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

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball running away from Michael Wilhoite #57 during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 11: LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball running away from Michael Wilhoite #57 during Rookie Minincamp at the San Francisco 49ers practice facility on May 11, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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.