San Francisco 49ers

49ers vs. Chargers: 5 Biggest Takeaways for San Francisco

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With preseason wrapped up, it’s time for the San Francisco 49ers to select their 53-man roster. Here are five takeaways from the game against San Diego that head coach Chip Kelly will factor in as he makes his final cut.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Chargers quarterback Mike Bercovici (6) is sacked and stripped by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Marcus Rush (44) during the second half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Regular-season 49er football has officially returned. Saturday September 3, is the final cut down.

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The 53-man roster will be complete and the franchise can finally turn the page on an anything but boring offseason.

From the early release of first-year head coach Jim Tomsula to the Colin Kaepernick trade that fell apart after persistent attempts from Denver Broncos general manager John Elway, its been one thing after the next.

49ers GM Trent Baalke stayed away from free agency, despite having over $60 million in cap space. But he gratified the faithful with quality picks in the draft that began with two first rounders who are sure to provide the 49er franchise with many solid years at their position.

The hiring of head coach Chip Kelly marked the beginning of not just a new staff of coaches, but it started a new youth movement. San Francisco parted ways with some key veterans to make room for the development of younger players. The offseason changes provided the organization with the only thing it needed.

A fresh start.

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Chip Kelly Era Has Begun

With two new coordinators, a new coaching staff and all the young players he can handle, head coach Chip Kelly is officially off to the races.

His goal, you ask? To make the San Francisco 49ers a viable contender again. His first order of business was to address the most glaring team weaknesses of 2015.

Last season, the 49ers couldn’t create a pass rush on defense. And they couldn’t stop one on offense.

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills with defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

With the addition of defensive end DeForest Buckner, who will almost definitely take up two-fifths of the opposing offensive line, and the versatility of Outland Trophy winner Josh Garnett, the 49ers are already miles ahead of where they were only a season ago.

For those who don’t know, the Outland Trophy is given to the best interior offensive lineman in the country. Garnett is able to play both guard positions.

In order to find out what the team needed, Kelly had to step in and assess what the team already had.

Though it was tough for fans, the team had to say goodbye to veterans like wide receiver Anquan Boldin and offensive lineman Alex Boone, who was known as the “Rhino” for his pulling capabilities at the guard position.

These departures allowed for the possible development of wide receiver Quinton Patton and offensive lineman Trent Brown — two players the team is hoping will come through in season of change.

Aug 4, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Davis (76) and offensive guard Joshua Garnett (65) train at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The Offensive Line is a Position of Strength Again

Last year the San Francisco 49ers struggled to run the ball. And they fared even worse when trying to protect the quarterback. Your game manager of choice must be protected long enough if you want him to manage the game effectively.

In four preseason games, the offensive front has only given up a total of six quarterback sacks. That’s an average of 1.5 per game. Last year, the season average was more than three per game.

In 2015, the team was plagued with injury. And it stuck with the inconsistent play of Erik Pears and Jordan Devey — two players who were cut lose for obvious reasons.

After four weeks of preseason play, the starting offensive line figures to something like this: tackle Joe Staley, guard Zane Beadles, center Daniel Kilgore, guard Anthony Davis and tackle Trent Brown.

#49ers starting o-line: LT Joe Staley, LG Zane Beadles, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Anthony Davis, RT Trent Brown

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 27, 2016

The overhaul began with the addition of Beadles and the drafting of former Stanford Cardinal Josh Garnett. Though he doesn’t figure to be starter in his first year, he will see significant time as a rookie and is the future of the guard position on the left side.

The worst play on the offensive line last year came from the right side. The only consistency the right guard and tackle position saw was the folding of the pocket. If Brown can pick up where he left off last year, the right tackle position should be one of great strength.

Last but not least, the offseason move that pulled this whole line together was the return of right tackle Anthony Davis. His knowledge of the game, and his run and pass protection, figures to give this squad the boost that was missing last year. He not only dropped 40 pounds, but he agreed to move to the guard position to further the growth of Brown.

Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 47-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Pass Rush is Back

Head coach Chip Kelly loves those Pac-12 players, especially the ones from the University of Oregon. The former Ducks coach looked to build on an impressive rookie season from defensive end Arik Armstead by duplicating his size on the other side.

At 6-foot-7 and 291 pounds, first-round pick DeForest Buckner will be hard to contain. Due to their time together at Oregon, they know the Kelly system. And they know how to thrive as a team.

Their chemistry while on the field is not only impressive, but their competitive nature will make things very hectic for opposing offensive lines.

San Francisco 49ers don't plan to rush Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner – San Francisco 49ers Bl… https://t.co/Btwdf8QeJ8 #SanFrancisco

— San Francisco News (@SFNews360) August 25, 2016

A pass rush wouldn’t be complete without outside linebackers to compliment the bookends on the front line.

With the absence of outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, teammate and fellow linebacker Marcus Rush has done plenty to accommodate his position. He provides solid coverage on every play. And has recorded six sacks in three games, three in one game alone against the Denver Broncos.

The bigger surprise of the preseason is the surging play of edge-rusher Tank Carradine. Last year, he was teetering on the status of draft-day bust. But this year, so far, he’s making a solid case for the starting job.

Together this preseason, Rush and Carridine lead the league in pass-rush productivity.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) catches a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Vance McDonald Has Arrived

Speaking of potential draft-day busts, former second-round pick Vance McDonald is running away with the tight end competition.

He should have been slotted as a sure-handed receiver when the team parted ways with Delanie Walker. Even more importantly, McDonald should have been able to step into the starting role with last year’s midseason trade of Vernon Davis.

Spoiler alert — he’s doing it this year in a better-late-than-never type of way.

#49ers TEs Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek are not in uniform. Bruce Miller, Blake Bell and Je’Ron Hamm are only TEs who will play.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) September 2, 2016

In the first week of play, McDonald scored on the team’s first-and-only touchdown of 44 yards. He’s also moved the chains, making some key grabs in other weeks as well.

His first two seasons were filled with disappointment and dropped passes on key plays. Though it seemed as though he would fade away during preseason and be cut before Week 1, McDonald made the best of his opportunity and has shined when he needed it most.

His absence from last night’s game would suggest he’s already earned the starting role.

Nov 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) smiles prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Kaepernick Will Continue to be a Distraction

After a not so smooth off season and a less-than mediocre performance against Green Bay, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was picked apart by the media and fans for his protest during the national anthem.

At the start of last night’s game against the San Diego Chargers, Kaepernick chose to ignore the national anthem again despite the annual celebration on hand to Salute to the Military.

This poses a problem for the franchise for two reasons. One, he’s doing it in a 49ers uniform. And two, when he’s on the field, he’s taking away the focus the game. When he’s out there — whether its before the game, during or after — it should be business as usual.