GLENDALE (Ariz.) -- Trey Lance, the San Francisco 49ers' rookie quarterback, gave a strikingly similar evaluation to his performance in last week’s loss to Seattle Seahawks.
Lance stated, "Some good, some poor again."
Lance was excited to be able to start after spending a week working with the starters.
This was particularly true when you consider that it may be the only one he gets. Coach Kyle Shanahan stated Friday that Lance wasn’t being anointed as the starter, and that Jimmy Garoppolo will return to his starting position after he recovers from his right calf injury.
Lance could have done enough to win the job from Garoppolo. Although it was unlikely that Lance would win the game against Garoppolo, Shanahan said afterward that Lance had not been forced to reevaluate his thinking.
Shanahan stated, "Nothing has changed." "That was only one game. It was a difficult loss. I will talk to the entire team tomorrow to discuss how we can improve our team's performance coming back from the bye."
Shanahan indicated that he is optimistic Garoppolo will return in time for the Niners next game against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 24. Shanahan said that Garoppolo was very close to playing Sunday against Cardinals.
Shanahan acknowledged, however, that calf injuries can prove to be difficult. San Francisco was reminded of this again Saturday when it placed George Kittle, a tight end with a calf issue on injured reserve.
The Niners were without Kittle, and faced with the undefeated Cardinals. They hoped Lance would give them some spark. He displayed his ability to make plays go down and create yards at times.
Lance, the No. The No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lance, led the 49ers' 16 carries for an impressive 89 yards. This is the most by a 49ers quarterback in a year since Colin Kaepernick's score of 113 in Week 12. Lance impressed his teammates with his toughness but some wondered if he was putting too much trust in others.
Nick Bosa, defensive end, said that it was "fun to watch." He runs the ball very hard. He may need to learn how slide. He may need to improve his juke move.
Lance stated that he was fine and came out of the game feeling good, noting that Isaiah Simmons, a Arizona linebacker, had taken a big hit at him at the goal line in the second quarter. Lance was also hurt by that play, as he missed the touchdown on fourth down on the Niners' 93-yard drive.
Lance stated, "I must get in the end zone to support my team." Lance said, "That's an opportunity missed."
Lance's aerial attack was mixed, despite his running achievements. For a passer rating of 58, he was 15-of-29 with 192 yards and one interception. Four of his pass attempts were thrown by the Cardinals, one being on fourth-and-4 at Arizona's 49 with 7:53 remaining. This was the most Niners quarterbacks had ever done in the last 10 seasons.
Lance was also not supported by his team as he was often under pressure, failed to make throws downfield, and had at most three passes dropped or intercepted by receivers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lance was 2-of-8 (32 yards) with an interception under duress. He was also 2-of-9 (52 yards) with an interception for passes traveling 15 or more miles.
Five offensive holding penalties were also assessed to the 49ers in the second period. They were 1-of-5 on fourth down and became the first team since Nov. 7, 1999 not to convert as many goals per game. All this led to Lance's first loss and the 49ers' third consecutive loss as they fall to 2-3.
Shanahan stated, "Those are the things that make it harder for us to win." "We have to find a better way and I have to help us do it. We still have a lot to play in this bye week 2, but we must come back and play better than ever before.
