49ers face more problems than QB issue, but they’re still fixable
The 49ers’ quarterback situation is rightfully dominating the discussion surrounding head coach Kyle Shanahan’s team.
But it’s not the only concern for San Francisco heading into the bye week ahead of its next game Oct. 24 against the Indianapolis Colts.
The 49ers have a few too many flaws, leading to their unexpected 2-3 start following Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Fortunately for Shanahan, they’re only five games into their 17-game season, and their issues aren’t catastrophic just yet.
At 2-3, coming off three straight defeats to NFC teams, the 49ers are one game behind the Carolina Panthers (3-2) for the No. 7 seed in a way-too-early look at the playoff standings.
“These three losses that we’ve had in a row, the answer good or bad is not just the quarterback,” Shanahan said Monday. “(We) gotta play better all around.”
Indeed, while Trey Lance looked like a rookie in his first start, his supporting cast — including Shanahan — didn’t offer much help.
Veteran receiver Mohamed Sanu dropped a would-be conversion on third-and-11 near the end of the second quarter that thwarted a scoring opportunity. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey struggled to contain former All-Pro J.J. Watt throughout Sunday’s game.
McGlinchey was flagged three times, twice for holding and once for a false start. Watt penetrated San Francisco’s offensive line on a third-and-goal passing play before Lance was walled off on fourth down in the second quarter. That came after Deebo Samuel dropped a bubble screen, which wasn’t perfectly thrown by Lance either, and it might have gone for a touchdown if completed. The offense was flagged six times for holding.
There was also Shanahan’s play-calling on fourth down, including a fourth-and-2 on the second possession, that asked Lance to ram into the right side of the 49ers’ offensive line, which hasn’t been nearly as good as the left side, where $138 million tackle Trent Williams lines up.
San Francisco went 1-for-5 on fourth down and managed just 10 points despite finishing eight of their nine possessions in Cardinals’ territory. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of little things that went awry in a one-score game on the road against the last undefeated team in the NFL.
It’s unlikely after five weeks that the 49ers would be able to catch undefeated Arizona for the division crown. But nine of the 16 teams in the NFC are either 3-2 or 2-3 — and 13 of the 16 teams are separated by just two games in the standings. The only outliers: Cardinals (5-0), Giants (1-4) and Lions (0-5).
The 49ers’ bye appears to be coming at a good time. They’re also fortunate to face the Colts, who are 1-4 after losing to the Ravens in overtime Monday night at Levi’s Stadium after the bye.
Lance injury another unwanted variable
Shanahan’s quarterback drama took another turn on Monday when an MRI revealed Lance sprained his left knee Sunday. Per Shanahan, Lance didn’t know when the injury occurred.
“He didn’t feel it until he said he was in bed last night,” Shanahan said.
Knee sprains can often linger, but Shanahan said the injury is expected to last one or two weeks, which could put Lance’s status for the Colts game in two weeks up in the air. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, of course, is also dealing with a calf injury, though Shanahan sounded optimistic Garoppolo would be available.
If not, the 49ers would be looking at playing third-stringer Nate Sudfeld. Though it sounds like a long shot that neither Lance nor Garoppolo would be available. Both will undergo further testing, and Shanahan will have another update next week.
Shanahan proud of Lance
Speaking of Lance, Shanahan offered his evaluation of the recent third-overall draft pick after reviewing the game film Sunday night and Monday morning.
“I was proud of him,” Shanahan said. “I thought he went into a tough environment versus a real good team. I thought he did a lot of real good things.”
Lance finished 15 of 29 for 192 yards and added 89 yards on 16 carries. He threw an interception on his first drive and had accuracy issues that have been prevalent dating back to training camp. Otherwise, Shanahan was impressed.
“I thought he was aggressive in what he saw,” said Shanahan. “When he saw it right, he let it rip; when he didn’t think there was something there, he ran aggressively. I thought he did a real good job through it all and handled the noise pretty well. I thought it was a good first experience for him.”
Before Garoppolo’s injury on Oct. 3 against Seattle, Shanahan was staunch in his belief that Garoppolo gave the team the best chance to win. Shanahan said before that game he was happy he didn’t have to put Lance “into any situations he has to do too early.”
For now, Shanahan isn’t changing his mind regarding Garoppolo’s status as the starter when healthy after what he saw in Arizona.
“It doesn’t change my opinion, big picture,” he said. “Trey definitely has the ability to help us win games. I thought he was a big part of why we had a chance to win that game yesterday. I just wish we could have played better around him, too, not that he was perfect by any means, but he gave us a very good chance to win that game and I know he’ll give us a chance in a lot going forward.
“But it’s more of a decision than just which player do you want to go with? There’s a whole team here, there’s a lot more that goes into it.”
Scouting service Pro Football Focus’ numbers do not paint Garoppolo in a flattering light.
Of 35 eligible quarterbacks, Garoppolo has not recorded a “big-time throw” this season. By contrast, Derek Carr (19), Tom Brady (18) and Josh Allen (16) top the list. Lance was credited with two Sunday.
Garoppolo also has the scouting service’s highest rate of turnover-worthy plays at 5.3% of his drop backs, ahead of rookie Trevor Lawrence (5.2%), Taylor Heinicke (5%), Davis Mills (4.9%) and Zach Wilson (4.8%). Lance had two such plays Sunday, including his interception on the first series, putting his turnover worthy play rate at 3%.
What Garoppolo gives Shanahan is a veteran he can trust to know the offense, who Shanahan knows needs replacing eventually, hence trading up for Lance in the offseason.
What remains to be seen is when Shanahan will decide on Garoppolo’s penchant for putting the ball at risk, while not offering the upside in big throws or play making (Lance’s 89 rushing yards Sunday were more than Garoppolo’s last 20 games combined).
For now, the injury situation for the two quarterbacks has to be sorted out before Shanahan will consider remaking his depth chart.
