49ers Training Camp: Trey Lance vindicates John Lynch's Day 5 praise
Ahead of the first padded practice of training camp for the 49ers, general manager John Lynch had words of effusive praise for Trey Lance. Then the 2021 third overall pick went out onto the practice field and substantiated Lynch's words by playing a starring role in Monday's session. After a tough start to camp for […]
Ahead of the first padded practice of training camp for the 49ers, general manager John Lynch had words of effusive praise for Trey Lance.
Then the 2021 third overall pick went out onto the practice field and substantiated Lynch's words by playing a starring role in Monday's session.
After a tough start to camp for the 49ers' quarterbacks, they have begun to hit their stride in recent practices, and Lynch's comments in which he hailed Lance for seeking out quarterback trainer Jeff Christensen in the offseason served as a precursor for a performance for which he received widespread acclaim.
Lynch said of Lance's offseason preparations:
“I think they [Lance and Christensen] did some great work and I think he’s throwing the football a lot better, his base better, some of his mechanics are better. Those things are showing up on the field. So, I’m not just proud of him for his attitude and his leadership, his resiliency. I’m proud for what I’m seeing out there. And I know there’s been a lot of talk about the opportunities he’s not getting. I’m proud of him for what he’s doing with the opportunities he is getting.”
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The progress Lynch referred may not have been obvious through the first few days of camp, but it was there for all to see as the Niners quarterbacks enjoyed contrasting fortunes against a stern and aggressive defense.
49ers Training Camp: Key Day 5 Takeaways
Lance reaches new heights
The reviews from practice came in thick and fast, and they were all in agreement that it was Lance's best of camp and perhaps his best since being selected by the 49ers.
Lance, working with the second-team offense, went nine of 11 during the team period, his sharp and decisive showing highlighted by a series of impressive completions.
He connected with Danny Gray on a crossing route for approximately 15 yards, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner, and made an excellent timing throw to Chris Conley running a deep out. A completion to Ray-Ray McCloud over the middle was one of throws of the day, with Lance producing another contender for that honor when he found Tay Martin on a glance route, fitting the ball into very tight coverage.
Lance's consistency stood out in part because of the up-and-down nature of the performances by likely starting quarterback Brock Purdy and by his rival for the backup job, Sam Darnold.
Purdy appeared to be gaining momentum in his previous practice last Friday, but his efforts on Monday suggested he is still shaking off some rust.
Indecision led Purdy to put his first throw in the team session in the dirt and he was later guilty of an underthrow of Deebo Samuel when the receiver had a favorable matchup against Qwauntrezz Knight. His worst throw of the day, though, came on a floaty throw to George Kittle running a corner route that was picked off by linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Purdy, however, hit Christian McCaffrey up the seam for a would-be 70-yard touchdown and finished his 27 team reps 12 of 16 passing.
Darnold, meanwhile, went six for eight. Most of his completions were said to be checkdowns as he played most of his reps behind the third-string offensive line, but the former Jets and Panthers quarterback was once again impressive attacking over the middle on digs and crossers.
If the 49ers need to call on Darnold at any point in the season, it looks likely they could rely on him to complete the staple throws of the Shanahan offense.
The 49ers will want to see more positive steps forward from Purdy, but this practice was supportive evidence to Shanahan's belief they have three quarterbacks with whom they can win games.
Interior defensive line dominance
Away from the field, the primary storyline for the 49ers surrounds defensive end Nick Bosa, who remains away from the team with negotiations over what is expected to be a record-setting contract extension yet to produce a result.
Bosa is the talisman on the defensive line, but the 49ers threw resources at the interior of the defensive line this offseason in an effort to ensure he has more support in 2023 than he did during his 18.5-sack 2022.
Their decision to hand Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84 million contract will prove a wise investment if his performance in practice is any indication.
Hargrave was described by Wagoner as "unblockable" during the one-on-one drills between the defensive line and offensive line, a portion of practice in which Javon Kinlaw also thrived.
Kinlaw has cut weight in an effort to finally vindicate his status as the 14th overall pick in the 2020 draft and was credited by The Athletic's Matt Barrows with wins against center Jake Brendel, rookie guard Joey Fisher, veteran interior lineman Jon Feliciano and rookie tackle Leroy Watson.
His display in that drill translated into the team period. Should Kinlaw build on his encouraging early displays and give the 49ers another destructive interior pass rusher behind Hargrave and Arik Armstead, they'll be in the enviable position of having an embarrassment of riches on the defensive front.
McKivitz stays under the radar
The first padded practice was highlighted, somewhat predictably, by the first fight of camp, which came after a hard hit from Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles on Elijah Mitchell.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was involved in that skirmish as well as a shoving match with All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Jennings attracted attention for the wrong reasons, but a key offensive starter has continued to keep himself out of the limelight while giving the Niners exactly what they are looking for at a crucial position.
Colton McKivitz is making the leap to starting right tackle in 2023 and his name has scarcely been mentioned so far during training camp.
That is always a positive for offensive linemen, and Barrows noted that McKivitz, who did not lose a rep in Monday's one-on-ones, may even prove to be an upgrade on predecessor Mike McGlinchey in terms of pass protection.
The 49ers will have no doubts about the left side of their offensive line, manned by All-Pro tackle Trent Williams, who was back on the practice field following a veteran's day off. Starting cornerback Charvarius Ward also returned, the 49ers have been careful with Ward as he as nursed a groin issue.
John Lynch remains confident of signing Nick Bosa to long-term extension
There is no sign of nerves on the part of the 49ers GM.
Featured Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
