We are five days into training camp for the San Francisco 49ers, and we’re starting to get an idea as to what this team will look like in 2017. Is it still early? Of course. But does that mean we can’t speculate? Of course not.
Here are 5 Takeaways from Day 5 of 49ers Training Camp.
Run and Hyde, Literally
The highlight of the day was a Carlos Hyde rushing touchdown that made a statement for Hyde and did nothing but embarrass rookie CB Akhello Witherspoon.
Ahkello Witherspoon celebrates after his game clinching broken up pass during the Spring Game on April 12, 2014. (Matt Sisneros/ CU Independent)
After lining up the at six-yard line, Hyde ran to the left side of the end zone where he knocked Witherspoon right onto the ground on his way to the score. Everyone gets a Welcome to the NFL moment – that was Witherspoon’s.
“I’m not worried about that last play,” said defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after practice. “They’re not tackling drills, and that caught him off guard. We’ll see when we’re actually allowed to tackle and I have full faith that Ahkello’s going to do exactly what he’s been coached to do. He’s not a coward by any means. He will get in there, he will tackle. He’s been showing up in run fits, he’s physical with his hands at the line of scrimmage. So, we’re excited to see what shows up on game day. We think it’s going to be pretty cool.”
That may be true, but quarterback Brian Hoyer was impressed nonetheless.
“That was awesome,” said Hoyer. “…To see Carlos’ transformation since we’ve been here, to see how hard he’s worked has been awesome. He’s putting in a lot of time, a lot of effort to change his body, really. From the time we got here until now, he’s in such good shape. He knows what we’re trying to do and I think he sees the opportunity ahead of him too. He’s in the right scheme. [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] knows how to run the ball. We have a good offensive line, a good fullback, receivers who block their butts off. I think he sees what’s in front of him and he’s getting better each day too.”
Running Back Tim Hightower continues to have a good camp, splitting the first team reps with Hyde.
DeForest Buckner’s Left Ankle
DeForest Buckner left practice with what looked like an injury to his left ankle. After getting some treatment and his ankle re-taped, the second year defensive lineman stayed on the field but did not participate further in practice. Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh did not have an update after practice, but the injury did not appear to be serious. Granted, I’m not a doctor, but it still didn’t look serious.
In other injury news, strong safety Eric Reid and tight end George Kittle both participated in individual drills today, which bodes well for a speedy return to practice.
Safety in Numbers
With Jimmie Ward, Reid, and Jaquiski Tartt all sidelined at the moment, seventh-round draft pick Adrian Colbert saw a position switch from corner to safety today and it suited him. He intercepted a Matt Barkley pass.
Elsewhere on defense, rookie Linebacker Reuben Foster spent most of the day in third team reps, but it’s only a matter of time before he moves up.
“Reuben, he has a lot of flash plays,” said Saleh. “The best way I can explain with Reuben is he’ll get his opportunity when he absolutely, absolutely deserves it. The credit really goes to the backers in that room also, that they also deserve every opportunity that they’re getting as well as him. As a group, we’re just trying to work through it and make sure that we do our best to evaluate and give them all an equal opportunity to be evaluated.”
It’s a Simpler Time
We’ve heard it throughout camp, but the defensive unit continues to praise this year’s simpler scheme, which allows everyone a faster, more aggressive approach to the game.
“I feel like Coach Saleh,…he’s kept everything simple for us,” said Linebacker Ahmad Brooks. “We’ve installed, maybe, about 10 defenses and that’s it…That’s what we’re going to be running throughout the season.”
That’s compared to anywhere from 25-30 in the past.
That simplicity is helpful for the new players, as well as veterans, and it has made a difference in the attitude at practice thus far.
“You can see that the momentum in practice is a little bit amped up compared to last year,” said Brooks. “Guys are excited about this year. We’re just working hard to be as good as we can be.”
QB1 Looks Right at Home
Although he threw his first interception in pads today, Brian Hoyer is looking more and more comfortable as the starting quarterback for this team. His familiarity with Shanahan’s offense and all of the offseason work is paying off.
“It’s only five days in,” said Hoyer. I think we have a long way to go, but I think where we’re at, we keep getting better each day and I think that’s, when I talked to you guys before we started practicing was to, not start over, but pick up where we left off in the summer. And, I think we’ve been able to do that. I think every day just trying to stack the bricks and keep getting better. That’s what training camp is all about.”
#BrickbyBrick
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