Do the San Francisco 49ers have a super secret plan to use wide receiver Deebo Samuel as a wild quarterback in the season opener in Chicago? Could Trey Lance perform the triple option? Is this the year to finally unveil the fumblerooski?
If so, they can start practicing all of this now. On Tuesday, the 49ers held their final practice fully open to the media, which marked their transition from training camp to regular season mode.
The difference? During the 49ers’ 18 camp sessions, reporters were able to watch practice in its entirety, plot Lance’s throws at will and write post-workout War-And-Peace reports. From now until the end of the season, they can only watch the first 20 minutes of training, which consists of stretches and individual exercises.
The change marks an appropriate time to pause and consider what has been learned since the 49ers reported on July 26. The main takeaways from the training camp:
Mystery QB: A month ago, Jimmy Garoppolo was still on the list and Lance, 22, with two career starts, was a mystery.
And nothing has changed. How’s that for a takeaway when it comes to Lance and his NFL future after nearly 20 summer workouts: Who knows?
Lance looked ready for his only game of the preseason, his brief performance as the perfect passer in the exhibition opener. However, his inconsistent work in practice – he threw four total interceptions on Monday and Tuesday – is one reason head coach Kyle Shanahan and his teammates have adopted the “kid doesn’t need us” mantra. carry” this season.
It started after the third practice of camp: “He’s got all the help,” passing thrower Nick Bosa said. “I think if he doesn’t make big mistakes we will be fit.”
And that continued until Tuesday when Shanahan was asked about his past comment that Lance’s performance would neither make nor destroy the 49ers season. (Note: NFL QBs tend to be very influential.)
“I never imagine our quarterback being the exact reason we’re going to win or lose,” Shanahan said. “If you can stay healthy there, and you have the right team, and stay healthy in other places, then I don’t think it comes down to that.”
Of course, there is some truth in that. The 49ers have a roster littered with top-notch players and Lance, with a solid ground game, catch-chasing playmakers and a stifling defense, could be effective in a guard role.
Still, given Lance’s pedigree and inexperience at smaller colleges, it’s fair to wonder: Is it notable that the 49ers seem unconvinced that last year’s No. 3 pick is ready to go? shoulder more of the load after a redshirt rookie season?
The emergence of Aiyuk: The first three successes of Tuesday’s training went to the same player: Brandon Aiyuk.
In other words, the ever-sizzling wide receiver ended camp the way it started, and he looks set for a third breakout season in the NFL. His solid summer is a continuation of the progress the 2020 first-round pick showed in the second half of last season.
His first seven games: 13 catches, 141 yards and a touchdown. His last 10 games: 43 catches, 685 yards and four touchdowns.
Shanahan thought Aiyuk came to camp last year with a false sense of confidence and a lackluster work ethic after a promising rookie season. Given that, Shanahan’s assertion last month that Aiyuk had become “one of the leaders of the team” was telling.
Still, Aiyuk needs to make sure he doesn’t fall back into his trainer’s niche. Guess Shanahan wasn’t thrilled to hear Aiyuk call last week’s two joint workouts with the Vikings ‘boring’ and a ‘waste of time’ after he only had two receptions. .
Promising Rookie Class: It’s likely that the 49ers’ top five draft picks will play in their season opener, with many taking on high-profile roles.
What a difference a year makes. After a host of questions about the lack of immediate impact on the draft class in last season’s 3-5 start, it looks like the 49ers could have hit their first pick of 2022, defensive end Drake Jackson, and found mid-round gems in guard Spencer. Burford (fourth round) and corner nickel Samuel Womack (fifth round).
Jackson, the No. 61 pick, wowed teammates with his brilliance and tricks to start the season on the bench in a passing specialist role. Meanwhile, Burford was unchallenged for the opening starting right guard. And Womack quickly beat the now-released 30-year-old Darqueze Dennard to become the nickel corner of the first string.
Third-round running back Tyrion Davis-Price might be Elijah Mitchell’s best understudy. And fleet wide Danny Gray, who had a 76-yard touchdown catch in the preseason, should have a specialized role in the secondary.
Injury mood: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead suffered a knee injury during the first practice. And defensive tackle Maurice Hurst suffered a torn bicep in practice three.
And right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who is coming out of quadriceps surgery, was sidelined for “knee irritation” after playing eight snaps in the preseason opener. And the list of top players who have missed a lot of time with pulled muscles is long: Mitchell, free safety Jimmie Ward, center Daniel Brunskill, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and cornerback Charvarius Ward.
And… here they go again?
The 49ers have been plagued with injuries for the past half-decade and the vibes this summer, while not disastrous, have been ominous. It’s possible that only Ward will miss the season opener through injury. Yet, given their recent history, would anyone be surprised if the attrition has only just begun?
Concerns with the O line: A logical question posed early in camp: Would the 49ers sign at least one experienced offensive lineman who could bolster one of the weakest spots on the roster, their inside offensive line?
Answer: no.
The 49ers are set to open the season, with Lance shielded from midfield pressure by left guard Aaron Banks, center Jake Brendel and Burford. Maybe that will work. But it certainly looks like a risky way to protect the QB that three first-round picks have been invested in: Banks, Brendel and Burford have combined for three career starts and 255 offensive snaps.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams expressed faith in each player on Tuesday, but indirectly acknowledged the obvious: They’ve never done it before.
“We’ll see over the course of the season,” Williams said. “It’s really the only real measuring stick you can use.”
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]: @Eric_Branch
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