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Bryant catching on quickly with 49ers
By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
Antonio Bryant broke upfield and into the clear, catching a 50-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith during team drills Monday at 49ers training camp. It was the kind of sight rarely seen on the field last season.
Plays like that, Smith said, illustrate the growing rapport between the two and point to the possibilities this season for Bryant, the team's marquee free-agent acquisition during the off-season.
``I've never played with a guy like him,'' Smith said between practices Monday at the 49ers' Santa Clara headquarters. ``I've always played with receivers that if they're winning by half a step, I've got half-a-step's room to throw the ball in there. With him, you've kind of got some room for error. He's going to make you look good.''
The 49ers are counting on that from Bryant, who signed a four-year, $15 million contract in the spring. His route running and ability to stretch the field could make him the franchise's first 1,000-yard receiver since Terrell Owens' departure after the 2003 season.
Bryant is central to the 49ers' attempt to upgrade Smith's supporting cast. Smith's rookie struggles included a 40.8 passer rating that was not helped by the dearth of playmakers in a passing offense that ranked last in the NFL.
Bryant, who led Cleveland last year with 69 catches for 1,009 yards, said he will do what he can to make sure that doesn't happen again.
``Nobody likes to be in publications and newspapers and rankings and be last all the time,'' he said. ``Me personally, I have too much pride. I don't like it and I'm going to try to do something about it.
``This offense should produce at least 2 1/2 1,000-yard receivers, point blank, period.''
That has been Bryant's mindset since joining the 49ers in March. He has worked extensively on the side with Smith and made a point of going aggressively after every pass thrown his way in spring practices and training camp.
``He didn't have to be there, and a lot of other guys wouldn't have been, but he came out all during the off-season and worked hard to build that relationship so we can get on the same page and be successful this season,'' Smith said.
Coach Mike Nolan said, ``It's early, but I like what I've seen so far.''
In the process, Bryant, 25, has begun distancing himself from a checkered career. Last season, he was criticized by his coaches for some drops. And in 2004 he was tossed from a Dallas Cowboys practice for throwing a jersey in Coach Bill Parcells' face.
``People make a big deal about certain things that have happened, but I don't think you sign a guy if you have concerns,'' offensive coordinator Norv Turner said. ``Coach Nolan felt great about Antonio, as did our receivers coach, Jerry Sullivan. When we sat down with him, we all felt he saw this as a great opportunity.''
Bryant said he has matured.
``My past got me here, but it has nothing to do with where my future is headed,'' he said. ``Nobody can tell you what I'm going to be or what I'm going to become. Only I can determine that. So I'm trying to do all the right things. I'm trying to be on the right path to help my team get in the position we'd like to be in.''
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By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
Antonio Bryant broke upfield and into the clear, catching a 50-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith during team drills Monday at 49ers training camp. It was the kind of sight rarely seen on the field last season.
Plays like that, Smith said, illustrate the growing rapport between the two and point to the possibilities this season for Bryant, the team's marquee free-agent acquisition during the off-season.
``I've never played with a guy like him,'' Smith said between practices Monday at the 49ers' Santa Clara headquarters. ``I've always played with receivers that if they're winning by half a step, I've got half-a-step's room to throw the ball in there. With him, you've kind of got some room for error. He's going to make you look good.''
The 49ers are counting on that from Bryant, who signed a four-year, $15 million contract in the spring. His route running and ability to stretch the field could make him the franchise's first 1,000-yard receiver since Terrell Owens' departure after the 2003 season.
Bryant is central to the 49ers' attempt to upgrade Smith's supporting cast. Smith's rookie struggles included a 40.8 passer rating that was not helped by the dearth of playmakers in a passing offense that ranked last in the NFL.
Bryant, who led Cleveland last year with 69 catches for 1,009 yards, said he will do what he can to make sure that doesn't happen again.
``Nobody likes to be in publications and newspapers and rankings and be last all the time,'' he said. ``Me personally, I have too much pride. I don't like it and I'm going to try to do something about it.
``This offense should produce at least 2 1/2 1,000-yard receivers, point blank, period.''
That has been Bryant's mindset since joining the 49ers in March. He has worked extensively on the side with Smith and made a point of going aggressively after every pass thrown his way in spring practices and training camp.
``He didn't have to be there, and a lot of other guys wouldn't have been, but he came out all during the off-season and worked hard to build that relationship so we can get on the same page and be successful this season,'' Smith said.
Coach Mike Nolan said, ``It's early, but I like what I've seen so far.''
In the process, Bryant, 25, has begun distancing himself from a checkered career. Last season, he was criticized by his coaches for some drops. And in 2004 he was tossed from a Dallas Cowboys practice for throwing a jersey in Coach Bill Parcells' face.
``People make a big deal about certain things that have happened, but I don't think you sign a guy if you have concerns,'' offensive coordinator Norv Turner said. ``Coach Nolan felt great about Antonio, as did our receivers coach, Jerry Sullivan. When we sat down with him, we all felt he saw this as a great opportunity.''
Bryant said he has matured.
``My past got me here, but it has nothing to do with where my future is headed,'' he said. ``Nobody can tell you what I'm going to be or what I'm going to become. Only I can determine that. So I'm trying to do all the right things. I'm trying to be on the right path to help my team get in the position we'd like to be in.''
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