49ers Blog and Q&A

The 49ers took a long look at Ahmad Brooks prior to the supplemental draft two years ago but didn't pull the trigger. This time, they did. Brooks, who was released by the Bengals yesterday, was plucked off of waivers by the 49ers. To make room, they cut linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, a free-agent acquisition during the offseason. Brooks played inside linebacker for the Bengals, and it's likely that he will play behind Patrick Willis at "Mike" linebacker in San Francisco.

General manager Scot McCloughan has said in the past that he believes Brooks has the talent of a first-round draft pick. The 49ers paid close attention to him prior to the supplemental draft in 2006, bringing him in for a medical examiniation in July of that year. McCloughan and coach Mike Nolan also traveled to Charlottesville, Va. that June to watch the former UVA standout work out.

The Bengals chose Brooks in the third round of the supplemental draft. The 49ers likely would have taken him with the first pick in the fourth round. Brooks certainly had plenty of baggage while at UVA. He was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2003, and frequently ran afoul of coach Al Groh in three seasons with the Cavaliers. He missed most of the 2005 with injuries and was dismissed from the team at the end of the season.

As a rookie in 2006, Brooks played in 11 games, finishing with 46 tackles, a sack and two passes defensed. The next season, he started the opener and had six tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He tore a groin muscle the following week and was placed on IR, thus ending his season.

The 49ers also began building their practice squad, signing RB Thomas Clayton, DT Atiyyah Ellison, TE J.J. Finley, LB Larry Grant, DE Louis Holmes and WR Dominique Zeigler. Guard Brian de la Puente was picked up by the Chiefs.The 49ers have two practice squad positions that still need to be filled and likely will do so tomorrow.

-- Matt Barrows

Question: How is that, yet again, we have no starters from any of our 1-3 draft picks this year? Take a cold, hard analytical look at the drafts of McNolan and I think maybe Scot M is also over-rated. Why do we draft players only to move them to a position they have not played since high school (Robinson, Staley, Walker and others that are no longer with the team)? For such a poor team the lack of immediate help with their 1-3 round picks for the last three years is a disaster and thus leading to a dependence on free agency.
Chris, San Jose

Answer: It's hard to torch McCloughan's picks when you consider that Patrick Willis and Joe Staley were two of only three rookies league wide to play every snap this past season. I do agree that the 49ers have relied more on free agency than they claim to. On defense, Willis, Ray McDonald and Manny Lawson are the only starters drafted by the current regime. And your point about switching positions (Staley?) is well-taken, too. The only player who has made a successful switch is Delanie Walker, and even his successes have been modest.
-- Matt Barrows

Question: Hi Matt. Is it fair to say one big winner in this training camp is Scot McCloughan? I know he would have preferred Alex to win the QB race, but for the first time his late-round draft choices (Morgan, McDonald, Goldson, Keasey) are looking good. I've always felt they previously looked good only in comparison to other Niners, but now they are looking like they can outplay good teams. It looks like McCloughan has built a team with good depth. Take care.
Peter, Halifax, N.S.

Answer: I think it's hard to look too good when the player you drafted No. 1 overall is barely hanging on to a second-string position. I do agree, though, that Morgan, McDonald and Goldson are looking good, though I wish the coaching staff would allow Goldson to show off his play-making skills. Keasey was a FA pickup, not a draft pick but still can be credited to McCloughan.
- Matt

Question: Greetings, Matt. I'm a little concerned (okay, very concerned) about our O line. We all knew sooner than later Jennings was going to stub a toe and finish the season on IR. Sims might be able to fill the void when need be, but now Snyder is out due to a high ankle sprain, who knows how effective he'll be when he comes back, he sure wasn't too impressive when 100% healthy. Can Brain De-La-Puente be the future there (he looked good in the 3rd preseason game) or will they have to move Wragge and Bass around a little?
Marc, Tempe, Ariz.

Answer: I think the opening-day line will look like this: RT Jennings, RG Wragge, C Heitmann, LG Baas, LT Staley. Maybe I'm wrong and Snyder plays LG. Or maybe Wragge moves to LG and Baas goes to RG. Whichever way, I think Wragge is a starter ...
- Matt

Question: Hey Matt- Why is it so controversial among you media types when Nolan said O'Sullivan's play was better than any QB play the last 3 years (Nolan's infantile backtracking on that statement is another story)? I guess as journalists you probably never caught on to the transitive property in elementary school. Let's review - Smith has been the starter the last 3 years - he lost his job because O'Sullivan played better. Thus, O'Sullivan's play is better than the QB play the last 3 years. Nolan was stating the obvious, not taking a jab at Smith. Why is that controversial?
Erik, San Francisco

Answer: It's controversial because it's entirely different than what Nolan's been saying for the past 25 days or so. We media types tend to pick up on contradictions like that.
- Matt

Question: Hey Matt this is a two parter. It seems that Nolan has taken another shot/swipe at Alex Smith again do you think he'll be back for his final season next year even if the team improves? And since all indications are that A.Smith might be gone next year will we address the QB situation via the draft and who do you think we may target?
Adrian, Oviedo, FL

Answer: If the 49ers do poorly, Nolan's gone. And if they do well, I believe the Yorks will be in a real pickle. Their improvement certainly will be due to the offense, and if Mike Martz can work a miracle in San Francisco he'll be considered for a head coaching job. The Yorks will have to ask themselves, do we promote Martz over Nolan (which, you have to admit, would be a tough call) or do we risk having a SEVENTH offensive coordinator in SEVEN years? ... If Martz sticks around, I don't see the team using a high pick on a QB. That's not Martz's m.o. ...
- Matt

Question: Matt -- A question about the O'Sullivan / Smith decision: During your time covering the 49ers, can you ever remember this amount of venom being spewed by fans -- even at one another? The feelings towards Nolan right now appear to be bordering on pathological... (It's almost to the point where you're safer at a Raiders' game than on a Niner blog or board these days.) A lot of heat around this, to be sure.
Mike, Montclair

Answer: I hear you, and it sort of makes me throw up in my mouth. Why should NinerLover411 care what Willis4Prez! thinks about his opinion? Why would you attack someone who doesn't exist! These aliases also allow people to be more vicious than they'd be if they put their real names behind their comments.
- Mudslinger49

Question: Tucson John again! Matt, I read anything and everything I can about our boys during the off-season, and am glued to my computer during the pre-season looking for every bit of info I can get. Thus, I'm super happy I found your blog! Now, from everything I've read, I sense a totally different vibe surrounding the team this year than from the previous 5 or 6. A certain swagger that's been missing. Is it visible in the players actions, both on and off the field, and by the tone of their voices when they talk? How so? Give us hope!
John, Tucson

