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Why the RB-rich 49ers? Hampton says no team wanted him more
The question begs to be asked: What’s a nice running back like Jewel Hampton doing in a place like San Francisco?
Hampton, after all, was a well-regarded undrafted free agent whose post-draft suitors included the Colts, Buccaneers and Eagles.
So did he forget read the fine print before signing with the 49ers, whose congested backfield includes Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs? The answer is simple, Hampton said: He went to the place where he felt the most wanted.
“The Niners showed a lot of interest in me, more than any other team,” Hampton said. “I felt like they liked me a lot out here and would give me a real shot. They had a lot to offer.”
The 49ers’ interest compelled the Southern Illinois star to eschew the rebuilding Colts, his hometown team, whose backfield is headlined by Donald Brown and Delone Carter. In addition, the Buccaneers and Eagles, the latter of whom didn’t draft a running back until the seventh round, appear to be better spots for an undrafted rookie to land a job than San Francisco.
Given San Francisco’s pursuit, and Hampton’s pedigree (Hampton and Chris Owusu are the Niners’ only undrafted rookies who were invited to the combine), he could be a prime candidate to at least land on the practice squad.
Hampton, who didn’t run at the combine due to an ankle injury, said the Niners were in frequent contact after he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at his pro day. The time might have eased some concerns about his medical history. At Iowa, he missed the 2009 season with an ACL tear to his right knee. He tore the ACL in his left knee in the second game of the 2010 season and transferred to Southern Illinois after the season.
There are fewer concerns about his strength: He put up 26 reps of 225 pounds at the combine, ranking third among running backs.
Hampton (5-9, 210), who set the Iowa freshman record with seven rushing touchdowns in 2008 while backing up the Jets’ Shonn Greene, was a feature back for only one season in college. Last year, he rushed for 1,121 yards, averaged 4.9 yards a carry and had 17 touchdowns at Southern Illinois.
Of course, it’s quite a jump from the Missouri Valley Football Conference to the NFL – particularly for a back with Hampton’s injury history.
For inspiration, he can look to one of his new teammates. Gore also suffered ACL injuries in both knees in back-to-back seasons at Miami.
“I heard that he had a story that was similar to mine,” Hampton said. “It gave me a lot of optimism to know that he’d done it and I could have that longevity over my career, even after surgery on my knees. The life of a running back is not that long. So to see him be in the league this long, and to do the things he’s done, it definitely gives me hope.”
Why the RB-rich 49ers? Hampton says no team wanted him more
The question begs to be asked: What’s a nice running back like Jewel Hampton doing in a place like San Francisco?
Hampton, after all, was a well-regarded undrafted free agent whose post-draft suitors included the Colts, Buccaneers and Eagles.
So did he forget read the fine print before signing with the 49ers, whose congested backfield includes Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs? The answer is simple, Hampton said: He went to the place where he felt the most wanted.
“The Niners showed a lot of interest in me, more than any other team,” Hampton said. “I felt like they liked me a lot out here and would give me a real shot. They had a lot to offer.”
The 49ers’ interest compelled the Southern Illinois star to eschew the rebuilding Colts, his hometown team, whose backfield is headlined by Donald Brown and Delone Carter. In addition, the Buccaneers and Eagles, the latter of whom didn’t draft a running back until the seventh round, appear to be better spots for an undrafted rookie to land a job than San Francisco.
Given San Francisco’s pursuit, and Hampton’s pedigree (Hampton and Chris Owusu are the Niners’ only undrafted rookies who were invited to the combine), he could be a prime candidate to at least land on the practice squad.
Hampton, who didn’t run at the combine due to an ankle injury, said the Niners were in frequent contact after he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at his pro day. The time might have eased some concerns about his medical history. At Iowa, he missed the 2009 season with an ACL tear to his right knee. He tore the ACL in his left knee in the second game of the 2010 season and transferred to Southern Illinois after the season.
There are fewer concerns about his strength: He put up 26 reps of 225 pounds at the combine, ranking third among running backs.
