The San Francisco 49ers held their third practice of training camp today. This time, it was at the fields behind the team's headquarters rather than at Levi's Stadium. The field there has come under much criticism as it has come loose in each of the team's two previous practices.
Here is what some of the team beat writers had to say about today's practice.
Matt Barrows, Sacramento Bee:
The team's third full practice of training camp was marked by false starts, blown assignments, ineffective throws to check-down receivers and quarterbacks scrambling due to breakdowns.
[Trent Brown] was overmatched at times by his primary opponent, outside linebacker Aldon Smith and by Smith's backup, good-looking rookie Eli Harold.
Brock continues to be the primary nickel cornerback with Jimmie Ward still not taking part in team drills. When Brock is at nickel, Dontae Johnson enters the game to play outside cornerback.
The better undrafted rookie receiver on Monday may have been Dres Anderson, who had two nice catch-and-run plays Monday.
[Arik Armstead] put a solid bull rush on Looney on one of his snaps. On the other, he shoved Martin backward a few steps then received a few congratulatory helmet slaps from teammates when he was finished.
Read all of Matt Barrows' practice notes
Grant Cohn, The Press Democrat:
[Torrey Smith] faced Niners' No. 1 cornerback Tramaine Brock twice during one-on-one drills and beat him both times.
Shareece Wright: The only cornerback who didn't get beaten during one-on-one drills.
Carradine also rotated in at right defensive end with the base defense and, toward the end of practice, exploded past second-team tackle Trent Brown to tag Kaepernick for the sack.
On one play [Vance McDonald] ran a seam route down the middle of the field and no one covered him – the defense messed up. Kaepernick saw McDonald wide open and threw him the ball. McDonald reached out and let the pass fly right through his hands.
Smith keeps getting open during team drills and Kaepernick keeps missing him.
Read all of Grant Cohn's practice notes
Cam Inman, The Mercury News:
Left tackle Joe Staley got Monday's practice off to rest, though he stuck around to watch the makeshift offensive line struggle without him.
[Daniel Kilgore] was wearing an orthopedic boot and is not expected to practice until late this month.
Tramaine Brock intercepted a Colin Kaepernick pass for the second straight practice, this time after Anquan Bolding bobbled the short-yardage throw.
Jarryd Hayne caught the ball well out of the backfield and cleanly fielded two punts.
Read all of Cam Inman's practice notes
Paul Gutierrez, ESPN:
The entire offensive line seemed out of sync, what with so many false starts in team drills and at least two Colin Kaepernick passes getting batted down.
Perhaps the prettiest move of the day came in a pass-rushing drill in which the 6-foot-1, 305-pound Ian Williams spun his way past a bamboozled 6-8, 300-poud Alex Boone after it appeared Boone had Williams locked up.
Defensive end Darnell Dockett, who sat out the first two days of practice, participated in nickel defense drills while Reggie Bush sat out again.
Read all of Paul Gutierrez's practice notes
Chris Biderman, Niner Digest:
Pro-Bowl left tackle Joe Staley was given the day off, forcing seventh-round pick Trent Brown into the starting lineup in his place. Brown rotated with Alex Boone, who continues to get the majority of his reps at left guard with the first team.
Unofficially, Colin Kaepernick completed 9 of 15 throws in 11-on-11 drills, with an interception to Tramaine Brock that would have likely gone back the other way for a touchdown.
For most of the day, Kaepernick was forced to make throws out of rhythm because plays had either broken down or his targets were covered. Through the first three days, it's clear the defense is far more cohesive than the offense.
Considering the depth along the defensive line, it doesn't look like Armstead will be moving up the depth chart soon. It's a crowded group, with more reps going to Quinton Dial, Tank Carradine, Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Tony Jerod-Eddie, and now, Dockett.
Read all of Chris Biderman's practice notes
Matt Maiocco, CSN Bay Area:
Dial, who is lining up as a starting defensive end, has regularly been getting into the 49ers' backfield.
Boldin made the top grab when he lurched back to catch a Kaepernick throw behind him for a touchdown in a 7-on-7 red-zone drill.
Wide receiver Bruce Ellington, who has gotten off to a strong start in training camp, appeared in some discomfort after running a red-zone pattern that fell incomplete late in practice.
Undrafted rookie Marcus Rush has opened some eyes with his pass-rush prowess in one-on-one drills. In a teamwork session, Rush intercepted a pass from fellow rookie Dylan Thompson on an intended screen.
Running back Carlos Hyde bounced back strong with a good day with his hands as he caught a handful of passes out of the backfield.
Read all of Matt Maiocco's practice notes
Tuesday will be the 49ers' first padded practice of training camp.
