SANTA CLARA — Eight issues that caught my eye by eight practices of 49ers’ coaching camp:
1. Mac Jones will not be a stationary goal
The brand new backup for Brock Purdy lasted till No. 15 within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft partially due to a 4.82 40-yard sprint time. He not often ran at Alabama, which grows NFL caliber receivers on timber, and has 419 yards speeding in and a 2.9 yards per carry common in 52 video games and 49 begins with New England and Jacksonville.
Purdy, against this, had 323 yards in 15 video games final season alone. Whereas Jones isn’t as nifty as Purdy, he hasn’t been shy about taking free yards when given the chance. When discussing his mobility Friday, Jones invoked one other well-known albeit fictional Alabama participant.
“I guess everyone thinks I’m really slow,” Jones mentioned. “I look like Forrest Gump out there.”
Jones, 6-foot-3, 214 kilos mentioned he’s labored on his pace and quickness and quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi has careworn taking the free 5 yards on first down after going by his reads.
“It makes it easier on Kyle (Shanahan) to call the game, like first-and-10 to second-and-5 instead of second-and-10,” Jones mentioned. “Getting the cheap yards has been good.”
2. The celebrities have performed like stars
Nick Bosa, George Kittle and Fred Warner are having very sturdy camps and if youthful gamers are taking part in comply with the chief as anticipated it’s an excellent signal. Bosa was dominant Friday and Kittle has been your entire camp. His reference to Purdy is uncanny.
As for Warner, he made up a lot floor the opposite day on a deep go to Kyle Juszczyk it surprised the Professional Bowl fullback.
“When the ball was in the air and I saw no one was there I thought there was no chance initially he even gets close,” Juszczyk mentioned. “I thought this is going to be easy. But by the time the ball got to me Fred was right there for a contested catch. I think that is one of many examples of the difference between him and other linebackers.”
Contemplating we noticed nearly nothing of McCaffrey a 12 months in the past when Achilles tendinitis entered the 49ers’ every day vernacular, to see him operating and receiving on Aug. 1 is a welcome sight.
3. Revolving door at receiver
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak tried his greatest to color the absences of Brandon Aiyuk (rehab), Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall (staggered apply schedule) in a optimistic gentle as a result of it provided alternatives to others.
Aiyuk received’t be prepared within the early a part of the season. Jennings’ standing will not be recognized, and hopefully for the 49ers not tied to ongoing contract extension negotiations. Pearsall a minimum of, had an excellent day Friday.
“I think towards the end of the last season, you saw Ricky come out his shell, he was playing within our system and timing, so he is going to continue to learn who he is as a receiver and what his strengths are and I’m going to continue to learn with him and that excites me,” Purdy mentioned.
The 49ers await a call on an anticipation suspension for Demarcus Robinson after pleading no contest to DUI. They’re doubtless going to be with out the participant who has been the most effective receiver in camp for 2 or three video games. Jacob Cowing (hamstring) has missed worthwhile time after being injured throughout the first apply and can return the week previous the 49ers’ second exhibition sport in opposition to the Raiders.
4. Huge week upcoming for Nick Martin, Upton Stout
Martin, a third-round select of Oklahoma State, is a smallish however explosive 5-foot-11, 221-pound weak aspect linebacker. Stout 5-11, 181 is getting loads of work at slot nook. They’ve regarded good in pads thus far however a much bigger check will come when the 49ers have joint practices with Denver heading into their Aug. 9 preseason opener.
Watching from a distance within the stands, seeing Stout standing alongside 6-5, 332-pound deal with Alfred Collins is sort of comical.
“Upton, he is a straining, scrappy young man, don’t fall asleep on his size,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh mentioned. “I mean, the guy plays way bigger than he is and way bigger than he looks. ”
Martin seems to be operating behind Dee Winters, who’s having a superb camp in his bid to exchange Dre Greenlaw, however Saleh likes that he sees.
“One thing we’re not worried about with him is his violence, getting off a block, and understanding how to get to the football,” Saleh mentioned. “He just has to continue mastering the scheme to give himself the opportunity to play fast.”
Cornerback Renardo Inexperienced has been sidelined with a hamstring pressure and the 49ers’ depth on the place has been strained. Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group
5. Cornerback conundrum
With Renardo Inexperienced (hamstring) and Deommodore Lenoir (hip) not working towards, it’s been combine and match at cornerback with Darrell Luter, Trey Brown, Siran Neal, Trey Avery, Chase Lucas and up to date signee Eli Apple within the combine. Dallis Flowers, who had 23 video games and 5 begins in three seasons in Indianapolis, has made some performs, as had undrafted free agent Jakob Robinson.
Brown and Flowers acquired their likelihood with the primary crew Friday.
“We’ve been rotating a bunch of guys, giving different guys opportunities to go in with the ones, and we’ll continue that all the way throughout training camp,” Saleh mentioned.
If the 49ers don’t have both Inexperienced or Lenoir able to go Week 1, they’ll be perusing the waiver wire.
6. Sizing up the defensive tackles
Rookie C.J. West, described as a fireplace hydrant by Saleh at 6-1, 316, continues to have a formidable camp. He’s outplaying second-rounder Alfred Collins, however they don’t play with the identical type. West had a robust day Friday in each blocking drills an crew periods. He’s limping a bit with an ankle harm, however retains taking the sector — one thing coaches love.
Collins, to be honest, missed all of OTAs with a calf harm so he’s a little bit behind and extra of a roadblock than penetrator. He was a second-round select of Texas.
7. The security race
Jacob Pinnock had an interception of Purdy Friday and appears to be a Week 1 starter barring harm. Ji’Ayir Brown had a scheduled day without work however mentioned he feels gentle years forward of the place he was a 12 months in the past. Brown had an interception in Tremendous Bowl LVIII however had a nerve harm in his shoulder on a fourth quarter deal with of Travis Kelce.
He seldom felt at his greatest final season and appeared to bond higher with Steve Wilks at defensive coordinator in 2023 than Nick Sorensen in 2024.
“Steve Wilks was one of my guys,” Brown mentioned. “Different styles, different messages.”
8. Camp with out Papa
Few individuals watch apply extra intently than radio-play-by-play man and KNBR host Greg Papa, a Bay Space asserting establishment who mentioned he’ll take day without work whereas receiving remedy for an undisclosed type of most cancers.
Papa is a 12 months sideline fixture with the 49ers as he was with the Raiders, free to roam areas off limits to native media however all the time taking time to speak with reporters about what they’re seeing and what he’s seeing.
He received’t be round for coaching camp this 12 months and will likely be missed, however right here’s hoping he can get again within the sales space in some unspecified time in the future this season.
Derek Papa, Greg’s son and a KNBR co-host of “Dirty Work” with Adam Copeland, mentioned this on the air Friday:
“I know all of you want my father to get back soon to be on the air, and I want that too. But first and foremost, as his son, I want him to be alive. And he’s fighting right now and it will be a battle, but I have a lot of faith that he will get through this.”
