SANTA CLARA — Rightfully so, the 49ers (1-0) are upbeat. An unexpected curb-stomping of a division rival should have any NFL team feeling good about themselves.
And as the 49ers took the practice field in the preparation for a Week 2 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, they sent a subtle message to the defending NFC champions.
The song North Carolina by Petey Pablo blared in the background, much to the approval of the players.
Besides the hip-hop track being a pump-up classic, here’s two thoughts on why playing a simple rap song is noteworthy enough to lead an article.
- There is a purpose behind playing this particular song for this particular opponent: Keep the confidence high. The 49ers are trying to convince themselves they are not a team who will lay down anymore. So what’s the best way for a young team to grow up quickly? Go on the road and pull off an unthinkable upset. The 49ers are inferior to the Panthers, but everything they are saying and doing on Wednesday has no undertones of playing scared. Where as a year ago Jim Tomsula’s coaching staff seemed to fret over big games, Kelly’s staff is embracing them. Fearlessness is a good strategy for a 49ers team with nothing to lose.
- Kelly is trying to make work fun. Standing there, you couldn’t not picture the Panthers because of all the North Carolina themed lyrics. If Kelly’s intent is to make practice feel more like a game, it’s working. Practice with energy, play with energy.
Some other notes from offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins and defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil
-The 49ers offense went 4/4 in the red zone, and while Modkins admitted that those plays had been scripted and rehearsed for months in practice, the execution of them were outstanding. Last season the 49ers were 31st in red zone touchdown percentage, posting a lowly 43.6 clip. Kelly’s Eagles, even in a down year, were 15th in the NFL converting 55.1 percent inside the 20-yard line. The red zone numbers obviously won’t stay this high, but with pretty much the same personnel, it shows you just how better coached these 49ers are to start 2016.
-The 49ers are going to have a tough time pulling DeForest Buckner off the field. It didn’t sound like O’Neil planned to play him 51 snaps on Monday — the highest total by far out of the defensive linemen. Buckner produced four QB hurries against the Rams and was Pro Football Focus’s highest-rated rookie pass rusher. Additionally, O’Neil said he was very disruptive in the run game.
-Modkins is not worried about any potential chemistry issues between Blaine Gabbert and Torrey Smith. The team’s No. 1 receiver caught two passes for 13 yards, one of them on a poorly thrown bubble screen from Gabbert that ended in a turnover on downs. Further, newcomer Jeremy Kerley was targeted 11 times, while Smith saw just six. It’s only been one week, but this offense can only do so much if Smith isn’t one of it’s main contributors. So with that in mind, QB1 and WR1’s chemistry worth keeping an eye on Sunday vs. Carolina.