Studying after trade helps Sanders get off to fast start
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders had a hard job Sunday, but it did include a simple task: catching a touchdown pass.
Five days after he was traded from the Broncos to the 49ers, the new man played plenty in Sunday’s 5113 win over Carolina, thanks to cramming before kickoff. And his preparation was rewarded when his first drive with the 49ers was capped by what he termed perhaps the most routine of his 41 career scores.
Sanders gave the 49ers a 70 lead by grabbing a 4yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo that was tipped at the line and fluttered to him while he was surrounded by two defenders.
“It ended up falling right in my hands,” Sanders said. “It was probably one of the easiest touchdowns I have had. It was awesome to get on the opening drive, to be a newcomer on this team and be able to open up like that is awesome.”
Sanders’ transition was eased a bit because he spent his first seven games with Denver offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, who was the 49ers’ quarterbacks coach the previous two seasons.
Sanders, who had four catches for 25 yards on five targets, wasn’t surprised by Sunday’s workload.
“All week in practice (wide receivers coach) Wes (Welker) was telling me that they will let me play as much as I feel like I can play,” Sanders said. “I didn’t feel like coming out of the game — that is what I am used to. I am looking forward to watching the film to see if I had any mental errors, but as right now in my head, I can’t think of any. I am proud of myself.”
National Tight End Day: Brett Favre entered the 49ers’ postgame locker room to congratulate George Kittle on a sixreception, 86yard day, but it was the tight end who ended up playing “fanboy.”
“He’s always been one of my favorite players, just the joy he played with. I think we’re kind of similar in that regard,” said Kittle, who was born in Wisconsin while Favre was Green
Bay’s starting quarterback. “Just to be able to talk to him is kind of cool. Yeah, I’m a fanboy. I know that, big time.”
Favre was in town to record a TV special for “National Tight End Day,” the last Sunday in October, and Kittle certainly won the NFL’s featured matchup. Carolina’s Greg Olsen had just two catches for 13 yards.
Cornering the market: There was initial panic after starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon endured a Week 3 foot injury that left Emmanuel Moseley in charge of covering some of the best receivers in the game.
But the former practicesquad player has held his own in an increased role. He had a tackle for a loss, a pass deflection and an interception as Carolina managed just 158 passing yards.
Undrafted out of Tennessee, Moseley was on the 49ers’ practice squad last year until being promoted for Week 9 against the Raiders. He sustained a seasonending injury while making the tackle on his first specialteams play.
“A few weeks ago, everybody was concerned,” cornerback Richard Sherman said. “Everybody was worried. ‘Oh my
God, we lost Ahkello.’ Ahkello is a great player. We can’t wait to get him back, but so is Eman.” Day’s play: Defensive tackle Sheldon Day lined up at fullback for the first time since he also handled occasional goalline duties at Warren Central High in Indianapolis.
On running back Tevin Coleman’s 1yard run, Day, lined up in the backfield to the left, flattened blitzing linebacker Shaq Thompson while Coleman scored standing up while running over right guard Mike Person.
How did Day grade his performance?
“Well, we’re oneforone, we scored,” Day said. “So I feel like I did my job.” Injury report: Running back Matt Breida sustained an ankle injury on the final play of the first half and did not return. Shanahan said he didn’t know whether Brieda could play Thursday at Arizona.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin did not play because of undisclosed personal reasons after he missed practice Thursday and Friday.