Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 384

Steve Kerr references Steph Curry in DNC speech endorsing VP Kamala Harris

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr endorsed vice president Kamala Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday.

“I know very well that speaking out about politics these days comes with risk,” Kerr said. “I can see the ‘shut up and whistle’ tweets being fired out as we speak. But I also knew as soon as I was asked that it was too important as an American citizen not to speak up in an election of this magnitude.”

Kerr has been a vocal activist for gun safety legislation and other social issues and causes. He has been publicly critical of former president Donald Trump and endorsed President Joe Biden in the 2020 general election.

Although addressing a stadium of politicos is new territory for the head coach, the United Center was a familiar setting. As Kerr took the podium, highlights of his game-winning shot in the same arena from Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals showed on big screens.

“It’s so fun to be back here at the United Center,” Kerr began. “As you all know, a lot of good stuff has happened in this building — especially in the 90’s. You young people, Google ‘Michael Jordan’ and you can read all about it.”

A few days after the Olympics, Kerr said, he got invited to speak at the DNC. He explained that as a husband, son, father and American citizen, he couldn’t decline the opportunity to make his voice heard.

Although there has, and always will be, backlash when sports figures speak about politics — as Kerr alluded to — sports and politics are constantly intertwined. At the Republican National Convention earlier this summer, former wrestler Hulk Hogan and UFC CEO Dana White each spoke. Former Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker lost his Senate race in 2022 and former Dodger Steve Garvey is running for a Senate seat in California currently.

Kerr took the podium less than 10 minutes after Harris made initial remarks; the Oakland native is scheduled to give a full speech Thursday night. Harris, the Democratic nominee, is the former San Francisco District Attorney, California Attorney General and United States Senator.

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Kerr’s DNC speech mainly focused on uniting themes based on his experience coaching Team USA to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. He spoke about coming together to form a more perfect union, not divided by party line, but as teammates.

He did so while making himself very clear about which candidate in the 2024 presidential election represents that value.

“I believe leaders must display dignity,” Kerr said. “I believe leaders should tell the truth. I believe leaders must care for and love for the people they’re leading. I believe leaders must possess knowledge and expertise, but with full awareness that none of us has all the answers. And if you look for those qualities in your friends or your boss or an employee or your child’s teacher or your mayor, shouldn’t you want those same qualities in your president? And when you think about it that way, this is no contest.”

The NBA doesn’t hold games on election day, which falls this year on Nov. 5. Until then, Kerr committed to help people get out to vote for Harris and Walz.

“And, after the results are tallied that night, we can tell Donald Trump, in the words of the great Steph Curry, ‘Night-Night.’”

SF Giants add Thairo Estrada to struggling lineup, option Brett Wisely

SAN FRANCISCO — After one of the Giants’ first games of the season, Bob Melvin sat in his office in the bowels of Petco Park and raved about the potential All-Star season their second baseman had ahead of him.

It hasn’t panned out that way for Thairo Estrada, who was activated from the injured list before Monday’s series opener against the White Sox, but perhaps not coincidentally the 28-year-old from Bejuma, Venezuela, will tell you that was the last time he was at full health.

“First of all I’m very happy to be back,” Estrada said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Right now, I feel 100%. I don’t feel any pain. I feel good.”

Before a sprained left wrist sidelined him for the past three weeks, Estrada was batting .216/.249/.353 — a .601 OPS — and on pace for career lows in almost every offensive category. Over the past three seasons, he had been 5% better than the league-average hitter but this year had been among the league’s worst, with an OPS+ of 71 (100 is average).

“This year hasn’t been his best, but we feel like he’s fully healthy now and coming off a good rehab assignment,” Melvin said. “Hopefully it’s a nice boost to the lineup.”

In five games with Triple-A Sacramento, Estrada registered nine hits in 21 at-bats (a .429 average), including a home run and a double Sunday.

The Giants’ lineup, meanwhile, has scored more than four runs just once in the past 10 games — a National League-worst 2.78 per contest — while batting around the Mendoza line as a team and even worse with runners in scoring position, and Estrada acknowledged, “it’s hard to say that with me coming in we’re just going to start scoring runs. That’s not easy to do.”

