Winners and Losers in Training Camp after 11 days + Preview and Prediction for Week 1: Arizona Cardinals
The off-day for the 49ers is quite an eventful one.
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First off, we want to extend a warm welcome to our newest contributor here at FTN, Patrick Holloway! Follow him on Twitter if you have not already: @patoholloway
Day 11 of camp wrapped up yesterday, with most sources calling yesterday’s practice in Levi’s Stadium the most intense this season. We saw a ton of 11-versus-11 action, and got to see some new players up close. Big day from the defense, with Kittle, Juice, Aiyuk, and Deebo all out, the offense was stagnant for most of the day. Notes:
New 49ers WR Kevin White looked good in limited looks, and most importantly, healthy. A former #7 overall pick, White strikes me as a great practice squad candidate, and if he plays well in these weeks coming up to Week 1, you never know.
Jordan Reed was the favorite target of every QB yesterday. He had a very good day, multiple receptions and a TD catch courtesy of Jimmy G.
Dante Pettis had another good practice, multiple catches over the middle. He is beginning to make a small, but substantial push to start if Aiyuk and Deebo are out in Week 1. Pettis also looks to be the favorite to win the punt returner job, although he muffed his first return yesterday.
Jason Verrett could easily play nickel corner. Looked really good on the inside against Jordan Reed and Trent Taylor. I want to see him get a chance there, he might not be lanky or big enough to play on the outside, where Moseley and Witherspoon fit better… but on the inside he could be great with his quick-twitch and mirror skills, especially if K'Waun’s calf injury extends into the regular season.
A couple of transactions were also made over the past couple days:
Released:
Kofi Amichia, OL
Jaron Brown, WR
Erik Swoope, TE
Jonathan Kongbo, DE
Salvon Ahmed, RB
Signed:
Kevin White, WR
River Cracaft, WR
Dakoda Shepley, OL
James Lockhart, DE
MarQueis Gray, TE
I like the Shepley signing, a much-needed depth signing at the interior OL, and he is no slouch, winning Rookie of the Year unanimously as an offensive lineman in the CFL. Yes, it’s the CFL, but that is not done by fluke. Shepley comes in and is probably already better than Tom Compton, who has played terrible so far. Kevin White I also like. Height-weight-speed freak, if White can stay healthy and prove himself, he can be more than just a depth signing and camp body.
With that being said, this has been a massive training camp because of this crazy offseason. Leave alone the incredible circumstances and reality we live in today, just football-wise, this offseason has been crazy, with DeForest Buckner being traded, Kittle being extended, and much more. But after 11 days of training camp, who has gained the most from it?
Winner: Solomon Thomas, DT
Thomas has played outstanding since moved exclusively inside to the DT and NT spots. He’s notched a sack almost every day of practice, including 2 sacks yesterday against the 1st team offense. He has consistently won reps and stuffed the run as well, whether it was against Laken Tomlinson who has played outstanding so far this offseason, and even against Trent Williams. Thomas has put on muscle and weight, and even though we always hear “He’s in the best shape of his life” for anyone and everyone each offseason, Solly legitimately is. But the biggest change by far has been his technique: Thomas has vastly improved his hand usage this offseason: He has been seen using the Aaron Donald jump-chop and has executed it to perfection, and his swim move and bull rush have improved as well. To be fair, Thomas always had this ability. It’s not new, but it is in the NFL. What do I mean? He had great hand-usage and strength in college, and it seemed like he almost forgot his arsenal of moves he possessed in college. He seems to have regained some of it. Thomas is in the best position to succeed in his entire career, with a wide-open spot at the 3-tech with the absence of DeForest Buckner. He should be fun to watch this season.
Loser: Tom Compton, IOL
Compton was supposed to supplant the departed Mike Person as the RG, having experience with Shanahan in ATL and being a decent veteran guard. That simply has not been the case. Compton has been outplayed by nearly every offensive lineman in camp, and he just does not seem to be in football shape/playable anymore, with the rookie Colton McKivitz easily outplaying him in camp so far. I’d go as far as to say it would be a disaster to start Compton, and he is likely a surprise cut, especially if the newcomer Shepley outplays him as well.
