foot-7), he's got unique flexibility. We see him as an instinctive player and he uses his hands well."
-- Wide receivers coach Adam Henry has been putting his corps through what he called "unique" drills, all in an effort to keep their hips low for leverage purposes. That should help them get off the line of scrimmage and create separation, which has been lacking in recent years. Helping Henry and fellow assistant Ronald Curry are veterans Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.
"Having the two vets like Boldin and Smith to learn from, if I'm a young guy, I'm happy," said Henry, noting that the receivers all need thick skin because "we love to critique each other."
‘Everything is different’ under new 49ers OC Geep Chryst
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Tall task: Australian RB Hayne still learning to get low
Jaquiski Tartt picks off Colin Kaepernick during 2-minute drill, plus more from 49ers minicamp
Jim Tomsula calls RB Reggie Bush ‘a wonderful addition in all aspects’
Jim Tomsula on the 49ers’ offensive play-calling: “We have cut down verbiage.”
I saw LB Corey Lemonier and LB Eli Harold were getting a lot of reps because of that at that right outside linebacker spot. How have those guys done this offseason?
“Really good. I wouldn’t say because of that, they might have gotten a couple more of his. I would never say it was because of that. Those guys, particularly Corey, he’s really doing well and I’m excited for Corey, I am. Any young guy that works so hard too you know? He’s coming along. He’s doing a great job with knowing the defense and he’s bending and moving, you can see there. You’re watching the same thing I’m seeing. He can get off the rock.”
He didn’t do much dropping back into coverage in college and he’s having to do that? How is he doing with that?
“The movement-wise, we have to keep cleaning that up. But, the assignment-wise, he’s really grabbed. That’s what I’m talking about.”
You talked about G/T Alex Boone yesterday at right tackle, but he was actually at left guard quite a bit yesterday?
“Yes. You know what, [Vice President of Communications] Bob [Lange] said something to me about that. I hope I didn’t allude to the fact that he was, we have him slotted and working at left guard. That is the plan. [T Erik] Pears, I like Pears at right tackle. I got to tell you that. We’re not saying anything’s in stone right now, but I do like that guy at right tackle.”
What do you like about Boone at left guard as opposed to right?
“Well, again, we’re working him at the left guard position, and again, you start talking about creating some depth. The stance is the same if you did left tackle. So, having some depth there and your footwork’s the same. So, that’s what we’re looking at and he’s comfortable there. So, we’re getting some work there. And again, I don’t want anybody to hold us in stone that that’s where he’s staying. Boone can play the right guard, the right tackle position. And Boone is getting a little bit of work at the left guard position right now. Again, that’s more for the footwork and the stance and looking to create some depth at the left tackle spot.”
What are you seeing out of RB Reggie Bush on the field, what he’s brought to you?
“Reggie’s really moving around. You’re asking that because you saw him moving around yesterday. Reggie’s a spry guy. He has a lot of energy in his legs and in his body and his attitude. What a wonderful addition in all aspects. He’s another guy you’ve got to pull back. We’re definitely talking about rep counts on Reggie. But, he’s doing really well, he’s moving great and we love having him here.”
GC: It seems the offense is practicing a lot of roll out passes during team drills, more so than the past few years. Is that a fair assessment, fair observation?
“You’re absolutely right, yes. But again, yesterday we were working the boot game. So, when you start seeing these things come out in chunks, there are certain things that we’re emphasizing that day. You might see one period where it’s boots. We’re going against ourselves, so we’re looking to, defensively, ‘Hey, we got to work the edge a little bit here. Backside, inside zone and the boot off it.’ So, we’re working for those guys to get the visual of that defensively. And then offensively we want to work it, so we put that all in one period. I can’t say the whole practice, but you’re going to see chunks of that happen throughout the practice.”
GC: Is it more of an emphasis in this offense this year or do you not want to talk about scheme?
“I don’t believe we are talking about schematics. The bootleg is something that comes off if we’re going to run a zone scheme. We’re not solely a zone scheme, you all see that too. There’s no secret to that. That is something we’re working. And we can work it more. You work the gap scheme stuff with no shoulder pads on. Now you start getting piles, you start getting a bunch of clogged up stuff and a lot of bodies in it. You’re running the power and you’re running on the inside, the iso, those ones are predicated on getting movement. Without pads on, we’re trying to do a little bit more.”
