The San Francisco 49ers were in the red zone four times against the Minnesota Vikings but came away with points just once — on a touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis.
"When you're one of four in the red zone, when you lose the turnover battle three to one, when you have some of those drops, some of those missed plays down there, it's very hard to beat a good team," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game.
After any loss, especially an opener, it's easy for fans to start searching for answers, for ways to create an immediate improvement. One player who is still waiting for the right opportunity to present itself is wide receiver Dez Bryant.
One 49ers great who didn't sound too confident in the ex-Dallas Cowboys receiver being able to help the team is Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
"I think he could help the team as a veteran with his experience," Rice said on 95.7 The Game Monday morning. "I am a big fan of Dez Bryant but my thing over the years with Dez is that he just cannot get separation from defensive backs."
Could a receiver like Bryant join a team and be ready to contribute right away? What about the learning curve of an offense as complicated as Shanahan's?
"I don't think it would be that difficult because you're probably going to try to bring someone in that has some experience," Rice added.
49ers and the NFL Draft: What you see is not always what you get
By Jack Stewart
Apr 19
Vegas gives you the odds, but I am not a betting man. So I will give you the percentages.
In his time as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, John Lynch has made 65 selections in the NFL draft. Of those, I count 16 obvious successes (or look-to-be successes), or roughly...
49ers held pre-draft meeting with 334-pound defensive tackle
By David Bonilla
Apr 20
Justin Melo of The Draft Network added another name to the list of prospects the San Francisco 49ers have virtually met with—Tennessee defensive tackle Elijah Simmons.
.@Vol_Football DT Elijah Simmons received good feedback from scouts at the NFL Combine.He's since...
Former Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams received the call of a lifetime on Thursday night. On the other end of the line were San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and team owner Jed York.
The trio informed the standout pass rusher that...
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan discuss the 49ers drafting Mykel Williams; Williams speaks to reporters
By Site Staff
9 hrs
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after selecting Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams with the 11th overall pick. Additionally, Williams spoke to reporters via Zoom. Here is everything they said.
Transcripts...