Offensive veterans fall way short vs. Miami
This was the 49ers’ first game fielding Jimmy Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert, tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Plus, they had the same offensive linemen who started each of the previous games this year, so that consistency and cast should have led to an offensive heyday.
Kittle, after a 15- catch bonanza last game, had four catches on eight targets for 44 yards. Aiyuk had three for 44 yards, Samuel two for 19 and Bourne two for 30.
“We haven’t been playing ver y good, complementary football offensively and defensively,” Beathard said. “Last year our defense would step up big, and we’d go down and score.”
Kittle noted that offensive veterans need to pick up the slack while Aiyuk and Samuel ramp up into the offense. Samuel has practiced only four times since the Super Bowl, having missed last Thursday and Friday while ill. Kittle said Aiyuk already is 10 times better than he was as a rookie.
“We have four captains on offense, and we have to play better,” Kittle said. “We have to shoulder that load. Our vets have to play better. Our unit is not playing well together. We’ve got the guys to right the ship. Nobody’s jumping off or pointing fingers.” SLUGGISH START >> As if a three- and- out was not a poor enough start, the 49ers’ second possession may have been more discouraging. It included a carefree sack past Trent Williams, then a fourthand-1 run for no gain when Jerick McKinnon found no room behind Williams and Laken Tomlinson on the left side at the Miami 44. Series three also stalled out with the aid of a sack.
Williams and Tomlinson were the Left Bank that should provide protection and blocks. Each game, Tomlinson has a gaffe, and Williams has put forth back-to-back curious outings.
One of the caveats for Garoppolo’s clearance to play was whether he could protect himself. He got sacked three times before halftime. His offensive line did not help. Actually, the first two sacks were on his linemen ( Trent Williams, then Laken Tomlinson/Ben Garland) before a devastating, blind-side hit on a sack allowed by tight end Ross Dwelley.
Beathard got sacked twice, and he had one nullified by a penalty. WHITE’S DEBUT >> Kev in White’s first touch in a 49ers uniform should not have been one. White, the former Chicago Bears firstround bust, fielded a kickoff 6 yards deep in the end zone and brought it out to the 14-yard line, costing them 11 yards in a wouldbe touchback.
DOLPHINS SCHEDULE >> The Dolphins will embark on their bye week immediately after today’s game, the unexpected byproduct of this week’s postponement between the COVID-19 stricken New England Patriots and visiting Denver Broncos.