Estrada’s replacements haven’t been part of the solution. Since landing on the IL on July 26, Giants second basemen have been the fifth-worst offensive group in the majors, batting a collective .217/.252/.360 with a league-low 3.2% walk rate.

The left-handed hitting Brett Wisely was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move, leaving the Giants with a lack of platoon options but a more reliable defender to back up the middle-infield positions in Casey Schmitt.

“Right now (Schmitt) probably just adds a little bit more,” Melvin said. “Against lefties, we can probably get one more right-handed bat in there.”

Since the start of August, Wisely was 4-for-25 with a .392 OPS.

“I think Wise just needed to get some at-bats,” Melvin said. “He lost a little confidence, maybe he was pressing a little too much. But he’s been really good at times for us this year. … It’s in there. He’s just having a little bit of a tough time right now.”

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It has been a tough season for Estrada, whose wrist has forced him to the IL on two occasions while also leading the team with five hit-by-pitches, which have often gotten him on his hand, wrist or forearm. But he was back in the lineup, batting seventh, and hopeful his fortunes would start to turn around.

“You depend on your hands for a lot of things (as a hitter),” Estrada said. “Think about having pain in your hands and trying to hit a baseball that is 99 or 100 mph; it’s very difficult. You can have pain in any other part of your body, but if you have your hands healthy you’re going to be able to play.

“The good thing is I have talent. I’m 100%. And I’m going to go out there and compete and give my all and help the team win.”

Democrats approve a platform that mentions Biden’s ‘second term’ despite his making way for Harris

By WILL WEISSERT and ALI SWENSON

CHICAGO (AP) — Delegates at the Democratic National Convention voted Monday night to approve their 2024 party platform, which lays out familiar priorities for the party but wasn’t updated to reflect that President Joe Biden is no longer running for reelection.

The largely ceremonial vote at Chicago’s convention signaled the party coalescing around a singular vision for the next four years — though a somewhat outdated one, as Vice President Kamala Harris has only outlined a few of her own specific policy positions since she took over the Democratic presidential ticket last month. The platform makes repeated reference to Biden’s “second term” despite the president’s decision a month ago to no longer seek one.

The Democratic National Committee said the more than 90-page document “makes a strong statement about the historic work that President Biden and Vice President Harris have accomplished hand-in-hand, and offers a vision for a progressive agenda that we can build on as a nation and as a Party as we head into the next four years.”

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Regina Romero, the mayor of Tucson, Arizona, and co-chair of the convention platform committee, told delegates that the platform was passed “prior to the president passing the torch in an act of love and patriotism.” She said that the platform nonetheless included input from all corners of the party and has a “forward-looking vision for our party that echoes the voice of all.”

“Vice President Harris is now carrying the torch,” Romero said.

Mitch Landrieu, a former Biden senior adviser for infrastructure projects and another platform committee co-chair, said it “makes a strong statement about the historic work that President Biden and Vice President Harris have accomplished” while also representing ”a bold vision for our future.”

The platform was approved on the floor by a voice vote.

The convention’s platform committee voted to approve the platform on July 16, days before Biden bowed out of the race and endorsed Harris on July 21. As a result, the document repeatedly refers to Biden’s second term and his administration’s accomplishments. It mentions Harris’ work as vice president but does not describe her candidacy or go into detail on her views on key issues.

“President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats are running to finish the job,” it states, a sentiment that is now out of date.

Republican former President Donald Trump’s campaign has sought to tie Harris to Biden, arguing that his policies on the economy and other key issues are deeply unpopular. In a statement released shortly before the convention vote, it said, “There is no daylight between Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. The proof? The DNC just released Kamala’s party platform, and it includes at least (asterisk)nineteen(asterisk) mentions of ‘Biden’s second term.’”

Harris has indeed talked generally about supporting the Biden administration’s key goals, which are more or less endorsed in the platform as written. It calls for restoring abortion rights nationwide, continuing to advance green energy initiatives that can create jobs and help slow climate change, capping low-income families’ child care costs and urging Congress to approve a pathway to U.S. citizenship for “long-term” people in the country illegally.

