SANTA CLARA – During Monday's practice against the Raiders, rookie Josh Morgan ran out to the line of scrimmage and saw a familiar face beneath the silver and black helmet on the other side.
"I went up against DeAngelo Hall a couple of times," Morgan said with a smile. "He definitely knew who I was. When he first saw me, he said, 'What's up, young V. Tech? I see you.' "
The two former Virginia Tech players were matched up several times, and Morgan is proud to say that he came away with a couple of catches against the one-time Hokies cornerback.
Playing against first-team defenders isn't all that rare for Morgan. The fact that some veteran 49ers wide receivers – Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle – don't practice every day, while others – Ashley Lelie and Bryant Johnson – have been injured, has given Morgan more first-team repetitions than a rookie typically is allotted.
There's a good chance he'll get to face off against Hall again when the 49ers open the exhibition season at 7 p.m. Friday in Oakland.
"As you know, our wide receiver corps is down, so Josh Morgan more than likely will be in there with Arnaz Battle," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said Wednesday of the team's starting offense.
And why not?
A tally of training-camp catches shows that the only receiver with more catches this summer has been Johnson, a five-year veteran who was one of the team's big free-agent acquisitions in the offseason. With Johnson currently on the sideline because of a hamstring strain, Morgan could soon have the advantage.
"The thing that's nice is the quarterbacks go to him," general manager Scot McCloughan said. "That means they trust him to run the right route and catch the ball."
McCloughan has high expectations for the rookie. The 49ers had him rated as a third-rounder in the April draft. In the fifth round – in which the 49ers had no pick – McCloughan said he called a dozen other teams hoping to trade up to take Morgan. There were no bites, but it turned out OK when Morgan was there in the sixth round.
Aside from quarterback, receiver usually is the toughest position for a rookie. Some break down physically. Others are overwhelmed by the playbook.
What's perhaps most impressive is how quickly Morgan has picked up Mike Martz's system, which is dramatically more complex than the one Morgan had at Virginia Tech – one that leaned heavily on its ground attack.
Morgan admits he was ill-prepared when the team assembled for its first minicamp in early May.
"They gave us all these plays," Morgan recalled. "I think I had to learn, like, 40 plays and go out there in two hours and run those plays that day."
Morgan said that Bruce, who has 14 years of experience, noticed he was struggling. The veteran's advice: Relax, slow down and ask questions.
By the time June practices rolled around, Morgan felt more comfortable. And in training camp, he has had the poise of a 10-year player.
"He's been able to pick up this offense, which is impressive for a rookie," McCloughan said. "And he seems like he belongs. You watch him in practice, and he's not overwhelmed."
Morgan also has been winning the war of attrition.
At 219 pounds, he has the size to absorb practice-field collisions. He also has been diligent about icing down his knees, getting massages and staying off his feet between practices – essentially treating himself like he was in the Beijing Olympics.
"It's like you're on a track team," Morgan said. "You're constantly running. You basically have to take care of yourself like you're a track guy."
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.