Winner: Jauan Jennings, WR
When he was drafted in the 7th round, most of the faithful were ecstatic after looking up his highlight tape. Jennings is one of the biggest and most physical WRs we have seen so far. He dropped to the 7th over massive concerns with his speed and route running, but so far, that has not seemed to matter during training camp. Jennings has all but secured a roster spot, becoming a favorite target for most QBs in camp so far. His big frame, good hands, and ability to make contested catches has made him a great redzone threat as well, and he’s caught multiple TDs in camp (although he had an off-day on Friday). Jennings was given a massive opportunity with the catastrophic Jalen Hurd injury, and he has ran away with it. His work ethic is unbelievable, and while he may never become a star WR, Jennings has the ability to be an X-Factor for this team.
Loser: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB
He has played well, even great during this season so far. But not well enough: Moseley has distanced himself as the clear-cut favorite to start Week One, and while Witherspoon physically is the most talented corner on the roster, healthy Verrett has also surpassed him in odds to start, not to mention Verrett can play inside, while Witherspoon lacks the quickness or lateral agility to. I wish Witherspoon had not gotten hurt last season. He lost his rhythm after starting amazing last season, and never regained it, and it’s carried on to this season.
Winner: Dante Pettis, WR
Pettis was in danger of being cut or traded coming into this offseason. It’s safe to say that is not a possibility anymore (although a trade is not exactly out of question). Pettis after having a disastrous sophomore campaign, came back with a vengeance. He put on muscle and weight over the offseason, and it has paid off. Garoppolo, who famously said “Every ******* time” last season when Pettis dropped a pass, has regained his confidence with Pettis, complimenting his aggressiveness and physicality. Pettis in an interview alluded to some mental and attitude issues last season, especially regarding his relationship with Shanahan, but those have been squashed. So far during camp, Pettis has re-inserted himself in the discussion to start with Aiyuk and Deebo out, and he has gotten open and made multiple contested catches, his biggest area to improve upon in previous years. He’s also made himself the favorite to win the punt returner job, which he famously lost in years prior due to bad ball security and below-average returning numbers; surprising for a guy who is considered the greatest punt returner in the history of college football (at least by the numbers).
Loser: Jeff Wilson Jr, RB
Wilson was a hero in multiple games last season. But frankly, he has been outplayed big-time so far by the former Baylor Bear JaMychal Hasty. Hasty has displayed elite quickness, speed, and elusiveness so far, and has made a massive push for the 4th RB spot. Wilson has played well, but not the same level as Hasty, and he has benefited from already getting regular season snaps and added experience. Wilson still likely wins the 4th RB spot, but I could see a scenario where Wilson is sent to a RB-needy team and where Shanahan opts to keep Hasty instead, especially considering Wilson has fumbling issues.
Winner: Jonathan Cyprien, S
Cyprien came in as a 30 year old oft-injured box safety. Expectations were not high at all, to say the least, especially with Marcell Harris starting camp off very strong. But Cyprien has blown expectations out of the water, with multiple interceptions in limited camp time while not knowing the offense he was playing against very well. Cyprien has benefited from being in the right place at the right time, but regardless, he is now the favorite to win the backup SS role behind Tartt, although Harris could still get a roster spot as a special teamer. Cyprien’s experience with Robert Saleh in Jacksonville really helped, the hard hitter has started 70 games in his career, and is a capable replacement for Tartt if an injury happens, although nowhere near Tartt’s level of a defender.
Loser: Tevin Coleman
You are noticing a trend, and rightfully so. Shanahan RBs are infamously hard to evaluate due to his penchant to run with the hot hand, but Coleman has played very well in camp. This is not really about Coleman playing bad, it’s about McKinnon playing so well. McKinnon has likely seized the RB#2 spot and primary 3rd down duties with his explosiveness, route-running, pass-catching, and pass blocking being vastly superior and a better fit for Shanahan. I expect either Coleman or Wilson Jr to be traded. There is just too much talent at RB, and Shanahan will likely opt to keep McKinnon over Coleman if forced to decide. Coleman’s cap hit is also too much to swallow for a team increasingly falling into the abyss of cap hell, and a lot of tough decisions will need to be made soon with Sherman, Trent Williams, Trent Taylor, Tartt, and more all hitting free agency next season.
