49ers v Broncos Preseason Saturday August 9

Stock way up :

Saleh. I know schematically Ive been skeptical of going back but boy did this team miss his energy and leadership. This team needs a guy like him.
Lucas. Might make the team and is actually competing for backup nickel. Seems to thrive under Saleh.
Sigle. Made some impressive tackles in space some other guys couldn't. Did whiff on one ST play but overall his camp seemed quiet; him having nose for the ball is awesome. Will need to see his coverage tape this game but a guy with his speed if he can tackle consistently, thats an asset already. Might not be a long shot project like I thought he was.

Encouraging signs:

CJ West. Didnt flash but made noticeable impact
Valdez: He should make this team, he is not consistent but he has some traits the other DTs seem to lack. He plays violent but also not over the top and he can get pressure in several ways. For an UDFA its certainly a big deal to make this team as a lineman.
Winters: Didn't get injured, seemed to be in spots he's supposed to be. Still skeptical whether he can make tackles consistently but today was encouraging
Bethune: He might be the best tackling LB on this team. Not flashy, doesnt really cover but he just makes tackles. That's what you want out of your LB. I don't see why he shouldnt start at SAM LB in base when they dont have nickel on
Kalia Davis: made some plays. Hard to evaluate him because of him always being injured so when hes healthy and does well you notice
Special Teams wasnt all good, but even that was better than mess they typically had last year.

Mixed:

Watkins. Speed is there and that was a beautiful catch. But some other little things that WRs need to do in his offense, he...was not that great. He lost a few blocks badly, one led to a sack on Mac. I dont know if he can win consistently outside to be an X guy and he also got out-physical'd by the defense. Knowing that Kyle will not play you if you can't block, I can see vets taking snaps over him. Which would be a shame imo, but this is still a run-first offense
Kiner. I didnt see anything exceptional but he ran hard and forced some missed tackles. Wasn't many holes to run through, but he lacked the gear or elusiveness other backs have. Not sure he makes the team if both James and Guerendo are healthy. I think Patrick Taylor makes it just by virtue of knowing the system and being healthy.
Luther Jr: Some good plays and some horrific coverage busts. He seems like one of those guys where he isnt bad to have as a backup but if he has to start more than like one game hes just going to be targeted out there.
Mac Jones Perfect throw to Watkins and then a bad pick. Lack of mobility compared to Purdy is obvious and because line is weak at best you can notice it negatively affecting the plays where defense got pressure
Blanton Classic LB type except feels slow and RBs could get away just by using speed. Would like to keep him on PS and see if his instincts and tackling can carry him but idk. For an UDFA flier I think hes doing fine.

Oline as a whole. We all know they had bums out there and depth is atrocious, but man getting no push in the run game against bums was rough. Bartch was the only starter who played and was meh, Zakelj was worse. On the other hand, 2nd stringers of a bad depth OL vs one of the best defenses in the league...well I cant say stock down because we all knew it would be rough.

Stock down:

Collins Just reminding me on Kinlaw so much even I hate the thought of it. The pad level, being pushed back and washed out of the run plays are worrisome. I expected more because his college tape had a lot of flashes and motor. The guy is raw and not a three-down player in any capacity whatsoever right now. Right now Id say pure rotational piece, not even a base down staple. Might change my tune if he gets more up-to-date but I dont think three weeks drastically change his outlook.

Stock way down:

Martin. I am biased because I thought the fraft value was really bad and didnt really like the player. Then I started softening up due to those camp reports. Speed, Saleh violence etc etc etc. Yeah no, this game erased all that crap and reminded me why you shouldnt listen to TC stuff too much. This was not even a "Dee Winters at home", this was just bad. As a LB you need to tackle or you better be amazing in coverage. Neither of those qualities showed up today, the opposite showed up. Nowhere to go but up from here if we're looking for silver lining.

Burford: For years we heard the whole "Burford would be better at tackle than guard". Yeah, no. Burford at LT is plain unsafe for Brock. Get a real swing T please. Burford is just generally not that good as a player. He is slow, he makes bad decisions, he gets beat easily and hes a guy who almost never flashes...a guy whose best plays are of the "you didnt mess up" variety.

You're much worse than Bronny if he were on an NFL team :

Bradley some of the worst QB play I've ever seen. Just not an NFL level QB. A lot of times its obvious when someone is not an NFL level player. This was more than obvious. Isn't even practice squad stash level QB. Not a varsity athlete and never had the makings of.

