SANTA CLARA — It’s been bombs away for the 49ers four days into training camp. San Francisco quarterbacks have been launching deep passes with regularity, and so far, the results have been splendid for the offense.
Marquise Goodwin hauled in two more 60-yard touchdowns on Monday, one from Brian Hoyer and one from rookie C.J. Beathard. Goodwin’s speed in the open field has been breathtaking and he already has five such touchdowns. Matt Barkley hurled a strike down the sideline and connected with Aldrick Robinson for a long touchdown. Robinson dropped another would-be 50-yard dime from Hoyer early in practice.
What’s unique about all the deep passing, is that Kyle Shanahan said Monday the first four days were basic plays within the offense. Typically, the more exotic calls in the playbook are unveiled later in training camp. It appears that all the deep passing is not going to be situational. The 49ers are planning to attack opponents through the air as often as they can.
Perhaps this shouldn’t be so surprising. In Cleveland, Hoyer and Shanahan combined for 11 pass plays of 40 yards or more, tying for seventh in the NFL. Through the first five weeks of that season, Hoyer led all quarterbacks with 531 passing yards coming where the ball traveled at least 16 yards in the air. And of course last year in Atlanta, Shanahan led the league with 17 pass plays of 40 yards or more.
“Before I got here, I didn’t know he could throw the ball that far,” Garcon said on Saturday of Hoyer. “He loves throwing the deep ball. I didn’t know his arm was that strong.”
We knew Shanahan wasn’t going to ignore the deep ball like Chip Kelly did a year ago. The 49ers recorded just six passing plays for 40 yards or more — half of those came on dump-off passes that turned into big chunks. For several years, San Francisco essentially ignored the skill positions early in the draft and in free agency. It directly contributed to 2-14 record in 2016. So, without question, it’s been refreshing to see the offense make big plays on a consistent basis.
Garcon’s the proven commodity, so seeing him have his way early in training camp has felt normal. It’s been the No. 2 receiver Goodwin who has torched the 49ers’ secondary, particularly with deep routes. So far in his career, Goodwin has scored touchdowns from 84, 67 and 59 yards out. And all of those came in a secondary role with the Buffalo Bills.
This is where Shanahan’s mastermind comes into play. Goodwin’s dominance so far isn’t just about creating big plays down the field. It’s about setting up the rest of the offense for success. There will be play-action passes and quick strikes that become much easier because of the threat of the deep ball.
“When you have that speed to scare people, which not many people in this league do because a lot of people can run, but when you have elite speed like Marquise does, people are going to back up,” Shanahan explained. “And, Marquise can breakdown pretty good, but when you run like he does you don’t have to breakdown as good as someone who doesn’t scare people. But, if you’re scaring people and they’re making sure they’re going to defend that go route, then it makes it a little bit easier to get some completions underneath.”
Keep monitoring this storyline. The offense has had success, in part, because the team’s top three safeties are out of commission. Jimmie Ward (hamstring), Eric Reid (ankle), and Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) are all currently sidelined.
Still, the success of the deep passing game will have an impact on the 49ers’ record in 2017.
