Practice with Broncos a hit
One questionable shot mars routine joint workout
Aside from one reckless hit by a 49ers rookie, Wednesday’s joint practice with the Denver Broncos went as plotted, with the rebuilding 49ers gaining confidence along the way.
“It’s a great measuring stick and it’s a great opportunity for our team to go up against one of the deeper rosters in football and see how we stack up,” said 49ers general manager John Lynch, who wrapped his playing career 10 years ago as a Broncos safety.
The 49ers and Broncos, who are staying at the same nearby hotel, will practice again Thursday, but only in shoulder pads, before Saturday night’s exhibition. Lynch called the Broncos a playoff-caliber team, two years removed from winning the Super Bowl next door at Levi’s Stadium, even though their quarterback situation has nose-dived since Peyton Manning’s Lombardi Trophy-winning exit.
Here are the top three things we learned Wednesday:
1. LYNCH’S TAKE ON NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTS >>
A year after Colin Kaepernick sparked a national anthem protest that some players around the league are continuing, the 49ers have skirted any such issue this season, as all players stood in Friday’s exhibition.
Lynch said no players have approached him about protesting, and if they did, communication is key. He prefers a unified front for team purposes but is respectful to the rights of those compelled to protest — essentially the same company line the 49ers had last year.
Lynch’s take: “I always thought it’s one of the great things about this league and, in fact, it’s a great beacon for the rest of culture, in terms of it’s the way it should be. You strive for a common goal and you have unity. This game brings people together.”
And what of those who sit or kneel? “That’s divisive,” Lynch responded. “I understand guys see things and they’re not happy. They have that right. We’ll always respect people’s rights. That doesn’t mean I believe that. I believe this should actually be celebrated for what it is, a tremendous unifier for our country and the way things should be.”
2. BUSINESS PICKING UP FOR 49ERS DEFENSE >>
Now to the hit heard ’round the practice field. Rookie safety Adrian Colbert drilled Broncos tight end Steen Scheu high near the head and somewhat late.
A small scrum ensued as wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie came to Scheu’s defense. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh ordered Colbert to the sideline to cool off for a few series before returning.
“Coaches handled it really well,” Lynch said. “First of all, Adrian is a tremendous kid. I went over there and said, ‘Adrian, that’s not how we practice. We talked about how we were going to conduct ourselves.’ He said, ‘Hey, I lost my head. I was tracking the ball. Next thing you know he was there.’ I can’t tell you I haven’t been there myself.”
The 49ers are coming off their worst defensive season in history, and Saleh has tried rallying his unit with mottoes such as “excessive violence” and “all gas, no brakes.” Colbert should have applied the brakes in this 7-on-7 drill.
That said, the 49ers defense did look especially aggressive against a feeble passing attack, ahem, led by Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch. Will Davis and Jaquiski Tartt had interceptions in team drills, Brock Coyle and Asa Jackson dropped potential interceptions, and Reuben Foster punched out a fumble.
3. TIGHT END COMPETITION >>
Vance McDonald remains the most proficient tight end on the roster, and even though the five others are roster-caliber players, none have really emerged from that pack. Lynch said the 49ers are “very pleased” with McDonald, who they entertained trade offers for in April, even though his contract extension last December makes him harder to deal.
Asked for a scouting report on the six tight ends, quarterback Brian Hoyer noted all have different strengths and that McDonald, Blake Bell and George Kittle are the top receiving options. “They all bring a lot to the table, and the good thing is in this offense, you need a lot of types of tight ends, guys who can stay in and run block and guys who can split out and get open,” Hoyer said.
Kittle lined up first at tight end at the start of team drills. McDonald and sixth-year veteran Garrett Celek had highly productive practices. Logan Paulsen figures to stick on the roster as a free agent who previously played under Shanahan.
• Linebacker Reuben Foster came out of fullteam drills the last 30 minutes of practice after appearing to nick his right shoulder or neck area. Lynch said: “I talked to him and, like Reuben, he had a big smile and said, ‘I’m straight.’ So he’s good, he’s ‘straight.’ ” Foster made a one-handed interception in a one-on-one drill.
• Linebacker Donavin Newsom was waived and will go on injured reserve if he goes unclaimed. Newsom sustained a concussion in a collision last week that required him to be taken off the practice field by ambulance and to Stanford Medical Center for two nights of observation.
• Warren Sapp, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle and Lynch’s former Tampa Bay teammate, was on hand to help mentor the linemen.