The above seems like a pretty good take. I saw things much the same way. I would add Robert Beal in with the bad though. Had a couple of plays that stood out for the wrong reasons and is now apparently injured again. I doubt he'll make the team this year. I thought Sigle played well and that return by Bergen was pretty slick. Haven't seen that from a returner in a long time

I'm excited for Watkins

Also that punt returner guy

Blanton in college got a lot of tackles but they were tackles from behind. He doesn't have the speed.

Originally posted by 49ers81:
The above seems like a pretty good take. I saw things much the same way. I would add Robert Beal in with the bad though. Had a couple of plays that stood out for the wrong reasons and is now apparently injured again. I doubt he'll make the team this year. I thought Sigle played well and that return by Bergen was pretty slick. Haven't seen that from a returner in a long time

I Definitely lost all faith in Beal. Hoped he could turn into a 3rd down rusher, not a star, but a contributor. He us going into year 3. I see him as an easy cut. Burford would be if we had someone else. Unfortunately, there are no other tackles.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
Stock way up :

Saleh. I know schematically Ive been skeptical of going back but boy did this team miss his energy and leadership. This team needs a guy like him.
Lucas. Might make the team and is actually competing for backup nickel. Seems to thrive under Saleh.
Sigle. Made some impressive tackles in space some other guys couldn't. Did whiff on one ST play but overall his camp seemed quiet; him having nose for the ball is awesome. Will need to see his coverage tape this game but a guy with his speed if he can tackle consistently, thats an asset already. Might not be a long shot project like I thought he was.

Encouraging signs:

CJ West. Didnt flash but made noticeable impact
Valdez: He should make this team, he is not consistent but he has some traits the other DTs seem to lack. He plays violent but also not over the top and he can get pressure in several ways. For an UDFA its certainly a big deal to make this team as a lineman.
Winters: Didn't get injured, seemed to be in spots he's supposed to be. Still skeptical whether he can make tackles consistently but today was encouraging
Bethune: He might be the best tackling LB on this team. Not flashy, doesnt really cover but he just makes tackles. That's what you want out of your LB. I don't see why he shouldnt start at SAM LB in base when they dont have nickel on
Kalia Davis: made some plays. Hard to evaluate him because of him always being injured so when hes healthy and does well you notice
Special Teams wasnt all good, but even that was better than mess they typically had last year.

Mixed:

Watkins. Speed is there and that was a beautiful catch. But some other little things that WRs need to do in his offense, he...was not that great. He lost a few blocks badly, one led to a sack on Mac. I dont know if he can win consistently outside to be an X guy and he also got out-physical'd by the defense. Knowing that Kyle will not play you if you can't block, I can see vets taking snaps over him. Which would be a shame imo, but this is still a run-first offense
Kiner. I didnt see anything exceptional but he ran hard and forced some missed tackles. Wasn't many holes to run through, but he lacked the gear or elusiveness other backs have. Not sure he makes the team if both James and Guerendo are healthy. I think Patrick Taylor makes it just by virtue of knowing the system and being healthy.
Luther Jr: Some good plays and some horrific coverage busts. He seems like one of those guys where he isnt bad to have as a backup but if he has to start more than like one game hes just going to be targeted out there.
Mac Jones Perfect throw to Watkins and then a bad pick. Lack of mobility compared to Purdy is obvious and because line is weak at best you can notice it negatively affecting the plays where defense got pressure
Blanton Classic LB type except feels slow and RBs could get away just by using speed. Would like to keep him on PS and see if his instincts and tackling can carry him but idk. For an UDFA flier I think hes doing fine.

Oline as a whole. We all know they had bums out there and depth is atrocious, but man getting no push in the run game against bums was rough. Bartch was the only starter who played and was meh, Zakelj was worse. On the other hand, 2nd stringers of a bad depth OL vs one of the best defenses in the league...well I cant say stock down because we all knew it would be rough.

Stock down:

Collins Just reminding me on Kinlaw so much even I hate the thought of it. The pad level, being pushed back and washed out of the run plays are worrisome. I expected more because his college tape had a lot of flashes and motor. The guy is raw and not a three-down player in any capacity whatsoever right now. Right now Id say pure rotational piece, not even a base down staple. Might change my tune if he gets more up-to-date but I dont think three weeks drastically change his outlook.

Stock way down:

Martin. I am biased because I thought the fraft value was really bad and didnt really like the player. Then I started softening up due to those camp reports. Speed, Saleh violence etc etc etc. Yeah no, this game erased all that crap and reminded me why you shouldnt listen to TC stuff too much. This was not even a "Dee Winters at home", this was just bad. As a LB you need to tackle or you better be amazing in coverage. Neither of those qualities showed up today, the opposite showed up. Nowhere to go but up from here if we're looking for silver lining.

