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49ers Prepare for 1st Preseason Game
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4433§ion=PR News
The 49ers spent Thursday’s two-hour early afternoon practice preparing for Friday night's matchup against the Raiders, the first of the preseason.
“We went through everything – like a dress rehearsal for a show or something,” said rookie corner Reggie Smith. “We went through all of the special teams, if someone gets hurt, and every situation. I think we are ready for it.”
Dating back to mini camp and as part of tradition until they earn their stripes so to speak, all 49ers rookies have been wearing a strip of tape on their helmets in the forehead area with their names on them. The tape was noticeably absent in Thursday’s practice – well to most anyhow.
“Wow, I just realized that,” said Smith. “I knew something was missing on my helmet but I couldn't figure it out. That’s a good deal, no more SMITH on there.”
The third-round pick will see “SMITH” again on Friday night, except this time on the back of his game jersey when he suits up for his first ever NFL game.
“I haven’t envisioned running through the tunnel, but I have envisioned myself out there making an interception or something, and thinking about if I’d do anything special if I got one," said Smith. "I probably won’t do anything. I’ll be too shy to do a special dance or something, so I’d just give the ball to the ref and run off.
“I’m real excited though for my first game, and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he continued. But I’m nervous too. I’m always nervous before a game.”
Linebacker Manny Lawson shares the same eagerness as the rookie defender. It might be his third NFL season, but it’s been since week two of 2007 since he’s suited up for a game.
“The funny thing is the vets don’t really even count this as a game, but to me, it’s a game,” said Lawson. “I missed out on the whole year, so I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait. I hope I can sleep tonight and get some rest for the game. Even though I won’t be playing that many snaps, it’s the whole point that I get to suit up again and get back out on the field.”
It’s also a return to action for quarterback Alex Smith, who finished his year on injured reserve after having surgery to repair his separated shoulder.
“It’s been a while since I’ve played,” said Smith. “Excited about it; excited about finally getting back out there and to have the bullets going and getting back to playing football. It’s fun out here practicing, but it’s not always quite the same when you have the jersey on. So, it will be nice to get out there and run around and react and get hit a little bit. I’m looking forward to it.”
Smith also reacted to Wednesday’s decision by the 49ers coaching staff that JT O'Sullivan will start off Friday's game with the first-string. Smith said that the head coach Mike Nolan met with the quarterbacks Wednesday to explain that the set rotation for the first game is not permanent, and that the race is still open.
“You know, I really try not to think about that stuff,” said Smith. “All I’m really trying to focus on is just my reps when I get in there, what I do with them. That’s the biggest deal right now, taking advantage of that. Getting out there, executing the offense, moving the ball. I’m really trying to get better from this. This is the preseason. You take advantage of it, and it’s about going out there and trying to play well.”
O’Sullivan, a journeyman quarterback who has spent time with New Orleans, Chicago, New England, Minnesota, and Green Bay shares a similar outlook to Smith.
“I’m going to try to go out there and execute the offense as well as I can, play each play and go from there,” said O’Sullivan whose last start was in the third preseason game last year with the Lions. “I’m going out there to play as well as I can play. That’s what I can control.”
Six players have been ruled out of the game: G David Baas (on PUP with pectoral), S Lewis Baker (thigh), WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring), WR Ashley Lelie (calf), RB Michael Robinson (knee), and S Mark Roman (hamstring).
Roman went through individual drills over the last two days but will be kept out of the game for precautionary reasons
If Bruce doesn’t go, it appears that rookie Josh Morgan would start alongside veteran Arnaz Battle. The rookie’s strong showing early in camp combined with injuries to Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie has led to reps with the first-team the last few days.
“I haven’t really thought about it too much,” said Morgan of the possibility of starting his first ever NFL game. “I’m just going to let it all hit me and take it in stride. I know my adrenaline will be pumping. That’s how it is for every game. I just lost a friend back home, so I’m definitely going to go out there and play this game for him because I know he’s watching me from up above.”
During today’s final team period, the sixth-round pick notched back to back receptions from O’Sullivan on the first two snaps of the first series, including a 20-25-yard catch over the middle.
“I think you guys can tell Josh has had a pretty good camp,” said O’Sullivan. “He’s doing things exactly like the coaches are asking him to do and getting better and better each day. So, tomorrow’s going to be a great opportunity to go out and show what he can do with live bullets.”
