Arnaz Battle, absent from the first week of OTAs, was back in action for today's practice. After lifting weights, he got on a brief conference call with reporters. (Practice was closed to reporters). Battle said that he has been working with a trainer in the Dallas area and had not taken part in the optional offseason conditioning program and the optional OTAs due to personal reasons.
He seemed surprised that his absence was causing a stir and only realized it was a hot topic when a reporter contacted him about the absence. "It's just a lack of communication," Battle said. "This is not a mandatory camp and I felt there were some personal things I needed to take care of. I put it on my shoulders. I didn't communicate it, and that's that."
Battle said he contacted coach Mike Nolan, who hadn't heard from Battle when OTAs began, late last week and arrived in Santa Clara on Friday. He said he planned to participate in the last two weeks of OTAs. He said there were no hard feelings between him and the coaching staff.
Because he's been absent, Battle said he spent today's practice working himself back into the system. He said he played both at the "X" and "Z" positions today. The big question regarding his absence is that with a new offense being installed, why he wouldn't take every opportunity to learn that offense.
Battle agreed that Martz's offense presented a great opportunity for a receiver, but he also said he wasn't worried about picking it up. "I played quarterback," he said. "I feel I have the intelligence to (be able to) come in and learn the position and get out there and make plays and make things happen"
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Battle should have plenty of opportunities. Veteran receiver Isaac Bruce, who of course already is familiar with Martz's offense, won't be taking part in any more OTAs. Nolan asked Bruce to take part in one week, which he did with last week's session. Battle is playing behind Bruce at "Z" receiver.
Tackle Jonas Jennings is back in action, as is rookie linebacker Larry Grant, who was back for Friday's session. Receiver Cam Colvin is the only rookie not yet eligible to join the team.
The team has been holding OTAs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. For the last week, that schedule will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
-- Matt Barrows
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