Answer: John, it's the mirror opposite of last season when the swagger from May, June, July and August started to disappear when the 49ers struggled mightily in the preseason. This year, the team was unsure of itself until it started to see what the offense was capable of in that Green Bay game. A good sign, in my opinion.
- Matt

Question: Matt -- I was reading back on the last week's blogs, and I ran across this from you: "I made this analogy yesterday: Alex Smith is like the Democratic party. You think they're right, you root for them, but they frustrate the hell out of you by being too mild mannered ... " I enjoy your stuff, but it's best to keep politics out of sports. First, half the country doesn't share your views, and yeah, that mild-mannered Ted Kennedy, Al Gore, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton are real peaches. Please spare us!
Mike, Vacaville

Answer: Sorry to bring up politics, but it wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement of the Democratic party. My political stance is so straight down the center that you could balance on egg on it and it wouldn't fall either way. If there was a "Center Party," I would be president of the San Jose chapter. My favorite non-49er? Larry Centers. But the way things stand now I think there needs to be a couple of hard tugs to the left to get back to the center ...
- Matt

Question: Are there sports bars or lounges in Sacramento that cater especially to 49er fans for watching 49er games on TV?
Charles, Sacramento

Answer: I used to watch games at a bar on Arden, but dunno if it still exists. (I've lived in the San Jose area since 2003). Anyone have a suggestion for Charles?
- Matt

Question: Can someone please tell me what the J T stands for in O'Sullivan's name...?
Joe, Sacramento

Answer: John Thomas.
- Matt

Perhaps the most surprising cut for the 49ers today was Ashley Lelie, a prolific receiver early in his career, who at 28, still seems to have something to offer. Here's what Mike Nolan had to say about that and other cuts today.

On Lelie: "When it comes down to it, it really just became a durability issue. If you can't count on someone for whatever the reason ... It's a tough call. But we made the decision we did."

The decison to cut Lelie leaves the team with five receivers. Nolan said if the 49ers had their druthers, they would have at least six. It doesn't look like they will add anyone off of waivers because whomever they add would face a steep learning curve in the offense ... unless he had already played for Mike Martz. Nolan also said it was likely the team would keep two receivers on the practice squad because of the demands Martz's offense places on wideouts. Those two receivers would appear to be Dominique Zeigler and Cam Colvin. ... Any old Martz wideouts out there? Devale Ellis, a third-year-guy out of Hofstra, was released by Detroit today. He started two games last year and caught four passes for 41 yards.

On Larry Grant: Early on, the team thought Grant could compete with Jeff Ulbrich for the starting "Ted" spot. As training camp got underway, it was clear the rookie would not. When the 49ers signed Takeo Spikes, the handwriting was on the wall for Grant. "He was still inexperienced to the point where we didn't see him pushing for the job like we had hoped." Grant seems like a lock for the practice squad. It should be noted that Spikes hasn't edged Ulbrich out yet, either and that it seems as if Ulbrich will be the "Ted" starter on Sept. 7.

On Thomas Clayton: The question was put to Nolan about the relative strengths of Michael Robinson and Clayton. Nolan said that Robinson offered an array of skills. he was good out of the backfield, excellent on special teams and a locker room leader. "A master of none but a jack of all trades," Nolan said, which is why he landed a spot on the 53-man roster and Clayton, who is perhaps a better pure running back, did not. When I spoke to Clayton this morning he sounded optimistic that another team would see his game film from this summer and take a chance. The Lions, for example, are light on running backs at the moment. If not, he is a lock for the practice squad.

On keeping 12 defensive backs (including Allen Rossum), which is a whopper of a number, Nolan noted that DBs are valuable on special teams. He also suggested that the team is looking for Walt Harris' eventual replacement and hasn't identified who that is. He also said that all those DBs makes it unlikley the team will keep a cornerback or safety on the practice squad. That's bad news for D.J. Parker.

On Moran Norris: Nolan said that Norris was one of the most difficult cuts of the day because it's not as if his play had deteriorated since last year. Norris simply is not the right kind of fullback for Martz's offense. Nolan hinted that he had tried to trade Norris over the summer ...

So who makes the practice squad? Assuming that they all make it through waivers, look for the following:

1. Clayton
2. Zeigler
3. Colvin
4. Grant
5. Louis Holmes
6. Brian de la Puente
7. Ramiro Pruneda (int'l exemption)
8. Atiyyah Ellison
9. ?

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It was a bad day for Brandons. Former 49ers Brandon Moore and Brandon Williams were released by the Cardinals and Rams respectively.

-- Matt Barrows

The 49ers reached the 53-man limit by releasing 21 players and placing one, Jay Moore, on injured reserve. Here are the some of the notable released players I talked to today:

Thomas Clayton: The running back looked far and away better than he did last season, but there simply was no room on the roster. Clayton said he believes there will be some interest from other teams when he goes on the waiver wire. If not, he has been assured of a practice-squad spot. "I just feel like I'm better than the practice squad right now," he said. "But my spirits are good. I feel good inside. I'm just ready to play." Clayton certainly has some good game film, especially from preseason Game No. 3 in Chicago. In fact, the Bears might want to take a look ...

Larry Grant. Grant said he was surprised to have been cut, especially since he had a good game last night. He figured at the very least he would be an asset on special teams. "They might be bringing me back for the practice squad," he said. "You have to start somewhere. I've always wanted to be a 49er. I've been a fan all my life."

Atiyyah Ellison: Ellison played a lot of nose tackle Saturday night. The difficult part - it was the first time all offseason he had played there. Both Aubrayo Franklin and Ronald Fields got nicked in the game. And the 49ers' No. 3 NT, Joe Cohen, had been released the week prior. Ellison said he figures he will be picked up on the practice squad. He says his versatility gives him an advantage. "That's the good thing for me - I can play both end and nose."

Louis Holmes: The undrafted rookie also has been earmarked for the practice squad. Holmes was limited to playing defensive ends on third downs last night. He told me that coaches said he was uncomfortable playing linebacker. But Holmes said he felt plenty comfortable there. He said he thought he was playing the best football of his life this summer, which is a testament to good coaching.

The other who were cut are headlined by receiver Ashley Lelie, who missed nearly all of training camp and who was held without a catch last night. Here's the rest of the released list: LB Dennis Haley, FB Moran Norris, DT LaJuan Ramsey, T Alan Reuber, T Joe Toledo, CB Markus Curry, DT Walter Curry, WR Robert Ortiz, T Chris Patrick, WR Jerard Rabb, P Ricky Schmitt, WR Dominique Zeigler, WR Cam Colvin, G Brian de la Puente, TE J.J. Finley,and S D.J. Parker.

