Most understand hump-day as a purely Wednesday phenomenon. For the San Francisco 49ers it came early this week. It was Monday during the front end of two-a-days that Head Coach Mike Singletary said: “When I look at practice today (been anticipating this day), we hit a wall. It is hump-day. You have to work your way through that wall. We did not do a very good job of handling today. Our guys tried. I guess looking back on it, it is one of those things that is more of a blessing than a curse, because we see it. We see what we have to do. When I talk about mental toughness, that’s the thing that (on days like today) the great teams work their way through. Our guys are trying, but we are not there yet.”
These words came shortly after practice was cut short partly due to a flurry of injuries. Most notable injury is veteran center Eric Heitmann. Heitmann, starting his ninth season at center for the 49ers has looked to have a foot or ankle problem. He was eventually removed from the field on a cart. Earlier, Coach Singletary had to move the practice line of scrimmage well past line-backer Martail Burnett, when his knee failed him and he was in the way writhing in pain. He was also removed on a cart.
Ironically, my greatest question going into 49ers camp was the effectiveness of their offensive line. Few believe that Alex Smith is a stud quarterback and therefore it becomes imperative that the o-line be especially strong to allow Smith to be what he seems to be: an effective game manager. Though no QB wants to wear the label “game manager,” consensus among the press is that this label fits and may, in fact, be kind.
If this 9ers team is to win a soft division and make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, it is incumbent on whatever o-line is on the field to do an amazing job. The shuffling of personnel in light of the injury to Heitmann coupled with dependence on rookies, Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, means the o-line depth will tested immediately.
Looks like the injury bug bit the 49ers early. Luckily it’s only the preseason, so hopefully Heitmann and Burnett will be back out there without missing too many regular season games. Thanks so much Jeff for covering San Francisco’s training camp! I only found one flaw with this article and that is it doesn’t include my boy Michael Crab”Money”tree (I’m a Red Raider through and through). Keep up the good work Jeff! NFL R&R makes the preseason more palpable, even after the horror that was the Hall of Fame Game last night.
Look at the photos on Facebook. I took one this morning of Crabtree mid catch.
Hope the money didn’t fall out of Moneytree’s pockets ;)
Martail Burnett’s injury isn’t serious. And Heitmann will be back, at the longest, for the 5th regular season game.
And the local media’s and fans view on Alex is more the just lukewarm. The local media can be regarded as slightly optimistic (the 49ers beat writers really like Alex) and the fans everywhere from “he’s a bust” too “he’s going to have a breakout year.” Though most fans can be grouped into the same slightly optimistic bracket with the local media.
Personally, I believe that Alex will be more then just a “game manager.” His numbers from last year bare that out. He has all the tools and has a good head on his shoulders. And he does have play-making ability. Just watch every 4th down play last season and his pass to Frank Gore in the back of the end zone with two defenders bearing down onto him.
If one where to extrapolate his game averages from last season into a full 16 game season you get:
3,418 yards passing
29 passing TDs
19 INTs
61% completion rating (2009)
81.5 QB rating (2009)
Also drew the most defenses offsides with his fake calls. 2nd to Peyton Manning in completion rate to open recievers. Has Pro-Bowlers in TE Vernon Davis and RB Frank Gore. Has a true #1 WR in Michael Crabtree (something he never had in his career). Two talented rookies added to a truly god-awful Offensive Line. No lingering shoulder injuries. Same Offensive Coordinator in consecutive seasons (something he never had in his career). Has teamates and coaches’ confidence.
If anything, he has a better chance at making the Pro Bowl then having a bad season. Too many things are going right for him to have a bad season. And in reality, he’s never really had a bad season outside of his rookie year. His either been on IR or surronded by an awful team.