 |  |
 |
| Wednesday, July 16 Updated: August 20, 10:35 AM ET 49ers: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
||||||||||||||||||
|
In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: The defense -- which limited the Chiefs' and Raiders' high-powered offenses to just one touchdown in the first two preseason games -- has looked very good. Most notably, the secondary looks a lot better, as the gap between the starters and reserves appears to have narrowed considerably. It also helps having LB Jamie Winborn and FS Zack Bronson fully recovered from the injuries that plagued them last season. Biggest disappointment: How can it not be QB Jeff Garcia's back injury? The Niners are putting up a good front, claiming that they're not overly concerned, but until they see how the veteran QB's body reacts after getting jolted by the likes of Brian Urlacher in the regular-season opener vs. the Bears, you can bet they'll be sweating bullets. Injury update: Garcia began practicing again Aug. 16 and is expected to see limited action in the Aug. 23 preseason game vs. the Saints. DT Bryant Young (left ankle) is expected to miss another week or two. ORT Scott Gragg (ankle) will probably sit out the Saints game. The Niners are keeping a very close eye on RB Garrison Hearst's Achilles, which was continuing to bother him at presstime. Rookie to watch: After looking extremely impressive in practice, first-round OT Kwame Harris has had some problems in the Niners' first two preseason games, especially the first one when Chiefs DE Vonnie Holliday couldn't have treated him more rudely. To his credit, Harris looked a lot more sure of himself vs. the Raiders, but his fast track to the starting lineup has definitely been derailed. Aug. 12 Veteran to watch: Two obvious choices would be quarterback Jeff Garcia, whose lower back is cause for concern, and wide receiver Terrell Owens, who is looking to hit the jackpot in his contract year. But we'll go with a much lower-profile guy, 10-year veteran defensive tackle Jim Flanigan. Heading into the training camp, he appeared to have a great shot at playing a starting role for the first time in six seasons as the replacement for the departed Dana Stubblefield at right tackle. But after being able to partake in just one training-camp practice at presstime because of a calf injury, high-motor second-round rookie Anthony Adams is making a strong push to start alongside Bryant Young on the inside. A lot still would be expected of Flanigan in a reserve role. Player on the verge: With 17 sacks over his past 21 games, third-year defensive end Andre Carter continues to mature into the one of the league's most productive pass rushers. Carter's combination of speed, power, hand control and flawless technique has been on constant display in camp. While he weighs the same as last season (265), the 6-foot-4 Carter has added strength since last season, thanks to a stricter off-season training regimen and a more nutritional diet. Strongest position: With Kevan Barlow and Garrison Hearst sharing the starting load, one of the league's best blockers in Fred Beasley at fullback and a stable of reserves including Paul Smith, Jasen Isom, Jamal Robertson and Terry Jackson, the Niners couldn't be any deeper at running back. Barlow, whose blitz-pickup skills have improved significantly this offseason, is expected to spend more time on the field than Hearst, but the Niners still expect to use Hearst plenty in one-back sets. Beasley, who also can line up as a tight end and an H-back in Dennis Erickson's multi-look offense, is expected to see a lot more action this season. Weakest position: The Niners' cornerbacks, who were greatly responsible for the defense's last-place ranking in third downs allowed, leave a lot to be desired. Jason Webster has been sidelined in training camp with an ankle injury, and he was just so-so last year. Fellow starter Ahmed Plummer, who was bothered by groin problems last year, also had an off year, and he hardly has set the world on fire in this training camp. The backup situation is worse. Mike Rumph, last year's top draft pick, has improved but still is prone to mistakes, and Jimmy Williams has been sidelined with a bum knee. Part 1, July 18 Most significant change: New head coach Dennis Erickson couldn't be more different than the departed Steve Mariucci. Erickson is all business pretty much all the time, and he'd just assume not deal with the media at all. Mariucci is much more outgoing and concerned with his image, while Erickson honestly couldn't care less. The coaches' offensive philosophies are also different, with Erickson expected to run an attack that is a lot more vertical than horizontal. Reason for optimism: Practically the entire cast of characters responsible for last season's 10-win campaign is back. The only significant departure was defensive end Chike Okeafor, but the Niners believe they have the personnel, both old and new, to effectively replace him. Cause for concern: The direction of the team under owner John York. After spending between $18 million and $20 million on signing bonuses last offseason, the Niners have hardly opened their wallet this offseason in an effort to add talent via free agency or re-sign valuable existing talent - with star WR Terrell Owens at the top of the list. Is York tight-fisted to a fault? The verdict is still out. Training-camp battle to watch: Fourth-year pro John Engelberger vs. rookie Andrew Williams at Okeafor's old defensive left end spot and 10th-year pro Jim Flanigan vs. rookie Anthony Adams at right tackle. Williams has tremendous speed, while Adams is an undersized grinder with a big-time burst. Don't be surprised if: Owens doesn't sign a new contract before the start of training camp, which is his preference.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Ready to Go
