49ers break camp looking to improve in preseason’s week 2.
49ers: Goodwin, Foster and Hoyer have been dandy; several players slowed by injury
SANTA CLARA >> Training camp No. 1 is finished under new coach Kyle Shanahan, even though the 49ers are heading into only their second exhibition tonight at home against the Denver Broncos.
Here are 10 winners and 10 losers of the three-week camp on the team’s practice fields, which are now closed to the media until April aside from stretching and individual position drills:
WINNERS
1. WIDE RECEIVER MARQUISE GOODWIN >> He constantly showed off top-end speed, reliable hands, onfield enthusiasm and desired versatility to certify a starting role opposite Pierre Garçon.
2. LINEBACKER REUBEN FOSTER >> As promised, this first-round draft pick had his surgically repaired shoulder cleared for contact from Day 1 of camp. As few predicted, his hands and instincts stole the show, as he recorded three interceptions the first four days of camp and had a daily presence en route to the starting weak-side linebacker role.
3. QUARTERBACK BRIAN HOYER >> He built on a strong offseason to exceed even general manager John Lynch’s expectations with how well he can perform. Hoyer’s deep-ball ability really shined through, as did his playaction fakes and command of the offense.
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4. FREE SAFETY LORENZO JEROME >> This undrafted rookie seized his opportunity perhaps more than anyone else, often lining up as the first-string free safety in place of injured Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. He is a hard-hitting ballhawk.
5. LINEBACKER NAVORRO BOWMAN >> Unlike camp two years ago, no fuss was made about his comeback from a leg injury, and his repaired Achilles tendon looks ready for the season, which is when he can truly test his speed and agility.
6. DEFENSIVE TACKLE SOLOMON THOMAS >> The No. 3 overall pick showed a terrific motor and desire to improve, positive signs after being kept from the offseason program because of league rules on Stanford’s academic calendar. His exhibition debut was a dandy.
7. RUNNING BACK MATT BREIDA >> Carlos Hyde’s starting job appears safe, and while some thought fourth-round pick Joe Williams might threaten it, a surprise candidate is Breida, an undrafted rookie from Georgia
Southern who runs admirably with his 5-foot-11 frame.
8. STRONG SAFETY ERIC REID >> Rather than sweat a stillmissing contract extension, Reid has excelled in his move into the box at strong safety, and he arguably remains the defense’s best spokesman and leader.
9. TIGHT END VANCE MCDONALD >> He remains the 49ers’ top tight end, all due respect to the other five who have had average camps. Lynch is “very pleased” with how McDonald has responded to draft-night trade rumors.
10. QUARTERBACK C.J. BEATHARD >> Engineering a fourthquarter comeback in his debut was impressive, something that became a habit by another third-round draft pick in franchise history (see: Montana, Joe). He’s strongly bidding for the No. 2 role.
LOSERS
1. LINEBACKER MALCOLM SMITH >> His season came
to an abrupt halt with an Aug. 5 pectoral tear. He was the 49ers’ highest-paid free-agent acquisition, and at least he was able to get NaVorro Bowman & Co. up to speed on a scheme he knew from his Seattle days.
2. FREE SAFETY JIMMIE WARD >> He still has not made it off the physically unable to perform list because of a hamstring strain from the conditioning test on Day 1 of camp. He missed reps that would have been even more valuable because of his switch from cornerback.
3. GUARD JOSHUA GARNETT >> His move from left guard to right guard was coming along OK — not visibly great — until he needed knee surgery that might keep him sidelined past the Sept. 10 regular-season opener.
4. CENTER JEREMY ZUTTAH >> Injured most of the offseason program, he could not unseat Daniel Kilgore from the starting center spot and was released Aug. 9, two days before the exhibition opener. (Note: Kilgore is thus a camp “winner” by knockout)
5. WIDE RECEIVER BRUCE ELLINGTON >> Too many slot receivers and return specialists made the injury-prone Ellington expendable. He
was cut a week into camp. Unable to pass a New York Jets physical upon signing with them, he eventually joined the Houston Texans.
6. SAFETY CHANCELLER JAMES >> If not for a seasonending knee injury in last Friday’s exhibition opener, this undrafted rookie had a chance for a season-opening roster spot. Maybe next year.
7. WIDE RECEIVER DEANDRE SMELTER >> He hasn’t been bad but more so quiet, and that has been the case with him since arriving in 2015 as a fourth-round draft pick.
8. OFFENSIVE TACKLE JOHN THEUS >> After appearing in four games as a rookie, he’s battling to stick as the swing tackle and backup at either spot. That role looks destined for Garry Gilliam.
9. CORNERBACK WILL REDMOND >> It’s increasingly doubtful he will beat out K’Wuan Williams as the nickel back, even if it’s good to see Redmond on the field after a rookie year on injured reserve (knee).
10. QUARTERBACK MATT BARKLEY >> He might still emerge as a solid No. 2 behind Hoyer, but Barkley did little to challenge for the starting role, with too many interceptions along the way.