Burford: For years we heard the whole "Burford would be better at tackle than guard". Yeah, no. Burford at LT is plain unsafe for Brock. Get a real swing T please. Burford is just generally not that good as a player. He is slow, he makes bad decisions, he gets beat easily and hes a guy who almost never flashes...a guy whose best plays are of the "you didnt mess up" variety.

You're much worse than Bronny if he were on an NFL team :

Bradley some of the worst QB play I've ever seen. Just not an NFL level QB. A lot of times its obvious when someone is not an NFL level player. This was more than obvious. Isn't even practice squad stash level QB. Not a varsity athlete and never had the makings of.

Don't make too much off of one pre season game. Half the guys that were on the field either won't see much action this year or they won't even make the team. No game planning. Lot's of guys just getting playing time so the coaches can look at them and not risk having a starter get hurt.

The only take I got from that game was the defense looked more aggressive. Especially in the first quarter. Still we didn't see many starters. No Bosa. No Williams. No Warner. Just a rag tag bunch getting some work in.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by 49ers81:
The above seems like a pretty good take. I saw things much the same way. I would add Robert Beal in with the bad though. Had a couple of plays that stood out for the wrong reasons and is now apparently injured again. I doubt he'll make the team this year. I thought Sigle played well and that return by Bergen was pretty slick. Haven't seen that from a returner in a long time

I Definitely lost all faith in Beal. Hoped he could turn into a 3rd down rusher, not a star, but a contributor. He us going into year 3. I see him as an easy cut. Burford would be if we had someone else. Unfortunately, there are no other tackles.

Humphries and Pleasants.

A lot of fans just don't understand what preseason is for. Just stay healthy get the starters a few hits and work on scheme to see which dudes fit it and not give up to much info on what you want to do during the season.

Did anyone on this forum go to the game last night? I was wondering how those new 4K video screens look. I read that they enhanced several things there. Improved Wi-fi. Remodeled fan store.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
Don't make too much off of one pre season game. Half the guys that were on the field either won't see much action this year or they won't even make the team. No game planning. Lot's of guys just getting playing time so the coaches can look at them and not risk having a starter get hurt.

The only take I got from that game was the defense looked more aggressive. Especially in the first quarter. Still we didn't see many starters. No Bosa. No Williams. No Warner. Just a rag tag bunch getting some work in.

This is my evaluation of the game... actually not even of the game but thoughts on players and how they looked. Most of my thoughts are on guys who are either rookies or new to the team this year or guys fighting for position/roster spots.

Unlike TC where this information was second hand info coming from biased beat writers and content creators, this was the first action I got to see with my own eyes. I'm a simple man, I watch and I state what I see. Doesnt mean Im right or that Im making some crazy conclusions that are final

Also I think Kyle might have said that it was Watkins who ran the wrong route on Mac Jones pick as well as exonerated Burford...so I guess Mac play wasnt all that bad. Already some corollaries to my thoughts. Not gonna stick up for Burford though, guy is just not good.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by the_dynasty:
Stock way up :

Saleh. I know schematically Ive been skeptical of going back but boy did this team miss his energy and leadership. This team needs a guy like him.
Lucas. Might make the team and is actually competing for backup nickel. Seems to thrive under Saleh.
Sigle. Made some impressive tackles in space some other guys couldn't. Did whiff on one ST play but overall his camp seemed quiet; him having nose for the ball is awesome. Will need to see his coverage tape this game but a guy with his speed if he can tackle consistently, thats an asset already. Might not be a long shot project like I thought he was.

Encouraging signs:

CJ West. Didnt flash but made noticeable impact
Valdez: He should make this team, he is not consistent but he has some traits the other DTs seem to lack. He plays violent but also not over the top and he can get pressure in several ways. For an UDFA its certainly a big deal to make this team as a lineman.
Winters: Didn't get injured, seemed to be in spots he's supposed to be. Still skeptical whether he can make tackles consistently but today was encouraging
Bethune: He might be the best tackling LB on this team. Not flashy, doesnt really cover but he just makes tackles. That's what you want out of your LB. I don't see why he shouldnt start at SAM LB in base when they dont have nickel on
Kalia Davis: made some plays. Hard to evaluate him because of him always being injured so when hes healthy and does well you notice
Special Teams wasnt all good, but even that was better than mess they typically had last year.

