49ers camp to feature intense workouts
Stiffer competition, jobs on line next 3 weeks
SANTA CLARA >> A sense of homesweet-home should accompany the San Francisco 49ers as they report to training camp Tuesday for a 19th straight year on their regular practice fields.
No, this isn’t Rocklin like the franchise’s heyday, but it’s also not Arizona, where the 49ers bunkered for their final month last season because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 precautions.
This also shouldn’t be like the 49ers’ abbreviated offseason program this past spring on their home grounds. The next three weeks will feature more intense workouts, stiffer competition and true jobs on the line.
“I’ve been telling guys that they’ve got to prepare their mind for by far the hardest training camp you’ve ever endured,” linebacker Fred Warner said last week. “Because if we really want to have the season we want, you’ve got to go through hell.”
Here are the biggest questions entering camp:
1. HOW IS NICK BOSA’S RECOVERY, AND DEE FORD’S? >> Nothing could alter the 49ers’ fate more than how Nick Bosa responds from last season’s left-knee injury. He’s rehabilitated away from the team facility in Southern California and South Florida. The 49ers figure to ease him into action, so a true indication of his comeback likely won’t come until the Sept. 12 season opener in Detroit.
Further bolstering the pass rush would be a healthy Dee Ford, who vanished after last season’s opener with a neck and back issue. He rehabilitated with the 49ers’ strength staff for months but was not present once organized team activities rolled out in May.
2. HOW DOES GAROPPOLO RESPOND AS LANCE LEARNS? >>
Jimmy Garoppolo is competing for the starting job for the first time since entering the NFL in 2014 as Tom Brady’s backup. He’s getting paid starter’s money ($24 million salary), and it’s his job as long as he stays healthy.
Trey Lance’s arrival as the No. 3 draft pick means Garoppolo must now hold off a young phenom with dual-threat skills as a passer and rusher. Garoppolo responded with excellent spring workouts that matched his positive attitude.
3. HOW DOES THE OFFENSIVE LINE’S REMODEL LOOK? >>
Re-signing left tackle Trent Williams obviously helps, but the 49ers needed more to upgrade their line and further protect whoever is at quarterback. Hiring veteran center Alex Mack was a welcome touch. The bigger question now: where does second-round draft pick Aaron Banks factor in at guard?
Banks could step in at right guard as Daniel Brunskill retreats into a backup role at multiple spots. Or, if the 49ers are so bold, Banks could unseat left guard Laken Tomlinson, whose $4.5 million salary is fourth-highest on the team. Also key is establishing a swing tackle who can step in for Williams or right tackle Mike Mcglinchey (and Justin Skule, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in May).