Niners postgame report

Niners postgame report

 

Just back from the victorious 49ers’ locker room, where coach Mike Singletary opened his postgame remarks with the following words: “Thank God it’s the preseason.”

Here are some notes from the 49ers’ 17-16 victory over the Broncos in the exhibition opener for both clubs:

 

–Singletary said things were not as sharp as he wanted. That’s why he is grateful there are still three games to work out the kinks, he said.

 

–Shaun Hill and Alex Smith played “OK,” Singletary said. “Nothing that really makes you jump one way or the other.”

 

–Hill played the first drive, consisting of 10 offensive plays. Then, the 49ers went with Smith, who played 17 snaps to finish off the first half.

 

“I think Hill is less of a mystery,” Singletary said. “We have a better idea of who he is and what he brings.”

 

–The one play Hill wanted back was a sack he took on a first down from the Broncos’ 26. Hill said he should have gotten off the primary target sooner, and then he should’ve thrown it away.

 

–The one play Smith wanted back was a low throw to Glen Coffee on a blitz. He said he should have gotten more air under the pass and let Coffee adjust, rather than try to throw it like a dart. Coffee could’ve gone a long, long way if the pass had been on target.

 

–There were two potentially significant injuries to players battling for roster spots. Fullback Zak Keasey sustained a fractured right forearm. Running back Thomas Clayton sustained a right knee injury and was carted off the field in obvious pain. He will undergo further evaluation Saturday, at which point the extent will likely be known. The 49ers described Clayton’s injury as a “knee sprain,” which means he sustained damage to a ligament.

 

–A television reporter asked, “Who is Brit Miller?” To which Singletary replied, “You talking about the fullback? He’s just a guy who’s going to give you all he has.”

 

And two touchdowns, too.

 

Miller played linebacker in college at Illinois. He scored a touchdown last year against Louisiana-Lafayette, he said. But the last time he scored on offense was in high school, he said. After the Carolina Panthers cut the undrafted free agent this offseason, the 49ers brought Miller into the fold and converted him to fullback.

 

Miller caught a 3-yard TD pass from Alex Smith in the second quarter and a 40-yard TD from Damon Huard in the fourth quarter. Miller was the 49ers’ leading receiver with two catches for 43 yards. Vernon Davis had two grabs for 41 yards.

 

–Safety Reggie Smith had a nice game. He was credited with one interception, but it was his play on a two-point conversion late in the game that wrapped up the 49ers’ 17-16 victory. (By the way, big thanks to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels. He went for the two-point conversion with 1:52 remaining, rather than send the game into OT with a PAT.)

 

–Singletary was asked for his impression of the 49ers’ pass rush. His answer: “Non-existent.” The 49ers did not record a sack or many QB pressures.

 

–Huard has gotten limited reps during training camp, but he looked darn sharp tonight. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 98 yards. “At this stage in my career, I think mental reps are every bit as beneficial,” he said. “It saves the wear and tear on my arm.”

 

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