Nothing worth reporting re the NFC North
- I really like the spark Jalen Saunders brought to the Saints in the return game last season and he may need to continue his stellar play in that spot to make the team this year, although I would like to see him get some preseason reps to see if he can crack the roster as a true wide receiver.
- DE Frank Alexander, competing for a starting spot, beat OT Nate Chandler during 1-on-1 pass rush before starting left tackle Michael Oher locked him out later in the drill.
- Shortly after the start of one-on-one drills between linemen, offensive tackle Nate Chandler got the best of defensive end Frank Alexander. In the rematch a few minutes later, Alexander blew past Chandler.
- During individual drills between linemen, defensive end Frank Alexander blew past left tackle Michael Oher so quickly, he nearly tackled an assistant coach who was standing in at quarterback.
- On other players stepping up in Tony McDaniel’s absence: “It’s always about opportunity. Opportunity knocked for a bunch of guys on this one. Tony’s done a lot of playing for us. So as has always been the case, we’re heralding these guys as they come through this thing, and waiting to see who’s going to rise up, and we’re looking for it. David King has a chance and of course Jordan Hill has a chance to rise up. All of the fellas in there, [Demarcus] Dobbs, and all these guys have done a nice job to position themselves, and here the competition opportunity presents itself.”
- Fullback Trey Millard, who “red shirted” last season after sustaining an ACL tear during his final season at Oklahoma, is making $446,787 this year, compared to Miller’s $1.746 million salary. It’s unlikely to happen, but if Millard impresses in camp and proves he can play up to Miller’s level, the salary savings will be enticing for the 49ers to consider. There’s also the chance Miller faces a league-imposed suspension after being charged with a domestic violence misdemeanor in May stemming from his March arrest following a dispute with his former fiancée.
- Tight end Blake Bell repeatedly flashed reliable hands and snagged a deep over-the-middle pass Gabbert lofted over linebacker Eli Harold.
- Rookie tight end Blake Bell caught a pass from Gabbert in triple coverage over the middle. One fan's response: "Way to go Belldozer! That's the Belldozer, baby!"
- Blake Bell looks like a lock to make the team as a long term project. He spent one year at Oklahoma as a tight end where he was a quarterback initially. Bell has the size of a blocking tight end and the 49ers will look to develop him.
- TE Blake Bell. Made four catches during team drills, including two deep ones down the middle of the field.
- 49ers' Blake Bell: The future at tight end
by Douglas Totten
Though San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis appears primed for a bounce-back season in 2015, there can be no questioning that the 49ers are beginning to look beyond him at the tight end position. The 49ers have long liked a two-tight end set and loved utilizing Delanie Walker opposite Davis, so part of the strategy of GM Trent Baalke in having 8 tight ends currently on the roster no doubt is to try and replicate the success those two had.
With Davis entering the final year of his contract, however, the 49ers have other reasons to explore options at the tight end position. Whether or not Davis is re-signed, and I do hope and believe he will be, his time as king of 49ers tight ends will soon be coming to a close. The reason: Blake Bell.
Blake Bell was not the most heralded tight end in this past year’s NFL draft. He was not close to it. His ceiling may be the highest of any of the tight ends in this year’s draft class, however.
A three-year college quarterback and 2010 MLB draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, Bell is a diverse and talented athlete. His father and uncle both played defensive end in the NFL, which has definitely given the giant 6’6″ 252 lb Oklahoma product the blessings of genes and coaching. Though Bell is a raw route runner, his experience at QB will help him stay on the same page as Colin Kaepernick, which will especially prove useful in the red zone when Bell’s big frame and height will likely lead to many balls being thrown his way early and often.
Though other options abound for the 49ers at tight end, none looks as promising as Blake Bell. Vance McDonald likely won’t make the roster, Derek Carrier has big-play ability, but the former receiver needs a lot of work if he is to ever become the type of blocker the 49ers require at tight end. Bell is raw and will take some time to develop, but he is hard-nosed and not afraid to hit someone or block anyone, so he should see the field early and often and, come 2016, will be one of the top two tight ends on the roster, if not the primary one, before eventually taking over the reigns from number 85.
