SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my preseason Week One grades for the Niners’ offense.
Offensive line: A. In the running game, they completely pushed the Vikings’ defensive line around. The 49ers averaged 6.3 yards per rush because the offensive line created gaping holes all night. Rock Cartwright gained 44 yards on 8 carries. When was the last time you saw Cartwright do that?
In pass protection, the offensive line looked better than last season. The first-string unit didn’t give up any sacks. Second-string left tackle Mike Person gave up pressure a couple of times, but third-string left tackle Al Netter held his own in the fourth quarter.
Running backs: A. Brandon Jacobs picked up four first downs on four carries. It seems like the Niners’ Plan A to improve their 31st –ranked third-down offense is something like this: Avoid third-and-long. On third-and-short, hand the ball off to Jacobs. If he comes up short, it will probably be fourth and inches. If the offense is near midfield, go for it – hand it off to Jacobs again.
Kendall Hunter averaged 4.8 yards per carry and caught a screen pass as well. If Frank Gore misses any time this season, the Niners will have a good one-two punch with Hunter and Jacobs.
Rookie LaMichael James had an 11-yard run, but he seems a year away from seriously contributing to this team. He’s not as strong as Kendall Hunter, who can break tackles. After a year in the Niners weight-lifting program, James should be strong enough to become a playmaker.
Anthony Dixon did not run particularly well, averaging 3.8 yards per carry against third-stringers, but he did make some good blocks as a fullback.
Wide receivers: C+. The top receivers hardly played. Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss and Ted Ginn Jr. got a few snaps. Mario Manningham didn’t play at all.
Kyle Williams was solid, catching both passes thrown to him. Chris Owusu was even better, catching three passes and gaining 19 yards after two of those receptions.
Brett Swain was the receiver of the game. He got himself open at the goal line when he caught the TD pass from Alex Smith, and he made the key block on Colin Kaepernick’s 78-yard touchdown run.
First-round pick A.J. Jenkins made two difficult catches, including a diving catch at the sideline for a 15-yard gain. He also dropped two easy ones.
Tight ends: C. Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker played a few snaps but were not targeted for any passes. Konrad Reuland caught two passes for 17 yards. Demarcus Dobbs did not catch any passes, but he dominated on defense.
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We have a deep squad, the good news for some of these players that are going to be cut, they will be pick up by other teams and perhaps a couple might even become stars, probably more then a couple.
I am just happy not to have any serious injuries.
I’m holding off grades and opinions until we play a more competitive team. The vikings have big issues in every department and trying to decide how good we are based upon how we showed against a very poor team is just asking for disappointment.
Next week is a legitimate challange for this team. Road game against a potent offense that can score quickly. Grades will hold a lot more merit after that performance.
Agree any team that the REV coaches got to be really bad.
Really, unit grades in the pre-season are meaningless, even against better teams. Nearly half the players involved will not even be on the team when the games count. However, I’m not opposed to using them as a starting point for a discussion of the individual results within the context of the team, which is a big part of what pre-season is about.
It would be more work for Grant, but grades by unit might make it more interesting. For example, was Dixon’s low ypc figure a result of indecisive running or poor blocking up-front? The O-line grade of A suggests the former, but he wasn’t running behind the same line as Cartwright and Jacobs.
Dixon had low ypc because he always has low ypc. He plays slow. He doesn’t explode through holes, doesn’t juke very well, and doesn’t try to run people over.
I missed you.
ur right on with LMJ. I always saw that as a luxury pick that will work great one or two years from now when gore is gone. Imagine LMG and Hunter each getting 12 carries a game and every time is a chance one can take it to the hut. gonna be a scary 2 back team.
Did any of the other FBs play and how did they do?
Noticed Dixon in at FB on a couple plays in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
I grade your article and everything else you’ve wasted my time with, an “F”.
Yay, another open paper bag fighter.
I agree Dk57. To say lamichael james is a year away after watching a couple quarters of live action in preseason is ridiculous. Bruce miller also had a stellar game and I did not see him get any recognition here. Grant, you’re a pathetic loser. Go cover the raiders.
The running game looked good. I saw LMJ miss a block, didnt hurt us tho. Loved the call on CKs TD. Team looked fluid against a weak Vikings team.
did jarious wright play Grant?
He did. He got most of his reps with Webb and Bethel-Thompson.
I’m wondering if there’s some bias on Cohn’s part towards Palmer. Been praises him all TC and kind somewhat been hard on Jenkings. Palmer had the worst drop in the game and there was no mention of it in this post.
have to disagree with u on LMJ. he isnt too weak to break tackles an he definetly aint a whole year away from bein strong enough to play. LMJs a good enough player to play his rookie season in the NFL, ya it may not be too much but thats purely cuz of the niner endless depth at his position. as we saw yesterday hes able to pick up blitzes an is speedy enough to get around defensive players in the open an in between the tackles. hel have a good year
I watched the starting O line and didn’t care where the ball was and alls I saw was Alex Boone WRECKING his lineman and then getting to and MASHING linebackers That kid can flat out play the game of football. He was sealing off the whole right side of the line sometimes I was out of my chair impressed with that young man.
I strongly agre….