Hoyer-to-Goodwin combo is a winner
SANTA CLARA >> Competition intensified in the passing game throughout the 49ers’ second practice of training camp Saturday. Here are the top three things learned: 1. HOYER-TO-GOODWIN IS
WIN-WIN >> Marquise Goodwin, as advertised, had the ability to break free and snag a deep pass for a wouldbe 70-yard TD against the starting defense. But there is more to it than that.
Coach Kyle Shanahan explained that Brian Hoyer quickly changed the play to confuse the defense, which now realizes how quickly communication needs to flow, especially between linebackers and safeties.
“When you talk to someone for half a second and you have a 4.3 (speed) guy in the slot and he’s gone, you can’t hesitate. He’s wide open,” Shanahan said. “… That’s why you’ve got to rep. It happens fast and when you want to change something, if there’s any hesitation, they can make you pay.”
Goodwin, a free-agent acquisition notorious for his speed, surprised free safety Jaquiski Tartt, who was filling in for the injured Jimmie Ward.
“I was basically uncovered and it was a great opportunity to connect,” Goodwin said. “Usually situations like that have to do with a few other things, not just myself. It took all the guys working together.”
Hoyer looked more efficient this practice, going an unofficial 7 of 13 while backups Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard were each 3 of 5 in full-team drills. Hoyer completed all seven of his passes in a 7-on-7 session.
2. THOMAS DEBUTS, DUMERVIL MENTORS >> Top draft pick Solomon Thomas’ practice debut came as a second-string defensive end. His highlight was breaking up a pass and falling on it, but another interesting look was how low Thomas lines up before the snap.
Thomas can use that flexibility in his 6-foot-3 frame to gain leverage, which is a tactic 5-foot-11 Elvis Dumervil attributes in part to his 99 career sacks. Thomas has talked frequently with Dumervil through two practices.
“I want to make sure you understand he’s a dominant player and he will be dominant this year,” Dumervil said. “But I made a commitment to him that if there’s anything I see that can help him, I’ll be there.”
Dumervil, 33, quickly squashed the thought of tutoring full time: “Don’t put me in that coaching phase yet. I’m here to play ball.”
3. DEATH-DEFYING (HOPEFULLY) TRAINING HILL
>> Camp’s most eye-opening sight is not any player but rather a training ramp that rises some 35 feet over 20 yards at a 38-degree incline. Skill position players tried it out Saturday, many hesitantly.
“I didn’t go all the way up. It’s an intimidating hill,” wide receiver Pierre Garçon said. “I saw a lot of DBs go up after practice but I’m not looking forward to it.”
“It looks like a mountain,” said Shanahan, noting that strength coach Ray Wright wanted it built for leg conditioning. “I haven’t done it yet. I’m not going to do it in front of you guys, either; late at night when I’m by myself.”
Garçon and others did “bear crawls,” which appears the safest way down the hill. Kicker Robbie Gould and punter Bradley Pinion carefully walked down after summiting. The fear factor, Garçon said, is: “Rolling back down the hill.”
“You have to be athletic and smart. That’s why none of us should do it,” Shanahan quipped to reporters. “But I agree it looks pretty high and stuff, but there’s pluses to it. You’ve got to be smart with it.”
Dumervil, a 12th-year veteran said, “I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s quite interesting, right?”
• Nickel back Will Redmond turned in a solid practice, breaking up two passes and recovering a Joe Williams fumble. Last year’s third-round draft pick spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a knee injury. “Will has been ballin’, buying into the scheme and has invested into his body,” Robinson said.
• Rookie safety Lorenzo Jerome continues to impress with his range and ballhawking skills, and Saturday he intercepted a Matt Barkley pass near the sideline.
• Wide receiver B.J. Johnson injured his hamstring rather than his left knee Friday, Shanahan said.
• Offensive lineman J.P. Flynn suffered a leg injury and walked off with a trainer.