49ers’ rookies set to be key contributors

By Danny Dabiri  |   Thursday, July 05, 2007  |  Comments( 20 )

San Francisco 49ers
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With more than three weeks until the start of training camp, there is not a whole lot to report out of San Francisco. The 49ers' earlier organized team activities saw the rapid development of rookies ready to make an impact in their inaugural NFL season.

Let's take a brief look at three players most likely to see field action right away for the Niners.

Not surprisingly, first-round pick Patrick Willis, a linebacker, tops the list. During OTAs, Willis was very active, flying around the ball and making plays. Willis is surely benefiting from the tutelage of assistant head coach Mike Singletary, a Hall of Fame LB. Willis explained Singletary's effect on the team's website.

"He's a great coach. He doesn't get down on me, he tells me when I mess up that we'll talk about it and we'll get it right. I have a lot of respect for him, and I won't throw my head down, I'll go back and do better on the next one. He wants us to be great linebackers and I know I want to be great for him and I'll do whatever he asks whether it kills me or not," said Willis.

It is clear that Willis, a former University of Mississippi star, has the desire to be great and do whatever it takes to help the 49ers win games.

Fellow first-round choice Joe Staley is expected to be a steady contributor on the team's offensive line. Staley worked with the starting unit at right tackle during OTAs and did very well. The odds are pretty high that he will be a starter on Opening Day.

The third rookie who's most likely to make an impact is wide receiver Jason Hill, a third-round pick from Washington State University. Hill has a chance to be a key contributor as a first-year man largely because of the relative weakness of the 49ers' receiving corps, but he'll likely open the season behind Darrell Jackson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle. Hill was solid in OTAs, taking full advantage of the rash of injuries that has riddled the receivers ahead of him. There is a high probability that Jackson or Lelie (or possibly both) will suffer another injury at some point, paving the way for Hill to be an offensive standout.

The team is blessed with a very talented rookie class, to be sure. Other notable rooks include cornerback Tarell Brown, safety Dashon Goldson ad defensive tackle Ray McDonald. A great deal of the 49ers' success this season will depend on the growth of these youngsters, and they appear ready to seize their various opportunities.

Original San Francisco 49ers insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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