Hawks, 49ers Taking A Look At Top Rookies Springs, Jones Will See Action In First Half; Druckenmiller Will Mop Up At Qb

Jim Druckenmiller is ready to start making up for lost time. The same goes for Shawn Springs and Walter Jones.

The holdouts are over for the three first-round draft picks and they’re expected to see duty in tonight’s exhibition between the San Francisco 49ers (0-1) and Seattle Seahawks (1-1).

Druckenmiller, the top-rated quarterback in the draft, missed two weeks of training camp before the 49ers, after clearing salary cap room, signed him to a six-year contract. He’ll likely play in the fourth quarter after Steve Young and backup Jeff Brohm get their snaps.

Springs, a cornerback from Ohio State selected third overall, and Jones, a tackle from Florida State chosen sixth, ended three-week holdouts when they agreed to seven-year and six-year deals, respectively.

Both practiced for the first time this week, and Seattle coach Dennis Erickson said Springs would play at least through the first quarter. Jones was expected to share time at left tackle in the first half with Derrick Graham.

Druckenmiller arrived at the 49ers camp July 31 and was held out of the team’s preseason opener last Saturday at San Diego, a 20-13 loss.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has been working with Druckenmiller for about 30 minutes every day after practice to help him catch up and the extra work appears to be paying off.

“We’re trying to get him ready,” 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said. “We would hope that he gets enough quality practice minutes so he could enter the game in the fourth quarter and have a respectable performance.”

Mariucci said he’s been encouraged by Druckenmiller’s progress.

“I didn’t want to rush him into anything he’s not prepared for, but he’s been practicing well and spending extra time after practice and he really wants to go,” Mariucci said.

Druckenmiller is slated as the team’s third quarterback but he could challenge Brohm for the No. 2 job in the coming weeks.

Druckenmiller said he got a pretty good grasp of the 49ers’ system during a post-draft minicamp and he’s been able to pick up where he left off since coming to summer camp.

“I’m starting to feel a lot better about things,” Druckenmiller said. “I’m starting to feel more comfortable in there. I’m starting to react a lot more.”

Springs, meanwhile, likely will be working against the best in his debut with a probable faceoff against Jerry Rice.

“San Francisco is no team to start with, but that’s the way Shawn has to start,” said Seattle wide receiver Joey Galloway, a teammate of Springs at Ohio State.

Jones won’t have it any easier. He’ll be opposing defensive end Chris Doleman, a former NFL defensive player of the year who had 11 sacks in his first season in San Francisco last year.

“I know it’s going to be hard for me from the get-go, but with me being out so long, I’m looking forward to it,” Jones said.

Though bolstered by the arrival of their first-round picks, neither team will be at full strength.

Erickson said running back Chris Warren and wide receiver Brian Blades will sit out because of injuries they suffered in last week’s 34-6 win over Arizona. Warren suffered a rib injury and Blades a bruised knee and lower back sprain.

San Francisco rookie tight end Greg Clark will start in place of Brent Jones, who suffered a small cartilage tear in his left knee when he collided with cornerback Marquez Pope during Thursday’s practice at the team’s training camp in Rocklin. Jones may miss about two weeks.

Also, outside linebacker Lee Woodall will be held out of the game with a left leg injury. Sam Manuel will start and Hillary Butler and Aubrey Beavers also will see duty.