Kurtenbach: My takeaways from the initially 7 days of 49ers education camp

I appreciate education camp.

Not only is it the formal start out of soccer period, but it is also the only time we can see the 49ers observe this marketing campaign.

Talent and level of competition, desperation and expectation. This is soccer in its purest kind, performed by a single of the most effective groups in the NFL.

Sure, the 49ers are that just that, even with a initially-12 months starter at quarterback. I never need to have to see the other 31 groups to make such a willpower.

Here’s what else I’ve taken away from the start out of camp and what I’m looking ahead to in the weeks to arrive.

This 49ers defense is likely to be so, so very good

» Teaching camp, in particular the portion without having pads, can idiot you into believing some mad things. But here’s anything I am selected will stand up in a few days, weeks, and months: This 49ers defense is ill.

Let us just begin with the basics: there is not a weak device on it.

We commence, as the Niners do, up front.

This Niners’ defensive line is amazing. Constantly one of the most effective models in the NFL, it now has a thoroughly healthy, no-limits Nick Bosa hunting like a $30 million a year player on a single facet, and with a seemingly by no means-ending pool of plus pass rushers next to him.

How well this entrance stops the operate is not anything we can establish just but — we have to have to see padded tactics, as nicely as Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw playing together — but the move rush is heading to build hell for opposing offensive lines.

Driving that defensive line is the greatest foundation-a few linebacker crew in the NFL. The trifecta of Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Dre Greenlaw is merely great. Warner is an All-Professional in his primary and his counterparts are Professional Bowl-caliber players.

As are the Niners’ starting up exterior cornerbacks. It is only been a number of techniques, but the even more you are from the ball at the snap, the a lot easier it is to ascertain if a player is good without the need of pads. Do cornerbacks even need pads?

Irrespective, Charvarius Ward seems to be an ace pickup. He’s as extraordinary a push corner as I have at any time seen and the Niners are encouraging him to jam at the line of scrimmage. The battles amongst him and Brandon Aiyuk have been exceptional, and with the uber-athletic and constantly-poised-for-a-breakout Emmanuel Mosley on the other aspect and Jimmie Ward participating in free safety, the Niners are in the unusual location in which each their move rush and their move coverage is very good.

That’s typically a mix that produces defensive brilliance.

There are a few questions, but not one particular of them feels so glaring as to devalue the overall operation: defensive tackle depth, linebacker depth guiding the huge 3, beginning nickel back, and solid basic safety.

Let us dive in more to the last just one there.

Hufanga has opposition

» I came into camp with major inquiries about new starting off sturdy protection Talanoa Hufanga, predominantly stemming from what I perceived to be his shoddy protection abilities.

But he has been rock sound so much in camp, and I imagine he’ll make much more of a existence at the time pads are donned.

That said, there is good depth at basic safety for the Niners. I like what I have witnessed from George Odum and rookie Leon O’Neal. And Tarvarius Moore has been exceptional so considerably in camp, putting up a two-interception working day on Saturday.

It’s even now Hufonga’s job. He hasn’t provided the Niners any cause to give it to everyone else. But he could nevertheless shed his position in the coming months, even if he has a solid camp.

It’s a difficult league, the NFL. Hufanga is a rough participant. I’m fascinated to observe him the relaxation of camp.