- I really like the spark Jalen Saunders brought to the Saints in the return game last season and he may need to continue his stellar play in that spot to make the team this year, although I would like to see him get some preseason reps to see if he can crack the roster as a true wide receiver.
- DE Frank Alexander, competing for a starting spot, beat OT Nate Chandler during 1-on-1 pass rush before starting left tackle Michael Oher locked him out later in the drill.
- Shortly after the start of one-on-one drills between linemen, offensive tackle Nate Chandler got the best of defensive end Frank Alexander. In the rematch a few minutes later, Alexander blew past Chandler.
- During individual drills between linemen, defensive end Frank Alexander blew past left tackle Michael Oher so quickly, he nearly tackled an assistant coach who was standing in at quarterback.
- On other players stepping up in Tony McDaniel’s absence: “It’s always about opportunity. Opportunity knocked for a bunch of guys on this one. Tony’s done a lot of playing for us. So as has always been the case, we’re heralding these guys as they come through this thing, and waiting to see who’s going to rise up, and we’re looking for it. David King has a chance and of course Jordan Hill has a chance to rise up. All of the fellas in there, [Demarcus] Dobbs, and all these guys have done a nice job to position themselves, and here the competition opportunity presents itself.”
- Fullback Trey Millard, who “red shirted” last season after sustaining an ACL tear during his final season at Oklahoma, is making $446,787 this year, compared to Miller’s $1.746 million salary. It’s unlikely to happen, but if Millard impresses in camp and proves he can play up to Miller’s level, the salary savings will be enticing for the 49ers to consider. There’s also the chance Miller faces a league-imposed suspension after being charged with a domestic violence misdemeanor in May stemming from his March arrest following a dispute with his former fiancée.
- Tight end Blake Bell repeatedly flashed reliable hands and snagged a deep over-the-middle pass Gabbert lofted over linebacker Eli Harold.
- Rookie tight end Blake Bell caught a pass from Gabbert in triple coverage over the middle. One fan's response: "Way to go Belldozer! That's the Belldozer, baby!"
- Blake Bell looks like a lock to make the team as a long term project. He spent one year at Oklahoma as a tight end where he was a quarterback initially. Bell has the size of a blocking tight end and the 49ers will look to develop him.
- TE Blake Bell. Made four catches during team drills, including two deep ones down the middle of the field.
- 49ers' Blake Bell: The future at tight end
by Douglas Totten
Though San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis appears primed for a bounce-back season in 2015, there can be no questioning that the 49ers are beginning to look beyond him at the tight end position. The 49ers have long liked a two-tight end set and loved utilizing Delanie Walker opposite Davis, so part of the strategy of GM Trent Baalke in having 8 tight ends currently on the roster no doubt is to try and replicate the success those two had.
With Davis entering the final year of his contract, however, the 49ers have other reasons to explore options at the tight end position. Whether or not Davis is re-signed, and I do hope and believe he will be, his time as king of 49ers tight ends will soon be coming to a close. The reason: Blake Bell.
Blake Bell was not the most heralded tight end in this past year’s NFL draft. He was not close to it. His ceiling may be the highest of any of the tight ends in this year’s draft class, however.
A three-year college quarterback and 2010 MLB draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, Bell is a diverse and talented athlete. His father and uncle both played defensive end in the NFL, which has definitely given the giant 6’6″ 252 lb Oklahoma product the blessings of genes and coaching. Though Bell is a raw route runner, his experience at QB will help him stay on the same page as Colin Kaepernick, which will especially prove useful in the red zone when Bell’s big frame and height will likely lead to many balls being thrown his way early and often.
Though other options abound for the 49ers at tight end, none looks as promising as Blake Bell. Vance McDonald likely won’t make the roster, Derek Carrier has big-play ability, but the former receiver needs a lot of work if he is to ever become the type of blocker the 49ers require at tight end. Bell is raw and will take some time to develop, but he is hard-nosed and not afraid to hit someone or block anyone, so he should see the field early and often and, come 2016, will be one of the top two tight ends on the roster, if not the primary one, before eventually taking over the reigns from number 85.
