The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos met for the first of two joint practices today outside Levi’s Stadium. Niner Noise has the breakdown of what took place.
The San Francisco 49ers welcomed the Denver Broncos to Santa Clara a few days early, prior to both teams’ game against each other on Saturday, August 19 at Levi’s Stadium.
Today marked the first of two joint practices between the two teams, and it’s the third year in a row in which the Niners and Broncos have engaged in such activities together.
Yet there’s a bit of a different feel, to say the least, with San Francisco this season.
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Amid an entirely new front office, many with ties to Denver, the 49ers managed to put forth a pretty impressive practice against a Broncos team that won a Super Bowl not two years ago in the very stadium next door.
From the reports, most of which are obviously from San Francisco media types, the Niners did a bit more than hold their own.
Brian Hoyer Was the Best QB on the Field
Quarterback Brian Hoyer might not have had the best showing during San Francisco’s initial preseason bout versus the Kansas City Chiefs, going 1-of-4 for just three yards.
Yet, by all accounts, Hoyer easily outperformed Denver QBs Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian:
I wasn't overly impressed with neither Trevor Siemian nor Paxton Lynch.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 16, 2017
Brian Hoyer was the best QB on the field today. #49ersCamp
#49ers first-team defense outplayed Broncos starters. Paxton Lynch had a rough go. Pass rush was effective.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) August 16, 2017
Unlike the Niners, the Broncos have a serious decision to make under center.
Siemian, who started 14 games for Denver last year, could end up getting the nod over Lynch, despite the latter’s status as a first-round draft pick.
Not if San Francisco linebacker Reuben Foster has anything to say about it, though.
Reuben Foster Impressive but Dinged Up
Foster picked off Siemian during practices, according to 104.3 The Fan’s Cecil Lammey:
Rueben Foster picked off Siemian on pass intended for Charles. #Broncos #DecisionSF @1043TheFan
— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) August 16, 2017
Foster also forced a fumble during practice.
Backed by some impressive work during training camp and the Niners’ lone preseason game thus far, Foster is surely earning the right to stay as San Francisco’s No. 1 WILL linebacker heading towards the regular season.
Yet according to Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman, Foster suffered a bit of a scare when he had to leave practice with a neck/shoulder injury. During his post-practice press conference, general manager John Lynch indicated it was “minor.”
So far, signs are pointing to Foster being ready to go for this weekend.
Rashard Robinson vs. Aqib Talib
OK, so cornerbacks Rashard Robinson and Aqib Talib won’t actually face off against each other. But it’s fun to note the side-by-side comparisons during practice.
Robinson, who was victimized quite a bit versus Kansas City, appeared to hold his own against Denver wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, according to 49ers.com’s Joe Fann:
Rashard Robinson more than held his own against Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 16, 2017
That’s good, suggesting Robinson can easily bounce back from an otherwise lackluster performance last Friday.
Meanwhile, 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin had his way with Talib. Just check out the Broncos cornerback’s reaction to Goodwin literally running circles around him:
Goodwin’s play has been solid during camp, and the 49ers can surely benefit from this translating over to game day.
49ers Tidbits
San Francisco’s offensive line could still be a problem.
This unit wasn’t particularly effective during the first preseason game of 2017, and it’s largely been a liability throughout camp.
According to SFGate.com’s Kevin Lynch, the O-line wasn’t much better in this first of two practices:
The #49ers o line seemed to struggle in one on one drools against the Broncos d- line, particularly on the inside
— Kevin Lynch (@klynch49) August 16, 2017
“Drills,” Kevin.
To be somewhat fair, the Niners have implemented a lot of depth rotation along the line throughout camp in an attempt to cross train various members of this unit.
Still, the 49ers would be wise to identify the starting five as soon as possible.
Additionally, Lynch announced the team would place linebacker Donavin Newsom on injured reserve. Newsome, who suffered a serious concussion at practice not long ago and ended up in the hospital, came to San Francisco as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason.
The move allows Lynch and Co. to fill one more roster spot.
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Both teams will engage in one more practice tomorrow before the Niners and Broncos square off on Saturday, August 19 at 10 p.m. ET.