Week 2 of 49ers training camp in Santa Clara started off with a quick practice highlighted by the receiving corp. Majority of practice was focused on redzone work. Pass catchers and defensive backs started things off with one-on-one work in the redzone. With Ahkello Witherspoon nursing a glute injury and Richard Sherman getting a vet day off, the 49ers receivers took advantage. Jordan Matthews, Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bource all flashed with impressive reps vs the secondary.
Samuels famous slant route was working early as he caught a touchdown and finsihed with another touchdown pass in the corner from CJ Beathard. Jordan Matthews had one of his best practices of camp so far by showing his physicality in the redzone. The 49ers desperately need a redzone threat outside of George Kittle and Matthews could be the guy with his 6’3 size.
Sophomore Dante Pettis also had an impressive day after dealing with some drops to start camp. Pettis worked over the middle of the field with the number one offense and caught everything thrown his way. Pettis has been tabbed by many as a breakout candidate for not only the 49ers, but the entire National Football League. Stacking practices together like today is a step towards that direction for Pettis.
With the receivers having a big day as a unit, it provides little clarity on who will be the final receivers standing when training camp closes. Buckle up as no one is going down easy in the 49ers receiver room.
As each day of practice concludes, one player that's consistently starred in my notebook is first round draft pick, Nick Bosa. Bosa has flashed at some point in almost every single practice. Today he started things off with a sack on Jimmy Garoppolo in the first rep of team drills.
49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is trying to settle the Bosa hype train, “He’s got to continue to evolve and keep his foot on the pedal.” said Saleh.
But fellow defensive linemen Ronnie Blair is impressed. “He’s a baller,” said Blair. “Straight up, he got drafted that high for a reason.”
Safety turned corner, turned back to safety, Tavarius Moore is earning more reps with the first team defense at his college position in practice. Moore was an interesting prospect at the safety position coming out of Southern Mississippi last season. When the 49ers drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2018 draft they tried moving him to corner in his rookie year. Now back at his old position, Saleh says he’s continuing to progress with his athletic traits.
“He’s got to accelerate his learning which is going to be more on him as a player, but he does not lack the skillset.” said Saleh.
Saleh also mentioned things like burst, angles and instinct when talking about Moore’s progression as he changes postions.
The 49ers have dealt with serious inconsistencies at the safety unit and as Jimmie Ward recovers this could be Moore’s chance to sure up the 49ers secondary.
George Kittle has looked dominant in camp and there’s no doubt he will be a focal point of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but who will back him up? Modern offenses can abuse linebackers with two skilled tight-ends and there’s a competition brewing for the 49ers tight-end two.
Former undrafted free agent, Ross Dwelley has had his moments in camp with one being on a touchdown pass from Garoppolo in 11-on-11 drills. Dwelley has improved throughout his career and looks like he’s in-line to make the next step.
Dwelley isn’t the only young tight-end who has looked good in camp as rookie sixth round pick, Kaden Smith has also flashed at times. Veteran Levine Toilolo is also in the mix to back-up Kittle as he has a reputation with Shanahan going back to Atlanta.
49ers defensive players have created a reward point system with the winner receiving the “gold digger football.” What a player needs to do to receive the award will stay “in-house,” as K’Waun Williams said after practice. Things like effort players, turnovers and ball control, play into the point system.