What can the 49ers fans hope for and be fearful of as we enter the start of training camp?
Hopes
Quarterback - Trey Lance
Like all fans and local beat writers, we are looking forward to seeing Trey Lance. Training camp will no doubt gives us all an opportunity to see Lance take all the first team reps and demonstrate to all observers what he has learned from this year's off season, OTA’s and mini camps.
The consensus amongst those at the 49ers facility daily is that Lance has had a very productive off season. He seems to have relished the responsibility, developed, worked hard, stayed away from any unnecessary distractions. Lance has also exhibited real maturity in front of the media and not shied away to seek advice from his peers and established former players.
All the above points can only encourage us and provide real hope that Lance will take the next step in his development into a starting quarterback when training camp starts. I am not saying that it will be easy, and I am sure there will bumps along the way, which is to be expected and I am sure Lance will learn from his mistakes and learn as training camp goes on.
Steve Young, (whom Lance has been speaking to during the off season) always talks about the first four games of the regular season being part of pre-season and I suspect by the time October comes around, Lance and Kyle Shanahan will be starting to open the playbook.
Running Backs
Anthony Lynn, the running backs coach is in a very fortunate position, as I feel this is the most talented and most versatile running back room the 49ers has had for almost a decade.
The running game is going to be backbone of this year’s offence. Last year’s reliance in using Deebo Samuels, showed the lack of depth the team had, some part due to injuries. However, John Lynch and his team have addressed this head on during the off season.
I am excited to see what happens in training camp and what I feel will be one of the developing story of training camp, the healthy competition for roster spots in the running back room.
All eyes will be on is the rookie, Tyrion Davis-Price, with his power and explosion, which will no doubt help Elijah Mitchell plus also limit the need for Deebo to be placed in the back field.
In my opinion, the running back to keep a close eye in training camp is Trey Sermon, I feel there is more in his locker, and I am expecting a stronger, fitter, motivated and better all round running back in Trey Sermon when training camp starts.
Defensive Line
Again, the team have engineered defensive line class of 2022 that most, if all NFL rosters would be proud to have leading into this year's training camp.
Again, credit to John Lynch (e.g. Kerry Hyder returning to the team), who understands that the best way to protect a young Quarterback, is to run the ball and secondly to make sure you have a strong defence that can force turnovers.
The team's need for turnovers and putting pressure on the likes of Matthew Stafford and Kyler Murray will be necessary for the team to have any chance of winning NFC West and reaching the playoffs this season.
All the attention will be on Nick Bosa and I would not be surprised if Nick Bosa ends up being the NFL's defensive player of the year.
I am really looking forward to seeing Javon Kinlaw and Drake Jackson. Kinlaw, has worked so hard to get back into shape and I think he will be ready to go for training camp and will surprise those who doubt him.
Drake Jackson, looks like a great selection from the draft and I really can see him being impactful this season.
Fears
Injuries
The 49ers have been plagued with injuries over the past few seasons, key players like have got injured early in the season and effectively ended any hopes of a successful season.
So entering this year's training camp, the team has to avoid injuries, that is much harder said and done. Injuries are unavoidable but trying to mitigate the number of them, is key. The team, I am sure will keep a close eye on key players to make sure that they are fit and ready for the season.
The team needs player the likes of Fred Warner, Jimmy Ward, Dre Greenlaw, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel staying healthy and being fit. I suspect that these players and others in the roster will managed and will have limited time during the pre-season
Every team needs a bit of luck with injuries, and I hope the 49ers can grab a bit of luck this year.
Off The Field issues
This off season, the two main stories have been football related, the first is when is Jimmy going to be traded and two, when is Deebo going to sign his contract. From my perspective, that is a good off season, the two issues, are football related and can be controlled by the team. I feel that Jimmy will be either released, or a trade is done to Cleveland before the start of training camp.
In regard to Deebo, a deal will be presented to him and his team, the question is will he be happy with that? I suspect he will be and Deebo will report for training camp.
Aside from these two on going stories, the team has been very silent, no stories relating to players misbehaving or getting into any trouble, so let’s hope this can continue for now and for the remainder of the season.
Conclusion
Training Camp, is the start of the season and this is when a team can create the winning culture and as the late great Bill Walsh said
"The Culture precedes positive results, it does not get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand. Champions behave like champions before they're are champions: they have a winning standard of performance before they are winners".
Add comment
Comments