Reports from 49ers camp suggest it’s been an up-and-down learning process for Lance thus far, not surprising for any rookie, particularly a quarterback. The NDSU product has mixed in some errors and wow-throws. However, it’s the guts the rookie shows at times that have turned the heads of fellow teammates.
“We’re on the practice field now, and you’re a first-round pick, so everyone’s looking at you,” Shanahan told King of Lance. “Your new team wants to see your talent level, which he has, but they also want to see how he carries himself. I think that’s what they’ve been impressed with. He doesn’t know everything yet. He’s still trying. This was his eighth practice since he’s been here, including OTAs.
“But Deebo Samuel comes up to me at one point, and he’s like, ‘This guy’s got some balls.’ And I think that’s what the guys feel. He goes out there, and he’s not scared to fail. He goes out there and lets it rip, and there’s some good, some bad. Players can feel it. When you’re not scared to fail, and you’re talented, you do things the right way, guys believe it’s a matter of time.”
It’s only a matter of time until Lance overtakes Garoppolo. When that happens, veterans on a playoff-caliber roster will need to be convinced it’s in the best interest of the Niners’ chances to make a deep postseason run.
