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The 49ers wrapped up their preseason with a 3-1 record as they demolished the San Diego Chargers 41-6. The 49ers got a great drive from Colin Kaepernick to start the game, and wrapped it with a great drive by B.J. Daniels. It was a game for backups to show what they could do, and plenty did what they could to make the 49ers decisions a little more difficult.
The 49ers gave most of their starting defense the night off, but they actually gave the starting offense a series. And boy did the offense take advantage of it. On the one drive of starters, Colin Kaepernick was 3 of 4 for 64 yards and a touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Quinton Patton. The 49ers fourth round pick had his second straight game with a touchdown, finishing the game with two receptions for 52 yards. It is safe to say he might get some opportunities when the regular season gets going.
On the defensive side of the ball, the first half saw the pass rush came to play. Cam Johnson led the way with two sacks, while Corey Lemonier and Dan Skuta each grabbed a sack as well. Johnson also had a QB pressure on Charlie Whitehurst's interception. Johnson entered the game on the roster bubble, and might have done enough to secure a spot.
The second half saw B.J. Daniels show up and do his thing. He had a chance to show off his legs on some read-option work, finishing with four rushes for 55 yards. He also showed off his arm with a beautiful touch pass to Chuck Jacobs for the final score. He finished 5 of 9 for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers head into roster cuts with some tough decisions to make. When you have a roster this deep, there are going to be some painful cuts. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out over the next two days. Here's a few winners and losers after the 49ers preseason finale.
Winners
Cam Johnson - I don't think he could have done any more to justify a spot on the 53-man roster. He had two sacks, several quarterback pressures and then blocked a punt and secured the loose ball for a touchdown. What else is there to be done?
Quinton Patton - How about that catch and run in the first half?
Lavelle Hawkins - How about that catch and run in the fourth quarter? I think he's on the wrong side of the bubble, but you have to like the energy he's brought so far
B.J. Daniels - I do enjoy his scrambling, and how about that fade to....
Chuck Jacobs - The numbers game means he likely gets cut, but has he done enough to intrigue another team to claim him off waivers?
Losers
Backup offensive linemen - For the next week, feel free to pray for the health of the 49ers starting offensive line
Austin Collie - He got some snaps, but he almost seems like an after-thought at times. The 49ers have five wide receivers figured out (Boldin, Moore, Williams, Patton, Baldwin). If they did keep a sixth, is there any reason it would be Collie, other than his veteran status?
49ers front office - They have to be psyched at all the talent, but damn if it won't make cuts that much more difficult. I suspect Trent Baalke will be hitting the phones hard the next day and a half. The 49ers have some talent for sale, and I have to think they will do anything they can to get whatever they can for it.