49ers beat writer extraordinaire Matt Maiocco hopped on KNBR for the first time in years on Monday afternoon and broke down what he’s seen from the 49ers through training camp and the first two preseason games.
Maiocco said that while double digit penalties in both games have been the standout problem, it’s two other issues going hand-in-hand that are the primary concern for the team heading into the season.
“I would think they would definitely want to clean up the penalties,” Maiocco said. “I mean I think they’ve had double-digit penalties the first two games and several penalties that weren’t accepted that don’t show up on the stat sheet but to me the biggest concern right now with the team that you can see in these exhibition games is the running game. All they are doing are their base runs so those are the run plays that they’re going to be using during the regular season. Of all the areas on the team where the 49ers have their biggest concerns it’s at the offensive guard spots.”
The issues at guard seem to have certainly played a part in the inept rushing attack that gained just 37 yards on 19 carries in Saturday’s loss against Denver. Perhaps even more concerning, is that presumed starter Carlos Hyde has gained a paltry 26 yards on 10 carries in two games. Maiocco believes the line is at least partially at fault.
“I don’t know that they think right now that they have an NFL caliber starting offensive guard on the team. Joshua Garnett was doing okay and then he really struggled the second week of camp and then he got hurt. They think that hopefully the knee injury was part of the reason he was struggling, so they don’t know if he’s gonna be back for the start of the regular season. They don’t seem to be high on Zane Beadles at all at one of the starting guard spots. Brandon Fusco the other starting guard is somebody that I think has grown on them a little bit, but I think for Brian Hoyer to be the kind of quarterback they want him to be, you know he has to be able to use those play fakes, and unless the running game is some sort of threat that’s not going to be a factor. So that’s where I think they really want to get going is to see some run lanes for Carlos Hyde and the running backs.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Maiocco’s comments on the run game, skip to the 5:40 mark