49ers count on rookies to boost the offensive line
Think head coach Mike Singletary was happy with his offensive line during the 2009 season? Think again. It took just nine days at the start of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers coach to shake things up with the guys at the front, and name rookies Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati the teams’ new starters.
“Those guys showed us that they have the ability to step in and be able to do it," Singletary said. "If that's the case, we have to give them all the reps that we can possibly give them in order to do the job and be ready."
The Niners' offensive line was ready during its first pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts, and played great as a unit despite San Francisco choosing to sit receiver Michael Crabtree, running-back Frank Gore and linebacker Patrick Willis.
Both Davis and Inupati have excelled at training camp and on the practice field. Now, they will have a chance to stand out as they play in the remaining pre-season games leading up to the regular season.
"This is a confidence booster, but you've got to put everything into perspective," Davis said. "That's just the first step. That's not my main goal. I want to be the best player I can possibly be."
It was obvious from the outset that the 49ers were far from pleased with their O-line and used both first-round draft picks on offensive linemen during April’s NFL draft. How is that for a clear message that things will be different and that the team is trying to revamp the position?
Iupati had a chance to shine after David Baas suffered a concussion at the beginning of the month during team activities. Inupati played the position extremely well and edged out Baas for the starting job. Baas will have another chance to start, but at a different position.
San Francisco will have a new starter at centre after Eric Heitmann broke his left leg during practice. According to athletics trainers, Heitmann will be out of action for eight to ten weeks.
Heitmann was the silver lining on the O-line and this was the one position for which Singletary did not see a need to change. Heitmann has struggled at times, but was reliable for the most part and started every game at centre the past three seasons. He was the one consistency at the centre-quarterback exchange, as the 49ers have had their issues finding the right quarterback over the years. He snapped to Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan, Trent Dilfer and to Alex Smith during his starts.
With the injury to Heitmann, Baas moves to centre from left tackle.
“I just think that it’s one of those things that you have to evaluate,’’ Singletary said. “Obviously Baas was out a while and Wragge was playing, so we just have to give Baas a chance as well to really see what he can do at that position.”
Although it was difficult for Bass to accept the fact that a rookie stole his job in such a short amount of time, he is ready to try his luck at another position and fully understands that this is a business.
"I want to win just like everybody else," Baas said. "So I'm coming out here and competing, and if they want me to compete at centre, that's what I'm going to do. I can't sit here and complain about it. You have to move on, you have to be the best football player at whatever position you can, so that's what I'm doing. I just want to play."
Baas will now be the top backup to Iupati and challenge veteran Tony Wragge for the starting gig at centre. But neither should get too accustomed to being a starter as Heitmann is likely to miss a few games early this season, but nothing more.
“The biggest thing about playing centre is that the guys have to believe in you,’’ Baas said. “You have to make those calls quick and precise. Heitmann does an awesome job at that and I’m trying to get to his level.”
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