NFL - Sports Rumors

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:14 pm EDT

Will 49ers carry five receivers or six?

By Joe Zedalis

Bryant Johnson

Getty Images

Coach Mike Nolan hasn't decided whether the San Francisco 49ers will carry five or six wide receivers, but he said Monday that the starting split end is going to be the toughest call in the lineup.

The spot probably will go to Bryant Johnson or rookie Josh Morgan, and neither was at practice Monday. Johnson remains out with a hamstring problem, and Morgan was ill. Morgan took advantage of the injuries to Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle to establish himself as a downfield threat in training camp and the preseason games.

Lelie (calf) and Battle (hamstring) returned to practice Monday. So did running back Michael Robinson, who underwent knee surgery three weeks ago, and guard David Baas, who has been out with a torn pectoral tendon that required offseason surgery after a weight-lifting mishap. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich, who sustained a lower back strain Thursday night against the Bears, also practiced.

Nolan said he expects all but Johnson to play Friday night in the preseason finale against San Diego. Lelie is under the gun because he has been out since July 26, and his roster spot is in jeopardy. Other players not expected to play Friday are return man Allen Rossum (chest contusion), guard Adam Snyder (ankle) and offensive tackle Jonas Jennings (hand).

Source: San Francisco ChronicleNew Window

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58 Comments

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  1. nep617mvp
    1. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    They very rarely run more than 3 so i say 5 would be enough
  2. vdaxx121
    2. Posted by vdaxx121 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:32 pm EDT

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    1st. The need 6 with Martz style of offense.. Now decide who will be throwing the Dang ball
  3. nep617mvp
    3. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    they pretty much play 2 wide pro.in some case 1 back with 3.
  4. nep617mvp
    4. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    2 when does martz play 3 wide? in St louis which receivers were the big names.it wasnt Az Akim.it was tory Holt and Bruce.they dont need 6 5 at the most.they can get away with 4 WR.and use Vernon Davis in the 5 wide as the inside man on the trips side.
  5. gianni_m27
    5. Posted by gianni_m27 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    1st! Lelie is gone and keep Zeigler, 6 recievers
  6. gianni_m27
    6. Posted by gianni_m27 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    dammmm! sorry not 1st.
    Bruce, Johnson, Battle, Morgan, Hill, maybe Zeigler, no to Lelie
  7. nep617mvp
    7. Posted by nep617mvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    instead of carrying a 6th Wr youd better look at picking up anothe good Corner.
  8. I love this game!
    8. Posted by I love this game! Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

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    They might as well keep six. Its a long season and someone is going to get injured. Half of the receivers are already injured.
  9. chiggidy300
    9. Posted by chiggidy300 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

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    It doesnt matter how many WR they have they don't have a QB that can get the ball there anyway.
  10. vick is
    10. Posted by vick is Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Keep Morgan, He's been great; never will they have an outstanding WR combo such as Rice/ Taylor. If Morgan can establish himself as Fitzgerald, Bolden, Colston, Williams have then and least they can be a serviceable tandum. The scouting department needs to be re worked, too much talent has escaped to other teams via the draft
  11. vick is
    11. Posted by vick is Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

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    Johnson, Bruce & Morgan -- Lelie cant produce at his expected level as required
  12. jakethesnake
    12. Posted by jakethesnake Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    Morgan and hill start keep bruce, johnson and battle make them earn there starting spot hill and morgan did
  13. MATTHEW 5:9
    13. Posted by MATTHEW 5:9 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    morgan the next rice!!!
  14. MATTHEW 5:9
    14. Posted by MATTHEW 5:9 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    morgan and hill will be the next rice and taylor...go niners
  15. hassandora
    15. Posted by hassandora Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    by the way how the hell is a picture of a cardinal suppose to relate to this article
  16. Allen
    16. Posted by Allen Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    Lelie has never proved to be worthy of a roster spot and Morgan has done the opposite. While this is the preseason and everything should be taken with a grain of salt, he's still done more with his opportunities than Lelie. It should be Bruce, Johnson, Battle, Morgan, and Hill.
  17. Morgan
    17. Posted by Morgan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    That is a picture of bryant johnson, he was a cardinal last year buddy
  18. Nick M
    18. Posted by Nick M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    What a horrible idea. How can you have 6 wide outs and no QB hahahaha. Just give to gore and let him run it. If he wants to let him throw the ball to. Do the old madden fake. Set up 4 wide outs, 2 on each side. Then with the D-line and corners spread out run it up the middle. Gore can punish his way through for a good gain! That or take your chances with journey man J.T. O'Sullivan throwing to Isaac Bruce if he can put down his walker in time to catch the ball.
  19. A.J. C
    19. Posted by A.J. C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    keep Bruce, Battle, Johnson, Hill & Morgan, put Zeigler on the practice squad and cut Lelie. that way we carry 5 but have our 6th waiting
  20. Jimmy&tina
    20. Posted by Jimmy&tina Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    J.T. O'Sullivan has proved his strength this preseason throwing the ball and making good throws, i think the 49ers will be alright this year given the strength of the rest of the division they will make the playoffs.
  21. ME
    21. Posted by ME Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Whatever the answer is its going to determine whether or not the 49ers get to the super bowl this year...BIG DESISION.......not
    20 responses...Yeah people are interested in what the niners plan on doing...
  22. No thanks
    22. Posted by No thanks Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    Nick M - you need more than one play in this league, and having Gore power his way through the D-Line is NOT what you want to do in REAL football. Go play your John Madden Football game on your Xbox and run that play as many times as you want... and be sure to turn injuries off in the options menu. Gore will not be effective running the ball if they can't produce a passing game. That being said, how often do you see 5 or 6 receivers on the field? Never. They are more likely to have Gore and Vernon Davis line up as wide receivers anyways... so they only NEED to carry 5. Cut Lelie and put Zeigler back on the practice squad. Bruce and Morgan will start game one, cuz Bryant Johnson isn't in game shape
  23. Berry
    23. Posted by Berry Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    5 wide recievers .... Is what the niners need in case of injury... And they can use Vernon Davis for a five wide package
  24. Andrew R
    24. Posted by Andrew R Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:40 pm EDT

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    Roomer: That guy wont get laid until he's 43....lol
  25. El E.
    25. Posted by El E. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    Get rid of Lelie....Morgan is a beast! He's done more this Pre-season then Lelie did last Season. Bruce, Johnson, and Morgan, all on the field together would be sick!!!!

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