--The 49ers' three-day minicamp came with a soundtrack. Coach Mike Nolan had speakers on the practice field that played background music from the NFL Films soundtrack while the players and coaches worked on the field.

"Overall, I think it's been good. I'll change it up a bit. I think all the guys were humming each night the same music that was going on all day," Nolan said. "We'll upgrade the music as it comes. I think it's a good thing. Every little bit that you can inspire guys to play, it's worthwhile. It's just in the background anyway."

Nolan said he wants the players practicing in the same sort of environment they experience on game days.

"Every time you perform in a game or every time you go for pre-game warm up, there is always music. The only time you don't hear it is out at practice," Nolan said. "I'd like to make it as close an environment as I can. I think music is somewhat energizing. Nowadays, these young people they have it in their ear 24-7 and you can't get their attention half the time because they're listening to it. I think if they had their druthers, there would be some other music playing out there from time to time. We'll try to accommodate that from time to time."

So might some Jay-Z be played on the practice field in the future?

"Whatever that is, yeah," Nolan answered.

--Running back Frank Gore looks forward to following in the footsteps of Marshall Faulk, who thrived in Mike Martz's offense with the Rams.

"I think I'll touch the ball more in the passing game," Gore said. "I just want to show that I can do it all, that I'm a complete running back."

Gore has rushed for 2,797 yards the past two seasons while leading the 49ers in receptions both years with 61 and 53 catches.

Faulk has reached out to Gore. Faulk, who works as an analyst on the NFL Network in Southern California, gave Gore his cell phone number and offered to travel to the Bay Area to help Gore with the offense.

--Offensive tackle Jonas Jennings, who has missed all or parts of 32 games with injuries in his three seasons with the 49ers, has been moved from left tackle to the right side this season. Second-year player Joe Staley has made the switch to left tackle.

Last week, Nolan said Jennings accepted the news of his position change without any resistance. But Jennings has yet to address the subject with reporters.

"I ain't doing no interviews, man," said Jennings. "You all have a good day."

--The 49ers' defense experimented during minicamp with radios in their helmets. The NFL passed a rule this offseason that allows one person on defense to have radio communication with the sideline. Nolan said he is unsure exactly whom will be fitted with the device.

The safeties -- Mark Roman, Michael Lewis, Dashon Goldson and Keith Lewis -- were outfitted with the speakers in their helmets.

Although linebacker Patrick Willis played every snap last season and will likely call the defensive plays in the huddle, Nolan said it was not a given that Willis would wear the device.

--After three years of staring at the same banner outside the 49ers' locker room, Nolan has decided to make a change. The 49ers had a large sign outside their locker room that read, "Win the West." It had red X's through the helmets of their division foes.

However, in the first three seasons under Nolan, the 49ers never came close to winning the West.

"When we first got here three years ago, it was not the attitude, culture and environment or anything in my opinion that it takes to win," Nolan said. "I thought that (banner) got our focus back on the things traditionally that were here and were important."

Nolan said he believes the team might have gotten ahead of itself last season with their expectations.

"I thought we're all in agreement as a football team that we did not achieve the expectations that we had a year ago," Nolan said. "It had nothing to do with the banners, but I think our focus is right. Our guys know what is at stake. More importantly right now with one at a time, whether that is one practice, one rep or one day, that creates a sense of urgency to do things now. Things don't take care of themselves."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"He's a talented guy. But quarterback takes a lot of things. If you just said, height, weight, speed, arm strength, Alex would be the guy. But there is so much more than that. Tom Brady doesn't measure up to some guys." -- Nolan on 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

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