San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak was asked about the left guard spot after Monday’s practice. Connor Colby lined up with the first team during the first block of practices. Since then, it’s been Robert Jones.
According to Kubiak, it’s “definitely still an open competition. Those guys are going to compete all camp.” Kubiak acknowledged that both Colby and Jones are going to play in the preseason “a lot” and the competition will resolve itself.
Kubiak also said just because Colby was up first didn’t mean it was his job to lose, saying, “it’s no slight on Connor” and “I don’t think we said, ‘whoever is in there the first day is going to take it all the way.’”
Kubiak didn’t mention Carver Willis, who has also been rotating with the second-team at left guard. We’ll see if the rookie has a say in this competition, or if it’s between Jones and Colby.
Marques Sigle beefs up
Second-year safety Marques Sigle looks locked in as a starter at safety. There was a rotation, but with Malik Mustapha out, it’s been Sigle and Ji’Ayir Brown. At the podium on Monday, Sigle said all of the cliches about new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
“He’s allowing us to be more aggressive, play to our skill set.”
“It’s making us not think and allowing us to be playmakers. I feel like that’s better for us. We have the type of guys to go out and play and not react.”
Sigle said the gap in between the middle of the season before returning for the Eagles game allowed him to learn what he needed to work on. He said what most of us saw: “I feel like I was in the right spot, but had to make the play. So that mindset in practice and in film study is to be one step ahead instead of one step behind.”
Sigle put on 8 to 10 pounds since the end of last season: “I just felt it was better for my skill set, and being more of a true safety. Just for blocks, dealing with tight ends, being more physical. And be at a weight where I can still keep my speed.”
Sigle said one of the main things he worked on this offseason was getting in and out of his breaks. He’s been stealing traits from each of his teammates in an effort to improve:
“RG[Renardo Green], just how he plays man and how aggressive he is. D-Mo, just how smart he is with the break points. Ji’Ayir Brown, just how he gets out of his breaks in the post. Malik Mustapha, just how he’s in and out of his breaks. Throughout the whole offseason, I just took one piece from each guy.”
We’ve heard nothing but positive remarks about the secondary early on in camp. But that’s also been without the majority of the top wideouts. We will learn more through the preseason, and of course, in Week 1 against one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL.
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