INSTANT 49ers
Matt Maiocco heads into his 13th season covering the 49ers. He has
reported for The Press Democrat since 2000. He is a three-time winner
of Pro Football Writers of America awards. Maiocco has written two
books, "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" and "San
Francisco 49ers: Where Have You Gone?" His blog, "Instant 49ers,"
gives readers an all-access pass to the 49ers.

Language barrier slows down some more than others

quietly and discreetly made my way into the back of the room. There,
I sat dumbfounded. I didn't understand a word anybody was saying.

"Now, you know what the players are going through," 49ers coach Mike
Nolan said later. "There were 22 players in that room, and those 22
probably speak 10 different languages. In just a couple days, they all
have to learn a new language."

This is how it is for the players chosen to participate in the Senior
Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala. In many cases, they have spent four
years learning the football terminology at their schools. And then
they have to apply a new language in a short period of time while
functioning well enough on the field to impress NFL coaches and
scouts.

The language is defensive football. As I looked around the room, I saw
a few players with blank looks on their faces. It was obvious that
they didn't really have a clue what was going on - or they had not yet
become conversant in this language that the 49ers' defensive coaches
were speaking during their Wednesday meeting.

But then there were others who were obviously quick to catch on. CB
Jonathan Wade of Tennessee and SS Michael Griffin were seated next to
each other in the first row. When Nolan was at the whiteboard with a
pen in his hand, Wade asked a question. Griffin was also quick with
answers when Nolan quizzed him.

Believe me, Nolan noticed how quickly those pair picked it up.

"That's why I like to coach in this game," Nolan said. "If you're not
coaching, you don't get to see what we see in the meeting room. Some
guys learn that stuff quickly, and there are other guys who sit there
quietly and don't really know what's going on."

Count me in the latter group.

* * *

The players convened at 9 a.m. in a meeting room at the Mobile
Convention Center, which is a short walk over the sky bridge from the
hotel. New special teams coach Al Everest went over some film of punt
coverages. But, first, the former Saints special-teams coach had some
words of advice for the players in the room.

"Joe Horn was in the league six years and he did nothing but special
teams," Everest said. "Do you know how many players suit up for
games?"

Someone answered correctly: 45.

"That's not even two-deep at every position," Everest said,
emphasizing that the way for young players to prove their worth
initially is on special teams.

* * *

I remained in the room, as the defensive meeting began with Nolan in
front of the group diagramming formations. He talked about where he
wants to see the linebackers line up when the offense is showing
certain looks.

Before he got going he wanted to alert the players that the Wednesday
practice would be the last one that is well-attended by NFL scouts and
coaches. Most of them would head home after the upcoming practice.
They will watch the film of the game, rather than remain in Mobile to
watch it in person.

The session begins with the entire defense watching film of the
11-on-11 portion of Tuesday's practice. The players are split up into
sections of the room, so their position coaches can point out
pertinent information as it appears on the screen.

* * *

Ole Miss LB Patrick Willis was sitting to Singletary's immediate right
during this session. Those two were in constant soft conversation
about what they were seeing on the film. Nolan pointed out to Griffin
that he needed to flip his hips sooner on a corner route in which he
was covering LSU WR Dwayne Bowe. As it was, Griffin got his hand on
the ball, but Bowe still managed to make an acrobatic catch. "That
play is yours in the game," Nolan told him. New DL coach Jim Tomsula
was eagerly pointing out ways in which his linemen could use better
technique. He also noticed several times in which his guys were lined
up in the neutral zone. "We don't have to be talking about this
again," he told them.

One constant theme was that the defense was a little overzealous in
practice. Oklahoma LB Rufus Alexander roughed up a running back after
catching a screen pass. "Save it for the game," Nolan told him. When
Nolan quizzed Wade about the routes he should expect in a certain
formation when the QB takes a three-step drop, Wade answered
correctly, "Hitches and slants." DE Quentin Moses showed his
athleticism to bat down a ball at the line of scrimmage, then did a
nice job of controlling the tight end with his hands on a run play.

* * *

"Hey, Meriweather," Nolan said. "What's your first name?"

"Brandon."

"Brian?"

"No, Brandon."

"OK, your last name is too long for me to say all the time."

Meriweather, a safety from Miami, received some praise a couple plays
later for finishing the play by stripping the receiver of the ball.

* * *

Willis showed his outstanding athleticism and his range with an
interception some 20 yards down the field on a sideline route. On the
next play, CB A.J. Davis of N.C. State made an outstanding play, and
was credited for his "route recognition." CB David Irons of Auburn was
praised for his tight defense on a deep route. Although Griffin had no
bearing on the play and really didn't move much from where he lined
up, Nolan pointed out that he did not abandon is position and thus was
"good in the defense."

* * *

The defensive line and linebackers went into an adjoining room to
watch the 9-on-7 run drills, and I followed them in there. Singletary
noticed a couple times when there were two linebackers following a
tight end. "I don't want to see two men on a tight end," he said.
"Talk to each other. Be nice to each other. Help each other out."

Singletary urged LB Earl Everett of Florida to "be explosive" on one
play, and singled him out for his textbook body position on a couple
plays later.

* * *

Although Tomsula had no difficult pointing out technique flaws, it was
clear that some of the linemen had made tremendous strides in
correcting the problems that showed up on film from the previous day.
"See how much better that was Day 1 to Day 2?" Tomsula said. "That's
exciting stuff!"

* * *

Matt Maiocco is easily one of the best, if not the best 49er beat
writer. He knows his stuff and his observations are the best.