Warned of Slow Start
'Nonfunctional.'That was the surprising adjective former Utah coach Urban Meyer used this spring to describe Alex Smith just hours after the 49ers took Smith with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Sure, Meyer lavished his former quarterback with praise, highlighted his intelligence and athleticism, and predicted he'd have a long and prosperous NFL career. But he also warned that Smith might stumble early.
'Alex Smith is a person that, once he is taught, he has to learn it all,' Meyer, now the head coach at Florida, said at the time. 'He might struggle early, but once he gets it, he gets it. I think it is well-documented - his first spring in our offense, he was not a productive player.'
Niner Notes:
Niners begin long road back
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: 'Tony Parrish has had a front-row seat for the unprecedented free fall of the San Francisco 49ers.The former University of Washington strong safety signed with the 49ers in free agency in 2002, just in time to play a vital role on a team that went 10-6 and won the NFC West championship in the first season of the realigned division.'
More Niner News...
49ers must balance sorrow, rigors of schedule
San Jose Mercury News: 'After tonight's exhibition game at Monster Park against the Tennessee Titans, a contingent of 49ers will fly to Texas for the funeral of Thomas Herrion. On Sunday, they will fly back to Santa Clara, where the coaches will spend the morning deciding which players to lop off the roster in first-round cuts.'
Bajema will start again at tight end for 49ers
Oakland Tribune: 'Four years ago, a seventh-round draft choice, Eric Johnson, started the final 15 games of his rookie season for the 49ers. Tonight, when the 49ers (1-1 in the preseason) host the Tennessee Titans (1-1), Johnson will remain sidelined with a plantar-fascia strain, and another seventh-round rookie, Billy Bajema of Oklahoma State, will make his second consecutive start.'
49ers' focus will be on offensive line
San Francisco Chronicle: 'The offensive line might be the most scrutinized area for the 49ers tonight in their exhibition game against the visiting Tennessee Titans. The line was the most affected by the death of guard Thomas Herrion, who collapsed in the locker room and was never revived Saturday after the 49ers' 26-21 loss in Denver.'
It hasn't come easy for Ficklin
Press Democrat: San Jose State's best defensive player in a decade is close to earning a roster spot with the 49ers - on offense.
49ers will wear Herrion's No. 72
Fort Worth Star Telegram: 72 will be on the back of the San Francisco 49ers' helmets, and the offensive lineman will be honored with words and pictures in a tribute before tonight's...
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