GC: Does rollouts complement QB Colin Kaepernick’s skill set?
“Yeah, well, him moving his feet it does, yes. Again, I don’t want to make too much of it because in fairness, today and tomorrow you’re going to see more drop back, you’re going to see us in the pocket. That’s just the different phases that we’re working.”
I don’t think CB Tramaine Brock or CB Shareece Wright participated in team drills yesterday. What’s their status? Is there anything to that?
“No. They both were tight. Shareece was just a little tight. Legs were a little tight out of there. Brock has been in and out, we’ve been going back and forth there. Just making sure we’re bringing that full load back with his legs. But, Tramaine’s doing well. ”
Is he coming back slow because of maybe the toe injury last year?
“Well, yeah. The toe and the legs, just getting everything back on him. His offseason program with the running and the lifting has been really good. And there’s other guys we want to look at. There’s some other guys we really want to see.”
DT Darnell Dockett has talked a couple times about you and him would have midfield meetings after every game when he was with Arizona. Sounds like there was a lot of mutual respect between you two. Can you just talk about what you admired about him from afar?
“Yeah. And again, I can’t tell you I ever knew Darnell personally. My job, I watch a ton of film. And watching Darnell on tape, I’ve just always had a ton of respect for how hard he plays the game. That was it. He’s a talented individual. But, just how hard, how important you could tell it was to him or is to him. That’s my respect with that. Any time I see guys like that and you get an opportunity to tell them you admire what you see. That was just all it was, really. Now he’s here, but that’s where that all starts from.”
He was known as a real 49er antagonist. He’s a pretty loquacious guy and needling the 49ers–?
“In their minds and where he was he saw this as the great foe. And he was going at it. Some of that stuff, on the receiving end of it, you get kind of a kick out of it, listening to that stuff. It’s not the way we want to do business. But, yeah I heard bits and pieces of it. I hear the guys talking.”
Do you tell him when he comes here that this is how we do business?
“Yeah. We’re not into a lot of what we don’t do. We’re trying to spend a lot more time on what we do do and how we do it.”
What kind of communication have you and [defensive line coach] Scott Brown had with DL Arik Armstead? Is it permissible for you to call him?
“Yeah, everything within the rules. We have not touched, we are not going to mess around with the rules. We knew, when he was drafted we knew he was on the quarter system. You get an Oregon guy, you get a Stanford guy, their on the quarter system. That’s the rules. And we’re not going to, I’ll make that clear. There were some points there where you could Skype earlier on. We did some of that. But, we’re not going to do that. There’s no need to. That’s just the way it is and we’re going to play within the rules.”
What’s the biggest improvement you’ve seen in RB Jarryd Hayne in the short time that he’s been here?
“You know what, he’s starting to get it. Early on, you’re seeing him, again, especially yesterday, you saw him catching punts at the end. The guy’s a, he’s a world-class athlete. And when you come into our practices, it was a lot slower at the beginning. He’s getting the ball as a running back and he wasn’t moving as fast. Now you’re starting to see his speed show up. As he’s attacking the line, running his tracks and attacking the line and feeling more comfortable that way. Also, the pass protections. He’s never had to do any of that. When you take football, we’re crammed in more. He’s used to playing that wide open game. Now, it’s all crunched up. In there, that’s where you get used to the run game. And then pass protections, obviously, he’s never done anything like it. All that stuff is really good, he’s doing really well.”
You said one of the things obviously is his running style. He’s always been up high because of rugby, he needs to get lower. You say he’s doing better but–?
“We’re not hiding behind that now. I let him know there could be a play where you come through there and you’re tree-top tall and 53’s [LB NaVorro Bowman] going to hit you in your chest and I’d like you to listen know before you get the wind knocked out of you. We all know it, one of those is going to happen and we’ll be fine and we’ll get up. It’s just a little reinforcement.”
He seems like a natural on catching those punt returns, you were right in front of him yesterday. Does it seem like he’s made for that kind of duty and also will he do kickoff returns?
