The 49ers wrapped up a three-week practice session Thursday, and quarterback Alex Smith said the offense is further along than at similar stages his two previous seasons. "The last couple years at this point have just been installation," said Smith, who is preparing for his third NFL season. "Being in the same system again, we're so much further ahead. We've practiced different scenarios, the two-minute (drill), gotten in the (shot)gun, an empty backfield. We've gotten a lot more out of these practices and kind of put in some new things that will help for the season." Beyond the benefits of offensive continuity - Smith is operating the same scheme in back-to-back seasons for the first time with the 49ers - the level of competition team-wide has been heightened by the addition of a half-dozen free agents and another draft class. "You get a completely different sense out here than I've ever had with the Niners," Smith said. "Everyone is much more competitive. It makes practice that much more enjoyable and it makes everyone better."

Casey Bramlet threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns Saturday, leading the Hamburg Sea Devils past the Frankfurt Galaxy 37-28 in the highest-scoring World Bowl. Bramlet, allocated by the Washington Redskins, was honored as the MVP in sending Hamburg to its first NFL Europa championship. "This is an awesome feeling," Sea Devils coach Vince Martino said. "It felt like a heavyweight title fight at times. We had to keep on fighting and the Galaxy kept coming back at us." Bramlet set a record with scoring strikes to wide receivers Justin Jenkins, Marcus Maxwell (twice) and Josh Davis. Maxwell, of the San Francisco 49ers, caught five passes for 127 yards.

The 49ers have a monthlong vacation before training camp begins, but don't expect to see Frank Gore, a Miami native, sipping pi?a coladas on South Beach this July. Instead, Gore will be a few miles to the west of the Miami beachfront, laboring up and down one of the highest hills in South Florida while tethered to a truck tire. It's a grueling regimen Gore has performed since high school, and no amount of fame or money -- the Pro Bowler signed a $28 million deal in March -- will change that. "You've got to sweat if you're going to be successful in this sport," Gore said this week.

San Francisco 49ers cornerback B.J. Tucker will miss the season after tearing his pectoral muscle during offseason workouts. An MRI exam revealed the injury, which will require surgery and at least four months of rehabilitation, coach Mike Nolan said. The two-year veteran, who was hurt Tuesday, made his first NFL start last season and was a candidate for a backup job again this fall.

Coach Mike Nolan will be a sharp-dressed man at all the 49ers' home games this season. Nolan and Jaguars coach Mike Del Rio got permission from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday to wear suits and ties to all eight of their clubs' regular-season home games in 2007. The dress-up detente was the result of nearly three years of negotiations among Nolan, the league and Reebok. Though the league determines what apparel can be worn on the sideline, Reebok provides that clothing for coaches -- from Bill Belichick's sleeveless sweatshirts to the black suit Nolan was allowed to wear in two games last season. "As I mentioned before, I made this request out of the high amount of respect I have for the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, my father and all of the former coaches who have worn suits," said Nolan, who's 11-20 in two seasons with the Niners.

The 49ers added depth to their defensive line Monday, signing tackle Sam Rayburn. Terms were not disclosed. Released by the Eagles on May 11 after spending his previous four seasons with the team, the 6-3, 303-pound Rayburn has registered 65 tackles and four sacks in 53 career games.

49ers defensive end Melvin Oliver tore a ligament in his right knee during organized team activities this week. Oliver, a sixth-round pick from LSU in 2006 who started 14 games for the 49ers last season, was injured during a non-contact drill Tuesday. Team doctors discovered the torn medial collateral ligament Wednesday.

The 49ers had former Eagles defensive tackle Sam Rayburn visit recently. He was released by Philadelphia on May 11. The 49ers and three other teams are interested in signing him. "Hopefully, their (the Eagles') loss is our gain," coach Mike Nolan said. Rayburn would fit in the rotation as a nose tackle and defensive end. Rayburn fell out of favor in Philadelphia after players such as Mike Peterson began developing.

Johnnie Morton's transition from the NFL to Mixed Martial Arts didn't go as planned for the former wide receiver. Morton, 35, was knocked out just 38 seconds into the first round of his match against Bernard Ackah on Saturday night and then was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission after refusing to supply a urine sample for drug testing. Morton wasn't available to comment on the fight or the suspension, the Los Angeles Times reported.