The Facts: For most members of the 49ers offense, last week's start of organized team activities meant the first chance to apply what they've learned about coach Kyle Shanahan's system on the football field. For quarterback Brian Hoyer, the three workouts were closer to a refresher course than a new beginning. "It's definitely easier for me to call the plays this time around," Hoyer said.
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Hoyer went on to explain, "I remember last time kind of having to think about it, whereas now I find myself knowing that when Kyle starts to call a play I can kind of put it together. Just hearing it the second time around has helped, and knowing the plays, there are a lot of words; I think calling the play is half the battle, and it’s something I really don’t think about anymore. It comes naturally to me." That's not to say Hoyer doesn't have more to learn and gain in the coming weeks and months before the season starts. One of the primary tasks will involve getting on the same page in terms of timing with his pass catchers, something that has nothing to do with X's and O's and only comes as a product of time. ... Hoyer and Shanahan previously worked together with the Browns in 2014 when Shanahan was the OC. Hoyer started 13 games that season, throwing for 3,326 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a passer rating of 76.5. That season featured a strong start in which Hoyer led the Browns to a 6-3 record in their first nine games while compiling a 90.4 passer rating. The Browns and Hoyer fizzled out from there, though, as Hoyer struggled in his next four starts (a 53.1 passer rating) and Cleveland turned to Johnny Manziel.