Blogs

Morning Tailgate: July 25

Several undrafted 49ers rookies have made their way on to the 53-man roster in recent years based on strong performances in training camp and the preseason. The chances of it happening again will be tougher based on the depth across the 49ers roster.

However, players like Demarcus Dobbs, Ian Williams and Joe Hastings made it happen in 2011, all making appearances in regular season games last season despite going undrafted. Will the trend continue in 2012? CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco examined the likelihood of one of this year’s unheralded prospects making the final cut.

The performances of this year’s rookies will come into better focus once they begin competing with the veterans at the start of training camp. Friday is when it officially gets started. For now, the rookies are practicing for the first time in pads this week as they get acclimated to what training camp will be like.

When the vets officially report on Thursday, things will be, as Harbaugh likes to say, “really real.”

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

ESPN.com’s NFC West blogger Mike Sando offers his camp storylines to watch.

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee shares the comments from second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick who’s working on footwork in the days leading up to camp. Barrows: “Kaepernick is at the center of one of the more intriguing camp battles on the largely settled 49ers roster as he tries to fend off Josh Johnson and Scott Tolzien to be the chief backup to Alex Smith.”

Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle noted that seventh-round pick Cam Johnson returned to rookie practice after reportedly having a procedure on his knee this offseason. Branch: “Johnson stayed after practice to do rehabilitation work with trainers and was not available to the media.”

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com previews the upcoming position battle between Alex Boone and Daniel Kilgore for the team’s starting right guard position. Maiocco: “Boone had an encouraging offseason in his attempt to make the transition from being the team’s backup tackle on both sides. Boone is still learning the stance and technique of playing in such close quarters at the guard position. Kilgore, meanwhile, is looking like the 49ers’ sixth offensive lineman. He spent much of his offseason working at center as Jonathan Goodwin’s backup. Kilgore could put himself in position to take over as the starting center sooner than later.”

CSNBayArea.com also shares a video on former 49ers quarterback John Brodie’s passion for golf, and unique background with the game that included two appearances in the U.S. Open in 1959 and 1981.

TWEET ABOUT IT

Veterans are on their way…