49ers training camp: Three things we learned Wednesday
To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 10.2.0 or greater is installed.
SANTA CLARA – Aside from one reckless hit by a 49ers rookie, Wednesday’s joint practice with the Denver Broncos went as plotted, with the rebuilding 49ers gaining confidence along the way.
“It’s a great measuring stick and it’s a great opportunity for our team to go up against one of the deeper rosters in football and see how we stack up,” said general manager John Lynch, who wrapped his playing career 10 years ago as a Broncos safety.
The 49ers and Broncos, who are staying at the same nearby hotel, will practice again Thursday, but only in shoulder pads, before Saturday night’s exhibition. Lynch called the Broncos a playoff-caliber team, two years removed from winning the Super Bowl next door at Levi’s Stadium, even though their quarterback situation has nosedived since Peyton Manning’s Lombardi Trophy-winning exit.
Here are the top three things we learned Wednesday:
1. Lynch’s take on national anthem protests. A year after Colin Kaepernick sparked a national anthem protest that some players around the league are continuing, the 49ers have skirted any such issue this season, as all players stood in Friday’s exhibition.
Lynch said no players have approached him about protesting, and if they did, communication is key. He prefers a unified front for team purposes but is respectful to the rights of those compelled to protest — essentially the same company line the 49ers had last year.
Lynch’s take: “I always thought it’s one of the great things about this league and, in fact, it’s a great beacon for the rest of culture, in terms of it’s the way it should be. You strive for a common goal and you have unity. This game brings people together.”
And what of those who sit or kneel? “That’s divisive,” Lynch responded. “I understand guys see things and they’re not happy. They have that right. We’ll always respect people’s rights. That doesn’t mean I believe that. I believe this should actually be celebrated for what it is, a tremendous unifier for our country and the way things should be.”
2….
Comments