Tag: Richie James

A tale of two screens: How Deebo Samuel catch compares to similar play in 2019

The #49ers used a screen pass to kickstart their offense vs. the Bears. It wasn’t the first time Kyle Shanahan has done that.

The Bears in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at Soldier Field kicked a field goal on their opening drive of the third quarter. The 49ers offense responded with a gasp, a sputter and looked to be wilting into the sordid mess that had chatter about a starting quarterback change louder than ever. Then head coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up a screen pass to wide receiver Deebo Samuel that turned the Week 8 matchup on its head. It was reminiscent of another time a screen pass flipped a game during Shanahan’s tenure.

Sunday in Chicago the 49ers trailed 16-9 when they took over at their own 25. A run for running back Elijah Mitchell went nowhere. Their second-down play was negated by a block in the back by fullback Kyle Juszczyk. On second-and-20, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tried to find tight end Charlie Woerner, but the throw fluttered to the turf. Then Garoppolo threw a screen to Samuel. It was perfectly blocked, and Samuel knifed his way behind his blockers and through the Bears defense en route to an 83-yard pickup and a first-and-goal at Chicago’s 1-yard-line. The 49ers scored to make it a 16-15 ball game four plays later, and they’d ride that momentum to a 33-22 win.

In 2019 the 49ers found themselves in a similar scenario at home against the Arizona Cardinals. They trailed 16-0 midway through the second quarter after punting and failing on a fourth down conversion in their first two series. San Francisco was 8-1, but coming off their first loss of the season and going into a brutal stretch against the Packers, Ravens and Saints. Losing to a bad Arizona team could’ve been the start of a spiral that derailed a promising season.

After a Cardinals touchdown made it 16-0, Shanahan dialed up a screen on a first-and-10 from the 49ers’ 25. This one went to Richie James, who got down the sideline for 57 yards to the Arizona 18. Four plays later Garoppolo hit tight end Ross Dwelley for a touchdown that made it 16-7. The momentum flipped the same way it did after Samuel’s big run Sunday, and San Francisco would take a 17-16 lead with a field goal and a touchdown on their next two possessions.

The situations weren’t apples-to-apples, but the game-changing big play on a screen pass stood out Sunday the way it did two seasons ago at Levi’s Stadium. On a day where it looked like the offense was out of gas, they got a jolt from a quick throw and an explosive run after the catch.

San Francisco hosts Arizona in Week 9 as they look to get back to the .500 mark. Another screen pass may be in order, perhaps before they dig themselves in a hole this time.

[listicle id=671185]

49ers WR Richie James to have knee surgery

The #49ers got some bad injury news. WR Richie James will miss at least six weeks because of knee surgery.

The 49ers on Friday got a bit of bad injury news in their receiving corps. Wide receiver Richie James will have knee surgery and miss at least six weeks according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

This is a tough blow for James, who was in contention for one of the final spots on the roster at receiver. The battle at that position has been one of the most interesting in camp, and now the injury to James puts the 49ers in a bit of a tough spot.

They could waive James with an injury designation, which means he’d revert to their Injured Reserve list if he cleared waivers. That would end his season since going on IR before final roster cuts doesn’t allow the player to return. Keeping him on the 53-man roster would allow them to put him on IR with a chance to return after six weeks. That would chew up a roster spot though, and they’d have to hope a player clears waivers so they could re-sign him to fill the spot vacated by James’ exit to IR.

There’s also a question about what James’ role would be once he’s healthy. Nsimba Webster has had a nice camp and could fill the kick returner role for the first part of the season. That would give the 49ers an option to see him in the regular season and then figure out what to do with James once he’s ready to return to the field.

The good news is this doesn’t sound like something that’ll jeopardize James’ season, and if he can return in time to contribute in the second half, he could be a valuable addition to an unproven 49ers’ receiving corps.

[listicle id=668673]

6 49ers to watch on offense in 2nd preseason game vs. Chargers

Here’s who we’re watching Sunday when the #49ers offense is on the field vs. the Chargers.

The 49ers’ starting and second-string offenses left something to be desired in their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. Bouncing back won’t be particularly easy against a talented Los Angeles Chargers defense in the second preseason contest.

San Francisco has a slew of roster battles waging as training camp begins to wind down, and performances in these last couple preseason games could play a big role in deciding who wins those competition.

Here’s who we’ll be keeping a close eye on when the 49ers’ offense is on the field Sunday against the Chargers:

WATCH: 49ers QB C.J. Beathard hits WR Richie James for big play

Watch San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard hitting wide receiver Richie James on a deep pass against the Seattle Seahawks.

