Football. What’s it all about? Winning! Money! Glamour! A Division Title is great; the Super Bowl is prestigious. Training Camp is getting the guys used to working with one another, practicing the calls to avoid mishaps, giving the rookies the opportunity to lose some of the star-glazed look as they work with some of the most famous names in the NFL, and allowing the coaches and powers-that-be to decide who will make the final line-up.
The 49ers Training Camp, located at 4949 Centennial Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95054 gives the fan an opportunity to visit with the team and see the action close up. The low-cost tickets are a bonus, as is the friendlier atmosphere. The new training facility is an attraction in itself, from what I’ve heard – quite a change from practicing in the heat at Rocklin, CA, among other training sites. The first open camp game is August 2, at 5 p.m.
Actions for better statistics & Free Agents
According to Patrick Golding II, securing All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis with an incredible contract for the next five seasons, thanks to the lack of a salary cap, was a major San Francisco 49ers coup. Please see here
John Hull, sports writer for the Elk Grove Citizen, covered the free agency right-tackle addition of Matt Kopa, who played tackle for Elk Grove High School and Stanford University before being sidelined with an injury. To read the full article, please see http://www.egcitizen.com/articles/2010/06/23/sports/doc4c1aa115c614b075925905.txt
Based on what I’ve seen and read this year, Kopa seems inspired and I believe he will make the cut. He’s participating in workouts and appears to have the motivation and skill to be an NFL professional player.
Draft Picks
2010 draft picks were also designed to improve on the 8-8 2009 season, where the 49ers ranked 25th in the NFL averaging 100 yards rushing per game and 27th overall in total offense. Head coach Mike Singletary and Trent Baalke, new Vice-President of Personnel, are more than ready to improve with this year’s statistics. Mike Iupati, out of Idaho, will play offensive left guard. Anthony Davis, out of Rutgers, will play offensive right tackle. Both players are physical, which will add an intensive effort to the 49ers game.
On the defensive side, Coach Manusky and his staff have made significantly measurable gains. One defensive draft pick is safety Taylor Mays. His speed is already good enough, but like most rookies, he needs to learn more about footwork, keeping his eyes from giving the play away, and learning the intricate calls and plays that are part of any sport.
I believe the purposeful 2010 draft selections prove to quarterback Alex Smith that management is fired up and ready to help possess a winning season. GO, NINERS!
Sources:
John Hull, 6/17/10, Kopa Moves on without hearing from NCAA, www.egcitizen.com
Patrick Golding II, Quite a Catch, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/418665
