So, which 49ers are taking part in the weekend minicamp? All of the team's rookies and selected veterans. Mike Singletary just spoke and said that any veteran whom coaches thought could benefit from the extra session were asked to attend. It wasn't mandatory, Singletary said. If they had previous engagements, that was fine. "It's just those guys we felt would, in another setting, take another step .."

These are the veterans I caught site of prior to the practice: QBs Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, WRs Jason Hill and Josh Morgan, linebackers Jay Moore and Ahmad Brooks, center Cody Wallace, guard Chilo Rachal, defensive end Kentwan Balmer. I'm also told that Justin Smith is in the building. No word yet on whether he'll take part in the afternoon practice.

It's a good thing that Moore and Brooks are taking part. The 49ers didn't draft any outside linebackers but they suddenly have a lot of bodies at the position. Two of them are veteran Marques Harris and undrafted rookie Diyral Briggs. Both of them come to the camp with reputations as pass rushers. Briggs said he turned down offers from Tennessee, Indianapolis and the Jets to get a shot at making the 49ers' roster.

GM Scot McCloughan now has two No. 1 picks, which means he's playing cards with a pretty good hand. But he's also playing them close to the vest. Asked if he could use one of those No. 1s this offseason, McCloughan said, "Possibly. That's the great thing about having the leverage of two 1s." But he insists that he has had no contact with any of the marquee pass rushers who might be available, Julius Peppers and Terrell Suggs. He also said that Peppers' name did not come up during the draft-day trade with the Panthers. "No discussions with any of those guys," he said. "None whatsoever."

Not only do the 49ers have new game-day jerseys. They also have new practice jerseys. They differ from the game-days duds in not having any number on the shoulder and no name plates on the back.

-- Matt Barrows

Newstex ID: SA-3449-34594342