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**RoyWilliams** · 08-03-2007, 10:14 AM

Wideout Jacobs making name for himself in camp

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Taylor Jacobs. Not Jacob Taylor, Jacob Tyler, Tyler Jacobs or Tippecanoe and Tyler too. It's Taylor Jacobs, No. 88. He's been the best wide receiver in 49ers training camp this first week of practice.

While Jacobs admits to dropping a ball or two thus far, this soft-spoken 26-year-old has caught everything else thrown to him as he quietly works toward making the regular season roster.

"I'm trying to do everything I can possibly do to make the team," Jacobs said Thursday. "I think I have some things working for me and some things working against me. The numbers we have, there are some talented guys."

The 49ers will probably keep five wideouts when final cuts are made in early September. The team has 10 receivers running routes in practice, among them starters Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson, free-agent pickup Ashley Lelie, 2006 holdover Bryan Gilmore, 2006 draft pick Brandon Williams and rookie draft pick Jason Hill.

Counting Jacobs, that's seven right there among those most likely to make the 53-man roster, reason enough for Jacobs to try to get 1 percent better each day in camp - per receivers coach Jerry Sullivan's exhortation.

"I said to him if you improve 1 percent each day in practice, you'll be 35 to 40 percent better when you play a game," Sullivan said. "That's a lot of improvement. ... He has the skill level and he's generated some confidence. I feel good about him."

The 49ers traded underachieving cornerback Mike Rumph to Washington a year ago for Jacobs and already San Francisco is one up on the 'Skins. Jacobs is excelling in his first full training camp with the club while the Redskins waived Rumph, who was claimed by St. Louis. The Rams do not list Rumph on their depth chart.

Jacobs was active for eight games last season and inactive for eight others. His half-season was a meager one statistically: four receptions for 29 yards. His four-season NFL totals are similarly unimpressive: 34 catches, 344 yards, one touchdown.

There was more going on with Jacobs in 2006 than football, however, much more, and tragically so. On Oct. 12 of last year, he and his wife, Christine, lost their 2-month-old daughter, Taryn, to sudden infant death syndrome, a mysterious and unpredictable condition that kills as many as 2,500 babies in the United States each year.

"You never get over it, but you get through it," said Jacobs, looking at a picture of Taryn he keeps in his locker stall.

Jacobs is a deeply spiritual man who said he draws inspiration from his faith, despite the tragedy he was dealt. He has another daughter, Grace, and he and his wife are expecting a son later this month.

Before leaving for his offseason home in Tallahassee, Fla., after last season, Jacobs had a heart-to-heart talk with Sullivan about where he was in his career and what he needed to do if he wanted to extend it. His 2006 season gave the 49ers little reason to expect much from him in 2007. The Chronicle's synopsis of Jacobs heading into training camp was far from glowing: "Has experience, but low on depth chart."

Not any more. Jacobs is running with the No. 2 offense in camp and impressing all the right people.

"His career was waning," Sullivan said. "We had a long talk at the end of the season. I said you're going into your fifth year in the league. Guys get second chances, but not many more. ... You're at a juncture in your career. Do you want to play more football or do you want to go home?"

Jacobs chose the former, which fit in well with Sullivan's approach to coaching.

"I have a reputation in the league as someone who saves guys," he said. "I like to re-create guys if they're willing to get it done the way I want to get it done. He made a good commitment. He got in the weight room and did a good job in the offseason with (strength coach) Johnny Parker. You could see his attitude about things improve."

Humble by nature, Jacobs said, "I think I'm making strides every day. Confidence is a big thing. In your mind, you have to believe you can do it."

To reaffirm that he's good enough and smart enough, Jacobs said, "In my notebook I wrote 'Seize the opportunity, seize the opportunity.' "

Jacobs has done nothing but carpe diem since he's gotten to camp. One play two days ago illustrated the difference in his play from a year ago.

Alex Smith fired a pass over the middle to Jacobs on a slant route in traffic. The ball made a popping sound as Jacobs cradled it to his chest and turned up field in an accelerating move that had him free and clear of defensive backs.

"The thing with Taylor prior to this year was he was unsure about what he was doing," Smith said. "When you're not quite sure, you're thinking a lot and not cutting loose. Now he's comfortable and knows what he's doing. That's the biggest change you can see."

That's why people should remember the name: Taylor Jacobs.