As a fourth-string quarterback, Kyle Wright more than likely will not see the field on Friday outside of warm-ups, but the rookie did enjoy his first reps of camp in skelley and team in Thursday’s practice.
With his first pass during team, Wright found tight end Vernon Davis for a 15-20-yard pass.
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4433§ion=PR News
The 49ers spent Thursday’s two-hour early afternoon practice preparing for Friday night's matchup against the Raiders, the first of the preseason.
“We went through everything – like a dress rehearsal for a show or something,” said rookie corner Reggie Smith. “We went through all of the special teams, if someone gets hurt, and every situation. I think we are ready for it.”
Dating back to mini camp and as part of tradition until they earn their stripes so to speak, all 49ers rookies have been wearing a strip of tape on their helmets in the forehead area with their names on them. The tape was noticeably absent in Thursday’s practice – well to most anyhow.
“Wow, I just realized that,” said Smith. “I knew something was missing on my helmet but I couldn't figure it out. That’s a good deal, no more SMITH on there.”
The third-round pick will see “SMITH” again on Friday night, except this time on the back of his game jersey when he suits up for his first ever NFL game.
“I haven’t envisioned running through the tunnel, but I have envisioned myself out there making an interception or something, and thinking about if I’d do anything special if I got one," said Smith. "I probably won’t do anything. I’ll be too shy to do a special dance or something, so I’d just give the ball to the ref and run off.
“I’m real excited though for my first game, and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he continued. But I’m nervous too. I’m always nervous before a game.”
Linebacker Manny Lawson shares the same eagerness as the rookie defender. It might be his third NFL season, but it’s been since week two of 2007 since he’s suited up for a game.
“The funny thing is the vets don’t really even count this as a game, but to me, it’s a game,” said Lawson. “I missed out on the whole year, so I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait. I hope I can sleep tonight and get some rest for the game. Even though I won’t be playing that many snaps, it’s the whole point that I get to suit up again and get back out on the field.”
It’s also a return to action for quarterback Alex Smith, who finished his year on injured reserve after having surgery to repair his separated shoulder.
“It’s been a while since I’ve played,” said Smith. “Excited about it; excited about finally getting back out there and to have the bullets going and getting back to playing football. It’s fun out here practicing, but it’s not always quite the same when you have the jersey on. So, it will be nice to get out there and run around and react and get hit a little bit. I’m looking forward to it.”
Smith also reacted to Wednesday’s decision by the 49ers coaching staff that JT O'Sullivan will start off Friday's game with the first-string. Smith said that the head coach Mike Nolan met with the quarterbacks Wednesday to explain that the set rotation for the first game is not permanent, and that the race is still open.
“You know, I really try not to think about that stuff,” said Smith. “All I’m really trying to focus on is just my reps when I get in there, what I do with them. That’s the biggest deal right now, taking advantage of that. Getting out there, executing the offense, moving the ball. I’m really trying to get better from this. This is the preseason. You take advantage of it, and it’s about going out there and trying to play well.”
O’Sullivan, a journeyman quarterback who has spent time with New Orleans, Chicago, New England, Minnesota, and Green Bay shares a similar outlook to Smith.
“I’m going to try to go out there and execute the offense as well as I can, play each play and go from there,” said O’Sullivan whose last start was in the third preseason game last year with the Lions. “I’m going out there to play as well as I can play. That’s what I can control.”
Six players have been ruled out of the game: G David Baas (on PUP with pectoral), S Lewis Baker (thigh), WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring), WR Ashley Lelie (calf), RB Michael Robinson (knee), and S Mark Roman (hamstring).
Roman went through individual drills over the last two days but will be kept out of the game for precautionary reasons
If Bruce doesn’t go, it appears that rookie Josh Morgan would start alongside veteran Arnaz Battle. The rookie’s strong showing early in camp combined with injuries to Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie has led to reps with the first-team the last few days.
“I haven’t really thought about it too much,” said Morgan of the possibility of starting his first ever NFL game. “I’m just going to let it all hit me and take it in stride. I know my adrenaline will be pumping. That’s how it is for every game. I just lost a friend back home, so I’m definitely going to go out there and play this game for him because I know he’s watching me from up above.”
During today’s final team period, the sixth-round pick notched back to back receptions from O’Sullivan on the first two snaps of the first series, including a 20-25-yard catch over the middle.
