With the final day of San Francisco 49ers OTAs in the rearview mirror, some questions have come closer to getting answered.
The San Francisco 49ers completed their final day of OTAs on Thursday, June 8. Entering OTAs, the 49ers roster outlook was nebulous at best. With OTAs complete, the haze has been lifted somewhat and we can ascertain some things with better clarity.
Still, the following observations and the interpretations that follow should be taken with a grain of salt. Just as you reserve your right to change your opinion, so does the 49ers coaching staff (as do I, for that matter). The conclusions that can be drawn from the decisions and actions made by the coaching staff may or may not be the same decisions come the completion of training camp.
With all of the following is prefaced by the above statements, there are several bits of intelligence that can be gleaned from the coaching staff as was observed throughout OTAs.
Additionally, we can also which players are taking advantage of the opportunity in front of them and which ones are letting it slip out of their grasp. With the opening provided, let's get to the notes and takeaways from the last day of OTAs.
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Observations:
1. Rashard Robinson is certainly penciled in to be CB1. So far, the competition for CB2 is between Dontae Johnson and Keith Reaser.
2. Last year's starters got reps as if they were this year's starters. After they went out as the starting offensive line, they then mixed and matched with other players. The mixing of players was mostly to get starters and veterans a rest and giving new faces more practice time.
3. Presumptive starting quarterback Brian Hoyer continues to play inconsistent football. He makes great plays followed by inaccurately thrown passes that lead to interceptions. Hoyer connected on well-placed throw to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for a 20-yard gain. However, he was then intercepted twice due to errant passes, once by Dontae Johnson and another by Malcolm Smith after the ball bounced off of linebacker NaVorro Bowman's helmet.
4. Presumptive backup quarterback Matt Barkley connected often with rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor, twice for long receptions.
5. Stud linebacker NaVorro Bowman continues to show the coaching staff, media and the fanbase that he belongs in a Red and Gold uniform. Throughout OTAs, reports have stated that Bowman has looked explosive with good agility.
6. Jennifer Lee Chan, beat writer for Niners Nation, reported that while 49ers running back Carlos Hyde is getting the lion's share of the reps with the ones, undrafted free agent running back Matt Breida is starting to get more of that pie. She also commented that Breida's cheetah-like speed is "hard to miss" and that running backs coach Bobby Turner "lit up" when he talked about him. It could mean nothing. Unless of course Hyde gets injured…
All in all, OTAs have provided some glimpses of how the 49ers will use their personnel. Along the defensive front, personnel have played at multiple positions. This varied experience will allow the team to shift into different looks without having substitute players.
Another major story is the late addition of free agent EDGE rusher Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil immediately slots in as the team's most seasoned EDGE rusher. His acquisition sends a very clear message that the front office was not pleased with current flock of pass rushers.
Looking forward, the 49ers will now take a short break before heading into the team's minicamp next week.
Observations and notes gathered from NFL.com and Niners Nation.
