The San Francisco 49ers started training camp last Saturday and five practices in, they are looking pretty ok, even potentially good.
Yes, it has only been a couple days in pads and yes, they’ve yet to play in an actual game, but still, they look like a real live football team, at least in practice. Last week, I talked about my expectations for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. This week, I’m focusing on the other side of the field, the defense – a group that lost so many players this offseason, I was concerned they may not be able to field a team! But, alas, they have enough players and they have some pretty good ones. So, let’s take a look.
First set of good news in the land of the linebackers comes in the form of NaVorro Bowman, who practiced in pads for the first time since January 2013 yesterday – yay! It’s going to be a bit until he’s in All-Pro form, but he’s able to take off the his knee brace at times, and according to Bleacher Report’s Bryan Knowles “[o]n Saturday, he blew past Marcus Martin on a great spin move…” All of this is encouraging news. CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco is very impressed with the play of Nick Moody, who seems to be having a great camp. Add a very sharp looking Aldon Smith, who hasn’t played a full season since 2012, and opponents should start to be worried.
Tuesday was the first day of practice in pads and according to The Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows, the defense shined. “Sacks” were recorded by Darnell Dockett and Ahmad Brooks – another player who has looked REALLY strong. This is particularly good news regarding Dockett, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL. The rookies got into the action as well with both Arik Armstead and Eli Harold standing out among the crowd. Dockett had nice things to say about Armstead, including, “He’s going to be a dominant force for us.”
Meanwhile, over at the cornerback position, things are beginning to take shape. Sticking with the theme of players recovering from injuries, Tramaine Brock looks healthy and like the high-rated CB he was before he was sidelined last season. He even, according to Barrows, has had a couple of interceptions. I don’t love that Kap is being picked off, but it’s practice and today I’m talking defense, so I’ll take the INTs. In addition, according to Maiocco, Shareece Wright is looking good and even got a pick-6 during Tuesday’s practice.
So there’s promise. With all of the losses on defense this offseason, I was more than a little scared about how the perennially awesome defense was going to look. But, at least for now, there are some serious signs of life among Eric Mangini’s crew.
Here’s hoping! Go Niners!
Gold Nuggets:
The 49ers released CB Chris Cook on Wednesday morning.
According to multiple sources, the turf at Levi’s Stadium is a disaster.
Last, but certainly not least, it looks as if San Francisco has made it out of the first five days of practice without any major injuries! Huge sigh of relief!
