Entrance to the 49ers training camp facility.
(Samuel Lam/Examiner.com)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A day after the rookies reported to training camp, the rest of the veterans of the San Francisco 49ers reported to team headquarters on Saturday morning. Most notably, nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin did not report for the team's first meeting. Franklin has been looking for a contract extension and has yet to sign his franchise tag tender.
Ricky Jean-Francois, Franklin's backup, has been studying film and trying to learn the tendencies of Franklin in anticipation of the potential playing time he could receive if Franklin doesn't arrive to camp.
"It's bad that he's not here because I can't ask him certain questions," Jean-Francois said about Franklin's absence. However, Jean-Francois said that he can still find some positive in this situation as he has been able to study film and still pick up on techniques from Franklin. "He's not here but I can look at film, I can see what he's doing."
Jean-Francois said that he did a lot of training on the sandy beaches of Miami, saying that helped his endurance. To avoid the heat of the sunrise, Jean-Francois worked out at 5:30 in morning by doing eight to nine-mile runs from Haulover Beach to South Beach while listening to "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. That song became a workout song for the entire LSU football team and it stuck with him as he transitioned to the NFL.
Running back Frank Gore also worked in Miami during the off-season, running tire drills at the University of Miami and Tropical Beach Park. Gore ties a tire truck with weights around his waist and runs the hills of the beach. The weather reached at least 100 degrees, but Gore said that he was able to maintain his playing weight of 215 pounds.
When asked about his thoughts of the offense, especially of quarterback Alex Smith, Gore had confidence in the team's potential.
"We got everybody: coordinator, quarterback, we got our receivers, Vernon (Davis) a different player now," Gore said about the having the same teammates back for another season. When asked about quarterback Alex Smith, Gore expressed confidence in him saying that "he's the leader."
Cornerback Nate Clements, who said he expects to be the starter for this season, kept it simple about reaching the expectations of making the playoffs.
"We just got to make it happen," he said. Clements echoed his confidence in his teammates for the season. "We need to meet those goals, that's what you're here for."
Linebacker Patrick Willis also had big goals for the team. Last off-season, Willis said that the defense had potential to be in the Top 10. After finishing in 15th in total yards per game, Willis remained confident in the defense for this upcoming season.
"I want us to be in the Top 3," Willis said of the team's defense. "If you have a Top 3 defense, that gives us a higher chance to win. In order for our offense to have a great year, our defense has to go out there and make it as easy as possible. I expect good things out of our defense."
Safety Dashon Goldson also believes that the defense can be on of the best in the league.
"I don't think we're Top 3, I think we can go for number one," Goldson said of his expectations for the defense. "We have a fresh start, new year, we got new players, why not go for number one?"
Goldson said he spent his off-season in the Los Angeles area working out, mentioning that he also trained with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart. Despite seeing positive things from Leinart, Goldson still believes that the 49ers are in good shape for this upcoming season.
"We got a lot of guys back together; everybody's excited," the fourth year safety said. Goldson, like some of his other teammates, reiterated the importance of consistency. "Everybody's got to be on the same page, everybody's got to make plays and hold each other accountable."
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- Defensive linemen Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean-Francois both said that despite Aubrayo Franklin's absence, they believe that Franklin would be ready whenever he does return. Jean-Francois believes that there would be "no struggle" for Franklin when he rejoins the team.
- Some veterans completed their conditioning drills prior to reporting to camp. At 9:30 a.m., the entire team reported to the practice field to watch and support the rookies take part in their drills. The first team meeting was scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
- The 49ers will hold a practice Sunday afternoon before going to pads on Monday for an open practice.
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