On Monday, the 49ers resumed their OTAs with a few positive notes.
To start off, wide receiver Isaac Bruce was actually in practice with the team. Wearing usual practice #80, it is good to see Bruce participate. Especially since he is the team veteran and the team's leading receiver last year, it's good to see him involved in the OTAs.
All other receivers participated except for Arnaz Battle (foot) and rookie Michael Crabtree. We might not see Crabtree in action at all this month as the team looks to be extremely careful about his healing foot.
Also of positive note, newly signed cornerback Dre Bly and Tarell Brown were both starters at cornerback. With Walt Harris out for the year and Nate Clements not feeling well, both Bly and Brown took the corner spots. And for what it's worth, I think this might actually be a good thing for both these guys.
As we all know, Clements has secured one of the corner spots and the other one will most likely be a battle between Brown and Bly. Now that they are working side by side, it might be easier to compare both of them. For one thing, both these players have distinct talents that should propel them to the top.
Bly is a hard hitter with a great nose for the ball while Brown looks very solid in keeping up with receivers. Both these players should be a great focus as the OTAs continue this week all the way to the preseason.
Matt Barrows was at practice and mentioned Dashon Goldson's interception. I've been a huge Goldson fan since his rookie year and it looks like he has secured himself the starting free safety job if he continues to play like this.
This week, we should expect more of the same thing. With Clements recovering, we should see more of Bly and Brown. More importantly, the team will focus on making sure that the secondary plays well.
On the other side of the ball, the receivers will have to make the biggest splash. Aside from Bruce's return, I am looking forward to what Josh Morgan, Jason Hill and Dominique Zeigler do with the ball. But this year, it's all about Vernon Davis and how he fits into the offense.
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