While the San Francisco 49ers offense played an impressive first half against the Seattle Seahawks, quarterback C.J. Beathard struggled to get anything going for the Niners’ offense.

However, on their final drive of the half, Beathard dropped back on a third-and-14 from the 49ers’ 17 and hit a streaking Richie James Jr. down the seam for a 45-yard pass. No one will mistake Beathard for the 49ers’ quarterback of the future, but it is still an exciting sight to see a Niners offense actually produce a deep ball.

They wound up settling for a field goal to end the series and make it a 6-3 game.

Watch: Richie James scores 49ers 1st TD vs. Packers

The 49ers got a late touchdown vs. the Packers from WR Richie James Jr.

The 49ers finally got a touchdown late in Thursday night’s blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers. Nick Mullens on a third-and-7 found Richie James wide open down the sideline for an easy 41-yard touchdown. All the quarterback had to do was get the ball to his receiver. The reception was James’ seventh of the game. He’s up to 169 yards and a score.

5 49ers stories from last week for Cardinals fans to know

We check in with one of the Cardinals’ division rivals to see what has happened in the last week.

With the end of another week in the offseason, it is time for us to take a look around the NFC West and see what is going on with the Arizona Cardinals’ division rivals.

What is new with the San Francisco 49ers? Here are the biggest stories for Cardinals to know from the last week about the Niners.

49ers player tests positive for COVID-19

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Several 49ers players got together to work out in Nashville, not unlike what the Arizona Cardinals players were scheduled to do in Dallas with quarterback Kyler Murray. However, according to a report, one of the 49ers players tested positive for the coronavirus. Other players are awaiting the results of their tests.

[protected-iframe id=”b982993d8c20b3c1204a481770f7fbae-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/29016811/download.mp3″ ]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

49ers worked out punter to simulate Chiefs’ Dustin Colquitt

The 49ers want to make sure they take advantage of punts in the Super Bowl, so they worked out a left-footed punter.

The 49ers aren’t taking any chances in the Super Bowl.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a left-footed punter, Dustin Colquitt, which makes things a little awkward for the 49ers’ punt returners, who typically see the ball off a right-footed punter.

It doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but the different spin could make the ball more difficult to judge and catch. A muffed punt could be a game-changing swing, so the 49ers made sure their punt returners were ready by working out left-footed punter Brad Wing according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Richie James Jr., the 49ers’ primary return man, has done a nice job this year, but had a little trouble at times with his decision-making. It’s a huge win for the 49ers on Sunday if they force an explosive Kansas City offense to punt, so not turning it over on this kicks will be huge. Working out Wing is a good way to ensure James is ready for a new look from the punter.

49ers’ trio of WRs emerging as reliable threats just in time for postseason push

The 49ers’ receiving corps is starting to play like a Super Bowl-caliber unit behind Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders and Kendrick Bourne.

The 49ers seem to have found an answer to their wide receiver problem, and it came at just the right time.

After drops plagued the receiving corps in a Week 10 loss to the Seahawks, and nearly doomed them early in Week 11 vs. the Cardinals, the 49ers receiving corps has started to solidify thanks to the trio of Emmanuel Sanders, Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne.

Those three receivers ate up nearly all of the snaps for receivers Sunday in Baltimore. Sanders played 56 of 57 snaps. Samuel played 55, and Bourne played 25. The only other receiver to get playing time on offense was Richie James, who played two. Marquise Goodwin saw just one play on special teams, while Dante Pettis missed the contest with a knee injury.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters that the Sanders-Samuel-Bourne trio are the three players who’ve separated themselves in a once underwhelming receivers room.

“We feel those three guys have earned the right to be out there more than the rest,” Shanahan said. “We feel they have been the most consistent and started playing the best here over the last month or so. So, we have planned to do that more. I don’t like how much they went. I think we do have to rotate a little bit more and keep those guys fresh.”

Sanders, Samuel and Bourne wound up catching nine passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Jimmy Garoppolo completed just 15 throws for 165 yards and one touchdown. The receivers were responsible for effectively all of the team’s production through the air on a rainy Baltimore afternoon.

Their production is welcome after the passing game hit a low point against the Seahawks. Sanders got hurt in that game, and key drops by Samuel, Pettis, Goodwin and Bourne all played a role in the 49ers’ 27-24 overtime loss. Samuel had a good game with eight catches for 112 yards, but the overall production from the receiving corps looked like it might plague the 49ers all season.

Sanders on Sunday looked healthier than he’s looked since sustaining a rib injury against Seattle. Samuel continues to develop into a weapon, going up to haul in a 33-yard touchdown catch between two defenders. And Bourne caught all three balls thrown his way, including a nice catch on a ball thrown low and behind him that he turned upfield for a 30-yard completion.

