Here are the top five performers in training camp at the end of Week One.
- Justin Smith – The defense has dominated the offense for most of training camp, and Justin Smith is a big reason why. He’s almost too good. Sometimes when the offense is really struggling, I wonder if they’d look better if only they didn’t have to practice against Justin Smith. Sometimes Jim Harbaugh makes the second-team offense face the first-team defense, and this is what usually happens: Offensive linemen fly and Justin Smith sacks the quarterback, actually tags him.
- NaVarro Bowman – He’s ahead of Patrick Willis so far because he’s made more spectacular plays. He made the best interception of training camp a few days ago in a red-zone drill when he snatched away a touchdown catch from Vernon Davis.
- Patrick Willis – He’s hasn’t jumped out like Bowman, but there’s a reason. Willis has been covering Vernon Davis, and mostly shutting him down. Willis stripped him a few days ago, and he’s limited Davis to just a few receptions the last couple practices.
- Aldon Smith – The defense looks better than last season, and that’s mostly because of Aldon Smith. He plays every snap now – not just passing downs – and he’s getting about two sacks per practice. He’s getting sacks on first and second down. It seems like the offense is always facing third and long.
- Chris Culliver – He intercepts about one pass per practice, and he’s the only cornerback on the team who has consistently shut down Randy Moss. Yesterday, Moss beat Carlos Rogers for a touchdown in the red zone, and he beat Tarell Brown deep in a one-on-one drill, but Moss hasn’t beaten Culliver for any big plays. On Friday, Alex Smith tried to throw a jump ball to Randy Moss in the back right corner of the end zone, but Culliver out-jumped the 6-4 wide receiver and batted the pass away.
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Was this written by a 5th grader???
Why post then?
Given the apparent need for 3 question marks and the pointlessness of the question overall I’d have to say, yes you are definitely a 5th grader.
Stop kissing a$$, he’s right, this article is very poorly written, judgin by your response I would say yes, you are definitely a 4th grader. See how easy that is ?
I am usually critical of Grant’s opinions, but here I actually enjoyed the read. I don’t why you’d post that question here Kevin.
It was nice to see points backing up thoughts. It is an opinion.
Kevin, your Mom allow you on this big boy’s site. Learn to tie your shoes first before you go on the computer.
Kevin, you should now back up your point. I’d like to see you write something cogent, with insight and maybe even slightly thought provoking so we can critique your ability to be such a critic.
I don’t read Grant because I want Shakespeare. There’s nothing wrong with the article.
You 6th graders think your so cool…
Anyways great article. This gets me really excited to see this defense in action this year. I also think our offense will no doubt benefit with playing against such an elite defense every day.
Grant
Maybe it is best to not include JS/PW on this list. We already know that they will do what they have done for years now. Make everybody they play against look bad.
So a “Top Performers” list should exclude the best players because they are really good?? That’s brilliant.
Grant, did anyone show up in lesser shape than last year? It seems like everyone is so bought in to the JH program and committed that they’ve all show up ready. At least I haven’t heard of anyone not showing up ready to play.
No. Because we know JS/PW are what they are. The best. I could have written they are tops before TC. So, no real insight on it. A player like Culliver though, is more interesting since he wasn’t even a starter last year.
I read that Culliver hasn’t had an interception in 4 days? It sounded like he wasn’t doing as well as the other corners. What a difference in viewpoints.
Just because u don’t get a pick doesnt mean ur not playing well. If u don’t get throw at alot means ur playing tight coverage. Revis is the best corner in the league and he has never lead the league in INT’s.
I read the same thing (Culliver not having a pick) on the 49ers site. Now, I am wondering if he is confusing players or just got that specific portion wrong..
No coincidence that the top performers come from the best unit on the team.
I have this gut feeling that Carlos Rogers has gotten his big contract and you play differently, then you do on a 1 year contract. He has been burned several times, and I know it’s only August but I see a mild concern red flag.
The defense was the main reason we were one game away from the promise land last year. Fires me up to think they have only gotten better.
Justin Smith has been very good ever since he joined the 49ers. In Fangio’s defense he’s gone from “very good” to “monster”. He’s like Godzilla and O-Linemen are Tokyo skyscrapers.
I wonder if the 49ers will find a way to keep the Willis-Bowman tandem intact under the salary cap. That would be a lot of money for the ILB position.
Aldon Smith and Chris Culliver are in their second year. Aldon was great and Cully was solid as rookies; how good are they going to be in their sophomore years with a full off-season of training?