Winner: Jordan Reed, TE
I have to admit, I did not expect Reed to contribute much at all. His injury history alone was enough for me to write him off, I called it a flier signing at the time. I’m happy to be proven wrong. Reed after going through drills to get into football shape has played outstanding as the #2 TE, with QBs gravitating towards him as a favorite safety-blanket/target. His soft hands, elite route running, and speed make him elite at moving the chains, and it has shown up big during training camp. Reed has solidified himself without a doubt as the #2 TE, which with his history is probably the best role for him. I pray he does not have any injuries this season, this team will be amazing if so. Reed’s presence also makes the absence of Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk much easier to deal with, expect to see a lot of 2-TE and heavy formations.
Loser: Javon Kinlaw, DT
Let’s be clear: Kinlaw should not be expected to be a big contributor or a star (ie: Nick Bosa) in his rookie season, regardless of his draft position. But that does not change that he has disappointed, by his own evaluation. Many hoped Kinlaw could start day one in the interior, but for the people that studied him in college, we knew that would not be the case. Kinlaw has all the talent in the world, but he is limited in his finesse and technique, and in the NFL, his raw power and size, which the majority of the time he used to win reps in college, are not enough. Either way Kinlaw will get snaps, especially on run downs, but he is not ready to play on 3rd down.
Around The League
Couple of interesting tidbits:
NFC West:
Cardinals signed Budda Baker to a massive extension, making the Pro-Bowler the highest paid safety in the league. The real story here: Drives up Seattle’s price on Adams. Baker is well-deserving of a big deal, I don’t know about record-breaking, but he’s one of the best safeties in the league, regardless of what George Kittle does to him.
Rams have been rumored to be interested in Earl Thomas III. They love their expensive veterans.
Pete Carroll said today that the Seahawks, if they had a game this week, would have stood in solidarity with the NBA and boycotted, which Russell Wilson also supported. Like any 49ers fan, I hate the Seahawks, but this is an admirable speech and stance by the entire team, regardless of their other history. Cool to see.
On that same note, Cardinals DT Corey Peters also said that Arizona has not ruled out boycotting/sitting out Week 1.
League-wide:
Matt Nagy stated in a presser today that he would not elaborate on who the starting QB for Chicago will be, come Week 1. Chances are Ryan Pace forces Trubisky, to try and save his reputation.
Las Vegas traded a 5th round pick for Dolphins LB Raekwon McMillan, the former Ohio State standout. McMillan has been pretty good for Miami so far, and the Raiders did well to get him for so cheap. Miami likely wanted to recoup some value before McMillan likely left, as he hits free agency next season.
Jets disfunction: Le’Veon Bell said today that after being held out of practice due to a “hamstring issue”, he was actually healthy and it was the coach’s decision. Adam Gase is rapidly losing control of the Jets locker room, look no further than his alienation of the best player the Jets have had in nearly a decade to the point that they had to trade him, Jamal Adams. He is on the hottest of hot seats.
With that being said, this offseason has been tumultuous, and that’s an understatement. The NFL had almost 6 months to prepare and properly create a COVID-19 plan and response, instead they barely did anything outside of tweaking the roster sizes and making mandatory COVID-19 testing. Still, even without in-market bubbles and more, COVID-19 positives have been very low so far, so maybe it was not needed, but the science is clear: fans should not be at the games to begin the season. There are just too many cases to fathom at this point, many fans are irresponsible and will not obey the guidelines and measures such as six-feet social distancing and mandatory masks, endangering the rest of the fans who are. It’s a sad reality we are in today, but it is a reality. You can however, buy a cardboard cutout of yourself to put up at 49ers games now. Fun idea by the Niners.
Previewing Week One: Arizona Cardinals
Assuming all goes to plan, September 13th will mark the start of easily the strangest NFL season in history. If you told someone a year ago that:
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski would start for the Buccaneers
DeForest Buckner is on the Colts
Jamal Adams plays for the Seahawks
No fans are allowed at NFL Stadiums
They would have called you crazy. But here we are. Still, the show must go on, and with that, let’s get into the preview:
Arizona may have had the best offseason of any team. They started off with a bang, committing robbery that would have made George Clooney proud, absolutely fleecing Texans GM Bill O’Brien for DeAndre Hopkins while giving up a bad contract and not having to surrender a 1st round pick. Hopkins has an argument for the best WR in the league, and Arizona’s WR core combined with Kyler Murray in an air-raid offense will be very explosive next season. Christian Kirk is becoming a premier slot WR in the league, and of course, Larry Fitzgerald is timeless. ARI also has some other weapons like Andy Isabella and Hakeem Butler.
