Singletary will not cut back physical nature of training camp

By so far, the 49ers have had 19 practices, 18 in pads, three “nutcracker” drills and eight injuries lasting a week or longer. However, facing the mounting injuries, coach Mike Singletary still did not plan to cut back the physical nature of training camp.

Singletary has only backed off his “nutcracker” drill, which pits two similarly sized players between blocking pads spaced three feet apart. The players are instructed to run through each other. He cut back the drill because it was so intense that coaches have to frequently jump in after a few seconds to keep players from fighting. Since guard David Baas went down last week with foot injured, Singletary has not planned another such drill yet.

Some players, however, have been ready for the physical nature of camp since Singletary forewarned them during the offseason. These players even take extra practice out of camp. For example, running back Frank Gore turned to his strength and conditioning coach from his University of Miami days for extra training, and linebacker Takeo Spikes spent a few weeks with a mixed martial arts specialist.