The 2015 NFL season is just weeks away, and there’s plenty of intrigue to spare surrounding the San Francisco 49ers as the days tick down. Here are three things to watch for in training camp:
3) Is Carlos Hyde ready?
Frank Gore's departure means that the stage is set for the former Ohio State standout to take over the reins of the starting running back position. He's the positioned heir apparent to one of the legendary names in 49ers lore, meaning that the spotlight is going to be extremely bright on the kid as he looks to cement himself as the #1 option during the summer.
2) What shape will the defense be in?
The 49ers will be without Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver, Justin Smith, Chris Borland, Ray McDonald, Dan Skuta and Patrick Willis in 2015. That accounts for seven of the 17 players who were on the field for at least a quarter of the team’s defensive snaps in 2014. For a defense that has finished in the top five in yards allowed and top ten in points allowed over the past five seasons, that's a heck of a lot of upheaval to process for new defensive coordinator Eric Mangini when it comes to even maintaing the status quo, let alone improving upon it.
1) What will Jim Tomsula bring to the table?
The end of the Jim Harbaugh era was undoubtedly messy. However, that's no matter to new head coach Jim Tomsula and the guys on roster after a tumultuous offseason by the Bay. 49ers management has made it clear that they expect nothing less than a deep playoff run, regardless of defensive turnover and other mitigating factors. Can Tomsula and his players-first mentality meet expectations? We'll have to wait and see.
Follow our San Francisco 49ers team page for the latest 49ers news and rumors!
Back to the San Francisco 49ers Newsfeed