San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 Storylines to Watch in Training Camp
By Peter Panacy
How Will the Offensive Line Jell?
Each unit on an NFL squad needs chemistry but, perhaps, no unit needs this more than a team’s offensive line.
San Francisco’s O-line was pretty bad last year, which mandated the numerous changes general manager Trent Baalke enacted over the offseason. Added to the fray is veteran guard Zane Beadles, first-round draftee Joshua Garnett and fellow rookie linemen Fahn Cooper and John Theus.
Veteran tackle Joe Staley said, via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, he feels as if the O-line is better now than it was a year ago. But there are still concerns:
"So it’s all fluid. The main concern is just getting the right guys out there for Week 1. I think that’s always a fluid situation. You like to go through eight seasons in a row having the same offensive line, but it’s not the reality. I’m more concerned about the Week 1 starting lineup."
Garnett may be a little behind in his development. Collegiate obligations kept Garnett away from San Francisco’s offseason activities up to this point, so Garnett has some catching up to do.
The Niners’ new guard was able to join team practices after graduating, and head coach Chip Kelly had some good things to say upon initial review.
“I think the biggest thing is he didn’t stand out,” Kelly said, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, after Garnett’s first day. “So usually you stand out in those situations because you’re going the wrong way or the right guard’s going right and everybody else is going left. I think he fit in really well.”
An initial starting lineup for Week 1 may look something like this:
- Joe Staley, left tackle
- Zane Beadles, left guard
- Daniel Kilgore, center
- Joshua Garnett, right guard
- Trent Brown, right tackle
The right tackle position may still be up in the air. Numerous reports hinted second-year tackle Trent Brown wasn’t exactly in great shape to start OTAs. And he’ll have competition from Theus, Cooper and veteran offensive lineman Erik Pears.
So keep an eye on how Garnett adjusts and how the right tackle spot fills out. The right side was a primary weakness for San Francisco a year ago.
Fixing it will be paramount for the 49ers’ chances this season.
Next: Who Starts Under Center?