Obviously, the 49ers decided to load up on defensive backs. Keith Lewis and Marcus Hudson were both on the bubble throughout training camp, but both made the team. Still, more changes could come tomorrow after Scot McC,loughan and his staff scours the waiver wire.

Here are the injury updates:

As expected, Jay Moore will go on injured reserve after tearing his biceps in the first quarter yesterday. Moore said the injured happened on kickoff coverage when he extended his arm to make a tackle. He said it was like deja vu -- he suffered a severe ankle injury in the preseason finale last year. The difference is that last season he had to wait to see how bad the injury was. This year, he knew immediately that he would go on IR. He'll have surgery Tuesday ...

I wasn't able to catch Aubrayo Franklin, who injured his knee on the first series yesterday. However, i can tell you he walked to a waiting SUV without crutches, without a limp and without anything wrapped on the knee. He seems ok ...

I'm told that Parys Haralson's shoulder is nothing to worry about and that he ought to be able to play in the opener against Ariz. ... Just talked with Haralson. His left arm was in a sling but said he thought he'd be good to go for the opener.

-- Matt Barrows

Who says the last preseason game is useless? Mike Nolan insists there was some true jockeying for position on the field Thursday night. "It's not going to stay as I thought going into the game," he said of the looming cuts.

So who helped and who hurt themselves? First, let's look at who got hurt.

Jay Moore tore his right biceps and almost certainly will be placed on injured reserve, thus ending his season. This could be a blessing in disguise. Moore did not figure to make the final roster and the 49ers were eyeing him for the practice squad. There was also a chance he would be snagged off of waivers by a team in need of a defensive end. Now Moore likely will spend the year with the 49ers. It's also a case of lightning striking twice. Moore suffered a bad high-ankle sprain in last season's preseason finale against San Diego, an injury that landed him on IR.

Parys Haralson gets the bad-luck award, too. He was minutes away from going into the regular season healthy when he sprained his left shoulder. He was given an X-ray but the results are pending. If the news is bad, Rod Green and Tully Banta-Cain are shoe-ins to make the final roster. I think those two make it anyway, but depth suddenly looks like an issue in what was previously a crowded position.

Ashley Lelie played the whole game. He had nary a catch, which is an accomplishment considering that 10 other 49ers had at least one grab. But that may be secondary to Lelie finishing the game healthy. He said he felt good on the field and that he wasn't slowed by his calf injury.

Larry Grant could have sealed the win with an interception on the Chargers' final drive. He dropped the would-be pick (and what would have been a glorious TD) but he and Dennis Haley played like they were possessed during the series. Mike Nolan said Grant not only caught his eye on that series but on an earlier one as well. Grant was definitely on the bubble heading into the game. Did he salvage a spot? Tune in tomorrow ...

Marcus Hudson had a few nice hits in the secondary. But he was covering Eldra Buckley when Buckley made the game-winning TD catch on fourth down. Not only that but Hudson committed a flagrant pass-interference penalty and still Buckley caught the pass. That will stand out in film review tomorrow morning.

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In addition to Haralson and Moore, Aubrayo Franklin sprained his knee and did not return; Ronald Fields sprained his elbow and did return. If Franklin's injury is serious, it could mean Walter Curry, LaJuan Ramsey or Atiyyah Ellison is back in the running for a roster spot.

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David Baas played well at left guard. Baas admitted he was tentative at first, but once he got over the mental hurdle of playing again, he got comfortable and settled down. Baas spent the offseason of 2006 at left guard. It will be interesting to see whether he or Adam Snyder starts there Sept. 7 against the Cardinals. As I wrote earlier, Snyder was out of his plastic boot and running sprints before the game.

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Why didn't JTO, who has all of four preseason starts to his name, play? I'm not sure I quite understand this explanation but this is what Nolan said. Because the 49ers' first-team offense practiced all week against the 49ers' first-team defense ... and because the 49ers' defense is similar to the Chargers defense, Nolan figured it was as good as a game. "He got more than a game," Nolan said of the practice reps. "He got basically 2 ½ games this week."
The others who were healthy scratches for the game: defenders Nate Clements, Walt Harris, Justin Smith and Patrick Willis; and Frank Gore and Isaac Bruce on offense.

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Greatest offensive decision of Mike Nolan's coaching career? Not going for the 51-yard field goal to send the game to overtime. Why risk more injuries (See: Haralson; Parys)? It also would have crimped my deadline. Nolan for coach of the year, I say ...

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Mark Roman and Dashon Goldson wore the radio receivers for the defense.

-- Matt Barrows

About five months ago, I called the Cowboys PR director to see if the team was planning to sign Larry Allen to a ceremonial contract so he could retire a Cowboy. Turns out my instincts were right, although my timing was way off. Allen indeed has decided to hang up the cleats after 14 years in the league, the last two in San Francisco. Here are the latest details from the Cowboys blog ...

The 49ers never ruled out re-signing Allen in the offseason, but it always seemed like a longshot. The team liked how David Baas played at the end of the season, and they had plans to finally allow Adam Snyder to concentrate on one spot, left guard. Tony Wragge also has been impressive, and, of course, the team used its second-round pick on Chilo Rachal ....

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There's been a lot of news in recent months about L.A. developer Ed Roski and his plan to lure a team -- or two -- to a new stadium in L.A. Today, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune has a story that quotes Roski's business partner as saying there was "no doubt" a team would be playing in the L.A. area next year. In April, Roski listed the Saints, Bills, Vikings, Jaguars, Chargers, Raiders and 49ers as teams that might make the move. Jed York today told me that the 49ers have had no contact with Roski's group. The Yorks, of course, are in the midst of a stadium project of their own -- in Santa Clara.

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5:02 p.m. -- Looking through my binocs I see a group of five 49ers running sprints on the field. they are: J.T. O'Sullivan, Nate Clements, Frank Gore, Patrick Willis and Adam Snyder. Snyder (ankle) obviously is out of his plastic boot and seems to be running fine. Of course, he comes in last each time they sprint ...

5:11 p.m. -- Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and Philip Rivers are chatting at the 50-yard line. Here's how I imagine the conversation:

AS: So, how's the old knee?
PR: Great.
AS: Darn.

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Just received the lineup changes for tonight's game. Basically, the entire San Diego first string has been scratched from the game. That's Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Gates, Chris Chambers, Jamal Williams ...etc., etc. For the 49ers, Snyder, Allen Rossum, Keith Lewis, Jonas Jennings and Josh Morgan are scratches. David Baas will start for Snyder at LG; Barry Sims will start for Jennings at RT ...

