Maiocco: Ricky Jean-Francois has a Nose for Learning

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June 11, 2010

Matt Maiocco
CSNBayArea.com

Aubrayo Franklin has no idea what awaits him when he decides to sign his one-year tender as the 49ers' franchise player.
"He has his reasons for not being here, so I'm not going to get involved in that," said 49ers second-year player Ricky Jean-Francois. "So I'm going to sit and wait for him. And the minute he walks through the door, I'm going to rush over to him with some questions."

The 49ers designated Franklin as the team's franchise player, tendering him a one-year, $7.003 million contract to the would-be free agent. Franklin, who would prefer a long-term contract, is not expected to join the 49ers until training camp.

Jean-Francois has moved from defensive end, where he practiced as a rookie, to nose tackle. While he learns a new position, he is taking all of the first- and second-team work at nose tackle this spring.

"With Aubrayo not being here right now, he's benefiting from all of those reps Aubrayo would have had," 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky said. "Trust me, he’s seen enough of them. He's really grown with the calls, grown with the technique."

Manusky points out it is more difficult for defensive linemen to make an impact early in their careers than just about any other position. Jean-Francois, a seventh-round pick in 2009 from LSU, is no exception.

He was inactive for nine games as a rookie. Jean-Francois suited up and did not play in four others. In the other three games, he saw limited action -- a play here and there on special teams.

Jean-Francois said he cleared a significant barrier this week, and his comfort level and play have taken sharp up-turns. It all stems from where he lines up and how much room he gives himself to operate, he said.

Since the beginning of 49ers offseason practices, Jean-Francois lined up directly over the center, mere inches separating his facemask from the center's. But this week when he began lining up a yard or more off the line of scrimmage, his vision and ability to quickly diagnose plays improved dramatically, he said.

"I backed up, and now I see things a lot differently," he said. "I can see more what's happening around me, so I can pick up my reads quicker."

Jean-Francois said he has watched a lot of film of Franklin this offseason. He noticed that Franklin lines up at varying distances off the ball depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing center.

That subject is one of many he has compiled in a binder filled with questions for Franklin, Jean-Francois said.

Jean-Francois views Franklin is an ideal role model for him. Franklin is known as a tactician. At 317 pounds, Franklin is not the prototypical huge nose tackle for a 3-4 defense. Likewise, Jean-Francois checks in at around 315 pounds.

"He's got big legs, a big body," Manusky said. "He's doing very well right now."

And there is little doubt Jean-Francois has the strength to handle the rigors of the position. Recently, he brought the rest of the 49ers' weight room to a halt when he managed to squat 605 pounds.

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Jean Francois has exceptional playing strength

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Jean Francois has a thick body frame with room for additional growth. He has smooth muscle development, good-sized legs and calves and adequate arm length and shoulder width

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seems to have better success when he tilts over to play under tackle or as an undersized nose guard

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When his head is in the game, Jean Francois is a load to handle.

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is a force to be reckoned with when he plants himself in the middle of the line and is very combative with his hands.

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has very good strength and a punishing hand punch, making him a terror to contain in the short area.

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has a very strong punch. He does a good job of keeping his hands inside the framework and will dominate and shed blockers with them. Even though he can use more bulk, when he is alert to double teams he has the ability to destroy them

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uses his hands with force to shed blocks and impact the rush lanes. He is best served in the trenches than on the move

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is more of a bull rusher and should be limited to three-technique work rather than be utilized on the outside, even in a 3-4 alignment.

Originally posted by toppdogg32:
I'd probably still grab a vet NT before camp to push him, and insure us..

Originally posted by PTulini:

Originally posted by toppdogg32:
I'd probably still grab a vet NT before camp to push him, and insure us..

True, but at some point we need to let our young guy play and see what they can do.

Originally posted by oldman9er:
Man, that would be a sweet outcome. With Franklin heading towards 31 next offseason and demanding of seriously big money, the time is NOW to develop someone to replace him. Would be great if RJF is the man to do it. Not that it means anything necessarily, but these words stood out to me in the way of hope... ( v NFL DRAFTSCOUT )

Quote:
Jean Francois has exceptional playing strength

Quote:
Jean Francois has a thick body frame with room for additional growth. He has smooth muscle development, good-sized legs and calves and adequate arm length and shoulder width

Quote:
seems to have better success when he tilts over to play under tackle or as an undersized nose guard

Quote:
When his head is in the game, Jean Francois is a load to handle.

Quote:
is a force to be reckoned with when he plants himself in the middle of the line and is very combative with his hands.

Quote:
has very good strength and a punishing hand punch, making him a terror to contain in the short area.

Quote:
has a very strong punch. He does a good job of keeping his hands inside the framework and will dominate and shed blockers with them. Even though he can use more bulk, when he is alert to double teams he has the ability to destroy them

Quote:
uses his hands with force to shed blocks and impact the rush lanes. He is best served in the trenches than on the move

Quote:
is more of a bull rusher and should be limited to three-technique work rather than be utilized on the outside, even in a 3-4 alignment.

While there are plenty of negatives to go along with these, they seem to be correctable. Guess we'll see....