5 keys for successful getaway
SANTA CLARA >> Wanna get away? Enjoy a 10-day, complimentary stay in five-star hotels? Leave behind all your worries, as much as possible amid COVID-19 safety protocols?
This is not a robocall to your phone. This is the San Francisco 49ers’ immediate itinerary. They’re escaping smoky Cal fornia for a trip to New York … and West Virginia … and then back to New York.
Actually, they’ll be playing in New Jersey, at Metlife Stadium, the next two Sundays to face New York’s Jets and Giants.
The NFL’S coronavirus precautions limit the size of the 49ers’ traveling party to just 70, including coaches, trainers and video/ communications staff.
Here are some ways for the 49ers to succeed Sunday:
1. GAROPPOLO ON THE REBOUND >> Jimmy Garoppolo historically rebounds well from his hiccups, whether it’s an in-game interception or a defeat. He’s never lost back-to-back starts, unless you want to count his past two, including the Super Bowl, which his mounting critics surely do count.
Garoppolo had a 103.0 passer rating, 259 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers in the opener. So why must he rebound? Skewing his debut were late throws on the final series to Kendrick Bourne (open in the end zone) and Trent Taylor (open on fourth down).
2. OBK: OPTIONS BEYOND KITTLE >>
George Kittle’s knee sprain in the opener further illustrated how vital it is that Garoppolo finds other trustworthy targets.
That could mean for a huge debut by Brandon Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick whose Aug. 23 hamstring injury kept him out Week 1. Aiyuk and Garoppolo hit it off with a high volume of plays before a deep route sidelined the rookie, so now that he looks healed, Aiyuk could unleash his yards-after-the-catch proficiency against the Jets’ Jamal Adams-less secondary.
3. REPLACING SHERMAN >> The 49ers need both a new starting cornerback and another strong leader in the wake of Richard Sherman’s surprise move to injured reserve, where he’ll ideally need only a three-week stay for a calf strain. Emmanuel Moseley is more experienced at shifting over to the left side in practice, so he could do that and Ahkello Witherspoon could slide back into his former starting spot on the right side, if cleared from a concussion.
4. GET TO DARNOLD >> Jets coach Adam Gase admitted that he’s game-planned to avoid the astutesherman in past matchups, so the 49ers should expect a more gunslinging Sam Darnold, who has a career 59.9 percent completion percentage. (Garoppolo’s is 67.1 percent.)
5. GORE VS. MOSTERT >> Past vs. present. Nobody will come close to Frank Gore’s legacy as the 49ers’ all-time leading rusher. At age 37, he’s expected to start for the Jets, who’ve put Le’veon Bell on injured reserve. The Jets are his fourth team in six seasons since leaving the 49ers as a free agent.