SANTA CLARA – Here’s who stands out during the 10th practice of 49ers training camp. Usually I start with the good, but today I start with the not so good because it is more noticeable. But hang in there. I also have a lot of good to report.
THE NET SO GOOD
1. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Had his annual abysmal practice. Tossed three picks and completed just 12 of 22 passes. The first distinction was a pick-6 that Garoppolo threw to Richard Sherman. After a short tussle with the defender, Garoppolo finally tucked the ball home. At that, Garendolo was noted down for a hat trick! It was the third time that Garoppolo threw this exact interception into camp. You want to see him learn from his mistakes. Later, he threw a pass to Charlie Woerner, but cornerback Tim Harris Jr. it fell to safety Johnathan Cyprien, who made the distinction. Then Javon Kinlaw grabbed Garoppolo after he fell his pass on the line of scrimmage. Finally, just to make it and give everyone who watched Super Bowl deja vu, Garoppolo threw a deep pass over to Kendrick Bourne, who was open with a mail route. Just a terrible exercise from the franchise quarterback. But not as terrible as last year when he threw five picks on five consecutive throws in one exercise. And he went to the Super Bowl. So do not panic. This is all part of Garoppolo’s routine.
2. Judge Tom Compton.
Was even worse than Garoppolo despite throwing zero choices. I can always tell when Compton is on the field, because he is hit back by a defensive tackle when the center hits the ball. Compton just can not keep his guard. He shouldn’t make the team, but probably will.
3. Tight End Jordan Reed.
Did not participate in team training after making his team training debut on Tuesday. Can Reed practice two days in a row? Does he even need it? Or is he already the best tight end of the team? Or do I forget one?
4. Tight End Charlie Woerner.
Has scored many goals from Garoppolo since backup Ross Dwelley injured his foot. Woerner had caught the goals because Kyle Shanahan had planned him open. But Woerner cannot open himself by himself. And today he got three goals from Garoppolo, and caught only one. Woerner is far too muscular and stiff to defeat the man’s cover. But he’s probably a good blocker.
THE GOOD
1. Cornerback Richard Sherman
Triple over his feet during positional exercises and went down. He immediately grabbed his left foot – not the surgically repaired right Achilles. Yet the 49ers seemed scared. John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh ran over to control Sherman. But he was OK. He ran away from the injury and played it through, although it clearly hindered him. He hobbled around the field all morning, and still had a pick-6. He’s incredible. Never seen an athlete rely less on athletics than Sherman. He’s a genius.
2. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
Eventually I got to play with the starters and broke a pass in the end zone meant for Kendrick Bourne. All Moseley does is break steps.
3. Cornerback Jason Verrett.
Played with the defense of the second string and broke a CJ Beathard pass out intended for Shawn Poindexter. This was the first breakthrough I saw Verrett make in the camp. He seems to be gaining confidence.
4. Linebacker Fred Warner.
The best defensive player on the field today (Nick Bosa is out for the rest of the camp with a muscle strain in his leg). Warner is so big and strong – he looks like a different person than last year. And he beats so hard. Today he shook Raheem Mostert as Mostert walked outside the borders. Mostert objected to the collision, but no one else did. The coaching staff found it great.
5. Defensively one Arik Armstead.
He is what Javon Kinlaw could one day become. Armstead is so strangely powerful. He does not seem to even care about firing the quarterback during one-on-one – he just wants to pester the person in front of him. Today, Armstead took turns harassing Compton and Mike McGlinchey. I would hate to block Armstead. Liked painful.
6. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
A pass tipped and intercepted during team exercises because he is big and disruptive. But he needs to drop his pads as he hurries the quarterback to unlock his full strength. He can learn from Armstead.
7. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens.
The best defensive tackle on the 49ers not to mention Armstead or DJ Jones. Givens is better than Solomon Thomas and Kentavius Street and Javon Kinlaw. Today, Givens defeated the one to one best guard on the roster – Colton McKivitz – two of the three times in one on one. The 49ers put Givens better on their 53-man roster than any other team is likely to claim.
8. Security Johnathan Cyprien.
Intercept another pass – it seems to have a dozen of them in the camp. He is always in the right place at the right place. I think the 49ers would like him to be one of their six veterans in the training team, but he plays better than backup safety Marcell Harris, so maybe Cyprien deserves a place on the team.
9. Security Tarvarius Moore.
Almost never a catch on during one on one. Today he defeated Charlie Woerner and Chase Harrell. Moore should be the 49ers’ secret weapon on defense this season. He can cover man to man.
10. Broad receiver Dante Pettis.
Had his second fantastic practice of camp. He grabbed three passes from Garoppolo – two over the middle, and one in the end zone for a touchdown. If Pettis played like that every day, he would be a quality starter. It seems that the 49ers move him more often in the lock and he has success. Maybe that’s the future for him.
11. Broad receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Beat Emmanuel Moseley with a slippery slope in the red zone for a touchdown. It’s nice to see these two play against each other. It’s an even matchup.
12. Broad receiver Jauan Jennings.
Beat Jared Mayden with a scuffle in the red zone for a touchdown. Jennings is Bourne 2.0. Good seventh-round pick for the 49ers.
13. Running back Jerick McKinnon.
Beat Fred Warner with a one-on-one outing, and Kwon Alexander with a deep-wheeled one during the same drill. McKinnon is such a good receiver for a return trip. He will be happy to see if he stays healthy.
14. Tight End Chase Harrell.
Beat starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw with strong side with a route during team practice. Harrell can certainly open up on his own, unlike Woerner. Not sure if Harrell can block though. He has time to learn.
15. Tight End Ross Dwelley.
Did not practice, but saw it from the sidelines. Does not wear a docks or crutches, so the injury does not appear to be serious. Or at least I hope it is not. I’m looking forward to Dwelley Time this season, and I expect to get it.
