As the San Francisco 49ers entered the third week of their off-season strength program, the team also rolled out Jim Harbaugh’s “Football School,” in which the players focus on fundamentals and technique within their particular positions.
Although we’re still in the voluntary portion of off-season workouts, the session was well attended, including by recent addition Randy Moss, who showed up just in time to join the rest of the 49ers in getting down to basics.
“It’s definitely a blessing to be back in the league,” Moss told TV49 after his first workout, which he called “eye-opening.”
Moss added, “The 49ers gave me a chance to showcase my God-given abilities. I’m very lucky to be in this position and I want to make the best of it.”
Moss’ new teammates liked what they saw on the field. “He looked good. He looked really, really good,” Pro Bowl tackle Joe Staley said. “Obviously super fast. My first impressions of him are very positive. I think he’s going to be a great addition to the team. I’m excited to work with him. I think he’s got a ton of talent.”
Safety C.J. Spillman, a fellow Marshall alum, echoed Staley’s comments about Moss. “He does look good,” Spillman said. “He’s all about business, going to work every day and doing what he has to do.”
Staley was also looking forward to welcoming , the new additions to the offensive line. The 49ers drafted Wake Forest guardJoe Looney and Western Oregon offensive lineman Jason Slowey in the fourth and sixth rounds. “We have the Acme Looney bin over here,” Staley quipped.
He has also already started thinking of the best way to maximize the performance of the incoming rookies. “I feel like I might need some Jamba Juices more, maybe a little more coffee, but not a coffee from the most convenient spot,” Staley said grinning. “I want coffee up in San Mateo, I like a coffee shop up there during training camp. I hear they have a good brew…”
For the first time in six years, the 49ers will be entering a season with the same offensive coordinator and the same system as they had in the previous year. That’s good news for all of the returning veterans. “It’s just great to get back into our system,” Staley explained. “We don’t have to get into a new playbook. It’s just great to get back and play football again. It’s fun to work out and everything, but we’re not paid to work out, we’re paid to play football.”
The 49ers hope that the continuity can help them improve on last year’s 13-3 record, when they came two plays short of a Super Bowl appearance. The team has added some exciting pieces on offense, including Moss, Giants WR Mario Manningham and top Draft picks WR A.J. Jenkins and RB LaMichael James. The team is also bringing back all 11 starters from last year’s defense that was one of the best in the league.
“Coach Harbaugh said today is like a homecoming, you guys get to see people you haven’t seen in awhile and do what you guys do best,” Staley said. “This is what it’s all about, so it was an exciting atmosphere.”
