The San Francisco 49ers are ready to open training camp on Thursday at their team headquarters in Santa Clara, finally getting back to the grindstone in hopes of their sixth Super Bowl title. They have a lot of work to do before they get there though, especially with the limited time table given to them due to the lockout. They are only 17 days from their first preseason game, so there isn't a minute to lose.
Unfortunately the Niners will begin their season with a number of question marks on their squad, most notably running back Frank Gore holding out for more money. Hopefully Frank the Tank and the Niners can come up with a deal soon to keep him from losing precious field time with his teammates, so if I had any advice for their braintrust, it would be to pay that man his money.
Rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick will begin camp under center as Alex Smith will have to sit out until Friday when his deal is finalized, and one would have to assume that this would be the last chance for him to prove his salt in San Francisco.
There are also a number of draft picks and undrafted free agents joining camp for the Niners, lead by first round pick Aldon Smith and undrafted rookie Jeremiah Masoli. It will be interesting to see where all the pieces fall once they step on the practice field, can't wait to see how it pans out.
Here's a reminder of the 49ers preseason; plan your schedules accordingly:
8/12 @ New Orleans Saints (5:00 pm PT)
8/20 vs. Oakland Raiders (5:00 pm PT)
8/27 vs. Houston Texans (5:00 pm PT)
9/1 @ San Diego Chargers (7:00 pm PT)
The 49ers will begin the regular season at home versus the Seattle Seahawks on 9/11 at 1:15 pm PT on FOX.
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