Chargers at Niners Game Day Thread (Preseason #3)

[jamrock]

And that’s with our backups. Imagine what the ones will do

Can only imagine. Haven’t seen it

[sonorajim]

Our backups played a solid team and won.
I'm glad I don't have to make the cuts.
There were a lot of mistakes, no one quit. We played with a lot of heart
We ran well 267yds against SF.
The coaches did a really nice job of playcalling.
P Scott is a star.

[Topcat]

Probably not (along with 31 other clubs w/injury to starter). But an RPO offense (run by Duggan) would be more entertaining than an offense run by Stick.

Not only would Carrothead's RPO be entertaining, even at this early stage, it appears to be effective. The few passes Duggan threw on the run were pretty accurate. Duggan also doesn't get swallowed up in the pocket like Stick, for sacks. Carrot has better pocket awareness, and moves better to avoid the sack, extend the play or scramble. Aside from Duggan's first series, he looked a lot more solid the rest of the game...and that last drive, if the ground game is working, go with it and run out the clock...if it ain't broke, don't fix it...

[Boltjolt]

I would keep the 4 RBs, to me that's fairly obvious, none of Kelley, Spiller, or Dotson will clear waivers...What's the fear that Horvath clears waivers? What's the fear that McKitty clears waivers? What's the fear that Hightower clears waivers?

You see where I'm going with that? and even if Horvath, McKitty, or Hightower get snapped up you have anyone off the street that can fill Horvath's role at FB/STs, for McKitty you have guys like Smart and Kampmoyer already on the roster, for Hightower you have Doss, Wilson etc...and eventually Guyton will be back...

Arguing over which RB to cut is the wrong argument, figuring out a way to keep all four guys Ekeler, Kelley, Spiller, and Dotson is the right conversation to have...

Dotson should clear waivers. There will be a lot of RBs released to choose from. RBs are a dime a dozen these days.

[CanadianBoltFan]

I like how Kellen Moore used Duggan's best asset to close out the win. He knew Duggan wasn't going to have much success passing, for one all his receivers were scrubs, many of whom aren't good enough to make the practice squad. So he let Duggan do what he does well - run. His Combine time was 4.52, which is faster than a lot of RBs and WRs. He had some incredible long runs at TCU. I don't know if he can be developed into a complete NFL QB/passer. His arm strength is a question. But there are some things I like about him. He's a competitor. But back to Moore. This is what I hope we see from Moore - putting his players in best position to succeed by capitalizing on their abilities, instead of trying to force them to fit into his system, which is how I think Lombardi did things.

I am so pleased to see Kelley continue to improve. When he broke off that 75 yd run, SF still had some of its starters or regular players in on defense. The DB who tried to run him down is not slow - Deommodore Lenoir is the 49ers' starting right CB, and clocked a 4.45 40 at his Oregon Pro Day in 2021. He couldn't close on Kelley. Kelley showed he has legit speed. Kelley also looks like he's added some muscle weight. Anyway, he's clearly the No. 2 RB and he might be ready to have a breakout season. We'll see. It'd solve the offense's biggest problem if he becomes a true running threat.

I don't know that to think about Isaiah Spiller. He doesn't seem to be able to hit a hole decisively, like Kelley did on that TD run last night. He doesn't burst through holes. I think he has the ability, but he can't figure it out. Kellen Moore traditionally only carries 3 RB, looking at his Dallas offensive rosters. I don't know who is better, Dotson or Spiller.

I brought this up last night and it wasn't well received but I don't think its that crazy to talk about. Dotson has a lot more burst. They invested a 4th on Spiller and i know he was a young player when drafted but he hasn't shown tons so far.

[Topcat]

Dotson should clear waivers. There will be a lot of RBs released to choose from. RBs are a dime a dozen these days.

U hope...

[CanadianBoltFan]

Guys most teams in the NFL have a guy like Dotson at the back of their running back depth chart. We're just so used to having complete trash depth at the position he looks like an all pro compared to guys like Roundtree etc. Very slim chance he doesn't clear waivers. Spiller looks just like he did at A&M. He gets what's there and nothing more, but at least he holds onto the football.

I agree with you that we get a little carried away about what is in Charger camp and that Dotson likely clears to the practice squad.

Look at the 49ers depth at RB....CMC, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Davis-Price

Eagles Penny, Swift, Gainwell, Boston Scott, Trey Sermon

Many teams have decent RBs om the bubble

[Velo]

On the Joshua Kelley House Call:

TE Stone Smartt started the play lined up in the backfield just outside RT.

Then he went in motion and lined up behind LT.

On the snap he sprinted back across the line to the gap between RG/RT and blocked Fred Warner's backup, Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles. out of the play.

Kelley was right on his heels and burst through hole.

John Hightower ran to that spot as if he was supposed to make a block there, but when Kelley came blasting through the hole, he turned and got in the way of 49ers' CB Charvarius Ward just enough so that Kelley could keep running. Ward got a hand on Kelley but it was too little too late.

Then 49ers' #3 FS Tayler Hawkins had a shot at him, but Kelley made him miss. Hawkins took a bad angle, as if he underestimated Kelley's speed and at the point of contact Kelley was almost by him.

It was a well-executed play. Kelley's burst was impressive, as was his top end speed. Ward and RCB Lenoir could not run Kelley down.

Kelley looks thicker to me from the waist down than I remember. Also, he is pretty buff up top too. He looks like he's been spending some serious time in the weight room. I am looking forward to watching him play.

[Boltjolt]

The guy is evidently a really, REALLY good special teams player. Like... better than most. You don't find that type of player just sitting around everywhere. You can put some "young buck" in Horvath's place, but that doesn't mean he'll do as good a job. Horvath's talents on offense are much more easily replaceable than his talent on special teams is. He's this year's version of Kassim Osgood, who rarely made a contribution as a receiver, but was a terror on special teams.

I havent noticed Horvaths name called on STs plays as making the tackle. Mullen has played well on STs but doubt he makes the team.

[Velo]

I brought this up last night and it wasn't well received but I don't think its that crazy to talk about. Dotson has a lot more burst. They invested a 4th on Spiller and i know he was a young player when drafted but he hasn't shown tons so far.

Man, I hate to give up on Spiller and expose him to waivers though. I really believe he has the talent to succeed in the NFL. Not long before the draft he was considered a borderline 1st round prospect. But, I agree, Dotson looks like the better player right now. Maybe Moore will keep 4 RB on the roster.

[richpjr]

Man, I hate to give up on Spiller and expose him to waivers though. I really believe he has the talent to succeed in the NFL. Not long before the draft he was considered a borderline 1st round prospect. But, I agree, Dotson looks like the better player right now. Maybe Moore will keep 4 RB on the roster.

They aren't giving up on Spiller and if Dotson does not make the roster as Popper predicts, he'll sign to our practice squad. There are lots and lots of great fringe RBs out there and a lot of them have better hands than Dotson has shown.

[Boltjolt]

I brought this up last night and it wasn't well received but I don't think its that crazy to talk about. Dotson has a lot more burst. They invested a 4th on Spiller and i know he was a young player when drafted but he hasn't shown tons so far.

Spiller has played well this preseason. He didnt have a great game yesterday but none of the RBs has had great games every week. Take away Kelly's 75 yard run like Spillers 71 yard run got took away, and they were very similar with 15 carries for 68 yards for Spiller and 15 carries for 66 yards for Kelly.

The holding call on Spillers run was a cheap call IMO but had it counted they again are 2 yards apart at 141 and 139. Many of you seem to go on game by game basis when evaluating lol. Spillers also runs with power, something we need along with his ability to catch and make people miss.