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Apparently, the 49ers have seen enough of J.T. O'Sullivan. He's wearing a baseball cap while Alex Smith is warming up ... I'm told it's not a health issue ... It looks like Patrick Willis, Walt Harris and Nate Clements also are getting the VIP treatment. Dontarrious Thomas, Shawntae Spencer and Donald Strickland are substituting. ... It doesn't look like Frank Gore is playing, either ...

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NT Aubrayo Franklin has just left the game with what looks like a right knee injury .... Now it looks like Ronald Fields, Franklin's backup, also is nicked. Trainers appear to be working on Fields' left elbow ...Atiyyah Ellison is now in the game at NT

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Fields is back out for the second series. He's wearing a rubber sleeve over his elbow ...

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Now you know why Mike Martz is so gaga about Delanie Walker -- a 101-yard kickoff return. Somone call STATS and see if a tight end has ever returned a kickoff for a TD ...

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Jay Moore has a right torn biceps. That's an injury that will land him on IR. The 49ers were planning to release Moore and then add him to their practice squad. That won't happen now, but at least there's no risk of losing him.

As far as the final numbers go, this unit takes it on the chin for four reasons: One, the 49ers consider themselves a 3-4 team (hybrid 3-4) and one of the beauties of running the 3-4 is that you don't need to carry as many lineman. Two, there are several linebackers - Rod Green, Parys Haralson, TBC, etc. - who can play with their hand in the dirt if need be. Three, just about every lineman can play multiple positions on the line, making depth less of a concern. Four, backup linebackers are better on special teams than backup linemen.

#60 Walter Curry. This one's going to hurt defensive line coach Jim Tomsula who's fond of Curry after their days together in NFL Europe. Curry is one of the strongest players on the team, and he holds his ground well, which is something the 49ers want from their defensive ends. But Curry is not as versatile as some other players and there's a sense that in Isaac Sopoaga and Ronald Fields, the team has virtually the same player with a little more play-making ability. He is not practice-squad eligible.
Final 53: No.

#61 LaJuan Ramsey. Ramsey is this year's version of Sam Rayburn - a former Eagles lineman who is a solid lineman that is just not going to make the final cut. Ramsey certainly hasn't floundered since arriving here. But his size is just OK, he's not all that versatile and he's not a pass-rush threat.
Final 53: No

#62 Louis Holmes. A very intriguing guy. If Holmes had had his head screwed on right in college, he would have been a first-day draft pick. As it was, he went undrafted. But he has excellent size and quickness and he's responded well to Tomsula's coaching. He easily could have been listed in the "linebacker" post because he's been playing quite a bit there late in training camp. Holmes' most natural position is probably as a 4-3 defensive end, but he's more athletic than Jay Moore and the 49ers envision him as a pass-rush linebacker. Practice squad is a definite possibility.
Final 53: No.

#78 Atiyyah Ellison. The 49ers snagged Ellison off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad early last season. And why not? Ellison is huge, quick and smart - just what the 49ers were looking for on their defensive line. But the team seems to be reaching the same conclusion the Ravens had: That while Ellison is bursting with ability, he's too inconsistent for a spot on the regular roster. He was inactive for every game last season - a wasted roster spot - and it doesn't look as if the 49ers will make the same mistake twice.
Final 53: No.

#90 Isaac Sopoaga. He's much happier at left defensive end after playing nose tackle for most of 2007. Sopoaga was paid handsomely in the offseason and it will be interesting to see if there's any drop-off in his play. Of course, he still has plenty of pressure: He's taking over for the incomparable Bryant Young and he has a first-round draft choice playing behind him.
Final 53: Yes

#91 Ray McDonald. Last year, the coaching staff predicted big things from Ray McDonald in his second season, and McDonald is in a position to make them look smart. He admits to having a tough time his rookie season because he was relying mostly on instincts and quickness. He has a better understanding of the defense - and his role - this season, and he's looked very good in the preseason. Along with Justin Smith, McDonald is the team's best pass-rushing lineman, and the 49ers often will pair the two on stunts. The duo is being counted on to jump-start the pass rush this season.
Final 53: Yes.

#92 Aubrayo Franklin. The 49ers see Franklin as a placeholder until they can find somebody better to play nose tackle. Franklin gets moved around too easily and last year spent too many plays on the ground. Still, his play picked up toward the tail end of 2007 and he couldn't have been too bad considering Patrick Willis' tackle total. Still, look for the team to try to upgrade the position in the offseason.
Final 53: Yes

#93 Ronald Fields. The 49ers like Fields for two reasons - he's versatile and he has a certain on-the-field meanness that coaches desire in a defensive lineman. Fields had one of the 49ers' top plays last year when he forced a Kurt Warner fumble in an overtime win in Arizona. He was rushing from the left defensive end spot that game but has been switched to nose tackle, his college position, this year. The 49ers would love it if he displaced Franklin, but it looks as if Fields will begin the season as a reliever.
Final 53: Yes

#94 Justin Smith. I could have included him in yesterday's post but I just got too tired of writing about linebackers. Smith - as you've no doubt heard by now - is going to play multiple positions this year. Smith's been everything the 49ers hoped for so far, and has been a valuable teacher for younger defensive linemen and offensive linemen alike. He's a very hard guy for offensive linemen to handle one on one, which is why the team's pass rush will revolve around Smith. In other words, Smith's value shouldn't be measured in how many sacks he has this year but in how many sacks the team has.
Final 53: Yes

#96 Kentwan Balmer. Get down from the roof, 49ers fans. The team's first rounder is not a bust. He's simply a far from polished defensive lineman, as most rookies who play his position are (See: Williams, Mario; McDonald, Ray). Early on, he's reminded me a lot of former 49ers defensive lineman Anthony Adams as far as his energy level and work ethic. The difference is that Balmer is much bigger and has a more powerful lower body. A year under Tomsula will pay dividends but don't expect much this season.
Final 53: Yes.

-- Matt Barrows

Here's a little bit more of the Mike Martz media session from earlier today. Transcription courtesy of the 49ers PR staff ...

RE: How big is it to get the receivers out here and work with J.T. [O'Sullivan] and guys like Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie. Is that necessary?
"It's very necessary. We've been behind the eight ball there [and] that's hurt us. We need that desperately. That will affect us. I'm concerned about it having my head in my hands a few days. [Bryant Johnson's] been real good. We need to get them in that environment as much as we can. We're behind the eight ball. But to their credit, they've stayed with it, they don't make [any] errors when they've been out there. They have not made mistakes so I feel good about that. But just the connection between the quarterback and the receivers ..."

