49ers drop preseason opener: Rapid reactions

Things didn't turn out how the San Francisco 49ers wanted them to on Saturday. Without most of their starters, the defending NFC Champions lost their first preseason game to the Tennessee Titans, 17-13. The 49ers had the ball and were on the move with a chance to win the game late, but an untimely penalty slowed down the momentum, and the 49ers missed their chance.

Here are my rapid reactions to the 49ers first preseason game. They are my live thoughts from the game as it unfolded. So there may be an overreaction or two. I've been known to do that.

• Is Brandon Allen going to be QB2? He looks like he may win that job. If not for a few dropped passes, Allen would have had an even better game.
• Jordan Mason is so good. He should be RB2. I'm just not sure the coaching staff will put him ahead of Elijah Mitchell. They trust Mitchell a lot.
• Dominick Puni may win a starting job. He's been so impressive.

• Ronnie Bell looks good. He has a long way to go and still makes too many mistakes, but he has a chance to make the team. I didn't feel that way before training camp began.

• The 49ers kick coverage, however, is not good. Some things never change.

• Dee Winters needs to start until Dre Greenlaw is ready. He flies to the ball.
• Chris Conley should make the team, whether Brandon Aiyuk is on the team or not. Conley keeps making plays. But it's a tight wide receivers race. Conley, Bell, and Danny Gray are fighting for one spot.
• Breaking: Ambry Thomas is still terrible. (More on him below)

• The 49ers offense better score a lot this season because their kick and punt coverage may give up a lot of points.

• I like Malik Mustapha. He's a keeper. He made some rookie mistakes, but he also made his presence known with a couple of big hits.

• The defense did not look great. Too many missed tackles.
• Also, too many drops by 49ers receivers.
• Nice to see Kalia Davis playing well. The 49ers need a run-stuffing defensive tackle who can tie up blockers and take on double-teams. Davis did that in this game.
• Renardo Green is making plays. That's great to see, especially since Darrell Luter, Jr. has been injured, and Samuel Womack is too inconsistent.

• I see stopping the run is still an issue. Good thing it's only preseason.
• Matt Breida fumbling in his first game back is not what I wanted to see.
• Josh Dobbs makes things happen. I may have to reconsider my thoughts about Allen being QB2. Neither of them is very good, but both have what it takes to win a game or two if called upon.

• Unfortunately, Dobbs and the 49ers didn't make enough plays to win.

It was a preseason game without any star players. So it's nothing to be concerned about. Still, it would have been nice to win that one.


Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Thomas broke his forearm. He will be out indefinitely. I'm not sure exactly what that means, as far as how long he'll miss, but I wouldn't count on Thomas being available anytime soon.

Next up for the 49ers is a matchup with the New Orleans Saints a week from Sunday. But first, the 49ers and Saints will practice together. That should be a good test for the 49ers.

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