49ers vs. Chiefs: 3 studs, 3 duds
SANTA CLARA – Three exhibitions complete, three victories in hand and time now to reveal the three studs and three duds from the 49ers’ 27-17 win Saturday night at Kansas City:
THREE STUDS
1. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
No one faced more pressure to thrive, aside from those desperados on the roster bubble. Garoppolo rallied. He got past his short shift in Denver. He blocked out the emotions of returning where he injured his knee. He regained his accuracy after early misses, and he came away completing 70 percent of his passes (14-of-20), averaging 9.4 yards per attempt, dropping a 33-yard gem to Richie James and dialing up a 20-yard TD to Matt Breida.
Aside from his personal feats, Garoppolo summed up the better, bigger picture: “We had a couple long drives to get us right for the season. That’s real football when you get into the nine-, 10- and 11-play drives.” (Note: Garoppolo produced drives of 11, 7, 3, 11 and 7 plays.)
2. Running back Matt Breida
It may be just semantics of whether Breida or Tevin Coleman get the “starter” title, and both surely will be used a lot. But Breida continually raises his game, shows impressive burst and now is gaining trust as a receiver. Those are the traits the 49ers sought from Jerick McKinnon when they signed him last year — and keep waiting for him amid a knee injury.
Already coping with a sore left shoulder, Breida dove for a 20-yard touchdown catch, and he had seven carries for 44 yards. Anyone recall who the NFL’s leading rusher was the last time the 49ers played at Kansas City, in Week 3 last year? Answer: Breida.
3. Defensive end Damontre Moore
Playing with a cast on his left hand to protect a thumb he dislocated last game, Moore showed the tenacity and ability that could keep the journeyman on the roster. He had two sacks, sharing one with Arik Armstead. Three defensive ends are hurt, and Moore could be the insurance policy the 49ers need if Nick Bosa, for example, is not ready Week 1.
Moore did have a neutral-zone infraction, one of only four penalties by a 49ers team that opened the exhibition season with 18 penalties for 216 yards.
Honorable mention: Defensive back Jimmie Ward (versatile debut), quarterback Nick Mullens (8-of-11, 84 yards), running back Jeff Wilson (two touchdowns), wide receiver Richie James (four catches, 66 yards), cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (two passes defensed), and nose tackle D.J. Jones (tackle for no gain).
THREE DUDS
1. Wide receiver Dante Pettis
Isn’t it odd that a potential No. 1 receiver is catching a bubble screen in the final minutes of an exhibition? Was it punishment for muffing a punt return, or not battling harder for contested passes (although getting triple covered at the goal line wasn’t his idea)? Too many questions two weeks before the opener.
His three catches (36 yards) Saturday were his first of the exhibition season. He still could be this season’s marquee receiver. Could. Should? As one 49ers fan (@pboy49er) tweetwed: “Pettis is looking like a cat but needs to be a dog.”
2. Guard Joshua Garnett
Another exhibition season has almost come and gone, another missed opportunity for Garnett to prove he’s worthy of starting at right guard. He returned to practice this past week with a protective glove over his surgically repaired finger. But he did not play, presumably because he did not have medical clearance. That allowed Daniel Brunskill and Najee Toran more chances to beat Garnett off the roster bubble.
“It’s not just about ability and who’s the best. It’s about who’s going to be available, who’s going to be the 53 that can play with us throughout the year,” Kyle Shanahan said. “I know Josh wanted to go tonight. He’ll go next week, though. He has a legit injury. He’s got a cast on and hopefully he’ll be able to play through that.”
3. Tight end Ross Dwelley
George Kittle should return from a calf injury for the season opener, but Dwelley’s two early drops Saturday did not inspire confidence that he could be the 49ers’ next-best tight end. That said, he’s had a very good offseason to enhance his job security. He has three receptions in three exhibitions – just as many as rookie Kaden Smith, whose status as a sixth-round pick from Stanford could give him a sneaky edge.
Honorable mention: Putting Solomon Thomas in coverage against a running back and Jaquiski Tartt then missing an open-field tackle; defensive starters missing too many tackles.