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San Francisco 49ers safety Jimmie Ward didn't want to choose one quarterback when asked who is the toughest to go against in practice—Trey Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo. Although, Ward acknowledged that he faced Lance, who ran the scout team, more than Garoppolo last season.
While he wasn't prepared to declare one better than the other, Ward admitted that facing Lance on the practice field can be a frustrating experience. However, his reasoning bodes well for the 49ers' future. Lance is expected to be the starter come Week 1 of the 2022 season.
"Trey will piss you off at practice, man," Ward said via Instagram Live (h/t TheSFNiners). "The only reason Trey piss you off at practice, obviously, because he'll probably complete a pass, and then he'll look at you. And that pisses DBs off.
"But he'll piss you off because he'll move out the pocket and throw the ball. And in our head, we be thinking it's time on the clock, so if he throws the ball and it's a scramble route—we've been covering probably for six or seven, eight seconds, and then somebody will catch the ball.
"And you know you've got to get coached on that s--t, and your coach gonna tell you, 'Finish the play.' Like, the man was sacked two times."
Lance brings a different skill set to the offense than Garoppolo. Lance has even admitted that he enjoys moving around and letting plays develop. The team liked the young quarterback's potential so much that it traded a haul of draft picks last year to move up to the No. 3 overall pick to get him. That left the 49ers without a first-round pick until 2024. Their first selection in this year's draft doesn't come until pick No. 61 in the second round.
Lance spent most of last season as Garoppolo's backup, appearing in just 178 snaps, including two starts. He finished his rookie campaign 41-of-71 (57.7 percent) for 603 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions through six game appearances.
Why ESPN analyst hopes 49ers address O-line in the draft
By David Bonilla
Apr 9
ESPN analyst Matt Miller watches the San Francisco 49ers differently than other teams. As a 49ers fan, he feels more invested in the team's successes and failures than most analysts.
With the draft nearing, Miller made it clear which direction he believes head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch should take with their first pick. In his ESPN mock draft, a seven-round doozy, the analyst had the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Miller recently joined the 49ers Webzone "No Huddle" podcast, sharing why he adamantly hopes the team addresses the offensive line at the end of the month.
"So I
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