“I think you guys can tell Josh has had a pretty good camp,” said O’Sullivan. “He’s doing things exactly like the coaches are asking him to do and getting better and better each day. So, tomorrow’s going to be a great opportunity to go out and show what he can do with live bullets.”
As a fourth-string quarterback, Kyle Wright more than likely will not see the field on Friday outside of warm-ups, but the rookie did enjoy his first reps of camp in skelley and team in Thursday’s practice.
With his first pass during team, Wright found tight end Vernon Davis for a 15-20-yard pass.
Nolan's day-after-game reflection
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2248331
Niners coach Mike Nolan held a conference call with the beat reporters who cover the team at 5 p.m. Here are some of the highlights.
Before we get going, just thought I'd pass along some pertinent information. In 2006, Mike Matz installed his offense with the Lions. During that exhibition season, Jon Kitna completed just 20 of 39 passes (51.3 percent) for 233 yards with one TD and one interception. His passer rating was 67.6.
Once the regular season began, he took every snap at QB that season despite getting sacked 63 times. He completed 372 of 596 passes (62.4 percent) for 4,208 yards with 21 TDs and 22 interceptions and a passer rating of 79.9.
* * *
--Nolan says the team has to do a better job in the turnover department. He said he thought all three QBs moved the ball, but they didn't get it in the end zone. Obviously, they still have a couple weeks of training camp and lot of practices to get better. He thought the way the offense was generally effective but they missed out on some plays that could've been big. "It's there for the taking," Nolan said. "So I know our players will be encouraged looking at film at what is there when you do what you have to do."
--Jay Moore did good job (more on him later). Josh Morgan played well, of course.
--Nolan has not made a decision on who will start at QB next week. There is no timetable to make the decision. They do have a full week to prepare for the game next Saturday against the Packers.
--When asked about Smith's touch on short passes. Nolan said some of that is because of pressure applied from the Raiders' defense. He said even when JTO threw a screen, the ball was batted down. Alex has longest delivery than the other QBs. Guys who have shorter delivery, generally throw short passes better.
--Smith had two throws he could've done better, Nolan said -- one screen and one to Jason Hill. Other than that, he had some good throws. Nolan wants to see the QB have a command of the offense. Outside of that, whoever moves it down the field will be the person he wants to be his starter.
--Nolan said there is a learning progression all QBs go through. He's looking at the execution of the offense. Shaun and Alex worked with the backups, so that has to be taken into account.
--JTO throws the ball on time. That's a characteristic of his game. That's key for this offense. By design, the areas are specific where the ball is supposed to be thrown. With his quick release, he releases the ball to those spots sooner than the others.
--Who did the best job of the three? Nolan said he has to take everything into consideration. He said JTO did a good job other than the two turnovers, but those things did happen. They could've been avoided. (The interception and fumble.) He thought he had great command of the offense. He was moving the offense. Alex went in and moved the ball well. He did not make the glaring mental errors, but he did have accuracy issues. Hill is the more difficult one to evaluate because of the group he was in there. Nolan said it would've been nice if someone had moved them down the field and stuck it in the end zone.
--Nolan said there were some good things that he liked from the QBs, but there were other things that he didn't like that could end up costing the team a game.
--At what point would he like to make a decision? Nolan said he'd like to have made it yesterday, but he wants to make the right decision, so he's going to take as long as needed.
--Asked about Zak Keasey's runs . . . Nolan said Mike Martz wanted to give the line some confidence with some runs, so when Smith had a chance to pass the defense wasn't teeing off on the quarterback. "You don't want to look at it like you're keeping him from throwing the ball, it's when he does throw it, you want to have a chance to have success," Nolan said.
--On kicking the FG, Nolan said the special-teams need work, too.
--Justin Smith played 12 plays (those stats are on my previous blog). Nolan talked about that effective stunt Smith worked with Ray McDonald.
--Jay Moore made some plays in the fourth quarter, but he made some errors, Nolan said. If all were bright spots, they might move him up to the second team. But they're looking for the overall game. Nolan said he's not looking to change the depth chart based on that performance.
--On that JTO lateral to DeShaun Foster . . . Nolan said it was a high-risk thing that he did. That was a dangerous play. At the same time, Nolan said JTO's insides were telling him, "How can I help this team?" Nolan said he'd put that play in the context of the two turnovers, as a play he should not have tried.
--Two new guys on the left side of the offensive line (Joe Staley and Adam Snyder). How did they play? "I'd like for them to do better than they did last night," Nolan said. "We can play better."