RE: J.T. [O'Sullivan] was asked the same question and he takes it from the mindset of it's doesn't matter who the receiver is I need to throw it in certain spot, the receiver needs to be there no matter who the receiver is. Where does the quarterback [and wider receiver] chemistry become important?
"It's not so much of a chemistry [issue] as it is a trust issue. If the receivers are all supposed to be twenty yards and they're all twenty yards that makes the difference whether he runs [the play]. Just developing that trust and knowing that that guy is going to do what he's supposed to and that doesn't always happen that way so that's why some of those guys are out there in front and some of them aren't because those guys who are not consistent you can't trust, they just don't make it. So were trying to get that group of guys that we can trust and be consistent and that the mindset that he's at. My mindset is a little different from that because I need to see. When you do the game plan you create things for these guys. You want to see who can make a play, make the most out of something and that's not where J.T. [O'Sullivan] is. He's just going to play his game. My deal is 'alright Arnaz [Battle], what can you do with this' or 'ok [Bryant Johnson] here you go, what are you going to do with that' kind of thing."

RE: How do you go about arranging your starting line up for the regular season when you haven't seen these guys [play] all that much?
"It's hard. It'll be hard, that's what's scary. But we'll move on with it. It's hard with Josh [Morgan] because he's a rookie. The tempo of a regular season and preseason game is substantially different [especially] to play under that pressure all of a sudden if you're a rookie that's assured. The timing not really like it was in the preseason because you're panicky. There's that growth process for those guys that you've kind of got to fight through so to say that Josh is the guy that's going to start excelling at stuff, he's in obviously but we're really kind of depending on [Bryant Johnson] to step up now and be healthy and ready to go."

RE: Is it fair to say that this is a high risk, high reward offense that leaves your quarterback vunerable [to get sacked]?
'I think that my one stay in Detroit was pretty much like that. It was kind of by design. When I went in there they wanted to throw the ball a lot with what they had. We had some personnel issues up front. We had a guy rotate through at tackle. We really didn't have a group in the offensive line that had been together. We had a lot of injuries and lot of different guys come in that we thought were [okay] to play and that will affect you. But other than that, no. Shouldn't be different than any other."

RE: You don't think it exposes the quarterback any more than any other offense?
"I think when you go back and look at years prior that it doesn't."

RE: Do you have a sense of...I remember when you took this job you said, 'Frank Gore is going to be the central figure of this offense, the focal point.' Having seen him now through the couple months in the offseason and training camp, do you have a pretty good grasp of what this guy can and can't do and what's your feeling now on how's he going to be used?
"I don't think there's anything that he can't do. I haven't seen anything that he can't do. I would say that we're very pleased and he's kind of what we thought he would be and more. His work habits have been really good. He's tied into what we're doing. He does not make mental errors. He's in good shape. If you look at the preseason game last week, although it was a preseason game, I'm really pleased with his run, his vision, his cuts and all that stuff. So he's really ready to play. He's ready to go. He's that kind of a player to build an offense around."

RE: How would you compare him to Marshall Faulk?
"They're different players. It's unfair to anybody of his stature...he's an elite player and so is Marshall. It's just unfair to both of them to compare each other. They're dissimilar in a lot of respects. They can catch the ball, they're both outstanding runners...all those things. But they're just different, you know what I mean? Frank has a little bit more of a physical, powerful back inside and yet Marshall is very elusive. So, they're very elite players that can accomplish a great deal in all areas of their game. They just go about it a little bit differently I guess."

RE: What about Vernon Davis, Coach? Would you like to see him get a little bit more involved?
"Well, he will. I think that the numbers for Vernon, in terms of receptions, may or may not be there this year. It may fluctuate during the season. But what we expect from Vernon are big plays. He's a very, very substantial blocker, which really allows us to a lot of good things in the running game. There's no question about that. But, when we get him the ball we'd like to get him the ball down the field or get him the ball in the shallow routes and let him take off with it, so to speak. Sometimes the defenses will dictate how much you get the ball to him. He's done a very good job out here in practice and we haven't done a whole lot with him in the preseason games but we certainly practice him a lot."

RE: Is he the guy you might move out into the slot if the receiver injuries dictate it?
"Sure. We've already done that in practice. We've moved him around a little bit. But it takes away from some of the other things that he does really well. The hard thing about Vernon is that he's a very talented guy. The more you do with him, then you have to be careful about not doing anything really well. And there's some things that he really does exceptionally well and we want to keep him grounded to that."

RE: What about Delanie Walker? Is there any thought about moving him into a wide receiver position?
"No, Delanie is a very physical guy that can play at the point on the line of scrimmage, which is really unusual for a guy of his size. And yet, he can be in the backfield. He can carry the ball. He's a receiver. He could be a lead blocker. He does that well. That's the guy we put a lot hats on and move him around. He affords us the ability to do a lot of different things and the combination between he and Vernon is pretty good."

It's suddenly clear why J.T. O'Sullivan is excelling in Mike Martz's offense. The two men are cut from the same cloth. They're both precise and hyper-demanding - of themselves and of others. Things got a wee bit testy today between Martz and a member of the media (not a newspaper guy) when Alex Smith's progress was raised during a group interview. Here's the exchange:

Q: ... It's supposed to be a fair competition and you almost feel like Alex should have been able to play a half with the starters ...

MM: First of all, let me tell you this ... and let's get this straight: There's nothing fair about this league. Alright? If you establish yourself as an incredible player within a quarter of the game, then that's just the way it is. There's nothing fair about this game. Understand that first of all, OK?

Q: I played the game. I understand it.

MM: Good. Then you know it's not the ...

Q: I also known that in preseason you can do real well, but that might not translate to the regular season ...

MM: There's no question. But we'll find out now won't we?

O'Sullivan certainly hasn't been confrontational with the media. But reporters quickly have found out that their questions have to be precise or else O'Sullivan will ask them to repeat or rephrase them in a way that he can understand them. I thought it was also interesting that at different times today they answered the same question in nearly the exact same way. The question was whether it was important for O'Sullivan to develop chemistry with receivers Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie, both of whom have been injured for most of August.

First, O'Sullivan: "It's a trust thing where they trust me to put the ball where I'm supposed to and I trust them to be where they need to be."

Now Martz: "It's not so much chemistry as it is a trust issue."

Obviously, Martz has preached trust all offseason to his offensive players and it's been a buzzword in the meeting room. But I can't shake the fact that in back-to-back group interviews with O'Sullivan and then Martz, we were talking to two remarkably similar men. It's also clear that Martz has become very fond of his new quarterback: "What he's done so far is taken an opportunity and made the most of it," Martz said. "To say that I expected him to be this good -- I'd be lying to you."

