NFL Week 3 (Preseason)
San Francisco 49ers, 21 – San Diego Chargers, 7
We offer some general advice to the next group of willing investors who seek to build a new stadium: Spend what you like on the structure but be sure, if you use a turf field, to allow the grass to get a good grip before the games begin. The LEVIathan required some work in this department prior to Sunday’s game…Kudos to the grounds crew for the fast corrections.
The first quarter was disappointing for the SF offense as playmaking was made difficult by the annoying presence of San Diego Chargers in the 49ers’ backfield. The front line, which has always provided a safe place for quarterback operations, will need to tighten up – soon. Kaepernick was sacked, fumbled as a result of an attempted sack and was flushed from the pocket on more than one occasion. Coach Jim Harbaugh gave his starter just enough time in game to put together one solid 55-yard drive in the second quarter before replacing him with #2 QB, Blaine Gabbert.
Now for those of you who have dissed Gabbert in the past, his performance this week demonstrated why he is worthy of the #2 slot. He owns the new stadium’s record for the first 49ers touchdown pass. The drives of 29, 68, 44 and 64 yards which he led were certainly equal to those put up by the Chargers. No interceptions thrown and no fumbles. A good day’s work – thank you very much.
Now as for the game in detail, it was Charger’s quarterback Philip Rivers who was responsible for San Diego’s points on the day with his 10-yard pass to receiver Antonio Gate in the first quarter at 0:36. Kicker Nick Novak added the extra point. After that – and despite substantial drives – the San Diego offense never again saw the end zone.
In the second quarter, new stadium record-holder/kicker Phil Dawson directed a 39-yard field goal through the uprights at 9:27 to put the Niners on the board and thus avoid a repeat of the goose-egg thrashing suffered the previous week. Late in the second, QB Blaine Gabbert found receiver Vance McDonald on a 56-yard passing play for the touchdown with only 46 second left on the clock. With Phil Dawson’s kick, the 49ers found themselves up 10-7 at halftime.
A relatively uneventful third quarter was broken up by Jimmie Ward’s interception of a Brad Sorensen pass intended for Dontrelle Inman at the San Diego 27 which he returned four yards to the 23.
The fourth quarter held one seldom-seen surprise following Glenn Winston’s 27-yard rush for a touchdown at 10:34 – the Niners went for a two point conversion. Gabbert’s pass to Lance Lewis took San Diego by surprise and reaffirmed that the pizazz which has of late been absent is still within the collective ken.
Injuries on the day for San Diego were Kwame Geathers (nose tackle) who suffered a hyper-extended knee and Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe (offensive tackle) with an ACL tear which will end his season. Both men were placed on San Diego’s injured reserve list. The 49ers lost the services of offensive lineman Marcus Martin for an estimated eight weeks due to a dislocated knee cap – ouch! Get well soon.
