It was Halloween night, 2022 at the #49ers team Halloween party. It's the last time QB Brock Purdy's teammates ever doubted him. Outside doubt still abounds but Purdy is unfazed, handling it all with the right mix of humility and bravado. Here's how... espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/3930…

Got to see Jalen Brunson play a couple times in high school in Illinois. Been a winner his whole life. Incredible.

As a Mizzou alum, not sure there was a player more fun to watch in black and gold than Aldon Smith. Then, somehow, for as dominant as he was as a Tiger, he was even better when he got to the NFL and #49ers. Prayers to his family and may he rest in peace.

Former #49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith died this morning in Northern California. He was 36. Statement from team: “We are devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Aldon Smith. Aldon’s undeniable talent and sheer dominance on the field were on display from the moment he joined our organization, having recorded one of the best rookie seasons the National Football League has seen. Beyond his excellence as a player, Aldon will be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up every room he walked into. Our entire organization sends its deepest condolences to the Smith family and all who knew and loved Aldon.”

Say what you want but in the long and storied history of Bay Area Stadium, there’s NEVER been a game lacking drama.

Also this grass looks great on Sofi’s field… wonder if we could get that all season

In this, Brandon Aiyuk says the #49ers are "mad that they paid me $50 million in eight months." And, for the first time in a long time, I'd guess that the Niners and Aiyuk agree on something.

Some notes and observations from the #49ers second open OTA today: - Once again, the majority of the team's stars were not participating, though many of them were watching from the sidelines. That included RB Christian McCaffrey, OT Trent Williams, TE George Kittle, LBs Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Tatum Bethune, DT Alfred Collins and DL Keion White. - Among the players who were working on the side: Williams, Kittle, WR Christian Kirk, RB Isaac Guerendo, LB Luke Gifford, DT Evan Anderson, OL Brett Toth, WR Junior Bergen. - Players I did not see participating or doing side work: WR Ricky Pearsall, DE Sam Okuayinonu, QB Mac Jones. Also not sure on TE Khalil Dinkins, who may have been working on the side but was too far away to confirm it was him. - Jones is dealing with right shoulder soreness but said it's clean and isn't concerned about any long-term issues. Precautionary more than anything. - Insert the usual caveat here that there are no pads and there are no sweeping judgments to be made off of this but a few of the highlights to follow: - Was a day for big plays as the Niners appeared to be working on the deep passing game and testing the secondary as much as possible. QB Brock Purdy connected deep with Demarcus Robinson twice for would be big gains/TDs in 11 on 11. He also found WR Mike Evans on some intermediate routes and hit WR Jacob Cowing for a deep TD over the middle. Adrian Martinez followed by hitting Cowing on another deep one. Martinez found De'Zhaun Stribling for a long touchdown as well with Stribling getting open for a pair of deep balls. - On the flip side, the defense came up with a couple of interceptions. Two came against Purdy who threw it directly to S Malik Mustapha and the other for Darrell Luter Jr. on a pass that was tipped by LB Garret Wallow with Luter coming up with it. The pass was intended for Evans. Kurtis Rourke also threw one that Siran Neal grabbed on a wobbler intended for Colton Dowell. - All in all, it was an especially good day for Robinson, Cowing, Evans and Stribling. Cowing continues to make a statement that he shouldn't be forgotten in the mix, though of course the key for him will be staying on the field to build off a strong offseason program. - Harder to judge running backs without pads but it's hard not to notice the juice that Kaelon Black brings to the RB group. He's decisive and quick and when he sees something he likes, he isn't afraid to accelerate and go. He also made a nice catch on a pass thrown high and behind him today that he had to tip to himself and bring down. Jordan James and Black gonna have a good battle for the No. 2 RB job. - Evans is everything the Niners have wanted/needed at the position in terms of how he handles his business. Kittle made mention today of how this is the first true veteran WR the team has had since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019. Not a knock against others but more in terms of pros who just have that veteran savvy and set the tone for everyone else. Kittle said Evans had three to five TDs in red zone work this week. - That's it from here until training camp. Kyle Shanahan canceling the whole minicamp is sort of new (he's canceled the final day often) but multiple potential reasons for it. The official one is that it's a reward for good attendance but also have to think it was in an effort to get out of this offseason healthy and it probably didn't hurt that Levi's is a bit chaotic right now because of the World Cup coming to town. Will have some more stories and such coming up soon but we'll be back full speed in July with daily training camp breakdowns and more. Thanks for reading.

#49ers TE George Kittle is still aiming to return from his Achilles injury in Week 1 against the Rams. He discussed the possibility on Wednesday, noting he is "ahead of schedule"... espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4896…

#49ers OT Trent Williams isn't quite ready to say he will retire after the next two seasons but he acknowledged Wednesday that will "probably" be the case. On the future Hall of Famer's reflective presser and how the next two years could play out... espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4896…

As a reward for attendance (and to get through this portion of offseason healthy ((my read on it))), #49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has canceled next week's full squad minicamp. Niners will have another OTA tomorrow then be done until they return for training camp (somewhere around July 25).

#49ers announced that a returning Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a new title: Vice President, Personnel & Strategy. He returned to the team before the draft and will be sticking around for the future.

#49ers TE George Kittle says it’s realistic he could be back from his Achilles injury to play week 1 against the Rams in Australia. He said he has “a chance” and that everything is on track. He did some running on side today, saying it’s the most he’s done in his recovery.

#49ers OT Trent Williams said he plans to play the next two years he has on his contract and said he’s definitely given thought to this being his last contract before he retires. Williams said it “probably” is but added “we’ll see” depending on how he’s performing when that time comes.

Quick news story on a warrant being issued for #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk on the charge of misdemeanor exhibition of speeding... espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4895…

This is insanely fun. I don't think I'm ever going to top this one...

#49ers signed S Ashtyn Davis to a one-year deal. They released RB Jermar Jefferson to make room on the roster. Davis was a 3rd-round pick of the Jets in 2020 and played at Cal. He's a native of Santa Cruz.

More about having the assets to make such a deal than it is about willingness to take risks. Rams certainly are on cutting edge of making huge moves but they had a talented/proven young pass rusher to send back. 49ers do not.

The NFC West has been one of the league's most daunting divisions plenty of times in the past 15 or so years. But goodness, that's one tough neighborhood right now.