********************
Five players won't suit up Friday. They are Josh Morgan and Keith Lewis (illness), Adam Snyder (ankle), Jonas Jennings (hand) and Allen Rossum, who took a hard shot in his back Thursday that affected his breathing (lungs). Rossum has been practicing by himself all week and he seemed fine in an interview today. He said there's no way he'll miss the opener on Sept. 7. Lewis was at practice but did not participate. Morgan was told to stay home.

*******************
The big question is who will start at split end. Mike Nolan said the position would be split between Johnson and Lelie, both of whom practiced yesterday and today. Lelie is definitely on the proverbial bubble. He's had little impact since arriving in San Francisco last year. Yet he still offers something -- straight-line speed -- that no other player on the team has. He could save his job with a solid performance Friday. Nolan said both receivers could play the entire first half.

******************
Nolan doesn't use the passive voice very often. But in discussing how much the starters will play, he said, "I've been told the first series to the first quarter." Who told him? Martz. O'Sullivan certainly needs and wants to get as much work as he can given that he's only started four NFL games in his career. But Nolan noted that the bulk of the practices this week have come against the 49ers' first-team defense. Why not the scout team? Because the 49ers and Chargers run very similar defenses.

*****************
David Baas was at left guard again. He has been penciled in at the starter at right guard, but because Tony Wragge has played so well on the right side, the thought was that there'd be less suffling if Baas re-entered the lineup on the left.

***************
Funny exchange. Nolan was saying that he'll continue to wear his business suit for home games. For away games, he can wear everything but the suit jacket, which he has to replace with a Reebok product such as a windbreaker.

Maiocco: Like Mr. Rogers?
Nolan: The Mr. Rogers look. ... That's good. You just talked me out of it.

-- Matt Barrows

# 51 Takeo Spikes. There's a chance Spikes won't be in the starting lineup on opening day. It's not that coaches don't like how the veteran's playing, it's that he is still learning the team's defense. Spikes certainly is in the long-term plans this season, and it might be a case where early on he plays in some packages while Jeff Ulbrich plays in others.
Final 53: Yes

#52 Patrick Willis. Mike Nolan feels as if Willis is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2008. The irony, however, is that he may be better than he was as a rookie but still finish with fewer tackles. Spikes and Justin Smith are expected - hopefully - to eat into Willis' gaudy tackle numbers from a year ago. For Willis to capture the national award, he needs more interceptions, more turnovers and at least one highlight-reel play in which he winds up in the end zone with the ball. That is, he needs something to balance the east-coast bias and compensate for the 49ers' lack of nationally televised games.
Final 53: Yes

#53 Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich wasn't a happy man the day Spikes was signed. He's a guy who wants to be on the field as much as he can, and Spikes was there to take away his starting spot. The coaches, however, were worried that Ulbrich was on the field too much. He was the starter at "Ted" linebacker, played a big role in the team's third-down or "sub" packages, and is a member of just about every special teams unit. The concern was that at age 31, Ulbrich would break down under that workload. He bristles at that notion, too, noting that he played through a number of injuries last season. But even with Spikes on the roster, Ulbrich will have plenty of time on the field. It also should be noted that at 31, Spikes is no spring chicken, either and that his 2007 season ended prematurely with a shoulder injury.
Final 53: Yes

#54 Roderick Green. Green has been a human yoyo the last two seasons - let go at the beginning of the year only to be brought back when the team needed pass-rush help. This year, it seems as if the 49ers have learned from their mistakes. Green is one of the few players on the team with legitimate pass-rush skills, and he has been a big part of their third-down defense. In obvious passing situations, Green enters the game as a defensive end, essentially the same role Brandon Moore had last season. The one thing going against Green: the 49ers know if they cut him, they can always get him back.
Final 53: Yes

#55 Dennis Haley. Man, Haley would be a great candidate for the practice squad. He's been productive late in preseason games, he's been healthy, and best of all, he's a former Wahoo. Every NFL team needs at least one former University of Virginia player on it. Alas, Haley played nine games in 2006, making him ineligible for the practice squad. His best bet is that he played well enough to be picked up by some lucky team on Aug. 31.
Final 53: No.

#56 Dontarrious Thomas. Thomas has been everything the 49ers expected he'd be after signing him as a free-agent in March. Thomas' reputation with the Vikings was that of a big, athletic linebacker who could make plays all over the field but who wasn't necessarily great at plowing into blockers to reach the ball carrier. That description seemed to rule him out of the "Ted" competition, and indeed Thomas has found his niche at "Mike," the spot Patrick Willis plays. Thomas, however, is versatile enough to play any of the team's linebacker spots and will be used as a reliever of sorts during the regular season. Don't count on him playing much "Mike," however. Willis was on the field for every snap as a rookie last season.
Final 53: Yes

#57 Larry Grant. The former Sacramento resident obviously has fallen out of the race to start at "Ted" this season. Grant indeed has been playing "Ted" but he hasn't been getting into preseason games until well into the second half. Still, with both Ulbrich and Spikes in their 30s, Grant has a chance of being the "Ted" of the future. He's been aggressive and productive while in the game. He must master the mental part of the position, however, which is typical for rookies. Grant's role this season likely will be limited to special teams.
Final 53: Yes.

#58 Jay Moore. It's never a good sign when a reporter says, "So and so looked like he played well ..." and the head coach responds, "Eh, he was playing against third stringers." Moore was the subject of such an exchange earlier this summer. After missing his rookie season with a wicked high-ankle sprain, Moore has been merely "meh" this offseason. He doesn't pose much of a pass-rush threat as a linebacker, he's doesn't cover a lot of ground on pass plays and he hasn't been instinctual. The 49ers would like to continue to develop him on the practice squad. However, there's a healthy chance a 4-3 team in need of a defensive end with pluck Moore off the waiver wire.
Final 53: No.

#95 Tully Banta-Cain. Perhaps TBC was the victim of too lofty expectations last year. Mike Singletary predicted at least 10 sacks from Banta-Cain while Banta-Cain himself was aiming for one a game. He didn't come close, and it quickly became apparent that Banta-Cain wasn't an every-down pass rusher. But that doesn't mean he's not valuable. I still think Banta-Cain makes the team for the mere fact that he does have pass-rush skills and those skills are rare in the NFL. How he'll be used this season remains to be seen as most of Banta-Cain's playing time has been in the second half of games.
Final 53: Yes, barely.

#98 Parys Haralson. A pass-rush linebacker last season, Haralson has been playing behind Manny Lawson at the SAM outside linebacker position and as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense. The 49ers want to make him into a capable and versatile backup, a la the New England Patriots, who for years have seemed to have had a bottomless roster when it comes to linebackers.
Final 53: Yes

#99 Manny Lawson. You wonder if Patrick Willis would have received as much attention last year if Manny Lawson hadn't torn his ACL. Lawson looked excellent early in the season and was playing up to his first-round status when the injury occurred during practice. Lawson made a furious recovery and has been healthy ever since training-camp opened. And yet ... Maybe the 49ers are being cautious with the linebacker, but Lawson hasn't caught my eye this summer the way he did a year ago. It's quite possible the real Manny Lawson won't return until 2009.
Final 53: Yes.

