Niner Noise
FanSided

Packers vs. 49ers: 5 Things to Watch for San Francisco in Preseason Bout

By Peter Panacy

October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (82) runs with the football against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers tight end Richard Rodgers (82) runs with the football against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) fumbles when hit by Denver Broncos linebacker Dekoda Watson (57) and safety Justin Simmons (31) during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) fumbles when hit by Denver Broncos linebacker Dekoda Watson (57) and safety Justin Simmons (31) during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

Eliminating Turnovers and Fumbles

If you’re going to fumble the ball, do it in the preseason.

Well, maybe not. Especially if you’re fighting for a roster spot.

San Francisco has fumbled the ball seven times and lost five of them over two games. After a stellar performance versus the Houston Texans to open up the preseason, second-year tailback Mike Davis fumbled twice against the Denver Broncos defense.

Not a good look.

And fellow running back DuJuan Harris, also fighting for a place on the depth chart, committed a costly goal-line fumble against Denver as well.

“You just have to emphasize it,” 49ers offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins said, via the team’s website. “We talk about it a lot. (Running backs) Coach (Tom) Rathman does a good job in his drills. We address it. Obviously, that’s got to improve. You can’t win many games in this league turning the ball over three times (in Denver).

“But coach Rathman, I think he’s been coaching 19 years or so, his backs are number one as far as turning the ball over, fewest amount. So he knows what he’s doing. We’ve just got to continue to emphasize it.”

Doing so will help ensure the 49ers don’t put their defense at excessive risk.

Next: Packers Aerial Attack versus Jimmie Ward