TRAILHEAD
Sherman, Garoppolo take the initiative at training camp’s first practice
SANTA CLARA » What constitutes a successful first practice of training camp? The same factor as any other: no injuries.
Thursday’s debut session looked injuryfree, andwhen it comes to the 49ers’ health center, no player is under closer watch than cornerback Richard Sherman, who kicks off our list of Thursday’s top observations at training camp:
1. SHERMAN’S QUIET START » While testing out his repaired Achilles’ in full-team drills for the first time, Sherman didn’t en- tice any passes his way. Themost action his hands got, actually, came when he highfived fans who were allowed onto the sideline to watch the second half of practice.
Sherman lined up at left cornerback on the majority of first-team snaps. Jimmie Ward otherwise relieved him. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, a former Seahawks assistant, said Sherman “looks the same, looks great” as compared to Sherman’s Seattle days.
Throughout practice, Sherman tipped off defensive coaches about the offense’s tendencies and indicators he’d spot, Saleh said. “I think coaching is in his future,” Saleh
said. “Obviously not now, he’s got a few years left.”
2. GAROPPOLOWATCH » Don’t read toomuch into Jimmy Garoppolo’s camp- opening stats Thursday, which included completing 4 of 9 passes in full-team drills and 5 of 7 in 7- on-7 action.
After he missed Marquise Goodwin on 20-yard pass, the two talked off to the side about routes and moves. Garoppolo came back and completed a 25-yard pass to Goodwin in a hole in the defense between Reuben Foster and Adrian Colbert.
Garoppolo, with two of his brothers
watching from the nearby VIP tent, looked in full control of the 49ers offense. For the record, his first pass was completed to George Kittle, and his last to Jerick McKinnon.
3. COLBERT’SYEAR » It’s not lost on Adrian Colbert or really anyone how far he’s come in the past year, from arriving at his rookie camp as a cornerback and now back as the starting free safety.
“Colbert’s made of the right stuff and the right mindset where he’s not just a run and hit player,” Saleh said. “He’s trying to get to the level of great safeties, where they’re always thinking about the game.”
Known best for his range and physical style, Colbert is looking to become an ace communicator, similar to the Seattle Seahawks’ Earl Thomas. Sherman, Thomas’ ex- teammate, is helping mentor in that vein, with Colbert saying of Sherman: “He’s the veteran. He’s the All-Pro. He’s been to where wewant to be, so i just take everything I can get from him.” 4. GARNETTSTARTS » Joshua Garnett, not surprisingly, held down the first- string right guard spot Thursday, rather than Mike Person. Garnett, after sitting out last season to reshape his body, seemed to fare OK. A truer test comes once pads go on Saturday. Jonathan Cooper, another candidate to start, did individual conditioning before practice with two other players on the physically- unable- toperformlist— wide receiver Trent Taylor and linebacker Dakoda Watson. 5. COYLE SHINES » Linebacker Brock Coyle, who knows this defense perhaps better than anyone, excelled in pass coverage and broke up two Garoppolo passes in team drills. “Brock is underrated,” Saleh said. “He kind of flies under the radar. He’s very smart. Great technique, sound. He plays to his strengths, and his strengths are good enough. But, I love Brock. The team loves Brock.” 6. INTERCEPTIONS MADE » The only two interceptions came in 7- on-7 action (without linemen), and they came in impressive fashion. First, rookie Tarvarius Moore wrestled a 50-50 ball away from Dante Pettis as they fell to the ground. Five snaps later, Tyvis Powell cut in front of George Kittle and grabbed a Nick Mullens pass. 7. OUTSIDE LINEBACKER OPTIONS » With Watson on PUP, the 49ers are using Mark Nzeocha at outside linebacker, along with starter Eli Harold and second-year player Pita Taumoepenu. In defensive warmups, Nzeocha intercepted a pass, which was thrown by coach Kyle Shanahan. 8. QB 2 » Don’t forget about C. J. Beathard, even if he’s Garoppolo’s understudy for the foreseeable future. He was 5 of 8 passing in full- team action, capped by a 35-yard completion to rookie Richie James. 9. QUOTE OF THE DAY » “Ahkello? When he got here, he was this little, scrawny corner that everyone said wouldn’t hit anybody. He’s turned into a man. If you look at him, he has great presence out on the football field. He’s a grown man. He’ll hit people. I couldn’t be more pleased.” — Saleh on second- year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. 10. FANSGALORE » The 49ers’ quest to win back fans is enhanced by opening 10 practices this camp, even if their portable bleachers can’t accommodate even 1,000 fans. McKinnon said of the support: “It’s all love, to get the fans come out and see us work to take those steps to get where they’re going to see us in the season. It’s all love and we appreciate them being here.”