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SANTA CLARA – For the first time since the 2019 NFC Championship game, the Faithful 49ers have returned to Levi’s Stadium.
The team held an open field practice for over two hours, giving the 19,021 fans in attendance much to celebrate. The flow of practice was very similar to what happens on the outdoor courts, but condensed into a smaller area.
The players seemed energized, enjoying the noise of the crowd and the participation. Trent Williams, who has been in front of fans for the first time since 2018, said it was sometimes difficult for the offense to hear what the calls were. It was not only a great training session for the stadium operations, but also for the team.
“For me going out of a locker room with the fans, honestly, it almost scared me,” Williams said with a laugh. “Excuse the tongue. I just went out for normal training and forgot the fans were there. As soon as we got out there was a thunderous roar.
“Obviously I was walking behind [George] Kitten and [Nick] Bosa, so there was screaming, but there was definitely a difference. I forgot what it’s like to be encouraged.
The offense moved the ball best with Jimmy Garoppolo under the cross. The veteran quarterback completed 15 of 24 attempts, including 5-for-8 in their ball-moving team exercise. The series ended with a touchdown pass to Kittle.
Trey Lance completed 11 of 18 attempts, with slightly less distance gained. He completed three of his six attempts in his last series, ending training with an interception from Marcell Harris on a pass to Elijah Mitchell.
Fan reactions have been positive all around. The great games of offense and defense were greeted with enthusiastic cheers. There were no chants for one quarterback or the other as fans just seemed happy to be back in the stands watching football after more than a year of absence.
Here are the notes and observations from the ninth 49ers training camp:
– Javon Kinlaw, Arik Armstead (groin) and Samson Ebukam (pain) benefit from days of maintenance. Azeez Al-Shaair (sprained knee) and MyCole Pruitt (calf) were also absent. Nick Bosa has participated in individual drills but still hasn’t done individual work or team drills.
–Ken Webster left training early with an injury to his left arm and shoulder after a rep where he found himself locked up with Jordan Matthews during team drills.
– In 1v1, Brandon Aiyuk had two remarkable reps beating rookies Deommodore Lenoir on one reception and Ambry Thomas on another.
– Travis Benjamin has shown he still has speed. The 31-year-old receiver burned Webster in a 1-on-1 repeat before the defensive back left training with an injury.
– It was another strong practice from Jason Verrett, who continues to show why he was a first-round pick in 2014. He interrupted a short pass from Garoppolo to Deebo Samuel, and pinpointed another that would have was a trap and first down for Aiyuk.
– If it’s not Verrett who gets a SEB, it’s Jimmie Ward or K’Waun Williams. The chemistry between the three veteran defensive backs that started last season was even more evident in training camp.
– Eddie Yarbrough stood out on the defensive line with two sacks / snaps from Lance as well as his mitts on one of the rookie’s passes. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is happy with the 28-year-old defender.
“Yarbrough had a late start to training camp but he stepped in and did really well,” said Ryans. “He never stops. That’s what I love about Yarbrough, he never stops. Always on the move, a good motor, a great effort and he is always around the ball making plays.
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– There are still issues with the quarterback-center exchange that will need to be cleaned up before week 1. Alex Mack has started wearing a towel tucked into the back of his pants in an attempt to curb the sweat that made the ball too slippery for Garoppolo to handle.
– Aside from the occasional ball handling issues, Williams reports that the offensive line chemistry has been excellent. Mack’s veteran presence in the center improved the group’s play.
“Having Alex – in that attacking center is vital,” said Williams. “We have so many moving parts, so many movements, and with those movements come the calls and the center is responsible for it all. To have a guy who literally saw every look out there, I think that’s a huge, huge plus.
– Josh Rosen went 4-for-4 in the team drills and Nate Sudfeld completed a pass and had an incompleteness.
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