Steve Keim then had another big win, stealing freak LB/S Isaiah Simmons with the 8th pick in the draft. Simmons, physically, is maybe one of the only players on the planet that is capable of covering George Kittle one on one. The Kittle effect: First Simmons, now Jamal Adams. Simmons was not the only great addition in the draft, Keim also stole Houston OT Josh Jones in the 3rd round, who was projected by some to go in the 1st! They also added some great DL depth, and retained their breakout RB Kenyan Drake.
The Matchup:
This matchup will be decided by one thing. Can the 49ers pressure the QB? We were #1 in pass defense last season, but Dee Ford and Nick Bosa need to have big games in order to change this game. Kyler Murray is one of the most elusive QBs in the league which is extremely annoying to say the least, considering we have already dealt with “Mr. Unlimited” for nearly a decade now. The Cardinals will attack our corners, and likely win, so the DL vs. OL will be a big deal. Fortunately, even with adding some talent, the Cardinals OL is still terrible at the moment, so expect a big game from 2019 DROY Nick Bosa.
On the offensive side, we will have some trouble. ARI statistically was one of the worst defenses in the league last season, but they are primed to go from worst to first, not unlike we did this past season. Chandler Jones is one of the best edge rushers in the league, maybe the best, and Zach Allen on the other side is no slouch either. Thankfully, we have maybe the best LT in the league now to stifle Jones from terrorizing his former New England teammate all day. The Cardinals are weak on the interior DL, but the 49ers are weak in the interior OL, so the inside running game will likely not work very well. Look for the quick passing game to be a big factor, especially towards Kittle, who I expect Shanahan to use a lot in the opening. Aiyuk is hopefully back by Week 1, but if he is not, along with Deebo, Arizona will give the passing game fits. Patrick Peterson is showing no signs of slowing down as a premier shutdown corner, and 2nd year corner Byron Murphy Jr. looks to take a big leap forward. Add Isaiah Simmons to their LB core featuring Jordan Hicks and DeVondre Campbell, and of course, their now long-term safety in Budda Baker, and Arizona has the makings of a very good defense.
X-Factors: Jordan Reed and Jerick McKinnon
Assuming worst-case scenario, which is Deebo and Aiyuk both out Week One, the tight end group will be asked to take on a lot. Kittle will get the most attention from both Baker and Simmons to start, meaning two-tight end sets should get a lot of run, to try and get Reed open. Two-TE sets also open up the run-game with more blockers, which we know Shanahan will do, and with the lack of explosiveness at WR, the quick passing game will rely on Kittle, Reed, and likely Jerick McKinnon as well out of the backfield. Kittle will likely draw Simmons, Reed will get Baker, meaning McKinnon will get one v. one matchups to exploit against the Cardinals LBs in Campbell and Hicks. McKinnon will have a big game as long as he gets the opportunity.
Prediction:
San Francisco - 28
Arizona - 24
At the end of the day, SF’s defense will stop Arizona from making this game closer. It will be close, no doubt. But I expect a fast start from Arizona through Kliff Kingsbury’s playcalling, but it won’t last as their OL gets tired as the game progresses and Murray gets pressured more and more by Bosa and company. SF likely wins the time of possession through using the short passing game and outside runs to chunk-gain the ARI defense and Vance Joseph to oblivion.
Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo, where we look at what his issues were last season. Take a look at our latest roster projection, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.
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Finally, here at FTN we want to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Chadwick Boseman, as the talented actor tragically passed away yesterday, after a 4-year battle with colon cancer. Boseman was a talented and young actor, famous for his trailblazing roles as Thurgood Marshall in “Marshall”, Jackie Robinson in “42”, and of course his most famous role, playing the “Black Panther” in the MCU. Rest in peace.
Funny thing with the Bell drama is that Gore is apparently having a great TC. I could see Gase playing him a bunch this year
That Cardinals Team is looking mean, fast and dangerous. Their OL might be their achilles heel. The DBs are good as are their DEs and the LBs are no slouches.
But it's their passing game and Murray's elusiveness and big play skills that will cause us fits. It's a tough team to play, staright off the blocks