“Well, I mean, you saw. We are doing some of that. He is catching some kickoff. But, the punts right now, he’s been doing it all his life. And you can tell that. I know where that question is coming from because yesterday, he’s fielding those things. He and Reggie, really two guys that are really solid, really good at fielding that ball.”
You continue to emphasize tempo in these practices. Is that going to be kind of an identity of this offense or is this just something that you’re emphasizing now for when games slow down you guys will be better prepared?
“There’s no secret to it. We want to be able to move in the game offensively, you’re on offense, you’re on the offensive. You want to be able to do it on your terms. So, if we want to go faster, we want to be able to go faster. If we want to slow it down, we want to be able to slow it down. Right now, we’re more or less working the operation of it and giving different, 22 seconds we started at, now we want to go to 26, let’s get on the ball. I want to push it, I’ll say 30. We’re just trying to change just that idea of how we’re moving and operating from the thought of the play call, through that operation, to the quarterback’s ear, to the huddle. So, we’re trying to do that and we want to be able to. I think that’s all offenses, you want to be able to move at the speed in which you want to move for that particular time in the game or that situation and if we see a defense that’s struggling getting people on the field, can we speed up? That’s simply what we’re working on.”
GC: Are you cutting down the verbiage the quarterback says in the pocket so they can get out of the huddle quicker?
“We have cut down verbiage as we’ve installed. Again, I’m not comparing it to last year or anything like that. But, as we started it was longer and then as guys started understanding it and getting concepts, you can shrink that and it can go to five, six, seven words instead of starting off with 12, 13. So, that’s the intent.”
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The Tomsula Transition: full speed ahead
“All I hear from him is, ‘Tempo. Tempo. Get on the ball. Let’s go!’ ” wide receiver Quinton Patton said.
“He doesn’t smile as much as he used to, and he does a little more yelling now,” nose tackle Ian Williams added. “But, nah, he’s doing a good job so far. He’s switched up a lot of things and tried to cut a lot of fat in how practices and meetings are.”
Tomsula served the past seven seasons as defensive line coach, working under Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary and Harbaugh. This is Tomsula’s first go-round as a NFL head coach, aside from his interim stint at the end of 2010 and his NFL Europe term with the 2006 Rhein Fire.
“I think it’s going good,” said Tomsula, deflecting credit to his “great” locker room and coaching staff. “It’s been enjoyable. But it’s a lot of work.”
The 49ers are seven weeks into their voluntary offseason workouts, with two weeks of OTAs remaining until the mandatory minicamp (June 9-11) before summer break.
Williams, a fifth-year veteran, says he can tell that Tomsula is “having fun” in his supervisorial role. Players are enjoying the transition, too.
“I love him, man,” safety Antoine Bethea said. “He’s charismatic. He’s one with the players. It’s going to be a good deal for us.”
What wasn’t so good the past few years was the 49ers clock management. Left tackle Joe Staley is pleased how that is being resolved by what he calls a cohesive coaching staff.
“There’s a definite emphasis on operating faster, substituting faster, getting the play calls out, getting lined up,” Staley said. “During game situations, we’d like to break that huddle at 22 or 24 seconds, so we have time to operate at the line of scrimmage.”
Tomsula’s intentions, he says, are to improve not only conditioning but how players handle stressful, fast-pace environments.
To describe Tomsula in a complimentary tone, Staley chose to paraphrase a quote Justin Smith said shortly after Smith retired Monday.
“The perception might be like he’s a meathead, D-line coach, but he’s not that at all,” Staley said of Tomsula. “He’s a very knowledgeable coach. He’s very involved. He knows what he’s talking about. And guys respect him, too.”
A lot of guys have departed, however, including a slew on defense: Smith, Patrick Willis, Chris Borland, Dan Skuta, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox.
Did Tomsula tell those who remain to forget about the departures?
"Never spoke a word of it, to be honest with you," Tomsula responded. "Obviously some guys have retired and things, one near and dear with Justin recently.
"Justin Smith’s got me a pay raise. Let’s not hide the facts. The guy, he was just an unbelievable football player."
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