The platform also says Israel’s right to defend itself is “ironclad” while endorsing the Biden administration’s efforts to broker a lasting cease-fire deal that could suspend the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Harris laid out a string of new economic proposals last week but otherwise hasn’t released a detailed list of her policy positions since taking over the top of the Democratic ticket. Her campaign aides have suggested she no longer adheres to some of the more liberal positions she took during her first run for president in 2020, including endorsing a ban on hydraulic fracturing.

In any event, candidates are not bound to adhere to their party’s platform and often don’t. What the platforms spell out usually has little effect on the race and is unlikely to have much impact on Election Day this cycle.

The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

How Matt Chapman, Mark Canha memorialized their final games at Oakland Coliseum

SAN FRANCISCO — A day after saying farewell, Matt Chapman and Mark Canha each still had a piece of the Oakland Coliseum with them.

On the top shelf of Canha’s locker back in the home clubhouse at Oracle Park, there was a mini Gatorade bottle filled halfway up with dirt, which he scooped up from around home plate after the Giants’ 4-2 win in their final game at the 58-year-old multipurpose venue on the other side of the Bay.

Chapman’s keepsake took up too much real estate to reside in his locker stall. He requested and was granted the third-base bag, an appropriate parting gift for the player who won three of his four Gold Gloves at the position in Oakland, where he spent the first five years of his career with Canha and manager Bob Melvin.

“Just glad that we got the win on the last day there, our last game in Oakland. Being there and (Melvin) being the manager of the Giants and I’m on the team, it’s a pretty full circle moment,” Chapman said. “A lot of emotions playing there. Glad I don’t have to play there anymore. It’s not easy to go back.”

Canha, a San Jose native who also got his start with the A’s, was still in uniform when he made his way over to home plate and filled his makeshift canister.

“I couldn’t really decide if I wanted to do it or not, but then I was like, ‘Maybe if I don’t I’ll regret it,’” he said. “So I got a little something to take with me.”

In seven seasons in Oakland, Canha was hit by 46 pitches while standing in the right-handed batter’s box — a franchise record — so his memento was a fitting one, too.

“I know it’s maybe not the nicest ballpark, but I always liked playing there,” Canha said. “It was just nice to see the place one last time and be there. Especially for the Bay Bridge series. One last Bay Bridge series was cool. It was just fun for me personally to experience it one more time.”

The trio was together for five years in Oakland, and Melvin made sure the rest of the clubhouse understood the significance of Sunday’s game.

“Bob said something to us before the game. How it was meaningful to him and meaningful to some people in the room, talking about me and Chapman,” Canha said. “In the meetings he was like, ‘This is our last time here. It’s important to us. It’s important to our fans.’ It was cool.”

While Melvin arrived extra early to soak it all in for the last time, Chapman said he treated it like any other day.

Chapman did make his way into Melvin’s office for a postgame toast, and before the game shared a moment with Canha, his catch partner.

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When they were done warming up, Canha said, “Me and Chappy, we hugged it out and said, ‘All right, one last time here.’”

Once the game started, the former A’s had to balance the sentimentality with the real stakes it carried for their current team’s playoff hopes.

Four games behind Atlanta with 36 games to go, starting Monday with three against the White Sox, Chapman was ready to put the emotional day behind him.

“The way it all went down, there were just a lot of emotions,” he said. “I tried the best I could to stay focused and help the team anyway I could. It’s just hard playing there after so many memories there and so many different things. It’s where I started my career, so it’s always got a special place for me. I’m glad that we got that win on that last day and I’m ready to just focus on winning baseball games from here on out.”

US intelligence officials say Iran is to blame for hacks targeting Trump, Biden-Harris campaigns

By ERIC TUCKER

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials said Monday they were confident that Iran was responsible for the hack of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, casting the cyber intrusion as part of a brazen and broader effort by Tehran to interfere in American politics and undermine faith in democratic institutions.

Although the Trump campaign and private-sector cybersecurity investigators had previously said Iran was behind the hacking attempts, it was the first time the U.S. government had assigned blame for the attack.

The joint statement from the FBI and other federal agencies also indicated that Iran was responsible for attempts to hack Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, saying hackers had “sought access to individuals with direct access to the Presidential campaign of both political parties.”

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The goal of the hacking and other activities, federal officials said, was not only to sow discord but also to shape the outcome of elections that Iran perceives to be “particularly consequential in terms of the impact they could have on its national security interests.”

