Niner Noise
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49ers preseason: 5 players to watch in Week 3

By Robert Smith

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 19: Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Zaire Anderson #50 and Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos on a punt return at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 19: Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Zaire Anderson #50 and Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos on a punt return at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball after making an interception during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball after making an interception during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Rashard Robinson, Cornerback

I’d like to say cornerback Rashard Robinson’s struggles in the first two preseason games are more about adjusting to seeing players in jerseys other than red and gold, but it would be a tab bit disingenuous.

Anyone watching Robinson struggle against the Chiefs in Week 1 and again last week against the Broncos would be justified in feeling a bit uneasy about the 49ers’ presumptive No. 1 cornerback going into the 2017 season.

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Not only did Robinson struggle, but both teams seemed to be targeting him, and he did not respond well. Facing the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill, Robinson was badly beaten down the sideline for a 32-yard completion. On the same drive, Robinson missed a tackle on third down on running back Spencer Ware, that would have held Kansas City to a field-goal try.

And while Robinson was able to intercept a wobbly pass by Chiefs backup Tyler Bray, it was the pressure put on by rookie Solomon Thomas that allowed Robinson to get the pick.

His poor tackling continued last week against the Broncos on a play that would have held them on third down. He also committed a pass-interference penalty in the end zone, which gave the Broncos 1st-and-goal that resulted in a touchdown on that drive.

In Robert Saleh’s scheme, cornerbacks need to be able to cover well on the outside. So far Robinson has been less than stellar despite quite a bit of praise for his play during training camp.

Next: 49ers sign defensive lineman Sen'Derrick Marks

Let’s just hope he is a quick study, and can make adjustments to tighten up his overall game before the games start to count for real.