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49ers training camp: Tom Compton must bounce back after slow start

By Jeremy Wohlfart

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 03: Tom Compton #77 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 03: Tom Compton #77 of the New York Jets warms up prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 03, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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The presumptive SF 49ers right guard, Tom Compton, has not impressed so far in training camp despite being desperately needed.

With injuries piling up and decimating the offensive line of the San Francisco 49ers, it’s resulted in the presumptive right guard Daniel Brunskill to kick inside to center and put one of the team’s offseason free-agent signings, Tom Compton, in the starting role in Brunskill’s stead.

The issue, however, is that Compton has been less than impressive during training camp and is now the undoubted weak link on the offensive line.

The truth of the matter is a starting guard in the NFL should not be routinely pushed around by reserve defensive linemen in drills. Yet, Compton has repeatedly been bullied by players who themselves will be struggling for game time in 2020, and that’s a major concern.

Not only is that not what you want to see from a starter, but you could make the argument an offensive lineman who struggles against backup opposition doesn’t deserve to even make the roster.

Yet, due to the injuries we’ve seen during training camp (which is partly due to the lack of any OTAs because of the interrupted preseason caused by the COVID-19 epidemic), we’ve seen Compton potentially pressed into service as the starter.

The O-line, with the possible exception of the secondary, is the weakest part of the roster in terms of depth. The 49ers need players to step up, and it’s currently not happening.

With no preseason games to get Compton improving, he’ll have to do it on the fly during Week 1 versus the Arizona Cardinals. This is not an ideal scenario, but it’s a prime example of the difficulties NFL teams will have to face in such a unique season.

Compton won’t be the starter forever. Presumptive fill-in starter Ben Garland, temporarily holding the spot in place of the injured Weston Richburg (knee), will return, and that in turn will bump Brunskill back to guard. But this is the opportunity for Compton to stay on as an interior backup in a physical positional group that’s susceptible to injuries.

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Just look back to last year, where Brunskill was in a similar situation to what Compton is in now and is now currently a starter for the team.

It’s not out of the question Compton can be an asset to San Francisco, but he needs to bounce back to show he deserves a spot on the roster.