“We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting Presidential campaigns,” said the statement, which in addition to the FBI was also released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

The statement largely confirms the findings of private companies like Microsoft, which earlier this month issued a report detailing foreign agents’ attempts to interfere in this year’s election, and Google, which separately said that an Iranian group linked to the country’s Revolutionary Guard has tried to infiltrate the personal email accounts of roughly a dozen people linked to President Joe Biden and Trump since May.

Fire destroys classic car, totaling $1M in damages

MONTEREY >> A classic car was engulfed in flames, totaling more than $1 million in losses. The Monterey Fire Department responded to the vehicle fire Sunday, on the northbound Highway 1 Munras Ave. off-ramp around 7 p.m.

When the first crew arrived, the car was fully engulfed, with the fire spreading to nearby vegetation according to a press release from the city of Monterey. Crews prevented the fire from spreading to the tow vehicle and were able to detach the tow vehicle from the trailer, which sustained only minor damage. The firefighters used hand tools to create a line around the vegetation fire and were able to subdue the flames around the trailer and vegetation in about 15 minutes.

A fire caught inside a vehicle trailer Sunday, spreading to nearby vegetation. Though the trailer sustained minor damage, the 1979 Ford Ghia Probe 1 concept car is totaled. (Photo courtesy of the Monterey Fire Department)

Inside the trailer was a 1979 Ford Ghia Probe 1 Concept Car valued at approximately $1 million. It was destroyed by the fire. The total incident loss is estimated at around $1,028,300, according to the fire department.

In total, 17 fire personnel, led by the Monterey Fire Department, responded to the scene, including four engines, one ladder truck, one water tender, and one division chief. Cal Fire and the Presidio of Monterey Fire Department assisted and provided equipment. The California Highway Patrol and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office also responded and assisted with traffic control.

One firefighter had minor injuries from the overhaul operations. There were no civilian injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Local law enforcement has been busy with Classic Car Week incidents, including fires, accidents and speeding violations.

According to the Monterey Police Department, they made 251 traffic stops, wrote 165 citations, towed five vehicles and made 18 arrests from Aug. 14-18. The California Highway Patrol along with Pacific Grove, Seaside and Carmel police departments had not yet totaled the Classic Car Week incidents as of Monday afternoon.

New homeless support program aims to help Salinas youth get back on their feet

SALINAS >> A new resource for homeless youth in Salinas has opened, assisting individuals with basic needs, the search for housing and financing the move-in process.

The hub, located at 212 N. Main St., will provide housing navigation services and rehousing financial assistance specifically for homeless aged 18-24. Individuals visiting the hub will also have access to hygiene and first aid products, food, clothes and computers. The hub is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We have a lot more homeless youth out in the community and being able to reach them where they’re at before things escalate is really important,” said Evangelina Ochoa, senior program officer for the organization’s Homeless Services. “Being able to give them the hope that it will get better, that there are people out there who do care and want to see them succeed.”

At the previous office for the organization’s Street Outreach Team, clients were not allowed to come inside and sensitive meetings had to be held in public spaces. The team wanted an office where they could welcome clients in person, so they began the search for a new space.

The program is part of Community Human Services, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health, substance abuse and homeless services to Monterey County residents. The location will also consist of a Housing Navigator, which will help clients through the process of securing permanent, affordable housing.

The Street Outreach Team visits areas around the county which are known to be frequented by unhoused individuals and asks if they can provide any assistance. The team can help with job searching, get individuals set up with social services and provide basic needs like food, water and more.

Ochoa said it’s important for the outreach team to make connections with the people they are helping before offering services. They tend to approach homeless individuals and offer any meals, snacks or hygiene products they have on hand.

This process is about “building that trust with them and letting them know that there is hope,” said Ochoa. “Making sure that we’re following through, making sure they have a safe place for them to go to and talk to someone when they’re ready and meeting them where they’re at is really important to us.”

The outreach team “has to gain that trust, just like anyone else. They’re not just going to give it to you right off the bat, they’re going to see ‘is this someone I can really trust? Are they going to follow through?’” explained Ochoa. “It does take time, especially with our youth, to gain their trust.”