Yeah, that is a tough spot to be in with the ILB’s contract wise. It’s hard to believe this is only Bowman’s third NFL season and he is a flat-out bad ass. Aldon Smith will most likely be in line for a big contract down the road as well. The cap is supposed to rise considerably over the next couple of years, but eventually some of our great players will sign elsewhere.
….did you say racist and only cheering for white players??????????
Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Culliver are all white? I know you Smithers are morons but seriously, you’re that dumb?
Not this posting, LH. But he has previously.
…in other news…..D Thomas who recovered both of the fumbles by 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams in the NFC Championship Game has retired….
i predict the 49ers defense will get around 60 sacks this yr. with aldon smith one yr more mature ray mcdonald healthy all season [hopefully] a. brooks in the best shape of his life and another yr under his belt at outside linebacker along with justin smith being justin smith look out for this d to be an all time great d.
Grant, it would be great if you had the best 5 rookies in training camp in you next post.
Why? We don’t have any rookies this year that we expect to immediately contribute week 1. I care about this season, not 2 to 3 down the road.
Grant,
If you have the time a brief blog about the 5 biggest differences between last years camp and this years would be most interesting.
Thanks.
Last year there wasn’t a training camp.
Sure there was. It was shortened, but it happened.
OTAs on the other hand? There weren’t any of those.
Grant,
Although it is obvious that the defense has been ahead of the offense during the first week of TC. Who in your opinion have been the best players on offense thus far?
You will likely get bashed for mentioning only defensive players on your best list.
But Harbaugh has used the term “Dominating” this past week to describe his defense. I believe he has used the word ‘good’ to describe the offense.
I’m hoping the offense picks it up this week.
Grant-
We’ve heard/read from you and others how much upfield pressure Aldon (among others) has been bringing this summer. Did you get to see him much in coverage and playing off the line? Any comments?
He has good hands, but he’s working on his fluidity. Ahmad Brooks is better in coverage at this point.
That makes sense. Hopefully a bit better than in OTAs; as in steady progress.
I actually liked Brooks’ coverage last year, thought it was decent for a guy who also brings pass pressure and sets the edge. I noted Fangio mentioned him working more this offseason on finishing his pass rushes.
Arrows up.
Nice read Grant, not surprised at all about the defensive picks. Would be nice who’s been the best non-defensive players.
It will take a while for the Right Guard spot to get it’s blitz pickups down no matter who gets the starting job. Till then, expect teams like the Packers to attack the old “Chilo Gap”, making use of spiffy new weapons like Manningham and Moss very difficult.
This means the 49ers will likely stick to last year’s formula of ball control, field position and few turnovers. (I don’t expect a huge departure from that throughout the season. 2012 won’t have more passing attempts, but more yards per pass to loosen defensive fronts for Gore, and better red zone production.)
The defensive line absolutely must have a great opening game. The Niners beat Green Bay only if Rogers is spending alot of time picking grass out of his face mask. Reports that Aldon and Justin are looking good make me feel all warm and fuzzy for the opening game. News that Brooks is in the shape of his life is also huge.
Can’t wait for Friday’s preseason game to evaluate the rookies.
It’s going to heartbreak city when it comes down to final cuts. If guys like Nate Palmer and Scott Tolzien are sent to the practice squad, I’m afraid they will get grabbed during the 24 hour waiver period.
Grant,
From your view, is this as a case of the D returning all starters therefore being more dominant than it was last year or is the O really looking that bad? Are we in for another field goal fest by the offense this year or are you seeing any improvement by that unit because they practice everyday against the best D in the League?
This team traded up to take Colin Kaepernick, so you would assume after an entire season of being the backup and studying the playbook he would come into training camp showing out. Not saying he would challenge an 8 year veteran in Smith, but he should be making the second team offense better.
Who cares that they traded up to pick him? They liked him. That’s all. He wasn’t even the first pick. He’s a project. Deal with it.
Is it that our defense is that good, (wich they are pretty amazing) or is it that Alex and the rest of our QB’s are that terrible?(and they are a terrible as our defense is good)
how do you know the defense looks better than last season? Are you comparing what you see in training camp so far to last year’s regular season? Because there was no training camp last year!
Little “observations,” for lack of a better word, like these are what make you an amateur.
Ummmm…..there WAS a training camp last year. Who doesn’t know this? May not have been any OTAs/mini-camp but there was defintely a TC before last pre-season. So I assume he’s basing that observation on what he saw from the unit at this same time last year.
Wow, if there wasn’t a training camp last year what the heck were all those lugs doing?