Pre Season - Just What We Expected

Pre-Season – Just What We Expected

The 49ers ended their pre-season with a loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday Night. 

How much stock do you put into the pre-season games is very much dependant on how the team approaches the games. Kyle Shanahan, it seems wanted to make sure that Trey Lance got as many reps as possible, limit the exposure of the key players (Fred Warner, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel) and get an opportunity to evaluate the players  who are on the fringe of making the 53 man roster, which will get announced on Tuesday 30^th August.

Offensive Line –

I have mentioned through this off season, the O-Line was my main worry and the biggest weakness in the team. The performance of the O-Line during the three pre-season games, has in my opinion, been what we all expected. There have been some splashes of good play, but in the main, it is inexperienced unit, that will make mistakes and is a cause of concern.

I think the Starting O-Line, will be Trent Williams at Left Tackle, Colt McKivitz at Right Tackle, Jake Brendel will be the Centre and the two Guards will be Jason Poe and Daniel Brunskill (depending of his recovering from his hamstring strain). Jason Poe, has been the stand out during training camp and the pre -season and if he starts alongside Trent Williams this season, he will become a very good player for the 49ers.

Spencer Burford, who is a rookie, has showed promise and he will make the 53 man roster, but he is not ready for a starting position. Aaron Banks, is in his second season, but he has made mistakes in the pre-season and has not done enough to warrant a starting position on the O-line.

Mike McGlinchey’s injury, means he is doubtful for the start of the season, the fact he is coming from an injury, I was always suspected that they team would ease him in over the course of the start of the season.

There are still some significant unknowns with the O-line and I suspect that they will make mistakes and they will rely on Trey Lance, the running game and Kyle’s Shanahan’s play calling to limit their exposure. I can see teams trying pressure the O-Line and force Trey Lance into making mistakes, forcing sacks and turnovers.

Special Teams – Upgrade

The Special Teams Unit already looks better, there have been some changes in personal, a new coach and one of team’s biggest weaknesses from last season has been addressed. It will great if the Special Teams can contribute to  this year's scoring and become a real threat as the season goes on.

Defence – Game Ready.

The loss of Jimmy Ward is a set-back, but this defence is ready to be a Top 5 Defence.  The defensive Line is probably the best line the team has had for several years, with Bosa, Kinlaw and Armstead and Ebukam, and with a riches of back ups waiting to be rotated and contribute, for example, rookie Drake Jackson, I am really excited to see the D-Line perform and dominate the trenches this season.  

The secondary has been upgraded and once again I think the 49ers have found a star in Samuel Womack III. The 49ers will need to get takeaways this season, win the turnover battle if they are going to win their division and compete in the playoffs. If the team goes deep this season, it will be their Defence that will be carrying them into the playoffs.

Trey Lance –

Trey Lance in the pre-season has showed glimpses of his exceptional talent, the new dimension he will add to the Offense and illustrated that he is still a work in progress.

His development this season, will hinge on how well the O-Line can help protect him and allow him to go through his progressions and stay in the pocket. I am sure there will be designed running plays, and Kyle Shanahan will want to expose the fact opposing defences will have to account for Lance on every play, especially in the Red Zone.

The pre-season, the time spent in Minnesota with the Vikings have all helped Lance. The 17-day break between the last pre-season game and the start of the season, I think will also help.

Conclusion

The Pre-season has in my opinion been a success, we knew what the team’s weak points were are the beginning of pre-season, they have survived the preseason general injury free, with things to work on.  The next few days, there will be some tough decisions to be made by John Lynch and the front office about who makes the 53 man roster (e.g. Trey Shermon). The team, I am sure will announce what is happening to Jimmy Garoppolo and will be gearing up for a long season and a run at the playoffs.