Every two years, the Homeless Point-in-Time Count and Survey is conducted to get a comprehensive count of an area’s homeless population in order to measure the prevalence of homelessness in communities that receive federal funding to provide homeless services.

In 2022, the count found 2,047 individuals experiencing homelessness in the county. Of those, 66% were determined to be unsheltered, meaning they resided in places not meant for human habitation such as cars or parks. Around 34% were sheltered and stayed in emergency or transitional housing.

Of the people without proper long-term shelter, 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24. The survey asked what the top obstacles were to obtaining permanent housing and 71% attributed a lack of rental assistance to the issue.

“It’s really important to make sure that we get our younger population, especially the homeless youth that are unaccompanied,” said Ochoa. “If we’re able to get them at that age, we’re helping them succeed in being self-sufficient and transitioning out of homelessness into permanent housing.”

After the Street Outreach Team introduces clients to the organization, the team helps set them up with IDs, Social Security cards, benefits like CalFresh and anything else they may need to get back on their feet.

Once they’re ready to apply for housing, the Housing Navigator steps in to help them apply to all housing opportunities out there for them, according to Ochoa. The counselors help with the entire process from applying to signing the lease.

“We don’t just start the process and then end it,” said Ochoa. The housing navigators continue to check in with clients and make sure the housing is working out and they are able to support themselves. “We are following through, we do care about them being successful even after being housed.”

For more information about Safe Place Salinas, visit https://chservices.org/ or call (831) 658-3811.

Horoscopes Aug. 19, 2024: John Stamos, spread your wealth of knowledge

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Manny Jacinto, 37; Christina Perri, 38; John Stamos, 61; Bill Clinton, 78.

Happy Birthday: Consistency matters. Formulate a plan and stick to it. How you structure your life and strive for equality will determine how others perceive and support your efforts. Think big, but take on only what’s possible. Delegate your time and energy to overall success instead of falling short in all areas of life but one. Spread your wealth of knowledge, and conquer your dreams. Your numbers are 7, 15, 24, 27, 32, 38, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): When dealing with colleagues, you must read between the lines. Some people will reveal what they think or want, but others won’t. Ask questions, be supportive and help, and you’ll make connections that provide benefits when you need assistance. Keep spending to a minimum. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): An emotional response will require backup from an expert. Make sure you have your facts straight before you pass them along. An unnecessary change will waste both time and money. Focus on saving and using discipline to protect yourself from situations full of temptation. 4 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Choose what you want to achieve before you agree to take on projects that help others more than they do you. Learn from experience that being generous with your time and skills is only sometimes the best way forward. Have faith in your ability to lead. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Explore options and let your creative imagination run wild, but don’t prematurely share your thoughts or intentions. Make sure you have the budget to fulfill your plans before you begin. Hidden expenses and unexpected interferences are apparent if your privacy is not protected. Discipline and commitment are necessary. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Rely on your instincts to lead you in the right direction. Apply yourself, and don’t be afraid to be unique and to do things differently if it helps you achieve your goal. Aim to stabilize meaningful relationships using kindness and consideration. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Simplify your life, ease stress and don’t let anyone talk you into something that causes anxiety. Pay attention to your health and emotional well-being, and spend time with people you find uplifting and motivating. Pay attention to detail. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Socialize, travel and make new acquaintances. Reaching out will help you accumulate information that can help you avoid poor decisions. Knowledge will encourage realistic expectations and the ability to dismiss anyone trying to lead you astray. Being enthusiastic will help you achieve your goals. 5 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Concentrate on using your imagination and creativity to distance yourself from controversy and emotional situations you have no jurisdiction over. Give yourself the chance to chill and discover what makes you happy. Take better care of your physical and financial well-being. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Share your thoughts and make a difference. Don’t limit what you do because someone is holding you back or being too demanding. Make your priorities known to anyone who gets in your way. Address relationship issues, and put an end to letting others treat you poorly. Equality matters. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a serious look at money matters, joint ventures and situations that are causing stress. It’s time to adjust your schedule to improve your emotional and physical well-being. Don’t hold back when change is necessary. Put yourself first, and don’t pay for something you don’t want or need. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Avoid making changes while angry, emotional or distraught. Take a moment to think, talk to someone who grounds you or allow situations to play out naturally before you move. Get involved in something you enjoy doing or gravitate toward people who bring out the best in you. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be observant. Focus on making your life better, and let others fend for themselves. Your strength comes from doing what’s best for you before you make things better for those in your inner circle. Trust your instincts. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are aggressive, entertaining and open-minded. You are persistent and flexible.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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49ers Studs and Duds: Purdy’s offense sputters, but defense impresses in preseason win over Saints

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers and Saints canceled their joint practice in Irvine this week, and boy, did it show in the first quarter of Sunday’s preseason game at Levi’s Stadium.

