Golden Nuggets: Another word on Beathard

It’s been written about before, but I just wanted to give some context on this whole “C.J. Beathard should start” thing going around. If you’ve heard me on podcasts, Facebook Live, and here, you should know, I’m not in favor of Beathard getting the start.

And it’s simple. For starters, he’s a rookie. Sitting is the best thing for him. Continuing on, Kyle Shanahan’s offense is one of the most difficult offenses in the league to learn. Even Matt Ryan, who is one of the better quarterbacks in the league had a down season the first year Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Atlanta. You combine a rookie trying to learn the speed of the game and the innate learning curve of the 49ers offense and you have a recipe for disaster if you put Beathard in. The result would be a trimmed playbook, more suspect offense, and with the 49ers offensive line playing the way it does, Beathard on his back.

Anyone remember how Alex Smith did when he was tossed into the mix immediately? Maybe this is far fetched, but it could be argued throwing him into the fire before he was ready stunted his growth just a bit. Yes, there are quarterbacks who start their rookie season, but they have pieces around them to do decently. Dak Prescott had a stellar offensive line to protect him and a nice corps of running backs to take the load off. The 49ers have two running backs and a questionable O-line. Not to mention a bunch of young players outside of that.

And the fact they are giving Beathard starter reps is good for Beathard’s development, but it’s also normal. It doesn’t mean anything. He’s not ready. Simple as that.

The 49ers aren’t winning many games with Brian Hoyer under center. But they aren’t winning any games without him.

Onto the links:

49ers’ running back past, present to be on hand Sunday; the future is hazy (Barrows)

After re-signing K'Waun Williams, will 49ers extend more future free agents? (ESPN)

49ers have no plans to repeat anthem display (Branch)

Jerry Rice crashes weddings all the time (Biderman)

Here’s why 49ers still want Hoyer over Beathard (Inman)

Andrew Luck practicing, but won’t play this week (Pro Football Talk)

Frank Gore no longer ‘bitter’ about departure from 49ers (Barrows)

49ers QB Brian Hoyer won’t — and shouldn’t — be banished to the bench (Cohn)

Elvis Dumervil would trade a 49ers win for individual milestone (Biderman)

Kyle Shanahan not worried about 49ers’ ability to protect QB (Cohn)

What a horrible night to have a curse...