The Trey Lance vs. Jimmy Garoppolo conundrum has morphed right into a operating debate in regards to the calls for of the place apart from passing the ball.
To run, or to not run?
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has taken warmth for exposing Lance too typically as a runner, paying the value when their beginning quarterback was misplaced for the season with a damaged proper ankle. It occurred on his sixteenth carry in 5 quarters together with a 19-10 season opening loss in Chicago.
Nearly a yr in the past, Shanahan informed ESPN’s Ed Werder “He’s not Lamar Jackson. Trey is a quarterback who has the flexibility to run. However to simply line him up and run him, I imply, the sport’s too bodily.”
Requested about it Monday throughout a convention name, Shanahan appeared extra amused than irritated.
“Meaning we didn’t need to transfer him to operating again,” Shanahan mentioned. “It means every part is with a learn precept and also you don’t simply exit and run him each single play. He’s a quarterback who can run.”
Shanahan added that he believed the query was in reference to the potential of utilizing Lance as a operating again since there have been accidents on the place.
“No, we weren’t going to maneuver him there,” Shanahan mentioned.
Jimmy Garoppolo, who would be the 49ers’ quarterback the remainder of the season, well being allowing, obtained into the act late with a learn choice that got here up wanting the objective line after which a quarterback sneak for a 1-yard landing to place the ultimate touches on a 27-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Garoppolo has all the time been good on quarterback sneaks, whether or not for a primary down or a landing. He has a knack for locating a crease and getting a yard. However on the time Sunday, the subsequent quarterback up would have been fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
“A dropback play is extra dangerous than a quarterback sneak,” Shanahan mentioned. “These are issues that basically confuse me. I’ve seen guys get killed within the pocket on dropbacks. I’ve by no means had a quarterback get harm on a sneak earlier than. Doesn’t imply it may’t occur. It’s soccer.”
As for the learn choice performs, the quarterback can defend himself by accurately studying the intent of the defensive finish and giving the ball to the again. That’s the best way it’s drawn up anyway.
The underside line is don’t count on Shanahan to teach in concern of getting his quarterback harm. Particularly when that quarterback — Lance — was coveted particularly as a result of he had operating expertise which may make him a extra dynamic menace.
In any other case, the 49ers may have simply taken Mac Jones as a substitute.
Shanahan didn’t say it this manner, however the firm line was espoused by radio analyst Tim Ryan on KNBR.
“It’s a brutal sport. It’s a hazardous sport,” Ryan mentioned. “It was buzzard’s luck. He had his ft within the unsuitable spot on the unsuitable time and it go knotted up.”
Lance restoration
Shanahan hadn’t had an opportunity to speak to Lance following his surgical procedure Monday however deliberate to after the media name. It’s his expectation that Lance will likely be doing his rehab on the facility and taking part mentally in methods that can assist him develop as a quarterback.
“We’re going to need him to be a part of every part. Each assembly he will be at, each observe he will be at,” Shanahan mentioned. “We don’t plan on Trey being away from us in any respect. At any time when he’s not taking good care of his ankle, we plan on him being with us.”
Davis-Value, Kroft out
Rookie operating again Ty Davis-Value (excessive ankle sprain) and tight finish Tyler Kroft (sprained MCL) will every miss “just a few weeks” after being injured towards Seattle. Kroft departed the sport, however Davis-Value was a shock, given he carried 14 occasions for 33 yards with an extended acquire of 20 in his debut.
The 49ers have additionally misplaced Elijah Mitchell for a lot of the season with an MCL pressure.
Undrafted rookie Jordan Mason will likely be subsequent up, with veteran Marlon Mack additionally obtainable after what Shanahan mentioned was a very good week on the observe squad.
“We by no means knew that (Davis-Value) was harm, he was in a position to go so J.P. (Mason) wasn’t in a position to get in there on offense,” Shanahan mentioned. “However we’ll have him prepared this week.”
Veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. took over for Mitchell because the lead again and gained 84 yards on 18 carries.
“I assumed Jeff was a stud,” Shanahan mentioned. “You might see on his first two runs of the sport — he obtained six yards on the primary and 6 on the second towards some powerful appears to be like. You might simply see how laborious he was operating.”
What about Kittle?
Beginning tight finish George Kittle was nearer to enjoying in Week 2 than Week 1, however Shanahan was glad to have held him out.
“To have the ability to pull that sport off and nonetheless get a win, I’m very glad with the choice we made and will give him a a lot better likelihood to have the ability to go this week,” Shanahan mentioned.
Greenlaw indicators extension
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw signed a two-year contract extension by the 2024 season, the 49ers introduced.
A fifth-round draft choose (No. 148 total) out of Arkansas in 2019, Greenlaw has performed in 33 sport with 25 begins with 196 tackles, 4 passes defensed, two sacks and two interceptions, certainly one of which he returned for a landing.
After lacking 9 video games final season with a groin damage, Greenlaw has performed each snap on protection within the 49ers’ first two video games towards Chicago and Seattle. An elbow damage throughout coaching camp, plus a need to stay with the group, helped Greenlaw determine to signal an extension moderately than take a look at the open market following the season.
“It made me understand any snap might be the final snap,” Greenlaw mentioned. “It form of provides me the safety of figuring out I can go on the market and play as laborious as I can and never have to fret about getting harm or staying wholesome the entire yr. I can lower it free, play ball and have enjoyable. it was a tough choice but it surely frees up a whole lot of questioning and permits me to simply go.”