If you must know, the Niners won 16-10.

But even in the doldrums of such a mostly lifeless contest, countless players were fighting for their football lives, and some interesting things did happen for the 49ers — both on the periphery of the roster and with the team’s starters:

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Renardo Green – CB

Given an opportunity to play exclusively outside Sunday, he registered a pass-break up on a third-down out-route that took the Saints off the field. The Niners are loaded at corner, and Green could wind up being as good as anyone at the position by the end of this season.

Jacob Cowing – WR

It wasn’t a great start for Cowing Sunday. His first noticeable play was a hold that took a big Cody Schrader gain off the board. Cowing followed that by he made a couple of guys miss… en route to a six-yard loss.

But his talent is undeniable, and his 38 yard catch down the sideline — setting up the 49ers’ first touchdown — showed the big-play ability the Niners identified when they drafted him in the fourth round.

Cowing will need to do much, much more to justify playing time, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he made the most of it upon receipt.

Pressley Harvin III – P

He put on a mastercalss of punting, with four of four punts being pinned inside the 10-yard line . Is Mitch Wishnowsky (knee injury) getting Wally Pipped? (It should be noted that Wishnowsky was holding Jake Moody’s two field goals Sunday, so to answer my own question… no.)

Ji’Ayir Brown – FS

He really shouldn’t have been on the field — he has nothing left to prove. Alas, the Niners’ lack of safety depth had the starters in action early, and Brown made his presence known with a great tackle for loss on the Saints’ second drive.

Ultimately, Brown’s coverage skills as a single-high free safety will define the 49ers’ season — safeties are destiny in a pass-happy NFL — but you can’t question the sophomore’s talent. He has a chance to be special.

Alex Barrett – DE

In a preseason where the Niners are begging for a defensive end not named Nick Bosa to make an impact, Barrett has put together a nice camp and put really solid reps on film Sunday. His strip-sack of Spencer Rattler in the second quarter is the kind of relentless-effort play that could lift him off the practice squad.

Josh Dobbs – QB

There is not a quarterback controversy.

I repeat, there is not a quarterback controversy.

But Dobbs looked really good, again, on Sunday — this time as the second quarterback behind Brock Purdy. He let it rip in the second quarter, throwing 21 passes for 132 yards, and the 49ers — get this — moved the ball. Dobbs’ rushing ability was on full display Sunday, too. He scored a touchdown with his feet and added 24 other yards on two scrambles

So if there is any quarterback controversy, it is for who will be Purdy’s backup. That race, it seems, is wide open.

Jake Tonges – TE

He just keeps making plays. I doubt the 49ers keep four tight ends, and I can’t imagine a world where Cam Latu, the 2023 second-round pick makes the team. But if the Niners were to keep four, they should keep Tonges.

 

DUDS

Colton McKivitz – RT

The 49ers starting right tackle repeatedly lost one-on-one reps on Sunday, even against second and third-string defensive ends. This is nothing new, but the issue is even more glaring when Trent Williams is not on the other side of the line, always allowing safe passage to the left for a quarterback. And given McKivitz’s current form, I’m not sure if it woulnd’t be noticiable even if Williams was playing. It sure looks like George Kittle will be this team’s de-facto right tackle again in 2024.

The 49ers’ starting receivers

Obviously the 49ers didn’t bother putting Deebo Samuel or Juauan Jennings in this game. It was obvious because the Niners’ receivers playing alongside Brock Purdy — Chris Conley and Trent Taylor— couldn’t separate from Saints coverage. Pair that with hit-or-miss pass protection and you had a dud of a game from Purdy. Feel free to consider the Niners’ starting quarterback part of this “duds” list — he nearly threw an interception to start the team’s second drive. But it is very hard to complete passes when there’s absolutely no one to throw the ball to downfield. Brandon Aiyuk is the real winner of Sunday’s game.

