Complete San Francisco 49ers Training Camp Preview

The San Francisco 49ers’ first practice of training camp is Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium.

The Niners will practice in front of the media 11 times over the span of two weeks during training camp. They do not practice August 6, 10 and 14.

Most of the practices will start in the early evening around 4:15 p.m. PT, although this Saturday’s practice starts at 7 p.m. Expect to receive most of your Niners updates around dinner time the next couple of weeks.

That’s just a primer. Here’s everything else you need to know about the 49ers heading into training camp.

The Rushing Offense

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Yards per Rush Attempt in 2014: 4.6

League Rank: 4

The 49ers had two rushing attacks last season.

They had the one with right tackle Anthony Davis, which averaged a gargantuan 5.2 yards per carry, and they had the one without Davis, which averaged a measly 3.9 yards per carry.

Davis, 25, decided to retire this offseason. Without him, the Niners’ rushing attack may struggle like it struggled without him last season.

Earlier this offseason, the Niners lost future Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts. At 32, he’s old for a running back, but he is also durable. He didn't miss any games the past four seasons.

Gore’s replacement on the Niners, Carlos Hyde, has a history dating back to college of missing a couple of games per season due to minor injuries or suspensions.

Hyde missed part of OTAs and minicamp with a calf injury. He needs to show he can stay healthy through training camp and the preseason. The Niners are in trouble if he can’t carry the load on offense.

The Passing Offense

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Net Yards per Pass Attempt in 2014: 5.7

League Rank: 28

The Niners always were a run-first offense under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh, but they also beat opposing defenses with long passes downfield, especially once Colin Kaepernick became the starting quarterback.

In 2013, the 49ers offense averaged 6.5 net yards per attempt—10th best in the NFL. Tight end Vernon Davis was a premier deep threat, and the Niners had one of the most dangerous play-action passing games in the NFL.

But Davis was not a deep threat in 2014. He seemed injured, uninterested or both. Kaepernick’s top three receivers—Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson—were possession receivers. So Kaepernick’s yards-per-attempt average plummeted.

This offseason, the Niners signed deep-threat receiver Torrey Smith to a five-year, $40 million contract, according to Spotrac. It’s imperative that Smith and Kaepernick spend as much time working together during training camp as possible so they build chemistry before the regular season begins.

The Rushing Defense

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Opponents’ Yards per Rush Attempt in 2014: 4.0

League Rank: 11

Since last season, the Niners’ defense has lost four of its best run defenders: Defensive ends Justin Smith and Ray McDonald and inside linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.

Veteran inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman is returning after missing a season due to a torn ACL and MCL. But it’s unknown how effective he’ll be in his first season back from such a devastating injury.

Unless Bowman plays like an All-Pro, the Niners run defense probably will take a step back next season, although maybe not a big step back.

The Niners have a rotation of six defensive linemen—Ian Williams, Glenn Dorsey, Quinton Dial, Tank Carradine, Darnell Dockett and Arik Armstead—who should be able to hold their own.

But the player to watch during training camp is third-year inside linebacker Nick Moody. He’s currently backing up Michael Wilhoite—a veteran who struggles against the run. If Moody can take Wilhoite’s job, the run defense should improve.

The Passing Defense

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Opponents’ Net Yards per Pass Attempt in 2014: 6.0

League Rank: 9

On one hand, the Niners’ starting cornerbacks from last season—Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox—signed with other teams this offseason.

On the other hand, the Niners are getting back veteran cornerback Tramaine Brock, who missed 13 games last season due to toe and hamstring injuries, and second-year cornerback Keith Reaser, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL.

When healthy, Brock is close to a Pro Bowl level cornerback. In 2013, he intercepted five passes and broke up 15. With Brock, the Niners have a corner who can cover most of the best wide receivers in the league.

The Niners may have two terrific corners if Reaser establishes himself during training camp. Reaser was outstanding during OTAs and minicamp—giving up one catch and breaking up four during six practices in front of the media.

Special Teams

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Pro Football Focus Grade: Plus-3.7

Pro Football Focus Rank: 15

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in 2014, the Niners’ best special teams player by far was punter Andy Lee. Pro Football Focus gave him a plus-18.4 grade. The second-highest graded special teams player was Chris Cook with a plus-3.9.

This offseason, the Niners traded their best special teams player to the Cleveland Browns for a seventh-round draft pick in 2017, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

To replace Lee, the Niners spent a fifth-round pick on punter Bradley Pinion, who seems talented but probably won’t be as good as Lee next season.

At returner, the Niners finally have competition. Last season, Bruce Ellington was the only returner on the team. This offseason, veteran running back Reggie Bush is competing with Ellington on both kick returns and punt returns.

If Bush beats on Ellington, it’s possible Bush will make his greatest contribution next season on special teams, not offense.

Coaching

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Harbaugh’s practices were grueling. Sometimes they lasted as long as three-and-a-half hours. Harbaugh’s practices typically would start around 2:15 p.m. and end around 5:45 during training camp.

New head coach Jim Tomsula seems like the Anti-Harbaugh. During OTAs and minicamp, Tomsula’s practices rarely lasted long than an hour and a half.

Some believe Harbaugh worked the 49ers too hard the past few seasons. No one will accuse Tomsula of working his players too hard. Tomsula is a players’ coach. He seems to want to keep them fresh.

Will Tomsula’s lighter approach to training camp make a difference when the regular season starts?

All quotations and practice observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow @grantcohn.