by By Daniel Brown MediaNews staff , Contra Costa Times

The sixth-round pick eventually figured things out, and soon it was opposing cornerbacks left spinning. Morgan averaged 16.0 yards per catch, the highest among rookies with more than one catch.

Morgan also had three touchdown catches. Only one rookie wideout, Denver's Eddie Royal with five, had more.

And now?

Morgan is a year older and infinitely wiser. After practice Wednesday at the 49ers' organized team activities, the receiver said he expected to do far better than the 20 catches, 319 yards and three touchdowns he had during his injury-filled 2008.

It helps that he's healthy. Morgan played through pain last season and only now reveals just how bad things were.

That 48-yard, game-winning catch against the Rams last December? Morgan did it with a torn groin muscle.

"Most definitely, it was difficult," he said of the final three games last season. "Especially in (former coordinator) Mike Martz's offense, where it was like every play I was running deep, getting 20 yards downfield."

To make sure he was mended, Morgan spent the offseason at the 49ers' facility. He said he is 100 percent healthy again, which is welcome relief. Besides the groin injury, Morgan dealt with a staph infection during training camp, a blow that weakened his body and derailed his learning curve just as the season kicked off.

The result was a slow start. Morgan didn't top 50 yards in a game until Week 7, when he had five catches for 86 yards, including a 30-yard score, against the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants.

Now, Morgan feels grown up. For example, he no longer needs a coach specifically assigned to point him the right direction. During the minicamps a year ago, 49ers offensive assistant Adam Gase was responsible for telling Morgan what route to run, then making sure he did it.

"I had my own a personal assistant," Morgan said. "That's how lost I was."

This year, he is in the running for the starting job opposite Isaac Bruce, his mentor. But coach Mike Singletary is fond of saying that every position is open for competition, so Morgan will have to fend off free agent Brandon Jones, first-round pick Michael Crabtree and other holdovers, such as Jason Hill.

"My first goal is just to stay healthy," Morgan said. "That's the most important thing. If I do that, I feel like I can at least double my performance from last year. I can be twice as good."

School comes first

Rookie tackle Alex Boone (Ohio State) joined practice, while defensive end Panel Egboh (Stanford) continues to wait. Rules prohibit players from participating in NFL workouts until after the school year ends, with the exception of the post-draft minicamp.

Extra points

Cornerback Dre Bly highlighted the defense's day with an acrobatic interception. He made an over-the-shoulder grab on the run just before tumbling to the turf. He and Dominique Zeigler got tangled on the play, and Zeigler limped to the sideline before returning without restrictions. ... Defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga (thigh contusion) was held out of practice.

Daniel Brown, MediaNews staff

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