Jordan Elliott – DT

The Saints decided to run directly at him snap after snap, leading to their first touchdown of the game. New Orleans’ offensive line is widely considered one of the worst in the NFL — Elliott is a player the Niners are counting on to provide snaps this season. After an underwhelming start to his career in Cleveland, Elliott has looked good in practice for the 49ers. He did not look good Sunday, and that could be a big issue for the 49ers in the regular season, as they have few — if any — viable alternatives to Elliott currently on the roster.

Robert Beal – DE

Sunday was a great opportunity for Beal to show that he is deserving of serious snaps this season. All he did was convince anyone watching that he shouldn’t be given such a role.

Beal’s most noticeable play of the game was when he was lifted off the ground by Saints tight end Foster Moreau, tossing him into the legs of teammate Nick Williams, who subsequently left the game with a knee injury.

He did play better in the second half, but that was when the Saints had third-string players in the game. There’s no reason to think Beal is anything more than a third-string player right now.

Ronnie Bell – WR

Had every opportunity in this game to make plays and, perhaps, make the roster. The plays weren’t made, and so Bell won’t make the roster.

 

49ers 16, Saints 10: Purdy survives harrowing hits in preseason cameo

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy got grass stains on the back of his red 49ers jersey and lived to proudly talk about it.

Everything else is trivial when it comes to the rest of Sunday night’s 16-10, preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.

Purdy survived his first-quarter cameo, but not before two hits by Saints defenders forced Purdy to land on his throwing shoulder after launching incomplete passes.

“That’s part of football and he can protect himself well,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.

“You think about that all the time, but it’s also part of football,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He protected himself well.”

“That’s the kind of stuff you can’t get in practice,” Purdy added. “Honestly that’s stuff I like the idea of just playing in a preseason game to feel again before the season gets here. I didn’t mind it.”

Stashed safely out of their preseason-opening loss at Tennessee, Purdy got his first “game” reps since overtime of the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Las Vegas. Shanahan said he plans to play Purdy in Friday’s preseason finale against the host Raiders, and Purdy said he wants to use it to gain proper momentum for the regular season.

Not many other regular starters got thrust into action with him against the Saints, and the 49ers’ other three quarterbacks got in and fared well by game’s end.

A backup-laden supporting cast didn’t offer Purdy many shots at glamour or highlight-reel plays. That did allow fill-in punter Pressley Harvin III to emerge as the 49ers’ early-game MVP, with each of his first three punts landed inside the 10-yard line.

Purdy completed 2-of-6 passes for 11 yards, and he repeatedly tried to make a play when one didn’t exist. So he attempted a few last-ditch passes, two of which led to hits on Purdy’s left shoulder (by the Saints’ Nathan Shepherd and Carl Granderson) and him landing on his right shoulder.

“It helps Brock to play, and last year he didn’t get to as much with his arm,” Shanahan said. “I thought it was good for him to get out there, even though it wasn’t two great drives. I know he was really wanting to do it and hopefully it’ll make him in better position for this when we go to the Raiders.”

Such contact isn’t allowed in practices, so Purdy thrived on those chances to, he said, “get out in a game and understand there’s a mental clock where you have to get the ball out or else you’re going to get hit, or there are times you have to stand in there and takes some hits.”

The first time Purdy tried that, tight end Eric Saubert helped prevent that cross-field pass from being intercepted. Later in that second series, Purdy rolled right on third-and-8 and headed out of bounds for a 2-yard sack, after tight end Brayden Willis didn’t break open, nor did Purdy like his options with Chris Conley, Trent Taylor and Cody Schrader.

Not suited up for Purdy to target: Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, and, Jauan Jennings, with those  latter three dealing with injuries that shouldn’t impact their regular-season availability, Shanahan noted.

Purdy finished his third and final series by uncorking a third-down incompletion deep toward Taylor, although right tackle Colton McKivitz did buy Purdy time in pass protection.