Hampton (5-9, 210), who set the Iowa freshman record with seven rushing touchdowns in 2008 while backing up the Jets’ Shonn Greene, was a feature back for only one season in college. Last year, he rushed for 1,121 yards, averaged 4.9 yards a carry and had 17 touchdowns at Southern Illinois.
Of course, it’s quite a jump from the Missouri Valley Football Conference to the NFL – particularly for a back with Hampton’s injury history.
For inspiration, he can look to one of his new teammates. Gore also suffered ACL injuries in both knees in back-to-back seasons at Miami.
“I heard that he had a story that was similar to mine,” Hampton said. “It gave me a lot of optimism to know that he’d done it and I could have that longevity over my career, even after surgery on my knees. The life of a running back is not that long. So to see him be in the league this long, and to do the things he’s done, it definitely gives me hope.”
Jennings embraces competition: ‘We don’t want any punks on this team’
What do you get your team’s eldest statesman who is a model of consistency and is coming off the second Pro Bowl appearance of his career?
If you’re the 49ers, you give that guy a reason to sweat for his job.
Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke are forever preaching the benefits of may-the-best-man-win competition, and the best example of their philosophy is at the NFL’s most obscure position: long snapper.
Brian Jennings is tied for fourth among active players with 192 consecutive games played. (AP)
That spot, of course, has been manned with distinction by Brian Jennings since 2000. A two-time Pro Bowler, Jennings has masterfully lived up to the long snapper’s oath – I Will Not Go Unnoticed – for the past 12 seasons. While snapping to nine placekickers and four punters, Jennings has been charged with one fumble in his career – and that came on a good snap that went through punter Jason Baker’s hands in 2001.
So that position is set for 2012, right? Not exactly.
The 49ers have added two (two!) long snappers in the offseason, the most notable being Ryan Pontbriand, who spent the previous nine seasons of his career with the Browns before the Niners signed him in February. San Francisco also signed Kyle Nelson, 25, a tight end/long snapper, to a future contract in January.
Pontbriand is no training-camp body; he’s a legitimate threat.
At 32, he is three years younger than Jennings, is also a two-time Pro Bowl pick (2007, ’08) and has more history with 49ers special teams coordinator Brad Seely than Jennings. Pontbriand, the highest-drafted long snapper in NFL history (fifth round), played for Seely in Cleveland from 2009-10. The Browns released Pontbriand in November after a series of errant snaps.
Jennings, who is signed through 2014, said he wasn’t surprised by the signing given his team’s no-nonsense approach.
“For the 49ers, their job is not to make sure I play as long as possible — it’s to field the best team,” Jennings said. “As long as I’m able to perform at a level where I’m the best available guy and they see a future with me here, then I’ll be here. I’m putting myself in a position to be that guy. But this is a very serious organization, a very serious front office and a very serious coaching staff … and they will do everything in the best interest of the 49ers.”
Jennings, who will turn 36 in October, has never had such competition for his spot on the roster. But he’s long been aware the NFL isn’t swayed by sentiment when a player gets too old, or too expensive, or begins to slip slightly in his performance. Jennings is scheduled to earn a base salary of $925,000 in 2012 (Pontbriand is scheduled to make $826,000).
“You’re always competing against the field,” Jennings said. “Are there younger guys? Are there cheaper guys? So I’ve always had the mentality that I want to be best available guy right now and next year. And as long as I can do that, I feel like I’m going to be here and I’m going to be in the NFL … This wasn’t an eye-opening experience. I wasn’t shaken awake. It’s been the same for me every year – the NFL is hard and I’m working to get ready for the opponent. It hasn’t changed how I view things at all.”
Jennings compared the 49ers’ earn-your-position mantra with a biology class he took at Arizona State. His buddies told him not to take the class because it was too hard, but Jennings ended up earning one of the highest grades.
