Shanahan: Confidence no issue with QB
Garropolo has had his struggles this preseason, but coach not overreacting
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday he wasn’t overly worried by Jimmy Garoppolo’s shaky preseason debut against the Denver Broncos but did feel his starting quarterback could have better managed the situation that led to his interception.
Under pressure on his blind side from Bradley Chubb early in the first quarter, Garoppolo’s second pass of the game was intercepted by Broncos cornerback Isaac Yiadom. Chubb rushed to the inside on tackle Joe Staley, nearly untouched, before Garoppolo released the ball. Yiadom came off coverage of Marquise Goodwin to make the pick.
“You always want to play better, but to get concerned over 10 plays, that’s pretty irresponsible,” Shanahan said. “One thing that I saw differently once I watched the tape was the interception. We had a miscommunication with protection. Some guys came at there in the end and then Chubb got in there early, earlier than expected.
“I thought Jimmy got hit as he was throwing it. He didn’t. He got rid of it too early to avoid the hit and the route hadn’t developed yet, so it didn’t go far enough down the field.
“We’ve got to do a better job of protection there by getting everyone on the same page, and we need to do better at throwing that ball away. Or, if you can’t, you have to take that sack.”
In 10 snaps, Garoppolo finished the game 1-for-6 with two of his passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.
The 49ers have two practices left, starting today, before their next preseason game in Kansas City against the Chiefs on Saturday, when Garoppolo is expected to get more snaps.
Shanahan was asked if he has sensed any confidence issues with Garoppolo, who threw five interceptions in an 11-on-11 team drill last Wednesday before the 49ers left for Denver. Two days later, in a scrimmage against the Broncos, Garoppolo rebounded as he completed his first four passes and finished 9-of-14 with one interception.
“It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that stuff, it’s hard on people. I don’t ever sense it from Jimmy,” Shanahan said. “Jimmy comes in, he’s the same guy every day. He’s great in the meetings, he works, he listens and doesn’t change much. I know that anytime you get all that publicity for things you’re not happy with, that’s going to affect a lot of people.
“You’ve got to go out there and play and get your confidence back by playing. There’s not like a magical, motivational speech or anything. Jimmy’s got the ability to do it, we know he will do it. What stinks is when you go out there and you just get a few opportunities and it doesn’t go right, and you’re not in a position to play yourself out of it.” GAROPPOLO BACKUP PLAN >> Shanahan coyly said he was in a “pretty good spot” as far as determining who his backup quarterback will be — C.J. Beathard or Nick Mullins. Beathard was 5-of11 for 81 yards Monday before he was relieved by Mullens, who was 2-of-3 for 27 yards and a 134.7 rating.
Shanahan said he hasn’t decided who the second quarterback will be Saturday.
Whoever it isn’t, that quarterback will likely see a lot of snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 29. Shanahan said the final decision on the backup will likely not be made until Aug. 31, when NFL teams have to pare their rosters down to 53 players.
“It’s been a fun battle to watch,” Shanahan said. “I think both of them are playing better than they have the last two years.” TORN ACL FOR SHAWN POINDEXTER? >> Shanahan said the Niners fear rookie receiver Shawn Poindexter suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Monday night, although that diagnosis has yet to be confirmed by the team. If that is the case, it appears the 49ers will be re-signing Chris Thompson.
“Poindexter still has to get his X-rays and everything,” Shanahan said. “We were expecting the worst with the ACL, but we haven’t got it confirmed yet. When we do, we plan on making that move with Chris Thompson.”
INJURY UPDATES >> Shanahan doesn’t expect running back Jerick McKinnon to do team drills this week, but there is a chance he could do individual drills Thursday. McKinnon is over two weeks removed from undergoing a plateletrich injection in his surgically repaired knee.
Shanahan said he is hopeful center Weston Richburg can start practicing again next week before the 49ers’ final preseason game against the Chargers. If so, Richburg, on the PUP list with knee and quad issues, may be an option to play against the Chargers to help him get ready for the regular season opener Sept. 8 against Tampa Bay.
Shanahan said guard Mike Person (foot) remains day-to-day and is hopeful that he can practice Thursday, if not Wednesday. THOMAS IMPRESSES >> The 49ers are hoping Solomon Thomas’ performance Monday is a sign of things to come. Starting the game on the edge, Thomas finished with four tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss and one in coverage.
“He’s been that way in practice every day for us. He’s been moving around a lot,” Shanahan said. “We like to get him inside more than outside, but he still had to be outside with all these injuries that we’ve had, even in the preseason. He’s moving different. He’s playing a lot more aggressive, I think his mind’s a lot clearer and it’s showing.”
THIS AUSSIE RULES >> Mitch Wishnowsky turned heads when after a third quarter kickoff Monday, he leveled Broncos returner Devontae Jackson at the Denver 22. Wishnowsky sent the kickoff five yards deep to the end zone, but after Jackson eluded the first wave of tacklers, the Australianborn punter stopped him in his tracks.
“I was not shocked at all. That’s what rugby players do,” Shanahan said. “I don’t know if we want to make a living out of that, but it’s good for the other 10 guys to see. If they’re not on it, he might get down there and take their stats away.”