-- Matt Barrows

Yesterday Mike Nolan says his toughest opening-day decision might be whether to start Josh Morgan or Bryant Johnson at split end. Today Johnson was back at practice for the first time since Aug. 4. Coincidence? ... Whatever the motivation, Johnson (hamstring) was indeed back on the field today. He took part in individual drills as well as some of the team session. David Baas also was in the lineup, playing left, not right, guard. Is that a signal that Tony Wragge could be the opening-day right guard? It's looking that way ....

In other OL news, Brian de la Puente was back at practice after suffering an arm injury yesterday. Adam Snyder still isn't practicing but he's out of his boot. The hard cast on Jonas Jennings' right hand has been upgraded to a soft cast. Nolan said the hope is for Baas to get 15 to 20 snaps Friday against the Chargers.

• * LB Dontarrious Thomas sprained his shoulder but should be back by tomorrow.
• * If the season started today, Jeff Ulbrich would be the starter at "Ted" linebacker. Takeo Spikes has a little more to learn before he can master the defense.
• * Plans to move Alex Smith during the season? Nolan says there are no plans."We've had zero discussions about Alex not being on the football team," he said.

-- Matt Barrows

Alex Smith didn't read yesterday's Peter King item in which Mike Nolan seemed to imply that J.T. O'Sullivan's preseason has been better than two and half regular seasons of work by Smith. But he heard about it. And he and Nolan discussed it. And he's not angry. And he and agent Tom Condon aren't fashioning an escape plan. (That'll come after the season...)

"Coach Nolan and I are beyond that," Smith said when asked about the comments. "I think we've been through enough with the media and different things. But I trust in what he's telling me, so ..."

Smith had a long conversation with Tim Kawakami and me. Here are some of the exerpts:.

About whether his shoulder has played a role in his accuracy issues this offseason:

AS: I think if there's anything, it's just getting back the length of throws. I think when you're talking about really letting it go downfield, I think there are some lasting effects as far as not having the strength that I used to maybe.

Does it come into your mind before the throw?

AS: It's not as easy as it was. It used to be pretty effortless to get the ball downfield. I think the last little thing is just building that back up

Are you confident the long ball eventually will return?

AS: Absolutely. It's the throwing progression as far as coming back.

Was that discussed when you had the surgery?

AS: Never talked about it. But ... It will be something I have to continue to work on. Even working on in the offseason, throwing some long balls and different things.

What about the short and intermediate throws?

AS: I don't feel a difference, at all. It's sort of a minute game. But the other thing, that's where I notice a difference.

Is the accuracy ever shoulder-related?

AS: There's a lot that goes into accuracy, I think, and a lot of it having to do with making sure you know you're going with the football. I think there are times when I do feel good that I know where I'm going with the ball and the ball comes out accurately. I think that happens to every quarterback. When you do second guess and things, like that. That's when the ball tends to not go where you want it to.

Would an 'Angry Alex' be a more effective Alex?

AS: I think I get angry just as much as the next person. I think I really thought about it and (concluded) what good is it going to do? You know, it's not going to do anything for me and it's not going to do anything for this team.

At some point do you have to think, 'This coaching staff may not want me to be the qaurterback?'

AS: Yeah, that's definitely a possibility. But I'm not thinking about that right now. When the time comes, in the offseason or something like that, we'll deal with it. But right now, I'm taking on this new role, and it is what it is.

**************************

Still no sign of Keith Lewis and Josh Morgan. I think they're being quarantined so they don't infect the rest of the squad. You've seen the movie "Outbreak," right?

-- Matt Barrows

#59. Cody Wallace. The team's fourth-round pick hasn't won many one-on-one blocking battles in practice, and early on he was being rag-dolled in just about every match-up. And that's what's so puzzling about Wallace's selection. He doesn't fit the mold of the big, 300-plus-pound mauler that Mike Nolan and Scot McCloughan have been accumulating since they arrived on scene. Still, Wallace has improved over the last month, and his technique is solid. Coaches like him because he's a quick learner. He just needs to get stronger.
Final 53: Yes

#60. Brian de la Puente. He's been one of the most pleasant surprises of camp. Like Wallace, he's not a very big guy, but he held his own in one-on-one drills all summer where he mostly went against LaJuan Ramsey and Walter Curry, who is one of the more powerful players on the team. Coaches trusted de la Puente enough to allow him to start Thursday's game in Chicago and it looks like he'll do the same Friday against the Chargers. A spot on the final roster might be a bit too ambitious, but the practice squad seems likely.
Final 53: No.

#61. Joe Toledo. Training camp has been a roaring sucecss for Toledo for the mere fact that he made it through without injury. Toldeo suffered a knee injury when he was a rookie two years ago. He spent 2006 on injured reserve and 2007 on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Toledo has looked good at times, bad at other times. He's not terribly mobile. He won't make the final roster, and the question is whether the 6-5, 330-pounder who showed potential in college can develop on the practice squad.
Final 53: No.

#62. Chilo Rachal. I'm probably going to write the same exact sentence later in the week in regard to Kentwan Balmer: He's got potential, but he needs refinement. And that's why the 49ers used a second-round pick on Rachal. They believe he has the potential to be excellent, and that's not something you say about most second-rounders. For this year, however, Rachal will remain on the bench, at least early on. I figure the top three guards will be David Baas, Adam Snyder and Tony Wragge in some order. Rachal will be No. 4, which means he likely won't suit up on game days.
Final 53: Yes.

#63 Damane Duckett. The 49ers love to recast players at different positions. Duckett, of course, was a defensive lineman until the 49ers switched him to the opposite side of the ball last year. He made excellent progress, and the 49ers had great hopes that the tall and long-limbed Duckett would make a successful switch. Those hopes, however, may have dimmed a bit this offseason. Duckett's progress seemed to plateau, and he struggled mightily in that Aug. 4 "practimmage" against the Raiders. A knee injury landed him on injured reserve.
Final 53: No.

