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 We hear Niners new offensive coordinator Mike Martz is greatly intrigued by the possibility of using Frank Gore and Michael Robinson in the backfield together. Word is Martz really likes both players’ complementary receiving ability out of the backfield, as well as their blocking ability.
Our sources in the desert tell us that second-year NT Alan Branch, who is being counted on to step up his game after a so-so rookie campaign, “looked a little doughy” in the team’s minicamps and OTAs. On the other hand, we hear starting RB Edgerrin James couldn’t have looked in better shape for what figures to be another 20- to 25-carries-per-game workload this coming season.
Cardinals O-line coach Russ Grimm on recently signed seventh-round OT Brandon Keith, who pleaded guilty in late June to charges of rioting and interfering with an official in an incident that took place in Iowa and possibly subjected him to punishment by the NFL: “Sometimes a guy’s (rocky) background can be good in a way. Things may have not worked out, and he tried to make it work somewhere else. They know the leash is getting shorter and shorter every time.”
With the Rams’ training camp fast approaching, we hear DE Leonard Little, who is coming off a serious toe injury that forced him to miss the final nine games in ‘07, is further along in his recovery than OLT Orlando Pace, who is recuperating at a much slower pace from the torn rotator cuff and torn labrum in his right shoulder that he suffered in Week One last season.
Although the Niners are expected to use a fullback sparingly at best, we hear Princeton product Zak Keasey might have an advantage over Moran Norris, whose playing time diminished significantly as last season wore on. Keasey is said to provide more options with his running and receiving ability, although we’re told it’s quite possible neither Keasey nor Norris will make the team.
Seahawks WR Nate Burleson, an increasingly key cog in the team’s receiving corps with Deion Branch (injury) and Bobby Engram (contract issues) out of the mix so far this offseason, says he is definitely benefiting from what new receivers coach Keith Gilbertson brings to the table. “I’m learning a lot more from Gilby, even beyond what I learned under Nolan (departed WR coach Nolan Cromwell),’ Burleson recently told Seattle Post-Intelligencer football writer and PFW correspondent Clare Farnsworth. “Gilby has a new vision and a new way of looking at things. I’m excited about what Gilby brings to this receiving corps.”
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