Here is my preview of the 49ers-Chiefs preseason game. Five things to watch in the 49ers’ preseason game against the Chiefs Friday night: 1. Colin Kaepernick in the red zone. Kaepernick has something to prove here. As terrific as he’s played in his brief career, he needs to improve his passing in the red zone. Last season, his red zone passer rating was 83.9, nothing special. Compare that to Alex Smith…
SANTA CLARA – The 49ers practiced in shorts and shells Tuesday evening in preparation for Friday night’s preseason game against the Chiefs. Here’s what stood out to me during the evening practice. THE GOOD 1. MarQueis Gray – He made two jaw-dropping catches during 11-on-11 team drills. First, he ran a seam route down the middle of the field. Tolzien threw it up for Gray. Gray jumped, twisted and caught…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me during Monday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Tarell Brown – He returned to practice after missing the last two and was the starting nickelback in place of Carlos Rogers. Brown gave up just one catch while playing nickelback – a 15-yard completion to Austin Collie. 2. Aldon Smith –He sat out for an hour during the middle portion of team…
SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke in the media tent Monday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How much has Colin Kaepernick developed this offseason? VERNON DAVIS: Colin has come a long way. Last year when he first got the starting job, we would be in practice and he would overthrow me. I would be running as fast as I possibly could and Colin just kept overthrowing me. But now…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Colin Kaepernick – He was on fire today. He couldn’t miss the deep passes, he had touch on his shorter throws and he scored twice in the red zone. First, he threw a touchdown pass to Chad Hall in the back of the end zone. Next, Kaepernick threw a TD pass to Frank…
SANTA CLARA – Greg Roman spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Sunday morning. Here’s what he said. ROMAN: Welcome. We’re entering our second preseason week. Guys are working real hard. We’re working through a lot of different situational stuff, base stuff. We’ve got the Kansas City Chiefs in our second preseason game, so it’s another great chance to get out and evaluate what we’re doing and what we’ve got. Guys…
SAN FRANCISCO – Here’s what stood out to me at Saturday afternoon’s padded practice at Candlestick Park. THE GOOD 1. Kendall Hunter – He returned to practice for the first time since he tore his Achilles’ tendon last November. He didn’t participate much, but he got his feet wet. 2. Jonathan Goodwin – He returned to practice after missing the past two week and immediately took over his spot as…
Here is my Friday column about what we learned in the 49ers’ first preseason game. It’s almost impossible to evaluate the 49ers’ starters after their first preseason game. We don’t know how much the 49ers game planned for the Broncos – probably not very much. And the starters played just one series. Frank Gore and Justin Smith did not play at all. That should change next week. Gore should get…
SAN FRANCISCO – Here are my grades for the 49ers’ 10-6 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. QUARTERBACKS: C. Kaepernick was perfect – four completions in four attempts for 38 passing yards. He also converted a third down with a six-yard scramble. His backups, Colt McCoy and Scott Tolzien, played dreadfully. McCoy completed three-of-four passes, threw one interception and left the game with a neck stinger. Scott Tolzien completed 15-of-26…
SANTA CLARA — Jim Harbaugh spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers. How many of the vets do you expect to just get the night off tomorrow? “Just a few.” Which ones? “[LB] Patrick [Willis] for sure and possibly [RB] Frank [Gore]. We’ll see.” What about DT Justin Smith? “We’ll see. But I think the bigger, rather than go…
SANTA CLARA – Here is what stood out to me at Tuesday evening’s light, padless practice in which the first-team offense and first-team defense only faced the scout teams. THE GOOD 1. Ricardo Lockette – He had an outstanding practice. He lined up primarily at split end with the scout-team offense, meaning he faced Tarell Brown a lot. Lockette beat Brown for two touchdowns – one was a 20-yard catch…
SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick spoke in the 49ers’ media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said, courtesy of the 49ers. Since WR A.J. Jenkins came back from his hamstring injury he’s been quite active, he looked pretty good these last two practices. Has that been your impression of what you’ve seen from him? “Yeah he has looked good. We expect more though. We need him to step up.”…
Jim Harbaugh also spoke about A.J. Jenkins on KNBR Tuesday morning. Here’s what Harbaugh said. Q: What is your evaluation of A.J. Jenkins so far, and what are you expecting from him this August? HARBAUGH: He had a very good day yesterday. I’m expecting to go out and see him compete and get game time, play quite a bit in this game coming up and the next games, because I…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Monday afternoon’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. A.J. Jenkins – Today was his best practice as a 49er. He caught seven passes, and he caught two more in half-speed drills against the scout defense. His best catch of the day came against Tarell Brown in team drills. Lined up at split end, Jenkins beat Brown on a square in for…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday morning’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Aldon Smith – He practiced for the first time in a few days. Joe Staley didn’t practice, so Aldon Smith dominated. He got three sacks, and was in the backfield so often he started slowing down when he got to the quarterback so the offense could finish practicing their play. 2. NaVorro Bowman…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Wednesday’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Marlon Moore – He was the starting split end and he caught five passes and a touchdown during team drills. He also made the catch of the day, as he’s done every day of training camp. He ran a fade route against Tarell Brown, Kaepernick threw a back shoulder pass but it was at…
SANTA CLARA – Colin Kaepernick spoke at the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Do you feel like you and the offense are dialed in? KAEPERNICK: Yeah, I think we’re farther along than we were last year at this point. Q: In what way? KAEPERNICK: Being the third year in the offense. Everybody’s more comfortable and we can do more things. Q: What about your comfort level…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Tuesday morning’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Colin Kaepernick – All of his passes have been on the money this training camp, especially the deep ones. This morning, Kaepernick was on fire in 11-on-11 drills against the first-team defense. First, he hit Anquan Boldin on a post route for a 20-yard gain. Next, Kaepernick threaded the needle between two defenders…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s what stood out to me at Sunday’s padded practice. THE GOOD 1. Eric Reid – He was the best free safety on the field by far. In 11-on-11 team drills, Reid knocked away a Kaepernick pass intended for Anquan Boldin running a slant. Also, Reid intercepted a Scott Tolzien pass intended for Garrett Celek. During individual drills, Ed Donatell had the safeties practice single-high coverage, having…
SANTA CLARA – Vernon Davis spoke with Bay Area reporters in the 49ers’ media tent Sunday morning. Here’s what he said. Q: How is your on-field chemistry with Colin Kaepernick? VERNON DAVIS: We have a great relationship. We’re putting it all out there. We’re working in training camp, and that’s what training camp is all about. It’s about developing that relationship. I think we’ve come a long way since last…