They’ve combined for 87 catches, 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns through 13 weeks, and Sanders has only played with the club since Week 8. The 49ers’ top three wide receivers through all of last season (Bourne, Pettis and Trent Taylor) combined for 95 receptions, 1,169 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bourne’s team-best 487 yards from last season have already been eclipsed by Samuel, with Bourne and Sanders set to pass or get near that mark by the end of the year.

Getting high-end production from that group is less important than getting consistent production. They’ve proven they can be dangerous, and teams are going to have to start ensuring they’re not selling out to stop the 49ers’ run game. Better receivers will mean a more diverse, effective offensive attack. Tack on George Kittle’s regular dominance, Kyle Juszczyk and the team’s quartet of running backs, and suddenly there’s a group of pass catchers with the chance to be dominant.

Despite a minimal role for Richie James, and declining a declining role for Goodwin, Shanahan is still optimistic the team will continue working to get them more involved and producing with some consistency.

“We also have confidence in the other two guys that are there so we need to use them,” the head coach said. “Richie came in and I know made a huge block on Raheem’s (Mostert) long touchdown run, and I know ‘Quise is ready to go. So, we’ve got to make sure that we do get them in a little bit more. That has changed here and it’s gotten a little more each week here over the last month.”

The good news for the 49ers is they’re no longer in a position where they have to play unproductive receivers in hopes of getting a breakout game. They have a group they know they can rely on, which allows them to work the guys lower on the roster in a little more judiciously.

Roles may expand some for players like James, Goodwin and Pettis, but the emergence of Sanders, Samuel and Bourne as a reliable trio has the 49ers offense in position to be as potent as its ever been just in time for a playoff run.

49ers preparing for Lamar Jackson with WR at QB

The 49ers are going outside the box to prepare for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.

There’s no way to perfectly mimic Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. He’s as unique a quarterback as the NFL has ever seen. The 49ers are giving a shot at preparing for Jackson by lining up wide receiver Richie James Jr. at quarterback for the scout team.

James is one of the 49ers’ most electric athletes. He’s fast and explosive in tight spaces. His ability to make people miss and run by defensive backs should give the 49ers a pretty good idea of what Jackson brings when he decides to take off and run.

There are two problems Jackson poses though that makes James a less-than-perfect fill in for him.

First, Jackson has very good size. James is listed at 5-9, 185 pounds. Jackson is listed at 6-2, 212 pounds. He’s capable of running through and shaking off defenders in a way James can’t.

Then there’s the throwing aspect. Even if James can throw the ball some, Jackson has been an excellent passer this season. He has a 66.9 percent completion rate to go with a league-best 24 touchdowns and 8.0 percent touchdown rate.

His combination of explosive running and high-level throwing makes him truly unique, and San Francisco’s out-of-the-box preparation speaks to just how unique that is.

49ers vs. Cardinals: 3 things that stood out in the 2nd quarter

The 49ers owned the second quarter after a dominant first 15 minutes by Arizona.

The 49ers offense looked more put together in the second quarter, driving down the field for two scoring drives. The defense held to Arizona to seven points after allowing two scoring drives in the first quarter.

With the 49ers trailing 16-10 heading into the half, here’s what stood out in the second quarter:

Murray has time

What might be the most alarming trend is that the 49ers haven’t been able to create pressure on Kyler Murray. Murray hasn’t had to move much in the pocket and when it does it’s on a designed run. The 49ers defense has been able to get to the quarterback rushing just four all season, but haven’t been able to affect Murray doing so Sunday. Robert Saleh may need to draw up more blitzes to put more pressure on Murray or else he will continue to tear up the 49ers defense.

It took awhile, but the 49ers offense showed up

The 49ers offense had two total yards entering the second quarter but one play may have turned the tide. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Richie James on a screen pass that resulted in a 57-yard play to get the offense in the red zone for the first time. The drive ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo to Ross Dwelley. The drive followed the trend of quick drives, taking just 1:11 off the clock.

Another Sherman pass interference but the defense holds this time

Richard Sherman was called for his third pass interference on a third-and-11 that gave Arizona a first down. But for the first time on Sunday, a Sherman pass interference didn’t lead to Arizona points when the defense forced a punt four plays later. The big play was a Dee Ford sack on second-and-9 that put Arizona in a third-and-long situation. The call against Sherman was the third time he was called for pass interference on Christian Kirk, so it appears Kliff Kingsbury likes that matchup and it will be one to watch in the second half.