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HOME STRETCH of training camp. De'Zhaun Stribling continues cooking, Carver Willis is springing into an opportunity, and Osa Odighizuwa is dominating. Highlights...
Jacob Cowing was back from his hip flexor. Dropped an out attempt, but later caught a go-ball from Mac Jones. SF also used Cowing's speed on a pitch sweep
It was the Luke Farrell Show on the move-the-ball drive. Brock Purdy went to the vet TE, who's been much more involved in the pass game this camp, several times — including a TD. Earlier, Farrell had climbed the ladder to grab a nice pass up the seam
Rookie safety Jalen Stroman INT off Jones on a seam shot
Odighizuwa was a frequent visitor to the backfield. 49ers seemed to be giving LG Robert Jones, who played 44 snaps on Thursday, a slight breather — that led to rookie Carver Willis and Connor Colby handling LG for the first team
Two catches today for vet WR Trent Irwin, a Stanford product who played several years with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Included a deep corner from Brock Purdy that fired up the crowd
Mike Evans returned to team drills and made a few catches, headlined by a bigger gainer from Jones and an early shot from Purdy. Fred Warner futilely tried to punch the ball out after that Evans catch
RB Khalil Herbert fumbled. It was scooped up by CB Jack Jones, who was back in action after exiting the preseason opener with a hand injury
Rookie RB Kaelon Black (adductor) rehabbed on the side and then watched team drills with a play sheet in his hand. Reminded me of Klay Kubiak emphasizing the other day that pros will be find a way to be ready, even if they can't fully practice
QB Adrian Martinez was much more accurate than in Thursday's game. Worth noting that marked the first time QBs took hits in a long time (probably an even greater credit to Kurtis Rourke for looking as good as he did — don't forget that the Titans' QBs were off too). Anyway, Martinez delivered a nice ball on a big gainer to TE Hayden Rucci
Nice sliding catch near the sideline for WR Jordan Watkins, who's added about 7-10 pounds of muscle. That followed a good 6-catch performance Thursday
Rookie D-linemen Romello Height and James Thompson Jr. both ripped through for play-altering pressures
PBU for Marques Sigle on a Purdy throw intended for Demarcus Robinson
Stribling keeps making catches and he's now getting the Mike Evans treatment (no special teams drills). 49ers clearly love what they've seen from the rookie WR so far
Trent Williams is rolling through these final three practices of camp. Following next Thursday's game vs Chargers, it'll officially be dress rehearsal week for the 49ers.
I think this is the most talented team KS and JL have ever assembled.
ReplyDeleteNick's Notes and observations from 49ers practice:
ReplyDelete- Think we're at a point where the Kyle Shanahan updates are not needed here. He's essentially back doing everything, though not yet calling plays in during practice. If and when there's something new on this front, we'll note it.
- Here's the list of Saturday's non participants: RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness), LB Luke Gifford (hamstring), DE Nick Bosa (soreness/tendinitis), FB Kyle Juszczyk (broken finger), OL Brett Toth (concussion), QB Kurtis Rourke (undisclosed/ribs), WR Christian Kirk (calf), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), RB Kaelon Black (adductor), RB Jordan James (rib), DL Keion White (adductor), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle), WR KhaDarel Hodge (undisclosed), CB Nate Hobbs (groin), LB Dre Greenlaw (appeared to be a rest day).
Players on PUP: TE George Kittle (achilles), RB Isaac Guerendo (pec), DL Mykel Williams (ACL)
- WR Jacob Cowing (hip flexor strain) was back in the practice and made a couple of plays, including hauling in a deep ball from QB Mac Jones late in the session.
- CB Jack Jones (hand) was back at practice after hurting that hand in the Titans game. Marques Sigle (oblique) was also back and participating.
- Hodge was doing some work on the side, along with many of the others. For the first time I've seen since his injury, James was doing work on the side by taking handoffs and doing some running. Rourke was in street clothes but watching the session from the side. It's unclear exactly what the diagnosis was after he left the hospital.
- As you might expect given that so many of the backups played a lot of snaps less than 48 hours ago, the reps for this practice largely went to the 1s and 2s.
