By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, March 18, 2005
BERKELEY - Aaron Rodgers isn't making it easy for the 49ers.
A day after Utah quarterback Alex Smith wowed NFL coaches and scouts at his private workout in Salt Lake City, the strong-armed Rodgers was on target on all but one of 92 passes during his own private session at Cal's Memorial Stadium.
"I thought he did extremely well," said 49ers coach Mike Nolan, who is eyeing Rodgers and Smith with the No. 1 overall draft pick next month. "I don't think he missed but maybe one throw when it started. Other than that, he put them all right there."
As was the case in Utah, Nolan was joined Thursday by offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, quarterbacks coach Jim Hostler and personnel director Scot McCloughan. Other NFL notables included Raiders coach Norv Turner, Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow and new Dolphins coach Nick Saban, who holds the second pick in the draft.
"The ball only was on the ground one time," Saban said of Rodgers' performance. "That says something. It was an excellent workout."
Though Nolan continues to maintain that there are as many as six college players worthy of the top draft pick, the 49ers' biggest need is at quarterback. The three passers on the roster are seventh-round draft picks, and last year's starter, Tim Rattay, missed half of the season because of an assortment of injuries.
Rattay had surgery two months ago to repair his right forearm, and Nolan said the quarterback is "iffy" for the team's April 1-3 minicamp.
Nolan was wary Thursday of comparing Smith and Rodgers but did note that Rodgers is the most polished college quarterback he has evaluated so far. While Smith mostly took snaps in the shotgun formation at Utah, the offense Rodgers ran at Cal should make for an easier transition to the pros, Nolan said.
Rodgers also picked up on that difference.
"You've got to be able to sit in the pocket and throw the ball," he said after his workout. "I think that's what gives me a slight advantage right now. I operated under center every snap."
Cal coach Jeff Tedford said Rodgers' showing Thursday was no different than what he saw during practice last fall. Rodgers is very good at finding a rhythm, Tedford said, noting the quarterback's remarkable string of completions last October against top-ranked USC.
"That's how you complete (23) balls in a row in a game - because the ball never hits the ground," Tedford said. "That's what's expected and what he expects from himself."
Notes - Nolan said he would not attend Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards' workout today in Ann Arbor, Mich., but that McCloughan and receivers coach Jerry Sullivan will be on hand.
* The 49ers still are interested in acquiring David Boston, but Nolan will not decide about the receiver until next month.
* In addition to Rattay, defensive end Andre Carter (back), tackle Kwame Harris (shoulder), center Jeremy Newberry (tonsils) and defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga (back) could miss next month's minicamp.
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