#64. David Baas. For the first time in his career, Baas saw significant playing time when Justin Smiley injured his shoulder last season. Baas' insertion into the starting lineup coincided with a late-season resurgence for the starting line. The 49ers naturally had high hopes for him ... and then he tore his pectoral muscle. Baas is looking at it as a blessing in disguise. He worked tirelessly to rehabilitate from the injury, and he says his body may be in better shape -- stamina, flexibility, etc. -- than it's ever been. Baas is back a couple of weeks earlier than his projected return date. The question is whether his power, which is his forte, will return in time for the regular season.
Final 53: Yes

#65. Barry Sims. Sims was an essential addition this offseason, considering how much pressure Mike Martz's offense puts on offensive tackles. If they play well, the offense operates like the 1999 Rams. If they don't, the offense surrenders 63 sacks (see: Lions, Detroit). Sims is integral, of course, considering Jonas Jennings' injury history. And he's already been called upon after Jennings broke a knuckle on his right hand Aug. 16. Sims started at right tackle and played well the next week against the Bears. He'll get his second start Friday against San Diego. Make no mistake: Jennings is the more talented tackle. But with Sims, the 49ers don't have to reshuffle the rest of their line or readjust their offense should Jennings go down in the regular season.
Final 53: Yes.

#66. Eric Heitmann. A year ago at this time, Heitmann had made a Herculean effort to return to the field following a broken leg late in the 2006 season. Largely because of that effort, he won the team's Bobb McKittrick award (voted on by the offensive line) as well as the Ed Block Courage award. Heitmann, however, wasn't himself early in the season, and he and the rest of the interior of the offensive line struggled mightily. (Search: Smith, Alex + Bernard, Rocky). Heitmann's play improved by the end of the season, and so far this summer he and Jennings have been the most impressive linemen. It's a good time to be playing well; Heitmann is in the final year of his contract. Last year, only one starting center was paid less. Heitmann should be rewarded. The question is whether the 49ers or one of the 31 other teams in the league will do the rewarding.
Final 53: Yes

#67. Alan Reuber. With Jennings out, Reuber has been the backup right tackle, and actually had a couple of plays with the first-team unit when Sims had an equipment malfunction Thursday. Still, it's hard to see Reuber as anything but a camp body.
Final 53: No.

#68 Adam Snyder. The most dubious surprise of training camp might be Snyder. Since being drafted in the third round in 2005, Snyder's been the most versatile and dependable offensive lineman, playing games at every position save center. The expectation was that once he settled in at one spot -- left guard -- he would excel. He still might. But Snyder struggled early in training camp, especially when pitted against Justin Smith. Snyder would hold his own every now and then. But he also was thrown to the ground too many times. Now Snyder's out with a high-ankle sprain, and there's been talk of moving Tony Wragge from right to left guard for the season opener.
Final 53: Yes.

#69 Tony Wragge. Tony Wragge is a like a gray sweatshirt. Sure, there are fancier things in your closet, but old gray is the first thing you reach for when it gets cold. Wragge has been solid while filling in for Baas at right guard. So solid, in fact, that there's a chance Wragge will be the starting left guard on opening day.
Final 53: Yes

#74 Joe Staley. Staley missed the first week of training camp with a foot infection, and then looked shaky in the opener against the Raiders. He's settled down in recent weeks, however, and is expected to be the team's left tackle for the next decade or so. Indeed, Staley was one of the players Martz initially cited when he was hired.
Final 53: Yes.

#75 Jonas Jennings. Ok, let's get this out of the way. Jennings is injured. Again. He has a hard cast on his right hand after it was stepped on against Green Bay resulting in a broken knuckle. He missed the Chicago game, and he'll miss the game against San Diego. But the injury seems more serious than what initially was reported. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Jennings had three screws inserted into the hand. Because of his injury history, it's notable whenever Jennings misses a game. However, he made the switch from left tackle to right tackle with aplomb, has been the team's best linemen this offseason and really doesn't need to play these final two games.
Final 53: Yes

#76 Ramiro Pruneda. Given his international status, Pruneda is the only player on the team guaranteed a spot on the roster, albeit the practice squad roster. And the big-bodied guard isn't just taking up space. He's got some skills and will be a nice addition to the practice squad. The question is whether his presence means the 49ers will be less inclined to keep another offense livemen they otherwise would have liked to develop.
Final 53: No

#77 Chris Patrick. Patrick was signed when Duckett was placed on injured reserve. A former guard, he's been playing backup left tackle since joining the 49ers. That he's done so on the fly is impressive. Practice squad is a slight possibility.
Final 53: No.

Next: Linebackers

Now that the quarterback situation has been settled, Mike Nolan was asked today what his biggest conundrum was heading into the regular season. His answer: Who he's going to play at split end. Early on, of course, the answer was easy. The team acquired Bryant Johnson in free agency and Johnson was the most prolific receiver during minicamp and OTAs. But rookie Josh Morgan has made a push in training camp, especially after Johnson went down with an hamstring injury on Aug. 4.

Johnson gives the team more experience. Morgan, however, is more of a downfield threat and has had more work with J.T. O'Sullivan. As it happened, both players were out today, Johnson with a hamstring injury; Morgan was under the weather.

Arnaz Battle (hamstring) and Ashley Lelie (calf) were back at practice. Both are expected to play Friday against San Diego. Asked if he would keep five or six receivers this season, Nolan said, "I'm on the fence on that." If he keeps five, it's very unlikely that Lelie makes the team.

*********
Nolan's been consistent all offseason in praising all three of his quarterbacks. His stock answer during the quarterback competition has been, "I think we can win with all three." That's why the quote today in Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback" was so eye-catching. Referring to the 49ers' quarterbacks, Nolan said, "Thus far, J.T.'s been better than the other two, and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years.''

That appears to be a slam of Alex Smith, and is remeniscent of his remark last year in which he called Trent Dilfer's game against the Rams the best quarterback performance he's seen since he's been in San Francisco.

Nolan, however, insisted that the idea he was trying to convey to King was that the quarterback play as a whole was better this year than it's been in the past. "These conversations, especially on the phone, they go all around in different directions," Nolan said. Later he said. "I can't answer for (King). But I know what I said and I know what I was thinking." Asked if he had explained that to Smith, Nolan said he had the team spokesman explain his intent to the quarterback. He said he would speak face-to-face with Smith later.

************
Speaking of quarterbacks, Nolan said the plan is for J.T. O'Sullivan and the first-team offense to play one series ... or more. "Depends on how long that first series is -- we'll see," Nolan said.

************
With Adam Snyder out with a high-ankle sprain, Tony Wragge was playing left guard today. Nolan, however, said that was mainly because Brian de la Puente had an ailing arm. When de la Puente returns, Wragge could move back to right guard.

***********
Allen Rossum (chest contusion) won't play. it looks like Robert Ortiz will return punts while Delanie Walker and Michael Robinson will return kicks.

**********
Jeff Ulbrich (back) was back at practice while David Baas (pectoral) practiced for the first time all offseason. Nolan said he hoped Baas could play in Friday