First-round pick Jimmie Ward covered He-Man wide receiver Anquan Boldin twice today during the first practice of training camp.

And he remembers one meeting in particular.

“He gave me a good swim move,” Ward said, laughing. “He put his strength on display. So I know how to play him tomorrow.”

The good news for Ward? He also had a few noteworthy moments of his own.

Ward was sidelined for the offseason program after he underwent foot surgery in March, so today was the first opportunity for the media to see him in action. First impression: He is fast, active and his aggression makes it easy to see how he developed a reputation as a strong hitter at Northern Illinois despite his modest size (5-10, 193).

Ward, whose primary position will be slot cornerback, worked with the second-string today.

In one-on-one drills at the start of the non-contact practice, Ward reached around wideout Stevie Johnson to bat down a quick slant. Later, in 7-on-7 work, he made a diving interception after cornerback Chris Cook batted an over-the-middle pass from Colin Kaepernick to Chuck Jacobs.

Said Ward of his interception: “If I keep making plays like that I’ll be seen and hopefully I’ll get some playing time.”

Ward’s first NFL practice actually came last week when the rookies, quarterbacks and injured veterans reported. So far, he doesn’t overwhelmed by the transition from the MAC to the NFL.

“It’s pretty fast,” he said. “I would say just the big guys got faster. But I feel like I’m the same speed with a lot guys out there, the skill guys.”

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Jim Harbaugh was asked three questions about contract holdout Alex Boone today and it was if he didn’t hear them.

The self-described “relentlessly positive” coach had a theme to push – the opening of training camp was a “rebirth” – and questions about his right guard’s dissatisfaction with his contract weren’t going to interfere.

At one point, Harbaugh was asked how much Boone’s absence detracted from the 49ers’ training-camp arrival.

“It’s such a positive happening, that first day,” Harbaugh responded. “Imagine you’re kind of in the comfort of the offseason, like being in the comfort of the womb. You got plenty to eat in there, it’s warm, very cozy. And then you’re born into somewhat of the unknown. A lot of people looking at you, a lot of faces looking at you, a lot of excitement. It’s light, it’s bright, it’s noisy, it’s the crazy world of football. Again, it’s a real happening.”

OK, Jim. Follow-up question: Are you disappointed Boone didn’t report?

“Again, (I am) relentlessly positive right now,” Harbaugh said. “That’s how I feel. I’m trying to describe it to you, the rebirth of football. You step out onto that grass of the first practice, smell the smells, see the sky. You’ve got your team out there. It’s a wonderful feeling.”