49ers’ QB chronicles: Purdy’s picks continue, Lance takes a national beating
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan shrugs off the scrutiny of his team’s quarterback pecking order
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It’s about midway through practice on Wednesday, and quarterback Brock Purdy is shaking his head in disbelief.
Linebacker Curtis Robinson has just intercepted a pass — one of two Purdy would throw during the practice — and the defense is celebrating in style.
Purdy has had a pass stolen in the end zone by safety Tashaun Gipson on a ball deflected by Deommodore Lenoir on a near-daily basis. At least two other passes, one by Fred Warner, were batted into the air and fell harmlessly to the ground when they could have been deflected turnovers.
If Purdy has faced criticism for his practice performances since returning from elbow surgery, Trey Lance is facing national scrutiny for his early struggles in a 34-7 exhibition loss to the Raiders.
The 49ers’ former No. 3 overall pick is getting hammered on social media, and former NFL executive (and 49ers employee) Mike Lombardi slammed him on his “GM Shuffle” Podcast.
The most memorable quote came from Lombardi, who said, “At the end of the day, when his momma lifted him from the crib, he just didn’t have that quarterback instinct.”
On the air, ESPN analyst Marcus Spears stated that the trade for Lance will “go down as one of the worst in NFL history.”
At this point, the golden child is Sam Darnold, who, according to 49ers radio voice Greg Papa, “could push Brock Purdy.”
All of this makes for interesting training camp fodder but has nothing to do with how coach Kyle Shanahan evaluates the position. Purdy gets the start. Period.
What about Lance vs. Darnold for the No. 2 spot?
“They’re competing for it,” said Shanahan.
Shanahan said he hasn’t decided whether Purdy (or any other presumed starter) will play against Denver on Saturday night, but he expects Darnold and Lance to swap roles similar to the first preseason game, when Lance played the first half and Darnold the third.
For what it’s worth (and it’s not much), a rough estimate of Purdy’s first-team practice is that he was 12 of 21 with two interceptions and a touchdown to Deebo Samuel in a red zone drill.
Anyone concerned about Purdy’s elbow should know that he also completed a deep sideline route to Brandon Aiyuk. Darnold was 4-of-8 with a touchdown to tight end Brayden Willis in a red zone drill, while Lance was 4-of-6 with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Shanahan didn’t seem too bothered by the practice interceptions after practice because, well, it’s practice. There are times when you should take a chance and see what you can do, and practice is one of those times.
“You never want interceptions in any situation,” said Shanahan. “There is never a single correct answer. Each one is unique, but I prefer having interceptions all in one practice session rather than in games.
“One thing Brock does is let it all hang out. He is unconcerned about anything else. He’s not concerned about people counting his interceptions during practice.”
Purdy’s bottom line is that he built up a reservoir of equity by finishing off Miami last season, winning five straight regular season games (including one with a broken rib in Seattle) and two postseason games.
Purdy completed the task in Shanahan’s system, exactly as Shanahan desired. He was consistent, mostly safe, resurrected the bootleg game, and added just enough creativity to avoid being a robot.
The type of point guard to pass the ball to Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, Aiyuk, and George Kittle.
Nothing Lance or Darnold can do on the practice field compares to what Purdy accomplished on a team that won a division title and advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
The deep throw to Aiyuk wasn’t so much a test as it was business as usual.
“I didn’t give it much thought. “I know what he’s capable of,” Shanahan explained. “He demonstrated that last year, and he has already demonstrated that this year.” I believe we are currently working with the same individual. Nothing appears to be different in our eyes.”
Lance would have gotten a national thrashing at some point anyway, given that the 49ers traded up to the No. 3 pick to get him.
“It comes with the territory.” “It applies to anyone who is a high draft pick, especially the quarterback,” Shanahan explained. “You see receivers come in and have a few drops, and there’s a lot of pressure.” You want to see people come in and take off right away with no flaws, and that’s just part of it.”
If Lance is bothered by anything, he’s keeping it to himself.
“Trey is extremely smart, and he is very socially aware,” Shanahan said. “He knows how the world works, so he does his best to block it out and focus on getting better, and I think that’s what he’s done so far.”
Aside from the outside noise, what’s going on at quarterback isn’t all that dramatic. Purdy was always going to be the best if he stayed healthy.
He’s in good health.
Lance would have to make significant strides in the offseason to beat out Darnold, assuming the newcomer was a fit for the Shanahan system.
Darnold is a good fit.
Lance has improved, but not to the point where Shanahan would trust him to lead a team that expects to compete for the Super Bowl.
When Brandon Allen returns to practice on Thursday after a brief paternity leave, the question is whether Lance will be able to entice enough teams to return a draft pick before rosters are reduced to 53 men on Aug. 29. If he stays on the roster, he could end up as a No. 3 draft pick who became a No. 3 quarterback.
NOTES
— A lot of running game work during team periods, both outside zone and between the tackles, in the middle of the field and in the red zone.
— Defensive back Ambry Thomas saw time with the first team on both the left and right sides, while Lenoir practiced in the slot once more.
— Shanahan stated that he expected Zane Gonzalez to kick against Denver, which was also the plan against the Raiders until Jake Moody missed his first 40-yard attempt.
— Defensive back Elijah Mitchell (groin) is still out, but visual evidence on the side suggests he’s getting close, and Shanahan confirmed this.
— Linebacker Dee Winters has shown glimpses of the playmaker he was in college at TCU. Winters began his college career as a safety before switching to linebacker, as did teammate Fred Warner at BYU.
“I’ve kept up with Fred since I switched to linebacker in my freshman year,” Winters said. “God put me in the room with him to work with him.”
