Studs and duds in win over Chargers
INGLEWOOD >> Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t crown a starting quarterback after Sunday’s preseason win, even though Jimmy Garoppolo still looks entrenched over Trey Lance. Here are the studs and duds we’ll crown from the 49ers’ 15-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers:
Studs
1. QUARTERBACK TREY LANCE >> With the help of receivers’ drops, the rookie was a dud through three series (2-of-7, 0.0 passer rating). Then came his renaissance just before halftime: a 41-yard pass to (who else?) Trent Sherfield, a touchdown pass to birthday boy Mohamed Sanu (age: 31), and, in the grand finale, a bullet to Travis Benjamin for the go-ahead points to cap Lance’s sixth series.
2. DEFENSIVE TACKLE ZACH KERR >> It’s not so much about batting down a pass or slicing into the backfield as it is complementing a defensive-line rotation with his veteran smarts, which could be in more demand after Maurice Hurst’s ankle injury.
3. DEFENSIVE TACKLE KENTAVIUS STREET >> Drafted four years ago with a torn ACL, Street is showing the strength and determination that could keep him on the roster. He had two tackles for loss, and his sack on the game’s penultimate play was a nice touch.
4. DEFENSIVE END JORDAN WILLIS >> Another defensive lineman? Sure. But Willis’ case is different. A six-game suspension looms for performance-enhancing drug use, so these preseason snaps mean more for him. He had a first-quarter safety from left defensive end, where Nick Bosa should line up in three weeks against Detroit.
5. WIDE RECEIVER TRAVIS BENJAMIN >> Sherfield’s 41yard catch keyed the rally, but Benjamin capped it by grabbing Lance’s 16-yard
bullet for the go-ahead touchdown. Benjamin, who opted out of last season, also had a third-down conversion catch on that scoring drive.
Duds
1. CORNERBACK B.J. WEBB >> Filling in for K’Waun Williams at nickel back, Webb drew a holding penalty on the first series, and he
topped that with a passinterference penalty that moved the Chargers to the 3-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass on the next snap.
2. CORNERBACK AMBRY THOMAS >> The rookie, fill-in starter gave up completions on consecutive passes by Chase Daniel before committing pass interference.
OFFENSIVE
CORBIN KAUFUSI >> He yielded a sack, which doesn’t help his cause for a relief role, especially when rookie Jaylon Moore is allowed to play all game at left tackle with Trent Williams and Shon Coleman sidelined by knee injuries.
4. KICKING GAME >> Robbie Gould missed a point-after kick off the right upright for the second time in as many games, and if it’s not on him, then long snapper Taybor Pepper and holder Mitch Wishnowsky need to be better legs on that tripod.
5. WIDE RECEIVER RICHIE JAMES >> Drops seem more likely than receptions at this point, which endangers job security in a wideopen competition, and that likely can’t be offset by a 32-yard punt return. James isn’t the only receiver guilty of drops, obviously, and that better change if any of them want to stick around to catch Lance’s darts or Garoppolo’s quick throws.