49ers training camp: Trey Lance’s rushing dynamic finally revealed; Garoppolo throws first interceptions
SANTA CLARA — Trey Lance finally took off running, again and again, showcasing the dynamic dual-threat talents that seduced the 49ers into drafting him as their quarterback of the future.
How soon will he take Jimmy Garoppolo’s job? Could be anytime this season, maybe the one after, or so goes the no-open-competition mantra Kyle Shanahan pitched when training camp opened Tuesday.
Practices like Saturday’s will expedite resolution of the matter.
After three practices as strictly a pocket passer who showed amazing restraint with his mobility, Lance took off out the gate Saturday, scrambling on his first snap of full-team drills. He did so only after seeing two receivers closely covered.
Lance, an 1,100-yard rusher his only full season as North Dakota State’s starting quarterback in 2019, clearly had the green light to run Saturday. He scrambled on three other snaps, kept the ball for two zone-read runs, and, alas, did fumble an exchange in the backfield with running back JaMycal Hasty.
”We’ve all been waiting for it, waiting to see what he does when he takes off,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “We ran three or four zone-reads, which are three or four more than we’ve ever done in my four years here.”
Lance wasn’t perfect at passing the ball — Garoppolo was worse, producing the first two interceptions of camp — but the rookie closed strong by dialing up hyper-speed throws that hit receivers in stride over the middle. He completed 7-of-12 throws and has yet to be intercepted.
“Yeah, he’s a specimen. He rips the ball out there,” added McGlinchey, who remains one of Garoppplo’s staunchest supporters.
Garoppolo ran once in Saturday’s drills, and he certainly wasn’t to be confused with Lance. Center Alex Mack, who has worked exclusively with the first string and Garoppolo, noted that their unit had similar calls Saturday that yielded different reads.
#5 Trey Lance ran a 5K today at #49ers camp: 6 scrambles and zone-read keepers, after 3 practices as a pocket passer. Was 7-of-12. Fumbled a handoff. pic.twitter.com/Rxg2NgEI3e
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 31, 2021
In terms of passing, Garoppolo completed nine of 15 throws. His first interception was a pick-six by Fred Warner. The second came on an undethrown bomb that Jason Verrett caught at the goal line.
Those Garoppolo gaffes were reminiscent of the occasional blunders that would surface in previous seasons. The 49ers overcame them on the way to the Super Bowl in 2019. This year, Lance offers an intriguing alternative, though he’ll clearly have growing pains to come in terms of running a complex offense. One example is the cadence issues in Wednesday’s first practice; Lance addressed that problem quickly.
The 49ers defense welcomes the twists Lance brings to training. Defensive end Arik Armstead said practicing against a mobile quarterback will pay benefits when the 49ers come up against someone such as Arizona’s Kyler Murray. Armstead refrained from comparing Lance to Murray, however, and remarked how he has seen Lance run over defenders in college.
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans also welcomed Lance’s runs: “He’s doing an excellent job on those plays. They put a lot of stress on coverage. It allows our guys to look at film and study where you can get better.”
Mack noted the 49ers’ ideal offense is not to be one-dimensional. That change-up was on display Saturday.
“He definitely has a lot of physical gifts that he showed today,” Mack said. “If he’s able to be great at throwing the ball and great at running the ball, and gets every read correct, that’s a great combo.”
Other quick notes from Saturday:
— McGlinchey said he added 25 pounds in the offseason and has renewed confidence, after struggling with bull rushes last season. McGlinchey is fluctuating between 315 and 320 pounds. The physical side is not all that McGlinchey has worked on. “The most frustrating part last season was how I handled it mentally,” he said. “I didn’t let myself overcome mistakes and the trials and tribulations of the team.”
— Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw aptly described position coach Kris Kocurek as, well, “imagine a teddy bear with spikes.” Kocurek’s intensity and screams are something to behold daily. “The yelling and cussing is because he wants the most out of guys. He’s just a great person. That’s how he shows his love.”
— Warner made the first interception of camp when he snuck in from the hashmarks and picked off Garoppolo’s pass toward Kyle Juszczyk in the left flat. “Fred’s reading Jimmy’s eyes and doing a really good job dropping in coverage,” Ryans said. “Fred’s been working on his hands and everybody was excited for him. Fred’s a guy I look to make impact, game-changing plays, and I expect him to do it more as he develops in his career.”
Ryans, himself a former All-Pro linebacker, said Warner represents the “new age linebacker” who can roam well. “There’s no more 250-pound, run-downfield guys. You have to be athletic, fast and cover, and (Warner) fits the mold.”
— Tight end George Kittle had a “maintenance day,” the term the 49ers are using to describe a day of rest for veteran players.
— Defensive end Nick Bosa returned to position drills after Friday’s maintenance day, and he worked on the side during practice with Dee Ford (back) and Kinlaw (knee).
— Wide receiver Jalen Hurd was not seen at practice for a second straight day. He participated in offensive drills the first two practices as he recovers from last year’s anterior cruciate ligament tear, which happened on the second practice of the 2020 camp.
— Jordan Matthews, who made cameos the past two years, re-signed as he transitions from wide receiver to tight end. MyCole Pruitt (calf) remained out of practice.
— Nate Sudfeld completed all six of his passes, the final three to Deebo Samuel, in what has been a tepid battle with Josh Rosen for the No. 3 quarterback spot. Rosen was 2 for 3 Saturday.
— Linebacker Dre Greenlaw did not practice because of a blister on his foot.
— Former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci watched practice while appearing in his long-time role as a NFL Network analyst.
Great to see @SteveMariucci back at #49ers HQ with @nflnetwork.
When I started covering the team 21 years ago, he would allow media to watch all of practice and learn/talk to his assistants.
That access (and his humor) made for easier entry into covering the NFL.
Thanks Mooch pic.twitter.com/4nwC9szj18— Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 31, 2021
— The 49ers have their first day off of camp Sunday. They will resume training Monday and put pads on for the first time Tuesday morning.
— Veteran wide receiver Bennie Fowler was released after a quiet first few practices.
#49ers camp:@JohnLynch49ers thanks front-line workers from health care and law enforcement — and the Faithful fans — before practice pic.twitter.com/cFkOumzmYo
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 31, 2021