SANTA CLARA — Smiles, sunshine and pseudo-perfect attendance accompanied the 49ers into their three-day minicamp that opened Tuesday. Listed here are the highest sights and sounds, with extra good than dangerous:
DEEBO SAMUEL LOOKS UPBEAT
After operating sprints on the facet in a 49ers-issued “Trustworthy” T-shirt, Deebo Samuel watched apply and seemed as pleased and as partaking as ever. He held the play-list script in his hand and interacted with fellow broad receivers, quarterbacks and shut mates Trent Williams and Jason Verrett.
Extra pertinent, Samuel didn't seem like a jaded All-Professional who was solely there so he doesn’t get fined.
“He’s grabbing the scenario by the horns now and exhibiting how mature he's by exhibiting up, and I believe that goes a good distance,” mentioned Williams, noting that he’s given Samuel recommendation when requested however in any other case, “It’s his enterprise, his dream, his profession.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan painted an image of a swell relationship, quite than one seemingly fractured amid Samuel’s April commerce request. “It’s at all times been alright,” Shanahan mentioned. “I do know we undergo the enterprise a part of the league, however I don’t suppose the connection was ever too distant to not get it again to regular and we’re engaged on that.” Shanahan famous that contract-extension talks are ongoing and is eager for a deal earlier than the season begins.
Quarterback Trey Lance mentioned he’s spoken with Samuel “a ton” this offseason, and that his “vibe and power” was welcome, particularly for introductions to a slew of recent broad receivers. Added Lance: “It’d be nice to have (Samuel) on the market (practising) however I perceive the scenario.”
Shanahan mentioned will not be relying on Samuel to apply this week, saying it’s “not sensible for the staff or for him” as a result of he hasn’t been round this offseason. Samuel was not among the many three gamers made out there to the media — a trio of whom all spoke extremely of Samuel. “Him, Trent and Bosa, once they’re within the constructing, it’s somewhat bit totally different,” Lance added.
BOSA COMES IN TAN, HEALTHY
Shanahan will not be involved that the 49ers haven’t opened extension talks with defensive finish Nick Bosa, whose fifth-year possibility has been exercised for 2023. “That’s how each side are going at it now. I’m not too involved with it,” Shanahan mentioned. “I totally count on Nick Bosa being right here for a really very long time.”
Trying as lean and wholesome as even, Bosa participated in strictly defensive position drills, after bypassing the earlier seven weeks of voluntary exercises whereas coaching in his native Florida. Not like a yr in the past, he didn’t require a assist sleeve over his rebuilt knee. “Nick at all times takes care of himself nearly as good as any athlete as I’ve been round,” Shanahan added. “He has Florida tan, his quads are nonetheless big and he’s able to play soccer at any time when it’s time to go.”
NO GAROPPOLO, NO FORD
Neither quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo nor defensive finish Dee Ford have been current. Shanahan mentioned he expects an “beneath contract” Garoppolo at coaching camp with a wholesome shoulder and thumb, “until we commerce him.” Ford’s exit is extra imminent.
Shanahan mentioned that Ford, besieged by again points the previous two seasons, is anticipated to take a bodily with staff docs this week that may probably clear his path off the roster, by way of both launch or attainable retirement.
Garoppolo’s shoulder rehabilitation is being carried out in Southern California and it “didn’t make sense” to drag him away for minicamp, mentioned Shanahan , including: “It wasn’t an actual dangerous surgical procedure (March 8). It simply takes time. I believe the plan has at all times been (to begin throwing in) July. There’s no considerations with it. He’ll be throwing earlier than later. … Nothing (problematic) with the thumb.”
TREY LANCE UPDATE
After lacking Marcus Johnson deep early in 11-on-11 motion, Lance accomplished his eight remaining passes, highlighted by a dart over the center wherein tight finish Tanner Hudson made a one-handed, diving catch.
Lance credited that play to not solely his familiarity with the offense however with Hudson from their scout-team classes final season. One other carry-over connection from Lance’s rookie marketing campaign: his work with middle Jake Brendel, who’s labored with the first-string unit all offseason and appears poised to stay in that function after Alex Mack’s retirement final week.
“I took all my reps just about with Jake whereas Jimmy was with Alex final yr. Clearly I’m unhappy and wished to play with Alex, for certain, however I’m tremendous enthusiastic about Jake,” Lance mentioned. “He’s three lockers down from me. We’re collectively and one of many first two right here within the morning. He works tremendous laborious, and his athletic capacity is one factor that stands out about him.”
As for whether or not Lance has tinkered along with his throwing movement this offseason, he says there was no main change, that he modified his grip somewhat, and that the larger focus was his physique’s decrease half and getting the ball out precisely.
Lance additionally expressed enthusiasm a couple of budding relationship with Corridor of Fame predecessor Steve Younger, stating: “He’s talked about being myself and confidence, these are the 2 predominant issues.”
CORNERBACK WARD’S OUTLOOK
Charvarius Ward, this offseason’s huge pickup in free company, didn't apply, as was the case final week. “We’re simply enjoying it sensible. It’s June. Care for our our bodies,” Ward mentioned.
Ambry Thomas changed Ward at proper cornerback reverse Emmanuel Moseley.
