August 11th 2024.
Welcome back, football fans! It's great to have the sport back, even if it's not quite the full experience yet. But hey, it's August and that means preseason games are in full swing. So let's dive into the highlights and lowlights from the San Francisco 49ers' first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.
Let's start with the positives, shall we? Quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs were the standouts of the game. Allen showed great execution, despite a couple of overthrows, while Dobbs impressed in the second half with strong throws and some impressive scrambles. Their performances give the team confidence in keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster.
Another bright spot was the starting offensive line. After some questionable practices, they stepped up and played well against the Titans. Chris Hubbard, who filled in for the absent Trent Williams, did a fine job at left tackle. And Nick Zakelj's appearance at center with the first unit could mean he's secured a spot on the roster.
On the defensive side, we saw some exciting plays from Malik Mustapha, who has the potential to be a standout player. He made two impressive plays in the run game, which could be a huge asset for a defense that may struggle in that area. And veteran tight end Eric Saubert showed his value as a blocking tight end, proving to be an upgrade from the departed Charlie Woerner.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan took a backseat in this game, letting Klay Kubiak run the offense. Shanahan joked that he didn't know what to do with his hands on the sidelines. Another standout was running back Cody Schrader, who may have solidified his spot as the third running back until Elijah Mitchell returns from injury. And JP Mason showed potential as the team's second running back, even when Mitchell is back in the lineup.
Now, onto the not-so-great aspects of the game. Let's start with the kickoff, which was a disaster. Jake Moody's kick landed on the 7-yard line, far from where it was intended. This put the 49ers in a tough position, which was made worse by poor plays from Ambry Thomas and Curtis Robinson, resulting in a big return for the Titans. Thomas also had a rough game, with a missed tackle on the kickoff and a hold that negated a crucial stop on third down at the goal line.
The defensive line also had a lackluster performance, with the second unit struggling to make an impact. This is concerning as the team will rely on the second string frequently during the season. It's no wonder the 49ers were looking for a defensive end in trade talks for Brandon Aiyuk, as we saw the need for more depth in that position during this game.
So there you have it, the studs and duds from the 49ers' first preseason game. It's clear that there is still work to be done before the regular season, but there were some promising moments to build upon. Let's see how the team progresses in the next few games.
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