--Nolan said he does not want to dilute Patrick Willis' play by giving the radio responsibility. Last night, Michael Lewis and Keith Lewis, both safeties, wore the radio device. But when a play is hand-signaled in, it goes to Willis.
--Injury report: WRs Bryant Johnson (hamstring) and Ashley Lelie (calf) will not be available to play this week, Nolan said. Both sat out the 49ers' exhibition opener on Saturday.
OT Damane Duckett's knee is "a problem," Nolan said. He will not practice in the immediate future -- no timetable was given. C Eric Heitmann (right hip) will be re-checked in the morning.
Allen Rossum (knee bruise) is OK; S Marcus Hudson (quadriceps) should be OK toward the end of the week; G Chilo Rachal came in this morning with an unspecificied "ding" but Nolan said it's minor; WR Jason Hill (groin) will probably miss practice early in the week.
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2248331
Niners coach Mike Nolan held a conference call with the beat reporters who cover the team at 5 p.m. Here are some of the highlights.
Before we get going, just thought I'd pass along some pertinent information. In 2006, Mike Matz installed his offense with the Lions. During that exhibition season, Jon Kitna completed just 20 of 39 passes (51.3 percent) for 233 yards with one TD and one interception. His passer rating was 67.6.
Once the regular season began, he took every snap at QB that season despite getting sacked 63 times. He completed 372 of 596 passes (62.4 percent) for 4,208 yards with 21 TDs and 22 interceptions and a passer rating of 79.9.
* * *
--Nolan says the team has to do a better job in the turnover department. He said he thought all three QBs moved the ball, but they didn't get it in the end zone. Obviously, they still have a couple weeks of training camp and lot of practices to get better. He thought the way the offense was generally effective but they missed out on some plays that could've been big. "It's there for the taking," Nolan said. "So I know our players will be encouraged looking at film at what is there when you do what you have to do."
--Jay Moore did good job (more on him later). Josh Morgan played well, of course.
--Nolan has not made a decision on who will start at QB next week. There is no timetable to make the decision. They do have a full week to prepare for the game next Saturday against the Packers.
--When asked about Smith's touch on short passes. Nolan said some of that is because of pressure applied from the Raiders' defense. He said even when JTO threw a screen, the ball was batted down. Alex has longest delivery than the other QBs. Guys who have shorter delivery, generally throw short passes better.
--Smith had two throws he could've done better, Nolan said -- one screen and one to Jason Hill. Other than that, he had some good throws. Nolan wants to see the QB have a command of the offense. Outside of that, whoever moves it down the field will be the person he wants to be his starter.
--Nolan said there is a learning progression all QBs go through. He's looking at the execution of the offense. Shaun and Alex worked with the backups, so that has to be taken into account.
--JTO throws the ball on time. That's a characteristic of his game. That's key for this offense. By design, the areas are specific where the ball is supposed to be thrown. With his quick release, he releases the ball to those spots sooner than the others.
--Who did the best job of the three? Nolan said he has to take everything into consideration. He said JTO did a good job other than the two turnovers, but those things did happen. They could've been avoided. (The interception and fumble.) He thought he had great command of the offense. He was moving the offense. Alex went in and moved the ball well. He did not make the glaring mental errors, but he did have accuracy issues. Hill is the more difficult one to evaluate because of the group he was in there. Nolan said it would've been nice if someone had moved them down the field and stuck it in the end zone.
--Nolan said there were some good things that he liked from the QBs, but there were other things that he didn't like that could end up costing the team a game.
--At what point would he like to make a decision? Nolan said he'd like to have made it yesterday, but he wants to make the right decision, so he's going to take as long as needed.
--Asked about Zak Keasey's runs . . . Nolan said Mike Martz wanted to give the line some confidence with some runs, so when Smith had a chance to pass the defense wasn't teeing off on the quarterback. "You don't want to look at it like you're keeping him from throwing the ball, it's when he does throw it, you want to have a chance to have success," Nolan said.
--On kicking the FG, Nolan said the special-teams need work, too.
--Justin Smith played 12 plays (those stats are on my previous blog). Nolan talked about that effective stunt Smith worked with Ray McDonald.
--Jay Moore made some plays in the fourth quarter, but he made some errors, Nolan said. If all were bright spots, they might move him up to the second team. But they're looking for the overall game. Nolan said he's not looking to change the depth chart based on that performance.
