Tempers flare; Observations from day 6 of 49ers training camp

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

Trey Lance

Lance started hot, completing six of eight attempts during the first team period. The second-year quarterback found Brandon Aiyuk down the middle for a nice gain on his first throw. Lance threw with good anticipation to hit George Kittle down the middle a few plays later.

Lance opened the second team session with a dart over the middle to Deebo Samuel between three 49ers defenders. 

The offense wrapped up the day with the first move the ball period of training camp. Facing third and eight, Lance hit Brandon Aiyuk on an in-breaking route to move the sticks. After a throw away on the ensuing first down, Lance hit Aiyuk on a quick out to the left side to set up a third and short, and the starting unit was pulled off the field. 

Lance finished his day 10-17 throwing and used his legs to escape pressure for a significant gain. 

Deebo Samuel

After missing the entire offseason program, the 49ers are taking their time getting Samuel up to speed. That doesn’t mean the star receiver isn’t making his presence felt. 

Samuel’s first reception from Trey Lance today came on a tunnel screen to the left side that went for a gain of ten-plus yards. 

Samuel later hauled in a Trey Lance throw over the middle which split three defenders. Samuel had nothing but green in front of him once he sidestepped the safety. 

Brandon Aiyuk

Aiyuk wasn’t having it with Fred Warner today, taking exception to a hit from the linebacker after his catch to start team drills. The two ended up wrestling on the ground as teammates joined in. Not long after, Warner put another hit on wide receiver Marcus Johnson. Aiyuk stood up for his fellow wide receiver, putting his hands up to fight the All-Pro linebacker, leading to a melee with several players from both sides of the ball getting after each other. 

Aiyuk had another strong day with five receptions, four from Lance and one coming from Nate Sudfeld. 

Fred Warner

Warner finally got under the skin of the 49ers offense. The All-Pro linebacker wasn’t holding back from hitting the receivers today, leading to a pair of fights during the early stages of the first team period. 

Spencer Burford

Burford has been at right guard with the starters for every snap this offseason. On Tuesday the rookie offensive lineman stood out during one-on-one drills with the defensive lineman. 

Burford won both matchups with veteran Charles Omenihu and matchups against Kevin Givens and Robert Nkemdiche. Burford demonstrated good patience to stay on balance before striking the pass rusher. Burford looks like the 49ers best interior offensive lineman through the first six training camp practices.

Tyrion Davis-Price

The rookie running back finally got the opportunity to show off his power. The popping of shoulder pads on several runs by Davis-Price was audible along the sidelines. If the 49ers offensive line gives him any room to get moving, watch out. 

Danny Gray

Today was the best training camp practice for the rookie wide receiver by far. Gray finished the day with five receptions, highlighted by a pair of deep shots, one down each sideline from Nate Sudfeld. 

Gray also showed his toughness, crossing the middle for a pair of receptions. One of those routes across the middle saw Gray leap into the air and haul in a high throw from Nate Sudfeld despite taking a shot from safety George Odum. 

After a rough start to camp, it was good to see Gray get things turned around today.

Colton McKivitz

McKivitz was solid during his one-on-one reps. The backup offensive lineman won against Kemoko Turay, Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, and rookie Drake Jackson.

McKivitz stepped in for Trent Williams at left tackle late in practice and held his own. 

Dre Greenlaw

Greenlaw has been solid throughout the early stages of camp. Today the fourth-year linebacker broke through the offensive line on a blitz and batted down the throw from Trey Lance.

Javon Kinlaw

Kinlaw was back on the field after having a rest day yesterday. Coming back from knee surgery last season, Kinlaw has looked powerful and explosive. Today saw Kinlaw get pressure on Trey Lance during a play early in team drills. 

Kevin Givens

Working alongside Javon Kinlaw with the starting defense, Givens burst through the line to blow up a run on the first play from scrimmage. 

Daniel Brunskill

After starting camp working with the second unit, Brunskill took over at center with the first unit today. 

Brunskill struggled mightily during one-on-ones, looking like he was on roller skates while repeatedly being driven backward. The regularity with which Brunskill gets beat in these drills is interesting, considering how he dominates when facing Aaron Donald. 

Jaylon Moore

With Mike McGlinchey taking a rest day, Moore moved back into the starting lineup at right tackle. It wasn’t pretty, and Moore was beaten repeatedly around the edge for pressures or sacks of Trey Lance. 

Moore looks okay when he is inside at guard, but struggles when playing outside at tackle. 

Ambry Thomas

Thomas struggled with deep coverage as a rookie, an issue that has continued through the early part of training camp. Thomas gave up two completions to rookie Danny Gray on deep throws down the sideline, and Thomas wasn’t close to making a play on the ball either time.

Jauan Jennings

Jennings was targeted only two times during team drills and finished with no receptions. On his second target, Jennings was running a quick in route, but rookie free agent Qwuantrezz Knight was right on top of him and got his hand on the ball to force an incompletion.

Jimmy Garoppolo

As the 49ers warmed up for practice, Jimmy Garoppolo went through the throwing routine that is part of his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery. 

In full view of everyone, including NFL Network television cameras Garoppolo went through a variety of throws. The veteran quarterback started with short throws over the middle, followed by throws will rolling to both his left and right. Garoppolo wrapped up the session with a few deep throws. 

The timing of this clearly seemed planned. What way would be easier to get the message out about Garoppolo’s health than in front of Steve Mariucci, Ian Rapoport and the league’s network?