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Morning Tailgate: July 27

Finally, football has come back to the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara. Camp is here. Position battles, non-stop competition, and the smell of fresh-cut grass all signal the start of an exciting time of the year.

The 49ers, 87-men strong (with three players placed on the 90-men roster on the Physically Unable to Perform List), will hit the fields Friday afternoon. But first, select veterans like Alex Smith and Randy Moss, plus coach Jim Harbaugh will address the media from 12-1. The first training camp practice runs from 2:30-5:10 p.m.

All eyes and ears will be on Moss according to CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Many want to know what the future Hall of Fame wide receiver has left in the tank at the age of 35. We’ll find out Moss’ outlook on training camp when he meets the press later today.

Without even taking a training camp rep, 49ers camp got off to an interesting start. Dashon Goldson signed his one-year franchise tender Thursday morning, calling the decision a “no-brainer.” Shortly after, the team announced the signing of three-time Pro Bowl guard Leonard Davis to compete for the starting right guard position.

If that’s any indication of what’s to come, we should all be in for an entertaining ride.

More 49ers headlines can be found after the jump.

Maiocco previews the upcoming right guard competition between Davis and Alex Boone. Maiocco: “Daniel Kilgore might see some time at right guard, but he’ll also work at center. Rookie Joe Looney has not been cleared to practice, so he does not figure to be involved in the competition. The 49ers signed Davis for one reason: To see if he might be a better option than Boone. Davis has started 155 regular-season games in his career.”

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee shares Davis’ comments about liking the fit in San Francisco. “Davis is a big-bodied offensive lineman with 12 years of experience who likes run blocking above all else. The 49ers are a run-oriented offense that was mostly complete but that perhaps needed someone to add competition at right guard. Those two dynamics finally converged Thursday when the 49ers signed Davis, 33, to a one-year deal.”

Barrows also previewed the 49ers upcoming season. Barrows: “But perhaps the 49ers’ most important weapon is the sense of unfinished business. With a locker room full of blue-collar veterans, the 49ers don’t appear complacent after posting a 13-3 record last year and making the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Rather, there’s an element of discontent in Santa Clara, as well as a realization that the window for a championship is open now but may not be for long.”

Chris Burke of SI.com lists Moss versus Mario Manningham for San Francisco’s No. 2 wide receiver position as one of his 12 training camp battles to watch. Burke: “The 49ers’ receiving corps certainly looks better on paper — and the reason this particular battle isn’t higher on the list is that both guys, plus Ted Ginn, A.J. Jenkins and maybe Kyle Williams, should see action. What’s at stake is a starting spot opposite Michael Crabtree in the 49ers’ run-heavy offense.”

49ers.com’s camp coverage included a veteran arrival story, video of Davis’ conference, Ricky Jean Francois’ press pass, and a blog on Vernon Davis’ excitement for the upcoming season.

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Congrats to the 49ers players and coaches who helped raise money for a great causes, the 49ers Foundation, City Year and Fresh Lifelines for Youth.