--On that JTO lateral to DeShaun Foster . . . Nolan said it was a high-risk thing that he did. That was a dangerous play. At the same time, Nolan said JTO's insides were telling him, "How can I help this team?" Nolan said he'd put that play in the context of the two turnovers, as a play he should not have tried.
--Two new guys on the left side of the offensive line (Joe Staley and Adam Snyder). How did they play? "I'd like for them to do better than they did last night," Nolan said. "We can play better."
--Nolan said he does not want to dilute Patrick Willis' play by giving the radio responsibility. Last night, Michael Lewis and Keith Lewis, both safeties, wore the radio device. But when a play is hand-signaled in, it goes to Willis.
--Injury report: WRs Bryant Johnson (hamstring) and Ashley Lelie (calf) will not be available to play this week, Nolan said. Both sat out the 49ers' exhibition opener on Saturday.
OT Damane Duckett's knee is "a problem," Nolan said. He will not practice in the immediate future -- no timetable was given. C Eric Heitmann (right hip) will be re-checked in the morning.
Allen Rossum (knee bruise) is OK; S Marcus Hudson (quadriceps) should be OK toward the end of the week; G Chilo Rachal came in this morning with an unspecificied "ding" but Nolan said it's minor; WR Jason Hill (groin) will probably miss practice early in the week.
49ers Release LB Moore, Spikes coming in for Physical
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4444§ion=PR News
The 49ers announced on Sunday that they have waived veteran linebacker Brandon Moore, and that veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes will be in later today for a physical.
Moore (6-1, 240), played both inside and outside linebacker during his seven-year career with the 49ers. A veteran of 88 games with 26 starts, Moore has recorded 262 tackles, 15.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven passes defensed in his career. Moore saw action in 16 games with one start in 2007, finishing the season with 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks primarily playing in third down and pass rushing situations. He also added five tackles on special teams.
The 49ers also placed T Damane Duckett on injured reserve with a knee injury.
http://www.49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4444§ion=PR News
The 49ers announced on Sunday that they have waived veteran linebacker Brandon Moore, and that veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes will be in later today for a physical.
Moore (6-1, 240), played both inside and outside linebacker during his seven-year career with the 49ers. A veteran of 88 games with 26 starts, Moore has recorded 262 tackles, 15.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and seven passes defensed in his career. Moore saw action in 16 games with one start in 2007, finishing the season with 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks primarily playing in third down and pass rushing situations. He also added five tackles on special teams.
The 49ers also placed T Damane Duckett on injured reserve with a knee injury.
QBs Compete, None Find End Zone in 18-6 Loss
http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4439
The 49ers tried out J.T. O’Sullivan, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill in Friday night’s first preseason game, but none of the quarterbacks involved in the three-man race for the starting job could lead the offensive unit to the end zone in an 18-6 defeat by the Raiders.
Smith was the only one of the three without an interception, leading to the highest QB Rating of 72.0. The fourth-year player completed 5 of 9 passes for 51 yards and led his unit to a field goal.
O’Sullivan started the game and gunned some crisp passes, including three strikes of 11, 22 and 20 yards to the rookie Josh Morgan. Morgan made his first start as Bryant Johnson sat out with a hamstring and finished as the leading receiver with 4 catches for 68 yards.
"That’s the best way to learn, is reps," said Morgan. "That’s the best teacher right there. You make mistakes but you learn on the run. It was very valuable."
Head coach Mike Nolan said he liked O'Sullivan's competitiveness, but the journeyman quarterback also forced things, including a desperate lateral pass to DeShaun Foster when he found himself surrounded by a sea of black and silver. Foster caught that one, for a loss of four, but O’Sullivan wasn’t as fortunate on two other plays that led to turnovers.
“I just feel disgusted about the turnovers - I guess would be the way I feel about how I played,” said O’Sullivan. “Other than those two plays, I don't really remember anything else.”
O’Sullivan was picked on a deep ball try back to Foster on his next series and then coughed up the ball at the end of a quarterback scramble on his final drive of the night, which came at the start of the second quarter.
“Just trying to do too much and not making a good decision, that's what it comes down to,” said O’Sullivan of the interception. “That's just 100 percent not acceptable.”
Sullivan finished 5 of 8 for 71 yards, with one interception, one fumble and a 51.6 QB Rating.
Hill enjoyed the most passing opportunities, but also finished with the worst overall rating at 40.2. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 83 yards, and was intercepted on an underthrown deep ball.
