49ers training camp: What scared the (bleep) out of Trent Williams at Levi’s Stadium practice?
A soldout crowd of nearly 20,000 fans showed for the 49ers' training camp practice Saturday at Levi's Stadium, which was off limits last season.
SANTA CLARA — Fans roared when they caught their first glimpse of Trey Lance.
The 49ers Faithful then cheered as Jimmy Garoppolo emerged and pointed at them.
Once Nick Bosa showed, the 19,021 fans at Levi’s Stadium rose in unison to applaud from their lower-bowl seats, almost resembling the start of a wave.
Chants and catcalls ensued: “I love you Bosa! … MVP Bosa! … Let’s-Go-49ers! Let’s-Go-49ers! Let’s-Go-Bosa!”
“Walking out of the home locker room and having fans, honestly, it almost scared the (expletive) out of me,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “I was just walking out to a normal practice.
“But the fans are there, and, as soon as you walk out, you hear a thunderous roar. Obviously I was walking in behind (George) Kittle and Bosa. It was like, ‘Oh, I forgot what it was like to be cheered on.’ ”
Saturday morning marked a homecoming of sorts, not so much for the 49ers but for the fans. They’d been banned from attending last season because of COVID precautions.
“It was awesome having the fans back out. This is what sports are all about,” 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said after the two-hour practice. “The energy fans bring to the game. I felt that energy all day.”
So much has transpired since fans last gathered at the corner of Tasman and Great America Parkway. It was Jan. 19, 2020. Red and gold confetti showered the field. The NFC Championship Game’s George Halas Trophy was presented to Kyle Shanahan by his father, Mike. Raheem Mostert basked in his 220-yard, four-touchdown masterpiece.
Between then and now, there was a failed Super Bowl trip to Miami, injury after injury toward last season’s 6-10 record, and an offseason this year featuring record contracts (see: Williams, Fred Warner) and a daring draft-day move to select Lance.
Williams only joined the 49ers a year ago, so he’d never played a game with home fans there, and crowds were allowed into only two road games last season (at New Orleans and Dallas), so it “definitely, definitely” felt good to have them Saturday. Even though the stadium looked about 25-percent capacity, Williams said there were times he couldn’t hear coaches.
Saturday marked the 49ers’ ninth practice of training camp and their fourth in full pads. Here is what transpired:
QUARTERBACK DUEL
Garoppolo repeatedly moved the first-team unit downfield with success in non-scripted periods. The culmination: a 2-yard touchdown strike to Kittle, whose emphatic spike made the crowd go wild.
Garoppolo completed 15-of-24 passes, often showing his quick release and veteran ability to read the defense.
One incompletion, however, was a misplaced, 40-yard attempt to Kittle over the middle that was broken up by Jimmie Ward and Fred Warner. All three stars tumbled to the ground.
On the next snap, Lance completed a strike to Brandon Aiyuk at about the same spot. Overall, Lance wasn’t as sharp, for a second straight practice.
Lance capped his 11-of-19 showing in team drills with a pass that deflected off running back Elijah Mitchell’s hands and into Marcell Harris’ for an interception.
TRENT ON TREY
Williams hasn’t had to protect Lance’s blindside yet against a pass rush, but he sees how talented the rookie is.
Said Williams: “You look at his size: he’s a little bigger than the prototypcial quarterback. You look at athleticism and he has an edge. He can also do the things a conventional quarterback can do.
“You don’t see those come around too often, and they’d be generational talents. He’s a blue-chipper. You can see it from Day 1.”
CORNERBACK DOWN
Cornerback Ken Webster apparently sustained a left arm injury after getting tangled up with tight end Jordan Matthews. Webster mostly has played on the second string unit.
Emmanuel Moseley rejoined the 49ers’ first-string cornerback crew Friday after coming off the COVID reserve list. Moseley said he is fully vaccinated and did not reveal how he ended up on the list.
Jason Verrett, the 49ers’ other starting cornerback, broke up a couple passes and is having an outstanding camp.
DOWN ON D-LINEMEN
Arik Armstead (groin) missed a second straight practice and Samson Ebukam missed his fourth in the past week for what initially was described as soreness. Javon Kinlaw (knee) rested on another “maintenance day.” Fellow defensive lineman Kentavius Street returned to practice; he sustained an apparent eye injury on a pass-rush drill Saturday but finished out the practice.