49ers' roster competition to heat up
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SANTA CLARA – The 49ers meet as a team today for the first time since the draft as they kick off four days of organized team activities (OTAs). Their roster is the deepest it's been in years, and several intriguing roster battles begin today, including:
• Quarterback. The big battle, between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith, started in early April. However, there also is a secondary competition between veteran Damon Huard and rookie Nate Davis for the No. 3 job. The 49ers have not said whether they will keep four quarterbacks. If they don't, Huard or Davis will be cut, although Davis could find a spot on the practice squad.
• Running back. Coach Mike Singletary made it clear Frank Gore is still the featured runner. Third-round pick Glen Coffee also will get carries, but after that there are plenty of question marks. Holdovers Michael Robinson and Thomas Clayton and rookie Kory Sheets, who has plenty to prove after going undrafted, will vie for playing time. Robinson is a valuable special-teams performer. Clayton and Sheets are competing for the same roster spot.
• Wide receiver. Last year the 49ers entered the season with five receivers (Dominique Zeigler was activated during the season). This year there's a crowd at the position with Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan, Jason Hill, Arnaz Battle and Zeigler returning and Brandon Jones and first-round pick Michael Crabtree added in recent months. Another receiver, Micheal Spurlock, will see time as a return man.
• Right tackle. Free-agent addition Marvel Smith is penciled in as the starter. But who plays behind him? Barry Sims and Adam Snyder filled in at right tackle last season. Sims has more experience, but Snyder is more versatile. The 49ers also want to see if undrafted rookie Alex Boone is athletic enough to play in the NFL.
• Safety. San Francisco safeties have produced very few turnovers in recent years, and consequently, there is a host of new faces at the position. Dashon Goldson finally has a chance to turn his playmaking potential into a starting spot at free safety.
Behind Goldson and strong safety Michael Lewis, Jimmy Williams, Reggie Smith, Lewis Baker and rookie Curtis Taylor are looking for roster spots.
• Inside linebacker. Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes are the unquestioned starters in the middle of the defense. Behind them, only one player, Jeff Ulbrich, has any real NFL experience. Fifth-round pick Scott McKillop is being groomed to eventually take over Spikes' position, but second-year players Justin Roland and Mark Washington have potential as well.