In today’s links, you’ll read about Trey Lance, Trey Lance, and more Trey Lance.
Trey Lance = fun to watch
But, it was our first look at Trey Lance in a 49ers uniform, on the field with a helmet, at least theoretically running the offense.
I wasn’t tracking every pass Lance threw in 7-on-7s, because, again, it was 7-on-7s with other rookies, and none of those players actually know the entire offense or defense yet. But for those of you who are understandably interested in putting a number to the performance, Lance was either 20-of-24 or 19-of-24, per Matt Maiocco and Eric Branch, respectively.
It doesn’t really matter what Lance’s completion stats were. What matters is that he didn’t look out of his element at all. He was active with quarterback coach Rich Scangarello in personal drills, working on the things that will be tuned and tuned and tuned until they’re right; footwork, eye positioning, arm angles, timing, etc.
Trey Lance Rumors: Latest on What 49ers Are Looking to See from Rookie QB in Minicamp
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on SportsCenter, the Niners “just want to see how [Lance] handles a pretty complicated offense with a lot of long, play call verbiage.”
Fowler then added that the 49ers “want to see how good of a guy he is in person,” after being told during the pre-draft process that people “gravitate” toward Lance.
49ers 5 toughest quarterback matchups for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021
No. 5: Week 15 — 49ers vs. Matt Ryan, Falcons
True, veteran quarterback Matt Ryan’s Atlanta Falcons are going through a bit of a rebuild. But Niners fans can recall how the Falcons pulled off the spoiler win over San Francisco late in 2019 in the definition of a trap game.
Garoppolo was good enough in that game, going 22-of-34 for 200 yards with a touchdown and a 90.3 passer rating. But Ryan’s game-winning toss to wide receiver Julio Jones late proved to be the difference-maker.
As long as Jones remains in the Falcons’ mix, and with Atlanta’s commitment to Ryan for now, this could be a dangerous matchup for Jimmy G to pull off a win.
Especially with the Falcons adding Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall in this year’s NFL Draft, as Pitts was widely regarded as the best pure pass-catcher out of anyone in the class.
Lance has a little leg up on the average rookie, having played in a pro-style offense at North Dakota State which the quarterback said has similarities. Shanahan’s scheme is an NFL offense with more details and content, but Lance is grateful for his college coaches putting him in the best position to make a smooth transition.
Throughout rookie minicamp, Lance shared that the offensive players will be given smaller sections of the playbook at a time so they do not become overwhelmed. After waiting six to seven months to find out what system he would be playing in, Lance said he was eager to get his hands on the playbook and excited to get started with the 49ers.
8 Takeaways from Trey Lance and 49ers Rookie Minicamp – 49ers.com
4. One of Lance’s incompletions came off of a tipped ball by undrafted linebacker Justin Hilliard.
5. Sixth-round running back Elijah Mitchell caught all four of his passes from Lance. One of his most impressive hauls came during the unit’s final set of drills of the day, as Mitchell hauled in the 10-yard pass in traffic and displayed his top-end 4.32 40-yard-dash speed into the open field.
6. Lee hauled in the longest reception of the day. The veteran wideout caught a 20-yard pass from the rookie QB.