Mixed:

Watkins. Speed is there and that was a beautiful catch. But some other little things that WRs need to do in his offense, he...was not that great. He lost a few blocks badly, one led to a sack on Mac. I dont know if he can win consistently outside to be an X guy and he also got out-physical'd by the defense. Knowing that Kyle will not play you if you can't block, I can see vets taking snaps over him. Which would be a shame imo, but this is still a run-first offense
Kiner. I didnt see anything exceptional but he ran hard and forced some missed tackles. Wasn't many holes to run through, but he lacked the gear or elusiveness other backs have. Not sure he makes the team if both James and Guerendo are healthy. I think Patrick Taylor makes it just by virtue of knowing the system and being healthy.
Luther Jr: Some good plays and some horrific coverage busts. He seems like one of those guys where he isnt bad to have as a backup but if he has to start more than like one game hes just going to be targeted out there.
Mac Jones Perfect throw to Watkins and then a bad pick. Lack of mobility compared to Purdy is obvious and because line is weak at best you can notice it negatively affecting the plays where defense got pressure
Blanton Classic LB type except feels slow and RBs could get away just by using speed. Would like to keep him on PS and see if his instincts and tackling can carry him but idk. For an UDFA flier I think hes doing fine.

Oline as a whole. We all know they had bums out there and depth is atrocious, but man getting no push in the run game against bums was rough. Bartch was the only starter who played and was meh, Zakelj was worse. On the other hand, 2nd stringers of a bad depth OL vs one of the best defenses in the league...well I cant say stock down because we all knew it would be rough.

Stock down:

Collins Just reminding me on Kinlaw so much even I hate the thought of it. The pad level, being pushed back and washed out of the run plays are worrisome. I expected more because his college tape had a lot of flashes and motor. The guy is raw and not a three-down player in any capacity whatsoever right now. Right now Id say pure rotational piece, not even a base down staple. Might change my tune if he gets more up-to-date but I dont think three weeks drastically change his outlook.

Stock way down:

Martin. I am biased because I thought the fraft value was really bad and didnt really like the player. Then I started softening up due to those camp reports. Speed, Saleh violence etc etc etc. Yeah no, this game erased all that crap and reminded me why you shouldnt listen to TC stuff too much. This was not even a "Dee Winters at home", this was just bad. As a LB you need to tackle or you better be amazing in coverage. Neither of those qualities showed up today, the opposite showed up. Nowhere to go but up from here if we're looking for silver lining.

Burford: For years we heard the whole "Burford would be better at tackle than guard". Yeah, no. Burford at LT is plain unsafe for Brock. Get a real swing T please. Burford is just generally not that good as a player. He is slow, he makes bad decisions, he gets beat easily and hes a guy who almost never flashes...a guy whose best plays are of the "you didnt mess up" variety.

You're much worse than Bronny if he were on an NFL team :

Bradley some of the worst QB play I've ever seen. Just not an NFL level QB. A lot of times its obvious when someone is not an NFL level player. This was more than obvious. Isn't even practice squad stash level QB. Not a varsity athlete and never had the makings of.

Don't make too much off of one pre season game. Half the guys that were on the field either won't see much action this year or they won't even make the team. No game planning. Lot's of guys just getting playing time so the coaches can look at them and not risk having a starter get hurt.

The only take I got from that game was the defense looked more aggressive. Especially in the first quarter. Still we didn't see many starters. No Bosa. No Williams. No Warner. Just a rag tag bunch getting some work in.

At least he did a breakdown. He was mostly correct, but ya it is day to day. I'm sure some of those guys will get better, while a few others won't get better.

Final score doesn't concern me in the slightest. We got trounced 34-7 by the Raiders in our first preseason game in 2023 and then went to the Super Bowl.

I'm more concerned about how bad Collins and Martin looked. We need this draft to be good, badly.

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:
Final score doesn't concern me in the slightest. We got trounced 34-7 by the Raiders in our first preseason game in 2023 and then went to the Super Bowl.

I'm more concerned about how bad Collins and Martin looked. We need this draft to be good, badly.

Well, they are doing a good job at looking bad.

They are still early in their progress and they are moving to a very different scheme than they were in. They will probably start figuring it out around mid-season :)

I really don't see the logic in not letting the starters play a couple series in the first game. I know they don't want to see anyone get hurt but eventually they have to let the starters play. The chance of getting injured is the same every time you step on the field.

For most of the years I've been watching football, the formula was let the starters play the first couple series in the first game. Then they go to backups and rookies. Sometimes the starters would play a few snaps in the 2nd game. The 3rd game they would play a half and then sit out the entire 4th game so they would be fresh for the season opener. It worked fine. We didn't seem to have any more injuries than they get now.

If the starters don't play at all in the pre season I don't see how they'll be game ready for the opener. The idea that they don't want to see players hurt in meaningless games doesn't make a lot of sense. What difference does it make if they get hurt in a pre season game or the season opener. They're still injured. Losing Aiyuk in the 3rd game last season hurt the team just as much as it would have if he had been injured in camp. Play these guys and get them ready. Start building some chemistry and cohesiveness.