Santa Clara – The 49ers’ 30-9 blowout loss to the Denver Broncos in preseason action wasn’t the outcome they wanted, but it did provide a starting point for identifying areas that need more work. Among the rookies who made an impression was Jordan Watkins, who caught three passes for 76 yards in the first half. His 50-yard reception from Mac Jones was the highlight of the game, setting up Patrick Taylor’s 5-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive.
“I thought Mac seemed like he performed well,” said Kyel Shanahan. “I liked how he came out. It was a challenge, especially going against that defense. Had a bunch of guys out there too. I loved the first drive. The next one I think we went three-and-out, but I was happy with Mac today.”
Backup quarterback Mac Jones made an early impact with that 50-yard strike to Watkins and finished 4-of-7 for 74 yards and one interception. Carter Bradley went 6-of-14 for 32 yards and one interception. The performance showed that the backup quarterbacks need more time to develop chemistry with the offense.
“Yeah, it was frustrating,” Shanahan explained. “I liked how we started out, but after that there wasn’t much to be excited about. We didn’t get many first downs. Four turnovers, the three picks, the fumble. I felt when we did make a play, whether the quarterback did, then the receiver was off. I felt we made too many mistakes and it was a frustrating two-and-a-half quarters.”
San Francisco’s final points came on a safety following a penalty on Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, giving the 49ers a 9-0 lead in the first quarter. They would not score again. Another rookie standout was Marques Sigle, who recorded seven solo tackles on the day. While none of the starters played, it’s clear the defense has work to do before the regular season.
“I don’t think so. I don’t want to speak too soon, it looked more like just a knee bruise and stuff, but we’ll have to see,” said Shanahan on Sigle’s had a knee injury. I thought he was one of the guys who flashed a lot tonight. He got a little bit late start on being injured in the offseason. I think it was a few days into camp where he really got going. But he’s had a hell of a week here and finished it off good today.”
49ers QB Mac Jones
On the missed play with you and WR Jordan Watkins, was that due to chemistry with you and the receiver or the wrong route?
“I’ll have to watch it, but I know what I saw on the field was just the safety kind of went to the right. So, I had the one-on-one and me and him are, he’s a rookie, right? So, we’re working on our timing and everything. I thought he played well overall and made a great play on that down the field throw early in the game to kind of set the tempo of the game. But he’s doing a good job in practice. I feel like we’re connecting a lot in practice and we’ll just continue to grow. It was his first NFL game and I thought he did a good job.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he pretty much knows who the one is and who the two is but threes and fours are still questioning. How did you feel about being out there today? How did it feel to be out there? How’d you feel like you played?
“It felt pretty good just to get back playing football. I was talking to some of the guys, it’s just been a minute since everyone’s played football, a real game. And for me, I’m on a new team again and you just get more comfortable as time goes along. Definitely started off fast against their one defense, which is good. I felt like the guys answered the question there and we just have to, really me, have to just play better in those other two drives. And the good news is we get hopefully another chance next week to go out there and do it.”
It takes some quarterbacks a year to get real comfortable in the system, but you seem pretty comfortable. What would you attribute that to?
“Yeah, I think just focusing on my footwork and my reads and really just doing what I’m being coached to do and try to apply that. I’ve done a good job in practice and did a decent job tonight, but really just want to keep improving my footwork and my reads and my throws. And that’s going to take time no matter what offense you’re in. But we’ve been working hard at it and I’ve got a lot of room to grow. So, I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting better each day.”
The first time we talked to you, you talked about how different this was going to be in terms of the system and that you were looking forward to that. As it’s gone along, has it been more of a revelation every day like, ‘wow, this is a great system for me?’
“Yeah, I think every day you learn something new in the system and obviously you get the chance to go out there and play in the game and kind of just feel things out. It’s my first time taking real snaps in this offense. So, I’m looking forward to the growth that all of us will be able to do and definitely want to play better and put more points out there. And that’s all you can do is kind of just take it day-by-day and see how you can do better.”
What’s your process like? When will you watch this film again? Do you watch it with your teammates, with your coaches? Do you like to watch it alone?
“I definitely will peak it and put it to bed, but also learn from it and watch it with everybody, really, the coaches. If I see something that was wrong or whatever and I want to talk to somebody about it, receivers or whatever, then I’ll tell them whether that’s tomorrow or whenever. And that’s your job as the quarterback. You want them to do the same, like, ‘Hey, what were you seeing on this play? I was open’ or whatever. So, it’s all about open communication. Then obviously in the NFL, moving on quickly. We get a chance to have a joint practice again and obviously have a couple practices next week us against us and that’s where you can kind of make the adjustments and do better the next week.”
Do you talk to QB Brock Purdy in between series at all or is that just all with the quarterback coach and the coordinator?
“Yeah, I talked to Brock. Yeah, he was good. He was chewing on some sunflower seeds [laughter]. So, he was enjoying the game. He did a good job just before the game giving us our space and also just encouraging everybody and just being Brock, that’s just kind of a laid-back guy. That’s probably interesting for him to see other guys playing. And at the end of the day, I’m trying to learn from him every day. We talked about the interception and things like that and what I can do better out there. So, it’s a group effort.”
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