Top 10 takeaways from 49ers’ first weekend of training camp

No. 9: The defense takes an early lead

Padless practices don’t mean as much as practicing with full equipment on of course, but the defense took the chocolates for the first few days.

While the defensive line burst out the blocks on Saturday, the secondary players were the ones who impressed on Sunday.

While the offense was hardly wiped out and had their share of plays to start camp, the defense did have the larger share of big plays.

From EDGE Nick Bosa dominating left tackle Joe Staley on Saturday, to cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon picking off quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday, the defense made the crowd and coaches “ooh” and “ahh.”

It’s normal for defenses to flash early in padless practices, however, so don’t take it as a sign that the offense will be stagnant. But first blood does go to the defense.