SANTA CLARA — No place group raises extra questions this 49ers coaching camp than their offensive line.
Certain, quarterback Trey Lance attracts essentially the most hype, Deebo Samuel essentially the most drama, and Jimmy Garoppolo essentially the most bewildering existence, however offensive line is seen as this workforce’s weak hyperlink.
Is it?
“Our room has a bunch of athletes, guys who usually are not simply huge and might transfer folks, however can really transfer their very own our bodies into area,” left guard Aaron Banks mentioned.
Ah, however who’ll snap the ball to Lance? How are the younger guards, Banks and Spencer Burford? Is Mike McGlinchey all the way in which again?
These solutions will are available in due time, together with through Friday evening’s preseason opener in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium.
Banks gave an amazing response relating to his lead block for quarterback attracts like Lance ran Friday: “I’m going to deal with him the identical method I might deal with my (operating) backs: block my ass off and ensure he doesn’t get hit.”
Here's a position-by-position replace as camp, with the preseason opener looming Friday in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium:
LEFT TACKLE
Starter: Trent Williams
Backups: Colton McKivitz, Justin Skule, Sam Schlueler
Evaluation: Williams is coming off an All-Professional season (his first) that helped justify paying him the NFL’s richest contract for an offensive lineman. He gained’t get overworked this camp, however he must groom Banks and defend Lance. McKivitz is the frontrunner to be the No. 1 backup sort out as he carries over confidence from his fill-in begin in Week 18 final season.
Participant quote: “He’s the most effective participant within the NFL. You’ve acquired to make some choices when Trent’s popping out you, some enterprise choices.” – linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Coach quote: “(Williams) got here within the different day and mentioned, ‘Let me let you know need I believe my plan is for camp for move safety.’ I’ll say, ‘Yeah, try this, but in addition your offseason cutups, you should work on theses three issues.’ … Trent Williams nonetheless has stuff to wash up and he is aware of it, and each man does.” – Chris Foerster, the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator.
LEFT GUARD
Starter: Aaron Banks
Backups: Keaton Sutherland, Nick Zakelj
Evaluation: That is Banks’ job to lose. He reshaped his physique the previous 12 months whereas ready to interchange Laken Tomlinson, who signed with the New York Jets in March. If Banks struggles to anchor in move safety? There isn’t a veteran choice on the workforce they usually’d possible simply shift linemen from different spots.
Participant quote: “I wished to bodily be a greater participant. I wished to tighten up, be stronger, be sooner, be faster, be higher total.” – Banks.
Coach quote: “He’s completed all the pieces proper, from the minute he acquired damage (final preseason) to at the moment. Now what he has to do is play. He’s an amazing man with a very good skillset. At 330-something kilos, he can transfer, hit, strike, and do a ton of excellent issues. However he’s nonetheless acquired to go do it.” – Foerster.
CENTER
Starter: Daniel Brunskill or Jake Brendel
Backups: See above; Dohnovan West
Evaluation: Rotating first-team snaps each different day provides Brunskill and Brendel an opportunity to shine however not precisely settle into Alex Mack’s former function. Brunskill began eight video games right here in 2020, and if his snaps don’t get cleaner (he hasn’t been a catastrophe), they'll revert him to proper guard. Brendel hasn’t been a full-time heart since his UCLA days (2012-15), and even when he has 2021 chemistry with Lance from the scout workforce, he’ll must show his well worth the subsequent three weeks.
Participant quote: “It’s type of the identical factor as final season with Alex Mack. You must take the alternatives you've and make the most effective of them, then play that function and hopefully the teaching workers and entrance workplace can set up who the most effective man is to be on the market.” – Brendel.
GM quote: “The one (offseason transfer) the place we didn’t understand how it might fall was Alex Mack (retiring). We had been hopeful that he’d come again however knew it was a call, and Alex was up entrance with us that this was a one-year dedication (in 2021) and he’d see from there. Would you've liked Alex again? Certain. However we be ok with the fellows there.” – Normal supervisor John Lynch.
RIGHT GUARD
Starter: Spencer Burford
Backups: Burford, if Brunskill begins; Jason Poe
Evaluation: What's a rookie, fourth-round draft pick of Texas-San Antonio doing at proper guard each first-team snap? Effectively, Burford is holding his personal and getting encouragement from veterans alongside the way in which. Brunskill’s expertise at this spot means they'll shift him again right here if he’s overwhelmed out by Brendel at heart, until Burford will get a stranglehold on the function in preseason motion. Poe, a 6-foot-1 rookie is a enjoyable watch, too.
Participant quote: “(Burford’s) upside and expertise degree is simply off charts. He’s acquired the body for it, the scale, a powerful decrease half, enormously lengthy arms and all of the scout mumbo jumbo you wish to throw at him. However he’s a competitor, studying day by day and has completed an amazing job getting thrown into the fireplace.” – Proper sort out Mike McGlinchey.
Coach quote: “Spencer, he’s completed a gerat job. He’s acquired the talent set to do it. It’s about getting the reps and going agianst our D-line and doing it down in and down out. He’s acquired the power to do it at this degree.” – Shanahan.
RIGHT TACKLE
Starter: Mike McGlinchey
Backups: Justin Skule, Jaylon Moore, Jordan Mills, Alfredo Gutierrez
Evaluation: McGlinchey enters his fifth season wanting in nice form, although it took quadriceps surgical procedure final season and super work to get his body (6-foot-8, 310 kilos) prepared for his contract 12 months. The 49ers’ reserves all gained expertise prior to now couple years, so the 49ers have fascinating depth with Skule, Moore and McKivitz. Guiterrez, a Mexico native, stays a world mission however is properly favored coming into his second 12 months on the apply squad.
Participant quote: “As a lot manufacturing as I acquired final 12 months, I nonetheless felt I might do issues higher. I’m again to enjoying the load I all the time performed at earlier than (2020), and that’s the place I performed my finest soccer at since I used to be 18 or 19 years previous. It’s going to get higher and higher.” — McGlinchey
Coach quote: “I by no means checked out him within the run recreation and mentioned he was too mild (in 2020). He was knocking folks off and one of many premier run blockers within the NFL. Extra weight (in 2021) perhaps damage him when he jumped up. There’s a degree a participant has to really feel snug, to compete, to play with energy.” – Foerster.