SANTA CLARA — The preseason is right here, and the common season can not come quickly sufficient.
The Niners beat the Packers 28-21 within the group’s sorta-kinda season debut. And whereas a big portion of the group didn’t gown for the sport and beginning quarterback Trey Lance solely performed two collection, we nonetheless discovered — or at the very least famous — just a few issues within the contest.
Listed here are the massive takeaways:
Hey, Trey Lance can slide!
Clearly, the 49ers usually are not allowed to hit their quarterbacks in practices. That might be a horrible coverage. So whereas we now have been in a position to see first-year starter Lance run a bit in coaching camp, we had not seen him slide to finish a rush.
And that’s a slightly essential factor to do as a beginning quarterback today, as Lance discovered final season when he sprained his knee in his first ever NFL begin as a result of he went full crash-test dummy towards the Cardinals in Week 5.
So there was a little bit of a shock within the press field when Lance scrambled on his second play from scrimmage Friday.
And I’m positive there was a sigh of aid on the sideline when Lance, after gaining seven yards, slid to keep away from contact.
It was a handsome slide, too!
Lance will have to be good at that this season — Niners coach Kyle Shanahan is not going to hesitate to name for quarterback runs to play “11-on-11” soccer. If Lance can repeatedly and successfully slide, he ought to decide up yards in bunches and provides himself loads of house to throw, which, oh yeah, he additionally did effectively on Friday, going 5-for-6 for 92 yards and a 76-yard landing to Danny Grey.
Offensive line standouts
Spencer Burford has been the Niners’ first-string proper guard all of coaching camp. That was a little bit of a shock in July, however in Friday’s sport, he confirmed why he was given the chance and why he'll proceed to carry it down.
There have been just a few standout offensive linemen Friday. Burford led the best way, with Nick Zakelj, Jason Poe, and Dohnovan West additionally placing in strong shifts. The Niners have some questions at sort out — Justin Skule had a tough sport Friday, permitting two sacks — however there’s may be some optimistic depth on the inside.
Shifting on the skin
Depth cornerbacks have an important alternative this preseason to see critical snaps and maybe make a optimistic impression on the Niners’ teaching employees.
Samuel Womack did simply that on Friday, intercepting two passes. Nice stuff.
Ambry Thomas, Ka’dar Hollman, and Deommodore Lenoir didn't.
The primary identify on that record, Thomas, particularly, is an actual challenge. Third-string Packers receivers have been abusing him. For a participant who impressed late final season that may’t be the case. It’s one thing to control shifting ahead.
There’s one thing about Brock Purdy
We received’t faux for a second that Brock Purdy — the final decide within the 2022 NFL Draft — will make the Niners’ 53-man roster, although he was extra spectacular than backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld Friday.
However there’s one thing there with the Iowa State product.
Maybe it’s the shades of Nick Mullens, who stuffed in admirably for Jimmy Garoppolo in years previous. Purdy has the identical weak-but-accurate arm and general stature.
However there’s one thing else value noting: Purdy’s teammates appear to like him. His fourth-quarter landing throw had the Niners’ sideline hyped.
There are worse issues to be within the NFL than beloved. I wouldn’t be shocked if Purdy is round this group — by way of follow squad in 2022 — for a very long time.
The perils of preseason
There aren’t many gamers who will truly make the group’s 53-man roster who may gain advantage from taking part in within the preseason. That’s why 20 gamers didn’t even placed on a uniform Friday.
However one of many gamers who may gain advantage was defensive finish Drake Jackson. The rookie out of USC — and the Niners’ first draft decide this season — may use the expertise.
The child has the expertise to be an influence participant on this group this season — later this season. He’s only a bit inexperienced behind the ears.
He was constructing that have Friday, taking part in rather well within the first half. He was, little question, constructing the arrogance that comes with good play, too.
However Jackson needed to go away the sport within the second quarter with a shoulder harm. It was one other painful reminder that the preseason juice isn’t definitely worth the squeeze. Hey NFL — cancel these contests. It’s not such as you want the cash.