Aside from 11 penalties, 5 fumbles, 1 interception, a 38-21 TOP walloping, and a 33-14 scoreboard stomping, the 49ers looked fairly decent Saturday night against Denver.
They had no running game, which is not a good thing. Not against the four starters from Denver’s first string defense, nor the backups, nor the backups to the backups. None of the Niner’s O-line combos could open any room at all.
QB Brian Hoyer looked solid, save for the floofer oops that accounted for the first “fumble” of the night. He was charged with an interception, but that was really a handoff to the other team by Marquis Goodwin. Backup QB CJ Beathard also looked good, making it more and more likely that Matt Barkley will be holding a clipboard this year or maybe becoming the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Goodwin caught three passes for 44 yards, continuing to look like the steal of the offseason. The 49ers might finally have a dangerous WR to pair with the reliable possession type they’ve had plenty of — Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, and this year Pierre Garcon.
Eric Reid looks far better at SS than he ever did as FS, and even Tank Carradine plays decent as a 4-3 DE. So, kudos to DC Robert Saleh for using his personnel a whole lot better than the previous two goofball DCs.
About that FS, though. Jimmy Ward is still not playing and his replacements will not scare anyone but the 49er sideline and the fans in the seats at the stadium or elsewhere.
Rookie TE George Kittle continues to impress, also. If Vance McDonald is still the starter when the regular season begins, it had better be because Kittle got hurt.
Next Sunday is the classic 3rd preseason game, the one where starters play a half or so in a tune up for the regular season. Our last glimpse at what our team will look like this year, leading up to our 2017 Prognostications deadline.
The fourth preseason game has been designated as the all scrubbeenies game since there is only one roster pare down this year, which occurs after the final preseason game. From 90 down to 53! Wow. Lot of blood letting around the league on that fateful day.
“But other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, How did you like the play?”
Sigh.
Save us, Jose Cuervo, you’re our only hope.
That was pathetic. The coaches should be ashamed of them selves. But then again it is a total rebuilding year and no one really expects much. Kind of reminds me of a young Tampa team years ago.
Last year they tied the team record for futility. Perhaps this year they can break it.
Anquan Boldin just signed with the Bills but decided to retire after a week
https://twitter.com/JimTrotter_NFL/status/899421506974785536
Colts signed Chris Culliver. Still hanging onto a career – barely.
“49ers signed former Titans and Jaguars DL Sen’Derrick Marks to a one-year deal.”
“UDFA Erik Magnuson bumped up the 49ers’ O-line depth chart on Wednesday. Changes in the works?”
IOW, wow, our starting guards really suck.
yeah, that’s been a worrisome part of our offense since before the draft. Zutta(sp) must have really sucked wind.
Or maybe he just didn’t want to play here. He re-signed with the Ravens after we cut him.
Magnuson has been a guy to keep an eye on all along. He is more suited to the ZBS than some of our existing guys. He has a good chance of being on our practice squad, which means he could be on the roster later if anyone gets hurt.
^That said, I *think* this is just an audition to see what he is capable of. He is awfully raw to be in the lineup this year. But, yes, our guards really DO suck… With a team with a line this bad, stranger things have happened.
NinerNation with its take on the D-line and LBs. Some good news here. Bowman is doing okay for a rehab case. Harold looks good and Tank Carradine is finally showing signs of production. The D-line is deep with guys who have the talent and just need to do it in games.
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/8/22/16184174/49ers-defensive-line-halfway-through-the-preseason-earl-mitchell-tank-carradine
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/8/24/16184178/49ers-preseason-defensive-review-linebackers-eli-harold-reuben-foster
The DB situation, particularly at corner, will be way less rosy. Our CBs did not get scorched as much as they could have last year ONLY because teams were ahead by 14 or 21 in the second half and could run on us at will, so why throw the ball. This year, with a better run defense, I think the weak links are going to get exposed big time. *Especially* with Ward hobbled.
skeebs- that probably is the case with Zuhtta(sp). Living in the Bay Area sure isn’t what it used to be.
D.C. Robert Saleh compares Tank Carradine to Red Bryant. “Different body type … but he gets the same result. Damn near an elite six-technique.”
Since when?
Yeah I saw that. Really praised his run defense. I will reserve judgment until we see it in games, but let’s hope it’s true.
Now Eli Harold is suddenly a starter, too. “The 49ers are expected to cut Ahmad Brooks.”
“The 49ers just released Ahmad Brooks”
I’m not seeing much weeping here for the old offsides machine.
There is really no reason to keep him. He might have a decent year or two left but we will not be competitive in that time frame. Might as well see what the younger kids can do.
I was surprised to read that Brooks was third on the 49ers all-time in sacks. I definitely remember his poorly timed offsides calls more vividly than his sacks.
Brooks got his six or seven quiet and irrelevant sacks each and every year. The only big time sack I remember was his hit on Brees that was erroneously flagged.
Almost time for the almost game game. I’m almost excited.
Damn. First play Foster is a missle and drops Vike RB Cook for a 5 yard loss on a swing pass.
Foster might be the the NFL defensive ROY
Well, for what it’s worth, that’s the first time this preseason our starters have taken a lead.
TD Narquise Goodwin.
A speed receiver you actually throw to.
Something they never did with Torrey Smith.
Need to take your shots downfield.
Hoyer was right on the money.
First time they *scored*, for that matter.
And some actual pass rush too. Nice to see Armstead make a play and then Dumervil too. Our DBs are going to need all the help they can get this year.
Shanahan has opened up the offense and it looks good.
“Joe Staley is OUT with a knee injury.”
Seems minor, but …
We haven’t seen QB play this good in a long time.
“Brian Hoyer now 9 of 9 for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns.”
Another TD by Hoyer hitting Carlos Hyde.
Huge difference between this QB and the departed QB is Hoyer stays in the pocket and keeps his eyes downfield. The departed QB saw ghosts and looked for a running lane totally blowing up passing plays.
The Niners are looking remarkably competent. I’m not sure what to make of it. Very confusing.
Too bad the Vikes aren’t on the regular season schedule. The 49ers could beat these guys.
New post is up.