Purdy was replaced in the second quarter by Josh Dobbs, who scored a rushing touchdown for the second straight game; Dobbs was the No. 2 quarterback behind Brandon Allen in last Saturday’s 17-13 loss at Tennessee.

“He’s a baller, makes plays, goes through his reads and brings energy that guys feed off,” Purdy said of Dobbs. “I love having him in the room. He’s pretty electric.”

San Francisco 49ers’ Joshua Dobbs (5) scrambles against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Dobbs’ running ability repeatedly came in handy, including a pair of scrambles for first downs as well as a 1-yard, fourth-and-goal plunge a second before halftime. He also delivered a pin-point, 38-yard completion to Jacob Cowing at the 4-yard line to set up that touchdown and 13-7 halftime lead.

Dobbs’ opening series Sunday led to a 47-yard field goal from Jake Moody to pull the 49ers within 7-3. Then came the 49ers’ first defensive highlight, with Alex Barrett and T.Y. McGill crunching Spencer Rattler for a fumble-forcing sack. Dobbs then delivered another scoring drive that culminated in a Moody field goal (24 yards) and was highlighted by Dobbs’ 13-yard scramble and an 11-yard completion to Jake Tonges.

Allen went 7-of-10 for just 36 yards before rookie Tanner Mordecai made his NFL debut and completed his first four passes (44 yards) on a field-goal drive. “Awesome, to see him get out there and get in rhythm with a couple good throws on run, on time and with good decisions,” Purdy said. “He ran our offense pretty efficiently.”

The last time the 49ers played at home they rallied past the Detroit Lions to win the NFC Championship. Helping spark that comeback was Purdy’s deep, third-quarter completion to Brandon Aiyuk, whose contract stalemate has kept him out of all 17 training camp practices and now two preseason games. Shanahan said Aiyuk watched Sunday’s game from a suite with injured players.

Other offensive starters held out of Sunday night’s action either as a precaution or because of health issues: wide receiver Samuel; tight end Kittle; fullback Kyle Juszczyk; running backs  McCaffrey (calf), Elijah Mitchell (hamstring), Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) and Patrick Taylor Jr. (foot); left guard Aaron Banks (pinky surgery); and, right guards Jon Feliciano (knee) and Spencer Burford (hand).

San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) stands on the sidelines in the second quarter of their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Left tackle Trent Williams still has not reported to training camp, and he’s now accused over $3 million in fines, with $1.1 million apiece for skipping each preseason game.

Defensively, the 49ers’ only regular starter to play was safety Ji’Ayir Brown for the second straight preseason game. That meant a night off for defensive linemen Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave; linebackers Fred Warner and Dee Winters; and, cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, and Isaac Yiadom (ankle).

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Keeping players healthy remains preseason’s No. 1 goal, but the 49ers aren’t totally succeeding there. Defensive tackle Nick Williams, who signed last week, left in the first quarter with a left knee injury. Defensive tackle Kalia Davis (knee) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (forearm) are expected to miss at least the next couple of months because of surgeries last week on their preseason-opener injuries.

New Orleans Saints’ Shemar Jean-Charles (27) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Saubert (82) in the first quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Jake Tonges (88) is tackled after a catch by New Orleans Saints’ Rico Payton (36) in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Jalen Graham (50) sacks New Orleans Saints’ Spencer Rattler (18) in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Young San Francisco 49ers fans cheer for their team during the 49ers game against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Jalen Graham (50) celebrates his sack against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ T.Y. McGill Jr. (96) forces a fumble against New Orleans Saints’ Spencer Rattler (18) in the second quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks on the sidelines in the second quarter of their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen (17) hands the ball off to San Francisco 49ers’ Matt Breida (28) against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ Cameron Latu (81) runs after a catch against New Orleans Saints’ Willie Gay Jr. (6) in the second quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group

San Francisco 49ers’ Jake Moody (4) kicks a field goal against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) stands on the sidelines in the second quarter of their preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) heads onto the field before their game against the New Orleans Saints for their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) heads off the field after their 16-10 preseason win over the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy (13) heads off the field next to San Francisco 49ers’ Joshua Dobbs (5) after their 16-10 preseason game win over the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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New Orleans Saints’ Shemar Jean-Charles (27) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers’ Eric Saubert (82) in the first quarter of their preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

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