“Looking at it and looking back on it I think I could have flipped my hips real quick, spun my feet around, got my feet underneath me and made the throw,” said Hill. “I probably would have taken a hit but I would have been more accurate. Instead I kind of tried to throw it on the run to the left and left it short.”
All in all, the 49ers offense committed four turnovers and only six points.
Nolan reserved judgment and comparison of his three quarterbacks until after he reviews the film on Saturday.
“I would love to see more points on the board because that’s the biggest measurement of all,” said Nolan. “We came away with just a couple of field goals so there’s nothing to speak of in that respect.”
The 49ers first-team defense played little, and likewise gave up little. The unit lined up for the first snap in a 4-3 with Ray McDonald cracking the starting lineup versus an extra linebacker. Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell fired one deep but cornerback Walt Harris was there to break up the play, which didn’t count unfortunately due to an off-sides penalty by McDonald.
The second-year player atoned for his mistake with a sack to end the Raiders’ first series on their side of the field. Newcomer Justin Smith looked to have first knocked Russell off balance with McDonald wiping him up for the loss.
Harris broke up another long ball to Javon Walker to help limit Oakland to only 13 passing yards in the first quarter, but the run defense is an area Nolan would like to see tightened up. Although most of his starters cleared out during the Raiders’ second series, Oakland racked up 49 rushing yards in the first quarter, and 248 by night’s end.
“Our seconds and thirds – we had some faults on the run defensively, “said Nolan.
Following the O’Sullivan fumble, the mostly second-team defense was able to prevent Oakland from finding the end zone on a 4th and 2 from the 11-yardline with safety Dashon Goldson and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain wrapping up Michael Bush after a 1-yard gain to give the offense the ball back on downs.
Unfortunately after a three and out by Smith and company, Andy Lee’s punt was returned 53 yards by Johnnie Lee Higgins for the first score of the game and an Oakland 7-0 lead.
“We have to get better on special teams,” said safety Dashon Goldson. “We had a breakdown when Higgins ran it back on us. Everyone was out there trying to make things happen and make a tackle, but we have to slow it down and have guys do their job.”
On the following series, Smith pieced together a 10-play, 53-yard drive, mostly relying on a pair of passes to Arnaz Battle for 23 and 10-yards apiece plus a personal foul penalty. The offense penetrated to the 5-yardline before settling for a 22-yard field goal by Joe Nedney to trail 7-3 at the half.
Andrew Walter opened the half for Oakland and marched his team 75 yards in 13 plays finished off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Bush. A delay of game on the extra point attempt against San Francisco led to the Raiders trying for a two-point conversion, which they got on a Walter throw to Chaz Schilens for a 15-3 Oakland advantage.
Oakland’s final score arrived with their first series of the final quarter. On 2nd and 10, Louis Rankin rumbled for 72 yards before cornerback Marcus Hudson chased him down to prevent a touchdown. Still, the explosive play set up a 23-yard chip shot by kicker Aaron Elling.
“I was just trying to take points off the board,” said Hudson. “As the defense, that’s what we do anyway we can. It’s better than them getting seven, they got three. We took points off the board because we didn’t quit.”
Tight end Delanie Walker flashed his speed with a 40-yard kickoff return after the score, priming Hill for a 10-play, 37 yard fourth-quarter drive. Kicker Ricky Schmitt completed the drive with a 38-yard field goal to close out the scoring efforts in the 18-6 Battle of the Bay loss.
http://49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=4439
The 49ers tried out J.T. O’Sullivan, Alex Smith and Shaun Hill in Friday night’s first preseason game, but none of the quarterbacks involved in the three-man race for the starting job could lead the offensive unit to the end zone in an 18-6 defeat by the Raiders.
Smith was the only one of the three without an interception, leading to the highest QB Rating of 72.0. The fourth-year player completed 5 of 9 passes for 51 yards and led his unit to a field goal.
O’Sullivan started the game and gunned some crisp passes, including three strikes of 11, 22 and 20 yards to the rookie Josh Morgan. Morgan made his first start as Bryant Johnson sat out with a hamstring and finished as the leading receiver with 4 catches for 68 yards.
"That’s the best way to learn, is reps," said Morgan. "That’s the best teacher right there. You make mistakes but you learn on the run. It was very valuable."
