Observations from day 8 of 49ers training camp; Trey Lance gets it going

Here is what stood out from the 49ers eighth practice during training camp in Santa Clara.

Trey Lance

Lance had one of his better days of training camp, finishing 9-13 with a drop that went right through the hands of veteran Malik Turner. 

During a move the ball period near late in practice, Lance found George Kittle on third down to move the sticks. On the next play, Lance threw well over the head of running back Jeff Wilson Jr on a screen to the right side. The missed opportunity would prove costly when Lance had to check the ball underneath a couple of plays later to end the possession. 

One of Lance’s more impressive plays of the day came on a short throw to Elijah Mitchell. 

This play saw Kerry Hyder get around rookie right guard Spencer Burford. Lance saw this coming, slid to his left, and was still able to get the ball out to Mitchell in the right flat. 

Tyrion Davis-Price

The rookie running back was solid during a pass protection drill. Matched up with Fred Warner, Davis-Price held his ground, not backing down after the All-Pro linebacker got him with a blow to the helmet. 

Davis-Price also showed off his power and agility. He burst through the line on a run to the right, made a defender miss with a quick cut, and then ran over linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball. 

Elijah Mitchell

Mitchell took an inside handoff and sprinted untouched through the defense for a long touchdown for his second big run of the day. Early in team drills, he took a pitch to the right around the corner and exploded up the field. 

Brandon Aiyuk

Aiyuk continued his strong camp. He caught both passes thrown his way during the team drills, a curl followed by a quick slant from Nate Sudfeld. 

During one-on-one drills, the 49ers cornerbacks couldn’t come close to stopping Aiyuk. Rep after rep, he left the defender wondering what they had to do to keep up.

Deebo Samuel 

Samuel continues to work his way back after missing the offseason due to a contract dispute. After slipping on his first rep during one-on-ones, Samuel beat Charvarius Ward down the left sideline, but the pass was overthrown.  

Samuel was targeted only twice during team drills. The first was an overthrown deep post from Lance, and the duo would connect on the next attempt, with Lance drilling the ball to Samuel on a curl route to beat tight coverage from Talanoa Hufanga.

Ray Ray McCloud

After having a few rough practices due to what looked like a lower leg injury, McCloud bounced back today with three receptions on four targets. 

McCloud started things by beating Charvarius Ward on an over route, coming across the field from right to left and catching a well throw ball from Trey Lance. 

After catching a tunnel screen from Nate Sudfeld, the duo connected a second time, this on a curl to defeat tight coverage from Ambry Thomas. 

Aaron Banks

Banks continues to show improvement as he settles in at left guard. The second-year offensive lineman did an excellent job of handling a variety of stunts and twists from the defensive line, giving Trey Lance plenty of time to throw. 

Center update

Daniel Brunskill stepped into the starting group for the first two series during team drills, with Jake Brendel taking the next two. 

Brunskill’s day didn’t get off to a good start as he was late with the snaps on each of the first two plays. He settled in after that and had a solid performance. It seems as though the 49ers want him to earn the starting role.

Kevin Givens

Givens has stepped into the starting lineup with Arik Armstead sidelined due to a knee injury

During a move-the-ball period, Givens burst through the offensive line to drop Elijah Mitchell for a loss of two. 

Tarvarius Moore

Moore continues to improve as he returns from a torn Achilles tendon. A few days ago, a pair of interceptions highlighted Moore’s performance; today, it was a crushing hit on Jauan Jennings after a reception over the middle.   

Javon Kinlaw

Kinlaw did not participate in today’s practice. The 49ers gave no official reason, but it was likely a scheduled day off as he continues to work his way back from knee surgery.

This article has 19 Comments

  1. Sad that Deebo missed the valuable off-season as he does not yet look the same as last year. Too many distractions, etc. The Niners failing to sign him until camp had opened hurt.
    Niners need to consider what free agent option there might be for our vulnerable center position. Agree with Jack that Kyle wants Brunskill to take the job but he would be average to below average at best in that situation.

    1. Allie
      Top free agent Center, JC Tretter, is still available! If he’d be willing to take a 1 year prove it deal and lower salary, he’s a free agent Center available that would be a big upgrade over both Brunskill and Jake Brendel.

    2. Allie,
      Deebo was already signed to a contract with the 49ers.
      He wanted an extension and more money.
      He and 49ers are both happy, and he will soon be doing Deebo things when he gets his field legs back.

  2. Jack Hammer man

    I appreciate your point of view, football knowledge, pleasant and approachable demeanor, reporting integrity, and respect to athletes and all other people involved with sports. Go Niners!

    1. I agree T.
      It’s nice to read a clear non self-aggrandizing personal opinion TC report.
      Appreciate your work Jack.

  3. Allie
    Top free agent Center, JC Tretter, is still available! If he’d be willing to take a 1 year prove it deal and lower salary, he’s a free agent Center available that would be a big upgrade over both Brunskill and Jake Brendel.

  4. Jack
    As always, enjoy reading your summaries of the 9ers training camp. keep up the good work.
    * The 9er D looks to be, if not the best, one of the best D’s in the NFL.
    * My main concern is the O-Line, primarily Center and RT. IMO, neither Brendel or Brunskill are capable and RT McGlinchey is coming off a quad injury and reportedly back down to 290 pounds. As we know, the last time his
    weight was that low, he resembled a blocking sled the D pushed around. Not a shut down RT….
    * Next Friday (08/12/2022), the 9ers play the Packers! we’ll get a better idea if the O-Line can protect Lance and open holes for the RB’s…..If not, the 9er FO needs to sign FA Center, JC Tretter, or it could be a long and wasted season!

    1. Rollo
      9ers have signed Willie Sneed! Why? A camp body, Maybe? Why they haven’t signed a FA Center? Who knows?

  5. Rams’ McVay calls Stafford’s elbow pain “abnormal” for a QB

    Coach Sean McVay says Matthew Stafford’s continuing elbow pain is unusual for a football player, and the Los Angeles Rams are trying to determine whether it will hamper their starting quarterback in the regular season.

    Stafford has been throwing in individual drills and 7-on-7 setups while skipping the full-team portions of the defending Super Bowl champions’ training camp practices at UC Irvine. Stafford had an unspecified injection in his elbow during the offseason, and he reported feeling ongoing pain in the joint last month after not doing any serious throwing in the Rams’ offseason program.
    https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-mcvay-calls-staffords-elbow-010059866.html

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