Practice notes: The good and not-so-good

SANTA CLARA –

Practice ended at 5:30 and then Jim Harbaugh and Frank Gore spoke to the media, but before I pass along those transcripts, here is the good and not-so-good from today’s training camp.

THE GOOD

  • Frank Gore. He was the best player on the field. Almost every time he took a hand off he made one cut to get through the defensive line and one more cut to blow by the secondary. The defense had trouble just touching him.
  • Vernon Davis. He caught a few deep balls on seam routes and a few more crossing over the middle. It seemed like he was always open.
  • Reggie Smith. He snagged two interceptions – both from Kaepernick. Smith caught the first one after it was tipped, but the second was all him. He was guarding Vernon Davis who was streaking deep down the right sideline. Kaepernick under-threw the pass, and Smith adjusted before Davis, leaping up in the air and catching the ball at its highest point.
  • Aldon Smith. He lined up at right outside linebacker with the first team defense and he was in Colin Kaepernick’s face repeatedly. On one play he beat Joe Staley badly to the inside.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

  • Colin Kaepernick. Both his interceptions he threw came when he rolled out of the pocket and tried to force a throw. When he missed receivers, he tended to miss high. Still, both Harbaugh and Gore gave the rookie quarterback big praise after practice.
  • Joe Staley. He had a tough time protecting Kaepernick’s blind side today. On the play when Aldon Smith beat him to the inside, Staley was beaten so badly it look like he tried to trip Smith, sticking out his right leg as a last resort. Staley will have to figure out a new strategy to stop the rookie pass rusher in future practices.

 

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