“I remember that today because of how hard it was,” Jennings said. “What kind of accomplishment is it if they just give the grade out? This is the NFL. It’s supposed to be hard … We don’t want any punks on this team that aren’t ready to go.”
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/0...petition-we-dont-want-any-punks-on-this-team/
What do you get your team’s eldest statesman who is a model of consistency and is coming off the second Pro Bowl appearance of his career?
If you’re the 49ers, you give that guy a reason to sweat for his job.
Jim Harbaugh and Trent Baalke are forever preaching the benefits of may-the-best-man-win competition, and the best example of their philosophy is at the NFL’s most obscure position: long snapper.
Brian Jennings is tied for fourth among active players with 192 consecutive games played. (AP)
That spot, of course, has been manned with distinction by Brian Jennings since 2000. A two-time Pro Bowler, Jennings has masterfully lived up to the long snapper’s oath – I Will Not Go Unnoticed – for the past 12 seasons. While snapping to nine placekickers and four punters, Jennings has been charged with one fumble in his career – and that came on a good snap that went through punter Jason Baker’s hands in 2001.
So that position is set for 2012, right? Not exactly.
The 49ers have added two (two!) long snappers in the offseason, the most notable being Ryan Pontbriand, who spent the previous nine seasons of his career with the Browns before the Niners signed him in February. San Francisco also signed Kyle Nelson, 25, a tight end/long snapper, to a future contract in January.
Pontbriand is no training-camp body; he’s a legitimate threat.
At 32, he is three years younger than Jennings, is also a two-time Pro Bowl pick (2007, ’08) and has more history with 49ers special teams coordinator Brad Seely than Jennings. Pontbriand, the highest-drafted long snapper in NFL history (fifth round), played for Seely in Cleveland from 2009-10. The Browns released Pontbriand in November after a series of errant snaps.
Jennings, who is signed through 2014, said he wasn’t surprised by the signing given his team’s no-nonsense approach.
“For the 49ers, their job is not to make sure I play as long as possible — it’s to field the best team,” Jennings said. “As long as I’m able to perform at a level where I’m the best available guy and they see a future with me here, then I’ll be here. I’m putting myself in a position to be that guy. But this is a very serious organization, a very serious front office and a very serious coaching staff … and they will do everything in the best interest of the 49ers.”
Jennings, who will turn 36 in October, has never had such competition for his spot on the roster. But he’s long been aware the NFL isn’t swayed by sentiment when a player gets too old, or too expensive, or begins to slip slightly in his performance. Jennings is scheduled to earn a base salary of $925,000 in 2012 (Pontbriand is scheduled to make $826,000).
“You’re always competing against the field,” Jennings said. “Are there younger guys? Are there cheaper guys? So I’ve always had the mentality that I want to be best available guy right now and next year. And as long as I can do that, I feel like I’m going to be here and I’m going to be in the NFL … This wasn’t an eye-opening experience. I wasn’t shaken awake. It’s been the same for me every year – the NFL is hard and I’m working to get ready for the opponent. It hasn’t changed how I view things at all.”
Jennings compared the 49ers’ earn-your-position mantra with a biology class he took at Arizona State. His buddies told him not to take the class because it was too hard, but Jennings ended up earning one of the highest grades.
“I remember that today because of how hard it was,” Jennings said. “What kind of accomplishment is it if they just give the grade out? This is the NFL. It’s supposed to be hard … We don’t want any punks on this team that aren’t ready to go.”
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2012/0...petition-we-dont-want-any-punks-on-this-team/
49ers released LS Ryan Pontbriand.
Pontbriand signed a one-year, $826,000 deal in February, but little or none of it was guaranteed. Brian Jennings will remain the 49ers' deep snapper in '12.
Coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear that the 49ers backup quarterback job is wide open coming out of minicamp.
Although Colin Kaepernick followed up Wednesday's disappointing practice with his most impressive session of the offseason on Thursday, he's yet to separate from Josh Johnson or Scott Tolzien. "All three of those guys are going to play a long time in this league, in our opinion," Harbaugh said.
Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that Alex Smith has "separated himself" even further from the 49ers backup quarterbacks during offseason practices.
"He's the solid starter," said Harbaugh. "I don't think anybody questions that." Watching 49ers minicamp, ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks (cool name) noted that Smith was working quickly through his reads to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers while also showing improved footwork and pocket fundamentals resulting in more "velocity and zip."
Several Bay area sources tell Pro Football Weekly that Randy Moss "couldn't be making a better impression" on the 49ers in offseason practices.
"You can still see the Hall of Fame skills," said one source. "At times, he's been unstoppable." After watching 49ers minicamp, ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks notes that Moss "still possesses the speed and quickness to thrive as a vertical weapon on the perimeter" and has impressed with raw speed and "burst coming out of breaks." Unlike his performance in 2010, Moss is showing consistent separation from defenders in spring practices. We're anxious to see if it will carry over once the hitting starts.
Aldon Smith is expected to be a three-down outside linebacker this season.
As a rookie last season, Smith took the league by storm en route to 14 sacks as a situational rusher. This year, he'll send Parys Haralson to the bench and start opposite Ahmad Brooks.
49ers DE Will Tukuafu has been seeing time at fullback in minicamp.
Tukuafu saw only a handful of snaps before a wrist injury sent him to injured reserve last season, but he's expected to compete for a reserve/special teams role in camp. Getting familiar with fullback can only help his chances of cracking San Francisco's 53.
49ers DE Demarcus Dobbs has been seeing snaps at tight end in minicamp.
Dobbs saw limited snaps after making the 49ers as an undrafted free agent last season, but was used on kickoff coverage in the playoffs. He boasts impressive athleticism for his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame, and could be used as an extra blocker on offense.
Pontbriand signed a one-year, $826,000 deal in February, but little or none of it was guaranteed. Brian Jennings will remain the 49ers' deep snapper in '12.
Coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear that the 49ers backup quarterback job is wide open coming out of minicamp.
Although Colin Kaepernick followed up Wednesday's disappointing practice with his most impressive session of the offseason on Thursday, he's yet to separate from Josh Johnson or Scott Tolzien. "All three of those guys are going to play a long time in this league, in our opinion," Harbaugh said.
Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that Alex Smith has "separated himself" even further from the 49ers backup quarterbacks during offseason practices.
"He's the solid starter," said Harbaugh. "I don't think anybody questions that." Watching 49ers minicamp, ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks (cool name) noted that Smith was working quickly through his reads to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers while also showing improved footwork and pocket fundamentals resulting in more "velocity and zip."
Several Bay area sources tell Pro Football Weekly that Randy Moss "couldn't be making a better impression" on the 49ers in offseason practices.
"You can still see the Hall of Fame skills," said one source. "At times, he's been unstoppable." After watching 49ers minicamp, ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks notes that Moss "still possesses the speed and quickness to thrive as a vertical weapon on the perimeter" and has impressed with raw speed and "burst coming out of breaks." Unlike his performance in 2010, Moss is showing consistent separation from defenders in spring practices. We're anxious to see if it will carry over once the hitting starts.
Aldon Smith is expected to be a three-down outside linebacker this season.
As a rookie last season, Smith took the league by storm en route to 14 sacks as a situational rusher. This year, he'll send Parys Haralson to the bench and start opposite Ahmad Brooks.
49ers DE Will Tukuafu has been seeing time at fullback in minicamp.
Tukuafu saw only a handful of snaps before a wrist injury sent him to injured reserve last season, but he's expected to compete for a reserve/special teams role in camp. Getting familiar with fullback can only help his chances of cracking San Francisco's 53.
49ers DE Demarcus Dobbs has been seeing snaps at tight end in minicamp.
Dobbs saw limited snaps after making the 49ers as an undrafted free agent last season, but was used on kickoff coverage in the playoffs. He boasts impressive athleticism for his 6-foot-6, 275-pound frame, and could be used as an extra blocker on offense.