Day six of training camp has come and gone for the San Francisco 49ers. People are starting to get a little banged up but that’s to be expected. It is football after all.
Navorro Bowman, Joe Staley, Jeremy Zuttah, and Pierre Garçon all had a veteran’s day off.
Here are five takeaways from today’s training camp practice:
Let’s Get Physical
Today was definitely the most physical day of practice. The tone was set yesterday with Carlos Hyde’s leveling of Ahkello Witherspoon at the goal line, and it continued today.
“When receivers go out and dig out safeties that are coming down in eight-man fronts, now we’ve blocked the safety and we’ve gained a man so they have to gain a man,” said head coach Kyle Shanahan. “Now that corner, his receiver, he’s guarding is blocking the safety so he’s got to shoot his guns and replace the safety. If you sit there and wait for a big guy to come to you, that’s going to be the end result. I think that was a good learning experience for Ahkello. I know it wasn’t fun, but hopefully he’ll appreciate Carlos for it in the long run.”
It’s definitely been a tough couple of days for Witherspoon, as Vance McDonald did the same thing to the rookie cornerback in today’s practice.
“Man, that sucks for him,” said McDonald. Agreed.
And in terms of the physical practice, McDonald it was one of the most physical he’s been a part of, and that’s a credit to tone set by his new head coach.
The message from Shanahan, according to McDondald is, “[w]e’re gonna to be physical. We’ve got to practice being physical. Otherwise, you’re gonna get in the game, and you’re trying to force yourself to do something that’s not a habit.”
Carlos Hyde is Probably Sticking Around
Remember when there was all that talk about Carlos Hyde getting cut? Yeah, it’s not going to happen. Hyde is putting together a very physical, very strong training camp.
He had several catches today, including a touchdown during red-zone.
We Got Linebackers
With NaVorro Bowman having a veteran’s day off, Brock Coyle was working with the first team and Reuben Foster was working with the second. Then Coyle left with an injury, and the first team was all Foster’s. He wasn’t perfect, but he did end the day with two would-be sacks.
“He did solid,” said Kyle Shanahan. “I’ll watch more when I see the tape. You know, we threw him at a different position today for the first time. Threw him at somewhat of a MIKE linebacker. We rested a number of our guys so it gave him some opportunities. I thought he did a good job. We just threw him in there and he started moving a lot. He’s got to make all the calls. I think like anybody in his first time at it, I think he had a few busts. I think there’s good stuff for him to get in and watch the tape and learn from.”
Ray-Ray Armstrong continued a good camp and capped it off with an interception on a pass thrown by C.J. Beathard.
Trent Taylor is Good
I’ve been a big fan of Trent Taylor for awhile now – well since the 49ers drafted him, and he is showing why during camp.
“He’s a good, young kid,” said fellow slot receiver Jeremy Kerley. “He can play ball. He can catch…I see a lot of potential in him. He’s just another piece of this puzzle that we’re trying to put together.”
The rookie wide receiver had an incredible catch on the left side of the end zone yesterday, and he had another today. Yesterday’s was from Matt Barkley and today’s was from Beathard. As long as he stays healthy, Taylor is going to be a very big part of this offense.
Guess Whose Back
After participating in individual drills yesterday, safety Eric Reid was back to full practice today, as was Keith Reaser, who was dealing with a knee injury.
DeForest Buckner did not participate in practice after yesterday’s ankle injury, while running back Tim Hightower left practice with an injury. Like I said, it’s football.