I was asked yesterday why the 49ers seem so intent on signing their draft picks early. There isn't any practical concern. They're not saving money, and this is something they'd likely be able to do, without too much stress, in the week leading up to training camp.
But like everything Mike Singletary has done in recent weeks, it sets a workmanlike tone. Why put off until tomorrow what can be done today? Singletary spent the 49ers' first OTA session last week establishing a it's-time-to-buckle-down mentality with his team, and it will be interesting to see whether that has sunk in when the second OTA begins Monday.
One other thing to note - I have yet to see any 49ers draft pick miss more than a couple of hours (Kwame Harris) of training camp because he had not signed a contract. My stint as a beat reporter roughly coincides with the time that Paraag Marathe has been the team's negotiator, so he deserves credit for making sure his players are in on time.
The trickiest member of the 49ers' seven-member draft class to sign, of course, will be No. 10 pick Michael Crabtree. That's mostly because of Crabtree's draft status. But he's also represented by Eugene Parker, whose clients - Steven Jackson, Jason Peters, etc. - have not been shy about withholding their services in training camp. None of those players, however, held out as rookies.
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Wanna improve your view at Candlestick Park this season? The 49ers tomorrow will hold a Select-A-Seat event from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m in which fans can get an up-close-and-personal look at the best available season tickets for 2009. Available seats for the 2009 season will be tagged throughout the stadium and 49ers ticket representatives will be on hand to help the process.
Fans also will get to tour the 49ers locker room and will be automatically entered in a drawing to win two season tickets for the 2009 season. Parking for the event is free at the main entrance at Gate A. Fans interested in attending should RSVP on 49ers.com.
-- Matt Barrows
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