There once was a time when Greg Clark was considered a wide receiver in a tight end's body.
After a two-year interlude in which he rarely was sent out into patterns at Stanford, Clark is spending the first few days of training camp with the 49ers navigating his way downfield again."I really love our passing game," Clark, who graduated from Viewmont High School in Bountiful, said Saturday morning after practice at Sierra College.
Clark and second-year tight end Sean Manuel have been two bright spots through three days of workouts. Manuel had an especially strong showing Saturday, repeatedly working deep down the middle to make catches in the 7-on-7 passing drills.
Clark and Manuel both are in good position to earn spots on the 53-man roster, as the only other tight ends on the roster are starter Brent Jones and converted fullback Chad Fann. Ted Popson, the 49ers' backup last season, signed with Kansas City in the offseason.
"I wasn't real happy when I found out they picked a tight end in the draft," Manuel said. "But I know that's part of the business, and there's nothing I could do about it. All I have to do is worry about myself."
Manuel, a seventh-round draft pick last year, played in 11 games last season as a rookie. He caught three passes for 18 yards before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.
Manuel said he'll be able to pace himself more during this training camp. A year ago, injuries to the 49ers' top three tight ends meant that Manuel was forced to participate in more practices in the searing summer conditions.
"By the time the season rolled around, I was already exhausted," he said.
Clark doesn't mind the exhaustion yet, because running around is a welcomed relief to what he's been doing lately.
"I missed out on this the last two years at Stanford," Clark said. "It's good to get back running routes, but it is a little tiring."
Of the 49ers' three drafted rookies, Clark figures to contribute the most this season. To begin with, he's the only one in training camp. Quarterback Jim Druckenmiller and fullback Marc Edwards are unsigned and have missed the first three days of practices.
Druckenmiller will likely be the third-string quarterback and probably won't throw a pass this season. Edwards clearly begins as the backup to William Floyd. Moreover, there appears to be a clearly defined role for Clark.
Jones is the starter, but he will likely be replaced in short-yardage situations. Adrian Cooper was signed last season specifically to fill the role of being the blocking tight end. With Cooper gone, only Clark seems capable taking over in that capacity.
"He's going to be a heck of a run blocker," 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said. "He was great in college and he's going to be really good in the pros. He's improving his pass-receiving skills, too. He's going to be a good player for us."
At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Clark is the one of the strongest players on the team. He recently bench-pressed 225 pounds 32 times, matching defensive tackle Bryant Young for team-high honors.
Veterans were required to report to training camp Saturday evening, and today will be the first day of full-squad practices. Clark signed a three-year, $949,000 contract Wednesday to ensure he would not miss any action.
"It's unbelievable how much I've gained in these three days of practice," Clark said. "I can't imagine coming in with the veterans and trying to keep up with them, without having been here early. These extra days have been a lot of help, especially learning this offense."
As much as Clark is learning the offense, the 49ers are also learning a great deal about Clark namely, the guy can catch passes, too.
Clark caught just 43 passes in 20 games at Stanford after grabbing 44 the season before at Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho. He was recruited to Stanford by Bill Walsh.
In Clark's senior season, Stanford was playing with two freshmen tackles and a freshman quarterback. His role mutated to that of a blocking tight end.
"I think I got tagged as being just a blocker because people weren't exposed to my skills as a receiver," Clark said.