Can 49ers' running backs block well to keep Lance on his feet?

Offseason practices are, essentially, passing camps. The San Francisco 49ers' running backs are not idling, however.

Behind the scenes, they are learning a vital, overlooked aspect: pass protection.

“We have to keep our quarterback on two feet,” said new running backs coach Anthony Lynn, a former 49ers running back (1995-96) before a lengthy coaching career that's included being the Chargers' head coach (2017-20).

That 49ers' quarterback, Trey Lance, has nimble feet which could help fuel an even more run-oriented offense than ever under coach Kyle Shanahan.

In winning the 49ers' home finale last season in only his second start, he showed an improved focus to pass downfield rather than frantically run.

Lance's mobility will buy him time to find a target. Running backs must help, too. When they're not carrying the ball amid power runs or outside-zone sprints, they must protect Lance and block blitzing defenders.

“A lot of it is classroom work, because indecision is what hurt most running backs,” Lynn added. “It's not that you can't block. It's not knowing who to block and when to block.

“If you can get them to collect as much information as possible before the play and get them going the right direction, that solves most of the problem.”

A flashpoint of the problem: college football is passhappy but Nfl-bound running backs aren't typically sacrificed in pass protection.

Sure, some running backs enter on third down as receiving options, but wide receivers and tight ends are the overwhelming targets. So backs must block, just as Frank Gore did so brilliantly in his 49ers' tenure under former running backs coach Tom Rathman.

“The kids coming out of college are not asked to do that a lot in college,” Lynn said. “That's my job to get them ready, blitz-pickup wise.”

Lynn's best students in that at past stops: Bilal Powell, Fred Taylor, Chris Ivory, Lesean Mccoy and, at the end of his stellar career, Ladainian Tomlinson.

“Right now, all we can work on is the basics and fundamentals,” Lynn added. “When we get the pads on, we can tell.”

Changes on the offensive line also could yield a greater need for the 49ers' running backs to insulate Lance in his first full season as the starter.

The 49ers just finished their first week of organized team activities, with six sessions to go before June 1315 mandatory minicamp. Those aforementioned pads don't come on until a few days into training camp, likely at the start of August, so running backs need to use this time to mentally prepare for their roles.

Ty Davis-price, a thirdround draft pick this year from LSU, primarily played on first and second down.

“I love Coach Lynn. He's my type of coach,” Davis price said. “I'm excited to get in and learn. He has the experience, as a running backs coach, the details as far as knowing the game.”

Bobby Turner, the 49ers' running backs coach since 2017, is taking a 2022 sabbatical while recovering from hip surgery.

Last season, the 49ers' attrition at running back had them jostling for thirddown backs behind rookie starter Elijah Mitchell. Jamycal Hasty wasn't an ideal fit. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk moonlighted there. Jeff Wilson Jr.'s spring 2021 knee injury hindered him.