Gould’s nice but TDs are priority 49ERS MAILBAG
SANTA CLARA >> A 24-16, season-opening loss has 49ers fans concerned, and rightfully so. Let’s get to this week’s mailbag and answer their prayers, er, questions:
Do you see a switch from run first to pass first? — @The_Rhone_1
I see this offense as field-goal first. Regardless of how they get into the red zone, they need touchdowns, all due respect to the golden boot of Robbie Gould.
With Fred Warner’s solid showing, where do you see him in the coming weeks with Smith and Foster returning? — @ aaron_immel
Warner and Reuben Foster are the 49ers’ linebacker tandem for the foreseeable future. With Brock Coyle in the concussion protocol, the 49ers sure could use Malcolm Smith to get over a bum hamstring and play at least in the home opener.
Any report on garnett or goodwin? — @TheMMQBL
Marquise Goodwin has a bruised thigh, and he’ll likely be limited in practice, if he participates. Joshua Garnett is one of three guards whose availability is, if best, 50-50 for Sunday. Garnett went out with a dislocated toe upon replacing starter Mike Person, who has a sprained foot. Because Erik Magnuson (hamstring) is likely out another week, Matt Tobin could be active next game, or the 49ers could Have a question or comment about the 49ers? Cam Inman will do his best to provide some answers. To submit a question, sign up for the free 49ers HQ email newsletter at bayareane. ws/49ershqsignup
sign someone else.
Besides Buck is any other D linemen playing well? — @money102974
That will be the question of the season. Coach Shanahan complimented the defense postgame, maybe because they didn’t mess up as bad as his offense. Arik Armstead did OK against the run — as he should at “big end” — but Solomon Thomas foolishly jumped offside on fourth-and-1. Let’s see more Ronald Blair.
How did teammates interact with @JimmyG_10 were they encouraging him or they kind of standing off from him. — @ NinerFaithfulR
My binoculars told me his teammates encouraged him, and vice versa. When Kendrick Bourne ran the wrong route on the pick-six, Garoppolo calmly walked up to him on the sideline for a pep talk encouraging Bourne to move on from his mistake – or so Bourne says.
Why is Solomon Thomas not traded yet? — @jimmyGsBeard
A better question is why did he play only 35 of 71 snaps. Wasn’t he supposed to serve as their marquee “Leo” pass rusher? As John Lynch said in April after drafting no edge rushers: “There’s a lot of pieces right here. If you just look at their history, that might give fans pause, we believe there’s opportunity. Part of this deal is you have to develop your own talent.”
For the most part Pettis was solid, does he move into the starting lineup within the next couple of weeks? — @orod8103
Shanahan likely will rotate him in more with the other three receivers – Marquise Goodwin, Pierre Garçon and Trent Taylor — unless one is injured and opens the door for Pettis’ extended stay in the lineup.
Where were the hot routes?? Too many hits on JG —@jbeale49
Sorry, every time “hot route” comes up, I think of the movie “Wedding Crashers” football scene. Communication breakdowns in pass protection occurred on the pick-six, and as Shanahan noted: “We had a hot situation when we shouldn’t have been hot.”
Will we make any moves for a RB or WR? We are missing that ‘IT’ factor in the backfield. — ?@ AyeDe_
That “IT” factor was Jerick McKinnon. His knee injury a week before the opener was a crushing blow. “It” will be a surprise if the 49ers make a run at Le’Veon Bell or Dez Bryant.
Why don’t we get bell? Dual threat —Okil Hunte
Dual reasons: The Steelers will want high draft picks that the still-rebuilding 49ers covet, and Bell wants top dollar that the 49ers have already spent on Garoppolo and McKinnon.
How big of a pick up was Sherman? i see him all over the place on the field, coaching up the defense. did you notice when Person was down, and play stopped, Sherman was out on the field talking to the offense! — @babbsports)
His veteran leadership has been evident from Day 1 with teammates. He’s happy to be a spokesman and face of the defense. For example, Sherman will speak weekly to the media Thursdays at the podium just as Garoppolo does Wednesdays.
If we assume at least one of the guards injured yesterday is out for an extended period, what’s your best guess about our contingency plan? Doesn’t feel like we’d bring Cooper back but maybe I’m wrong. Thanks. — @the_ag_fox_1971
Cooper’s knee hindered him through the offseason and into August, so even if they like him, they may fear his knee isn’t reliable.
Man the niners hung tough in a S.E.C. type environment. Hopefully they build on this. — @a2low11
Yes, rabid Vikings fans chanting “SKOL! SKOL!” might be the most daunting crowd in the NFL. That stadium certainly is the best, or at least No. 2 behind Seattle.