It’s the Preseason. I don’t want to stage the latest drama
in Overreaction Theater. I do want to go through some takeaways I had from
Thursday’s (or, if you’re living in South Korea, Friday morning’s) dress
rehearsal.
The
Bad
 |
| from 49ers.com |
Mike Purcell is not an NFL caliber defensive lineman. He
doesn’t really belong on an NFL roster, especially one as talented as the
49ers. I feel horrible saying things like this, especially based on one game,
but last year’s practice squadder—and the only true NT on the team after the
injury to Glenn Dorsey—simply doesn’t have the talent required to play the
position. There were multiple occasions he was moved off the line of scrimmage
by a single Ravens blocker. That cannot
happen if we want to have a respectable run defense.
Notice I didn’t say dominant, I said respectable. If we want
to have a dominant run defense, we need an above average nose tackle (like Ian
Williams or Glenn Dorsey). If we want to be respectable, we need to have a nose
tackle that will at least allow the linebackers behind him to make plays. Too
often Purcell was pushed back and offensive lineman were able to get into the
second level and onto our backers. It’s only the preseason, but 237 yards is
237 yards. That is not 49er football. (Look I get that there were extenuating
circumstances with the lack of available bodies along the defensive line, but
we were shit against the run from the opening whistle. That can’t possibly be
excused by fatigue. It can be explained by not having a nose tackle capable of
respectably manning the position).
As for those linebackers…It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t
great. Borland is not ready to start an NFL game, but he’s got a few weeks left
to get acclimated and make a late push into the starting lineup. Wilhoite will
get better playing behind the first team defensive line and alongside Willis in
Week 1 (when I expect him to start), but he didn’t really do anything positive
while he was out there. Any linebacker besides Willis or Keuchly is going to be
a major step down when replacing NaVorro Bowman, but I was hoping to be pleasantly
surprised by the quality of the candidates fighting for the spot. I wasn’t. It
went about as mediocrely as I expected. Nothing to panic over, but no reason
for optimism either.
Blaine Gabbert is still Blaine Gabbert. Jim Harbaugh may
have met his match; someone impervious to his Midas touch. The backup
quarterback situation is pretty bad, but I think just about any team in
football is screwed without their starting quarterback. If they’re not, then
all that means is their starter isn’t very good. No team is winning a Super
Bowl this season with a backup at the helm, and all the 49ers (and I) care
about is the Super Bowl. To be honest I don’t particularly care who wins the
backup job. If they’re playing significant time, we’ve already lost.
The
Neutral
 |
| from 49ers.com |
Jimmie Ward gave up a first down conversion to Jacoby Jones
on the opening drive while playing in the slot, but it was his first real
action, and he played the route too cautiously, shading well to the outside to
force Jones back into the middle of the field towards (pretty non-existant) help
from the safeties. He made a quick tackle and limited the damage. He’s clearly
still getting a feel for how to adjust to the NFL at that position. I thought
he was pretty respectable overall though.
I’ve read other writers call out Joe Looney for a poor
performance, but I thought it was just neutral. He had some good moments and
some bad moments. Most were in between. He looks to be a league average guard.
Which is to say that he’s definitely a step backwards from Alex Boone, who I
really hope will be suited up and mauling Cowboy defensive lineman come opening
weekend.
The
Good
 |
| from 49ers.com |
Staley and Iupati form the best left side of any offensive
line in football. They were dominant.
Which helped Carlos Hyde look great, and Hyde was great (as
everyone with eyes has remarked). On one particular run up the middle, he
showed a little of the vision and wiggle through the hole that has made Frank
Gore the legend that he is. It was an extremely encouraging debut.
As it also was for Bruce Ellington. He looks like he belongs
and is ready to contribute immediately. I think the Niners have gotten steals
at WR in the fourth round of the past two drafts. Ellington is quick, tough and
has strong hands. He’s everything you look for in a slot receiver, and he was
fantastic on his kick returns too. I loved it.
The other obvious positives were Tank Carradine and Quinton
Dial. Both are physically ready for the NFL. They are imposing, intimidating
figures on the defensive line. Quinton Dial really is the key to this defense,
because he is the only player on our roster capable of providing respectable
(or even dominant) play at NT. He’s “too tall” to do it, and he’s much better
suited to play end, but if Dial isn’t the NT by season’s start, we better have
signed someone or activated Ian Williams. (Has anyone given big Isaac Sopoaga a
call?) He looks like the real deal, and I fully expect Tomsula, Fangio and
Harbaugh to find a way to get him on the field. As they say, “the best 11 will
play.”
My favorite thing to come out of this game: The play
calling. We had no delay of games, and things seem to roll smoothly coming out
of the huddle and making adjustments pre-snap. That hasn’t always been the case
since Harbaugh took over (or for like the last decade really). I thought Roman
called some great plays for the first team offense on the opening drive. It was
a shame the second teamers (cough, Blaine Gabbert, cough) couldn’t execute a
play to save their lives.
The end. Thanks for coming.
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