SANTA CLARA -- No one is benefitting more from the 49ers' new iPad-version playbook than quarterback Colt McCoy, Colin Kaepernick's new backup this season.
All 90 players received iPads at training camp, and McCoy is constantly using his to study the 49ers' complex schemes while also viewing practice-field video or game film.
"As soon as we get in the locker room, the practice film is on the iPad," McCoy said. "So I can grab a quick bite to eat, and as I'm eating, look at practice, at what the play was."
McCoy didn't have such iPad ingenuity the past three seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Four months ago the former University of Texas star was dealt to the 49ers for fifth- and seventh-round draft picks.
"I've always liked to write things down, highlight them and write my own little notes," McCoy said. "But you can type out your notes on there and it's pretty neat.
McCoy has needed to learn a lot in seizing the No. 2 role that last belonged to Alex Smith, whose Nov. 11 concussion allowed for Kaepernick's promotion.
Coach Jim Harbaugh tabbed McCoy the No. 2 quarterback in June -- ahead of incumbent No. 3 Scott Tolzien and rookie B.J. Daniels -- and Harbaugh seems pleased by what he's seen from the entire group.
"Colin is playing so well right now that he overshadows some of the other guys," Harbaugh said.
McCoy's response to being overshadowed: "It feels that way some times, but that's a good thing. You want your leader, your starting quarterback to have a great camp and show a lot of confidence. He's doing all those things.
"Honestly for me, to be able to watch him execute the plays I'm about to run ... he's doing such a great job of that, it's really helping me."
McCoy left Texas with the most wins of any starting quarterback in NCAA history, posting a 14-8 record. He is only 14 months older than Kaepernick, but McCoy has 21 starts, or 11 more than Kaepernick.
McCoy went 6-15 as a starter in his first two seasons with the Browns, then sat most of last season behind rookie starter Brandon Weeden.
Cleveland went 5-11, 4-12, 5-11 the past three seasons, so McCoy is understandably thrilled to join a 49ers team that reached the past two NFC championship games and last season's Super Bowl.
"I've really never been around a group like this, from young to old, who continue to work, and work, and work," McCoy said.
All of McCoy's work will be go on public display Aug. 8, when the 49ers open the exhibition season against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park.
Said McCoy: "I'm excited to get into preseason games, just to go against somebody new and kind of see where I am in this offense because there is a lot of volume in it, but it's going well."
* In adopting digital playbooks, the 49ers followed a growing trend around the NFL, after testing out the iPads last season. The Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the pioneers in 2011, and a dozen teams reportedly switched to iPad playbooks last season. "It's going to be effective," McCoy said. "The technology is there and everything is moving that way. I don't know if there'll be hard-copy playbooks for much longer.
Left tackle Joe Staley told 49ers.com: "It's going to be a big help to have everything we need, with us at all times. I think it's going to be a big benefit."
* Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and rookie safety Eric Reid are listed as second string on the depth chart for Thursday's exhibition opener. Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown remain the starting cornerbacks, Ian Williams is the first-team nose tackle and C.J. Spillman the starting free safety.
Anquan Boldin and Kyle Williams are the first-team wideouts, although Williams did not practice last week because of a hamstring injury. Rookie tight end Vance McDonald is listed as Vernon Davis' top backup instead of Garrett Celek.
* With Michael Crabtree out and the receiving corps in question, could running back Frank Gore see an increase in catches? "It'll spread around. Each week could be a different person's week," said Gore, who's totaled 45 receptions the past two years. He averaged 45 catches per season his first six seasons.
* Wide receivers Lavelle Hawkins and Austin Collie, signed Friday to one-year deals, are excited to be catching passes from Colin Kaepernick, who threw to them during their workouts. "That thing's humming," Collie said of Kaepernick's pass velocity. "You've got to get used to it."
Hawkins, who played the past five seasons with the Tennessee Titans, already is accustomed to an offense with a dual-threat quarterback. "I played with Vince Young, too, and that's a mobile guy, and so is Jake (Locker)," Hawkins said. "It'll be good."
Hawkins disputed reports he asked for his release Wednesday from the Patriots. But the Stockton native is happy to be back in Northern California. "It was just different for me out there," Hawkins said of his two-month, Patriots tenure. "Great program but it didn't fit for who I was."
* Players had Saturday off and will return to practice Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Source: http://www.thereporter.com/ci_23792963/49ers-backup-quarterback-colt-mccoy-learning-fly-his?source=rss_viewed
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