The San Francisco 49ers are back at practice on Tuesday, and the open media session meant we got to hear from head coach Jim Tomsula. We should have a transcript later today, but in the meantime, he did share some tidbits. The most notable piece of information related to the offensive line. Tomsula said that Erik Pears will get the start at right tackle and Alex Boone will be at right guard, for now.
Jim Tomsula said Erik Pears will start out at RT during minicamp, Alex Boone at RG. Said different combos will be looked at.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) June 9, 2015
Tomsula asked if Alex Boone could be in the mix at RT with Pears and Brown: "Alex, I'm sure, will get some work at right tackle." #49ers
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) June 9, 2015
Pears played guard for the Bills last year, but had previously played tackle. I spoke with Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings after the 49ers signed Pears. He said that Pears was better suited at tackle than guard, but even still was not good. During his 2013 season at tackle, Pears was rated by Pro Football Focus as No. 45 of 60 among tackles. Not exactly ideal.
Earlier on Tuesday, Matt Barrows tweeted his early guess at the 49ers Week 1 offensive line:
My June 9 guess on the #49ers Week 1 OL composition: RT Boone, RG Pears, C Kilgore, LG Thomas, LT Staley.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) June 9, 2015
This came before Tomsula's, but even still, I don't think it would be entirely crazy to see this offensive line come Week 1. Of course, given that there are several new faces in the mix, it is hard to say anything with certainty. Trenton Brown has impressed, but it would seem he will not get the jump at right tackle for now, with Boone back in camp. We'll see what the next three days bring.
Fooch's update:
#49ers Alex Boone on a possible move to RT: "That's up to the coaches haven't really talked about it. It's about getting the offense down."
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) June 9, 2015