- Perhaps the most notable development of the day was the addition of rookie Carver Willis to the LG competition. Willis got a look with the top unit Saturday as Jones got some work at right guard. And Austen Pleasants also got a few reps at LG. Trent Williams called it a "three-man race," an indication that this thing is still wide open. That speaks to the fact that nobody is separating here and I would suggest, again, that the starting LG may not be on the roster right now.
- DT Osa Odighizuwa certainly didn't help those guys with his performance today. He was all over the place, beating whichever guard was in his way multiple times, including Willis on his first rep with the 1s.
Delete- A Deebo note from Trent Williams' post practice presser: Williams said on the game broadcast he thinks this could be Deebo's best year. Asked why he said that today, Williams pointed to Deebo having a bit of a chip on his shoulder: "Everybody knows as soon as you see him, he's in different type of shape," Williams said. "Probably the best shape I've seen him in since I've known him. And I know he's coming from a situation where he feels people doubt his ability and [I] think he's a dangerous player without anybody doubting him. So you put that extra doubt to him, that extra fuel to his fire, I think he's going to be a lot better."
- Jones once again got his hands on the ball early in practice as DT James Thompson Jr. stuffed a run by Khalil Herbert. It was unclear if Thompson or Jones forced the fumble but Jones recovered it. Thompson has, to me, been one of this camp's most pleasant surprises and continues to build a case for a spot on the 53.
- With Greenlaw resting, Jaden Dugger got to work alongside Fred Warner at WIL some more. The Niners are clearly intrigued with Dugger and his versatility. Just me handicapping it right now, he seems like the favorite to be the "fever" backer but still a long way to go before Week 1.
- Some offensive highlights today: Mac Jones maneuvering in the pocket to hit WR De'Zhaun Stribling over the middle for a big gain... QB Brock Purdy fired a perfect ball down over the middle to Mike Evans who was closely covered by Deommodore Lenoir. It was in a spot only Evans could catch it and kept him out of harm's way for an approaching safety... QB Adrian Martinez hit WR Deebo Samuel for a big gain on a deep crosser... Purdy dropped another one in the bucket on a deep corner for WR Trenton Irwin for a big gain and found TE Luke Farrell for a big gain down the seam.
- Some defensive highlights today: Lots of pressure it seemed from the DL with Odighizuwa leading the way. Also had Romello Height down for a would-be sack when he attacked the B gap and blew past Colby... Lenoir was sticky in coverage even when he allowed a completion but he also had a PBU on a throw for Demarcus Robinson from Purdy... Thompson and Bryson Eason had would-be sacks or at least pressures against G Kion Smith... S Jalen Stroman made a good read on a Jones throw for Robinson and jumped in front of it for an interception he likely would have scored on.
WRs that are locks Evans, Stribling and Deebo WRs that are making strong arguments for themselves Watkins, Robinson and Kirk (because of his contract alone) Sounds like a pretty damn good WR room. My only concern is none of them jump out as a punt returner. I wonder if they have given any thought to putting Deebo back there during practice?
ReplyDeleteCoach,
DeleteRobinson is a lock. He can play all 3 WR positions and is the consummate professional.
With Kirk being injured, I think they will do a Wink-Wink veteran deal and he won't be on the initial 53 roster. Since he is a veteran, he can sign anywhere. Cowing will be included instead in order to avoid waiver wire and for his ST play.
One of Grimes/Pauling will be on PS, now the Bergen is released. They will also be called up for PR/KR duties.
Mug,
DeleteKirk has 3 mill guaranteed so I don't see them releasing him but who knows. I was not impressed with Cowing as a punt returner in 24 he seems to go down at the slightest contact. Pauling really went down easy Thurs night and he couldn't stay on his feet. I agree on Robinson
Prediction - This week's tune up is a preview of the next SB.
ReplyDeleteThe 49ers destroyed the Chargers in a Superbowl (it seems eons ago). I wouldn't mind if they did it again.
ReplyDeleteIt was a day or two ago, Harbaugh, McDaniel and Herbert that's a tough trio. That would be cool if they did it again.
Delete