SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out among the second non-padded practice of 49ers training camp.
THE GOOD
1. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Completed 10 of 14 passes (71 percent), threw no interceptions for the second day in a row and threw the best deep pass on the sideline I have ever seen him throw in an exercise or game. He led wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk perfectly and hit him in the hallway for a 50-yard touchdown. Garoppolo has yet to show the zip he had on his pass before tearing his ACL, but he seems to be making improvements with his deep throw.
2. Broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
All the best healthy wide receiver in the team. He’s faster than he looked in Arizona State and he’s getting open. Not one of the 49ers corner can cover him man for man. Aiyuk’s only problem at the moment is consistent – he slipped once during a route, which led to an imperfect pass, and he fell one too. But he has great time potentials and he seems ready to contribute immediately.
3. Broad receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Clearly the second best healthy wide receiver on the 49ers after Aiyuk. Bourne hit Richard Sherman with a deep route up the sideline during one-on-one and made three catches during team drills. Bourne seems to be in better shape than last season and will likely make the team.
4. Broad receiver Jauan Jennings.
Catch a deep pass at the sideline over the start of free safety Jimmie Ward. Ward never turned his head to find the ball, and he’s five inches shorter than Jennings, who spun the ball and plucked it right over Ward’s head.
5. Defensive one Nick Bosa.
Beat Trent Williams twice for sacks during one-on-one pass-rush drills, and once for a sack during team drills. Bosa is in phenomenal form, and Williams seems calm after sitting out all of last season. Understandable.
6. Defending a Dee Ford.
Battle start right tackle Mike McGlinchey for a case during team drills. Ford looks healthier and slimmer than he did last year during training camp. If he can play a full season, he will improve the 49ers’ defense the big time.
7. Run Back / Kick returner Jerick McKinnon.
Not one of the 49ers linebackers could cover him among the one-on-one sources. He seems to surprisingly recover most if all of his speed. He also seems to be the favorite to give kickoffs back in the season. The 49ers have plans for McKinnon.
8. Air Guard Laken Tomlinson.
Switch defensive approach Rookie Javon Kinlaw every four times he has faced him at one on one. Tomlinson shot Kinlaw in the face first and used his aggression against him. Tomlinson is a bad veteran who knows a lot of tricks.
9. Left guard Colton McKivitz.
Solomon Thomas were relying on their ability to counter-attack. McKivitz is currently the back-left guard, but he could become the starting right-back as Daniel Brunskill and Tom Compton wrestle.
10. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
Looks bigger and stronger than he did last season. Still, I like the best cornerback on the team. But today he played exclusively with the defense of the second team. What does he need to do to win a starting job?
11. Free Security Jimmie Ward.
Has great coverage against George Kittle man to man as Kittle ran deep the sideline. Ward gave up zero separation and pushed Kittle to the sideline. Pass was not complete. It looks like the 49ers will use Ward more often in man-to-man coverage much more often than last season.
12. Quarterback Nick Mullens.
Made the best throw of the day – a 50-yard deep pass to Tavon Austin, who ran a deep route to the left sideline. Mullens struck him perfectly in stride. Austin hit second-year cornerback Tim Harris Jr. Mullens has a great deep ball, though he does not have the strongest arm.
THE NOT SO GOOD
1. Broad receiver Jalen Hurd.
Even injured when he rode routes on a side field. Hurd fell to the ground and remained there for three or four minutes until he got up and slowly walked off the field by himself. He did not return to practice. The injury does not seem serious, but it is something to control.
2. Cornerback Richard Sherman.
Provided a deep catch for Bourne during one. The 49ers use more man-to-man coverage than the past two seasons, a change that is not necessarily good for Sherman, who is great at zone coverage, but not so great man-to-man.
3. Cornerback Jason Verrett.
Took all the reps against Sherman with the defense of the first team and gave up a catch of 50 yards to Aiyuk. Let him run right through. The game looked like the touchdown catch that Jason Verrett picked up last season against the Steelers. Maybe it’s time he retired. He’s just not the same player he was before the injuries.
4. Nose approaching DJ Jones.
Looks overweight and is out of shape after spending most of the offseasons rehabbing. Sit out of breath after just a few reps. The 49ers need him to get in shape ASAP
5. Defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
Can’t beat anyone yet as a pass rusher. He is in great shape, but his strength and fitness do not help him on the football field.
6. Defensive approach Javon Kinlaw.
Could not beat Laken Tomlinson during the one-on-one pass-rush drills. Kinlaw seemed exaggerated – normal for a rookie. He might improve if training camp continues. But today was not a promising start.
7. Quarterback CJ Beathard.
Another terrible quarterback. His most accurate pass of the morning was an interception he immediately threw for reserve safety Marcell Harris. It’s great that Beathard is entering his fourth season on the team. He has not improved at all.
