Golden Nuggets: Football is Back!

Football returns tonight! We’ve still got a few days before our guys do their thing, but the Patriots and Chiefs play tonight, in a game that means something!

On Wednesday, the 49ers held their first practice of the regular season, in preparation for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers. There were a handful of notable stories, namely TE George Kittle being named the starter, but is being limited by the coaching staff due to an aggravation of a preseason injury. Jimmie Ward was also limited on Wednesday, leading to some questions about who will be starting at FS opposite Eric Reid - an important question, especially with the shiny new offensive weapon that the Panthers will be deploying in rookie Christian McCaffrey.

Speaking of, the sports media has been having quite a bit of fun with McCaffrey’s numerous ties to the 49ers - his Stanford roommate was Solomon Thomas, who mentioned in an interview that McCaffrey was off-limits in practices at the Farm, and is relishing his opportunity to clobber the dynamic running back on Sunday. Furthermore, some good recaps came out covering the RB’s connections to both GM John Lynch (played on same Stanford teams as Christian’s father, Ed McCaffrey) and HC Kyle Shanahan (Ed was coached by Mike Shanahan, Kyle babysat Christian as a kid), as well as Eric Reid’s younger brother, Justin, who was a defensive member of the same Stanford teams as Christian. Quite a few connections, wouldn’t you say?

Matt Barrows of the Sac Bee put together a nice piece on WR Trent Taylor, one that I’d highly recommend taking a look at. The diminutive slot wizard made mention of his post-practice work with QB Brian Hoyer, as well as the things he learned from recently-released WR Jeremy Kerley. Considering that he’s in line to start as both the top slot receiver and punt returner for the 49ers, we might be seeing him produce early and often.

Tons of excellent reading today (also, check out the “Strengths and Weaknesses” piece from Nick Wagoner/ESPN - great analysis), on to the good stuff-

Stanford HC David Shaw on Solomon Thomas vs. Christian McCaffrey | Branch, SF Gate

Hoyer the Destroyer muses on meditation & yoga | Mano, Mercury

5 reasons why RB Carlos Hyde is going to excel in 2017 | Inman, Mercury

Kyle Shanahan steps out of the shadow of his father | Inman, Mercury

Wednesday practice roundup | Inman, Mercury

GM John Lynch on getting eyes on top QBs for 2018 draft | Maiocco, CSN Bay Area

Christian McCaffrey talks Shanahan, Thomas, Reuben Foster | Maiocco, CSN Bay Area

The rebuild is underway | Crowley, KNBR

Brian Hoyer still needs to earn his captain patch | Crowley, KNBR

Reid & Shanahan talk stopping McCaffrey this week | Crowley, KNBR

Ron Rivera talks Solomon Thomas, pre-draft diligence | Barrows, Sac Bee

Trent Taylor, post-practice work, and being the top slot guy | Barrows, Sac Bee

Solomon Thomas looking forward to clobbering his old roommate | Barrows, Sac Bee

Jimmie Ward, George Kittle limited in practice | Wagoner, ESPN

Strengths and weaknesses of the 49ers roster | Wagoner, ESPN

Starting FS a question mark entering season opener | Biderman, Ninerswire

5 best quotations from Wednesday’s interviews | Biderman, Ninerswire

Miscellaneous / Off Field

Eric Reid on Michael Bennett | Branch, SF Gate

Ray Lewis on Nessa, or: How I learned to click the bait | Dowd, SF Gate

Professional buffoon Terrell Owens to join Dancing With The Stars | Barney, Mercury