Head coach Mike Nolan said he liked O'Sullivan's competitiveness, but the journeyman quarterback also forced things, including a desperate lateral pass to DeShaun Foster when he found himself surrounded by a sea of black and silver. Foster caught that one, for a loss of four, but O’Sullivan wasn’t as fortunate on two other plays that led to turnovers.
“I just feel disgusted about the turnovers - I guess would be the way I feel about how I played,” said O’Sullivan. “Other than those two plays, I don't really remember anything else.”
O’Sullivan was picked on a deep ball try back to Foster on his next series and then coughed up the ball at the end of a quarterback scramble on his final drive of the night, which came at the start of the second quarter.
“Just trying to do too much and not making a good decision, that's what it comes down to,” said O’Sullivan of the interception. “That's just 100 percent not acceptable.”
Sullivan finished 5 of 8 for 71 yards, with one interception, one fumble and a 51.6 QB Rating.
Hill enjoyed the most passing opportunities, but also finished with the worst overall rating at 40.2. He completed 10 of 20 passes for 83 yards, and was intercepted on an underthrown deep ball.
“Looking at it and looking back on it I think I could have flipped my hips real quick, spun my feet around, got my feet underneath me and made the throw,” said Hill. “I probably would have taken a hit but I would have been more accurate. Instead I kind of tried to throw it on the run to the left and left it short.”
All in all, the 49ers offense committed four turnovers and only six points.
Nolan reserved judgment and comparison of his three quarterbacks until after he reviews the film on Saturday.
“I would love to see more points on the board because that’s the biggest measurement of all,” said Nolan. “We came away with just a couple of field goals so there’s nothing to speak of in that respect.”
The 49ers first-team defense played little, and likewise gave up little. The unit lined up for the first snap in a 4-3 with Ray McDonald cracking the starting lineup versus an extra linebacker. Oakland’s JaMarcus Russell fired one deep but cornerback Walt Harris was there to break up the play, which didn’t count unfortunately due to an off-sides penalty by McDonald.
The second-year player atoned for his mistake with a sack to end the Raiders’ first series on their side of the field. Newcomer Justin Smith looked to have first knocked Russell off balance with McDonald wiping him up for the loss.
Harris broke up another long ball to Javon Walker to help limit Oakland to only 13 passing yards in the first quarter, but the run defense is an area Nolan would like to see tightened up. Although most of his starters cleared out during the Raiders’ second series, Oakland racked up 49 rushing yards in the first quarter, and 248 by night’s end.
“Our seconds and thirds – we had some faults on the run defensively, “said Nolan.
Following the O’Sullivan fumble, the mostly second-team defense was able to prevent Oakland from finding the end zone on a 4th and 2 from the 11-yardline with safety Dashon Goldson and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain wrapping up Michael Bush after a 1-yard gain to give the offense the ball back on downs.
Unfortunately after a three and out by Smith and company, Andy Lee’s punt was returned 53 yards by Johnnie Lee Higgins for the first score of the game and an Oakland 7-0 lead.
“We have to get better on special teams,” said safety Dashon Goldson. “We had a breakdown when Higgins ran it back on us. Everyone was out there trying to make things happen and make a tackle, but we have to slow it down and have guys do their job.”
On the following series, Smith pieced together a 10-play, 53-yard drive, mostly relying on a pair of passes to Arnaz Battle for 23 and 10-yards apiece plus a personal foul penalty. The offense penetrated to the 5-yardline before settling for a 22-yard field goal by Joe Nedney to trail 7-3 at the half.
Andrew Walter opened the half for Oakland and marched his team 75 yards in 13 plays finished off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Bush. A delay of game on the extra point attempt against San Francisco led to the Raiders trying for a two-point conversion, which they got on a Walter throw to Chaz Schilens for a 15-3 Oakland advantage.
Oakland’s final score arrived with their first series of the final quarter. On 2nd and 10, Louis Rankin rumbled for 72 yards before cornerback Marcus Hudson chased him down to prevent a touchdown. Still, the explosive play set up a 23-yard chip shot by kicker Aaron Elling.
“I was just trying to take points off the board,” said Hudson. “As the defense, that’s what we do anyway we can. It’s better than them getting seven, they got three. We took points off the board because we didn’t quit.”
Tight end Delanie Walker flashed his speed with a 40-yard kickoff return after the score, priming Hill for a 10-play, 37 yard fourth-quarter drive. Kicker Ricky Schmitt completed the drive with a 38-yard field goal to close out the scoring efforts in the 18-6 Battle of the Bay loss.