San Francisco closed out its preseason schedule in dominating fashion Thursday, beating the San Diego Chargers, 41-6. The 49ers finished with a 3-1 record in the preseason, while the Chargers struggled to a 1-3 record.
49ers vs. Chargers: San Francisco’s depth overpowers San Diego
San Francisco has a deep roster and some tough cuts to make. The Chargers’ reserves were no match for the 49ers’ backups Thursday night.
Harry How
The starters for both teams didn't see a lot of time on the field -- Colin Kaepernick played only one series for San Francisco, though it was a good one, resulting in a touchdown. The Chargers didn't bother to play Philip Rivers, instead letting reserves Charlie Whitehurst and Brad Sorensen handle the snaps.
San Francisco got several encouraging performances from reserves during the game, leaving the team with some difficult choices to make as it pares its roster down from 75 to 53. Cam Johnson was one backup who had a standout game, and David Fucillo of Niners Nation believes he has justified a spot on the final roster:
I don’t think he could have done any more to justify a spot on the 53-man roster. He had two sacks, several quarterback pressures and then blocked a punt and secured the loose ball for a touchdown. What else is there to be done?
Johnson was a seventh-round selection by the 49ers in the 2012 NFL Draft and appeared in two games with the team last season.
John Gennaro of Bolts From The Blue was struck by the difference in depth up front between the two teams:
The offense, as a whole, never really got anything going. The different in talent and depth between the Chargers’ offensive line and the 49ers’ defensive line is staggering.
The two quarterbacks combined to throw three interceptions and averaged just 3.5 yards per attempt. Whitehurst was sacked four times.
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