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Minicamp Update: June 13

Alex Smith had himself a day at the second of three mandatory minicamp sessions this offseason for the San Francisco 49ers.

The starting quarterback completed several deep, intermediate and short passes to a number of his intended receivers, including several perfectly thrown balls to Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Randy Moss, among others.

It wasn’t just the throws from Smith that stood out; it was more about the scenarios in which he was able to complete them that were most impressive.

First, in a first-team offense versus first-team defense period (both Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman were excused from practice to handle personal matters), Smith finished off the abbreviated, one-play period with a short touchdown throw to Crabtree. Prior to the play, coach Jim Harbaugh declared it to be a one-play period, where the 49ers only had one opportunity to score.

They did.

Smith later found Davis repeatedly over the middle during “move the ball” team periods where the offense’s goal was to pick up first downs and march down the field.

Later, in a two-minute drill period to close out practice, Smith led the first-team offense to a score after he completed a short touchdown to Moss in the back of the end zone.

 Other Wednesday highlights included:

-During opening special teams period, Frank Gore took time to cover kicks as a backup coverage player. Typically Gore spends time conversing with running backs coach Tom Rathman during special teams periods, but was more of an active participant this time around. Meanwhile, wideouts Mario Manningham, Crabtree and Moss worked on red zone routes with position coach John Morton on the adjacent practice field.

-Kickoffs were returned by Kendall Hunter, Perrish Cox, Kyle Williams and Chris Culliver.

-In one-on-one wide receiver-defensive back drills:

-Joe Hastings beat Anthony Mosley down the left sideline to haul in a 40-yard pass from Scott Tolzien.

-Crabtree won his matchups repeatedly, making contested catches versus Tarell Brown and Tramaine Brock in first two reps.

-Brock later intercepted a pass intended for Williams.

-Lots of mentoring took place off to the side during the period. Moss spent time with Manningham. Crabtree went over footwork with Hastings, and, veteran cornerback Carlos Rogers gave tips to undrafted rookie Deante’ Purvis.

-Brock recorded an interception during an early team period on a Kaepernick overthrow intended for Moss along the left sideline.

-Mosley later intercepted Josh Johnson’s high pass intended for A.J. Jenkins, who ran a short hitch route.

-Play of the day honors went to Williams, who came out of nowhere to make a diving catch from Smith on a skinny post pattern. A collective “Oooh” could be heard from both the offense and defense following the play.

CHECK OUT WEDNESDAY MINICAMP PHOTOS.