SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh hobbled out wide to the line of scrimmage in his trademark black sweatshirt and khaki pants, smirking back at a group of rookie receivers out of breath on a warm Silicon Valley afternoon.
Welcome to the San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh opened his first 49ers rookie minicamp Friday, and that the workout actually took place — something that never happened last year during the NFL lockout — might've been the biggest success. Several players appeared out of shape, notably first-round pick A.J. Jenkins of Illinois, and the reigning NFL Coach of the Year agreed.
Harbaugh says the rookies need to be "fanatical" like current 49ers about working out and he's looking for "creative destruction" from those hoping to make the defending NFC West champions' talented roster.