This was Ward’s first in-person media session, and he weighed in not solely in assist of his fellow defensive backs, however of the offensive gamers they’re going through. On the broad receivers, Ward mentioned Jauan Jennings’ abilities and route operating stunned him, and that Brandon Aiyuk has the potential to be a No. 1 broad receiver.
Requested what similarities Lance has proven to Ward’s former Chiefs teammate Patrick Mahomes, Ward replied: “Each of them are going to be nice quarterbacks; they’re light-skinned nice quarterbacks, that’s the similarities.”
WILLIAMS ‘PUSHED IT TOO FAR’
Williams’ elbows, ankles and knees look recovered from final season’s points, with out requiring surgical procedure. An ankle difficulty hindered him not solely within the 49ers’ second half of a divisional-playoff win at Inexperienced Bay but in addition within the NFC Championship Recreation defeat to the Rams.
“I actually had no enterprise on the market,” Williams acknowledged. “It’s so laborious for me to not be on the market, figuring out the place we have been in and what we’re making an attempt to perform. However I in all probability, wanting again on it, I in all probability shouldn’t have pushed it that far as a result of I really feel like Colton (McKivitz) may have achieved a greater job on two wholesome ankles than I did on one.
“Hindsight is 20/20 after all, nevertheless it’s laborious for me to inform my teammates ‘no’ on the time. However wanting again on it, I pushed it somewhat too far.” Williams earned his first profession All-Professional honors final season and didn't take part within the Professional Bowl regardless of being named a starter.
AARON BANKS’ TRANSFORMATION
After enjoying the previous two seasons subsequent to left guard Laken Tomlinson, Williams is impressed by second-year alternative Aaron Banks, a 2021 second-round choose.
“He’s reworked himself in just a few months,” Williams mentioned. “That’s indicative of rather a lot, not simply of food plan and good exercise routine however psychological toughness, for a man to alter his physique composition in 90 days so to talk.
“Financial institution’s athleticism at all times jumped off the board with the scale of the person he's. However now, shedding 20 kilos, he positively appears to be like mild on his toes and his footwork appears to be like 10 instances higher. His steadiness, upper-body lean, every part is in place now take that huge bounce from Yr 1 to Yr 2, and I’m right here to assist him.”
EXTRA POINTS
— Cornerback Ka’Dar Hollman made the defensive play of the day, intercepting a Lance cross in 7-on-7, red-zone motion by stealing it from Brandon Aiyuk’s clutches within the again nook of the top zone. Hollman then bought beat by Malik Turner for a Brock Purdy landing cross, however Hollman’s tight cov erage prevented KeeSean Johnson from doing the identical.
— Lance’s greatest cross in that 7-on-7 session was a nook fade to Jennings for a landing in opposition to first-string nickel again Darquese Dennard. Jennings made two different landing catches in that session to additional show himself as an incredible, red-zone goal.
— Moseley opened 11-on-11 motion by breaking apart a Lance cross meant for Aiyuk. Moseley additionally coated Johnson on Lance’s incompletion on a deep throw, and Moseley shadowed Ray-Ray McCloud on one other deep route wherein Lance checked his cross all the way down to tight finish Ross Dwelley.
— Defensive finish Drake Jackson, sidelined final week by a leg difficulty, seemed distinctive in pass-rushing drills with the protection, and a dip transfer he made drew applause from Bosa and others.
— With Mike McGlinchey (quadriceps) and Daniel Brunskill (knee tendinitis) observing, the 49ers offensive line mixtures in warmups have been (from left to proper): first string — Williams, Banks, Brendel, Jaylon Moore, Justin Skule; second string — McKivitz, Nick Zekelj, Keaton Sutherland, Spencer Burford, Sam Schluester; third string — Schluester, Zakelj, Dohnovan West, Jason Poe and Alfredo Gutierrez.
— Elijah Mitchell and Ty Davis-Value did particular person conditioning on the facet whereas the operating again chores have been dealt with by Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon and Jordan Mason, the later of whom is an more and more spectacular, undrafted rookie.
— A day after the Rams’ Aaron Donald bought a hefty contract extension, Williams mentioned: “I want he would have retired. He deserves the contract. Clearly everyone knows what he can do. I don’t know him on a private degree. I like competing in opposition to him. Brings out the most effective in all of us.”
— The 49ers will apply for 2 days in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings previous to their preseason recreation Aug. 20 at U.S. Financial institution Stadium, Shanahan confirmed.
— Nonetheless not collaborating however once more watching have been tight finish George Kittle, linebackers Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair, Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Jason Verrett and broad receiver Danny Grey (hamstring). Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was excused as his spouse was as a result of have their second youngster.
— On the defensive position, Charles Omenihu batted down a Nate Sudfeld cross, and super-sized defensive deal with Hassan Ridgeway plugged a niche that pressured Sermon to alter lanes.
— Fullback Kyle Juszczyk drew cheers from Lance and Kittle for a route that bought him open to catch a Purdy cross.
— Greg Papa’s contract because the voice of the 49ers was prolonged by way of 2028, in response to the staff’s flagship station, KNBR 680-AM. He changed Ted Robinson after the 2018 season.