SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy had four of his final five passes intercepted Tuesday, yet there was no sulking as he came off the 49ers’ practice field.
“He’s not throwing a temper tantrum or anything like that,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said of Purdy’s typical demeanor. “He’s hard on himself and generally stays pretty positive.”
This was training camp fodder on a sunny summer day, just as it was in 2019 when Jimmy Garoppolo had five consecutive passes intercepted on his very bad day at camp – en route to a Super Bowl that season.
No, this was not a red flag that Purdy’s surgically repaired throwing arm suddenly lost its magic, or that his mind is drifting toward next year’s contract extension bonanza.
“I’ve seen improvement, even if he had few picks today,” Juszczyk added. “In general, Brock has improved. His confidence seems to be there more. His arm strength is there more. … I expect only good things from him.”
The whole world does after Purdy’s storybook rise to stardom, having guided the 49ers to back-to-back NFC Championship Games and perhaps a touchdown pass shy of a Super Bowl win six months ago.
His Pro Bowl form flashed Tuesday when he opened with eight consecutive completiones, highlighted by a 50-yard bomb to Deebo Samuel down the left sideline and a 20-yard throw to Christian McCaffrey over linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Then came back-to-back throws that were nearly intercepted by Fred Warner and Ji’Ayir Brown. After a completion to George Kittle, the interceptions flowed:
No. 1: Brown plucked a late throw intended for Samuel.
No. 2: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles snared an over-the-middle toss toward Samuel.
No. 3: After Purdy completed a pass to Juszczyk with Warner in tight coverage, George Odum swooped in to intercept a 40-yard bomb that deflected off the hands of a jumping Jauan Jennings near the sideline.
No. 4: Looking again for Samuel, Purdy instead shorted a throw that Deommodore Lenoir picked off in stride for a would-be pick-six.
Cue the reminder that this is Purdy’s first training camp taking all the first-team reps, having been limited last year amid elbow rehabilitation and in 2022 as a rookie afterthought.
“Putting pads on (for a second straight day), the pass rush gets more real, so it may take a day or two to adjust,” Juszczyk noted.
Interceptions aren’t derailing Purdy’s confidence or demeanor, nor should he feel compelled to call out the ongoing absences of left tackle Trent Williams and No. 1 wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Once practice ended, Purdy walked to a collection of fans who chanted his name – “PUR-DY! PUR-DY” – and proceeded to sign autographs for members of the military in attendance.
“We love you, Purdy,” one shouted.
“Appreciate you guys. Thank you for your support,” Purdy responded.
Purdy completed 10-of-16 passes overall in 11-on-11 drills in Tuesday’s second straight practice in full pads. He also had a pass intercepted by Lenoir early in one-on-one action between wide receivers and cornerbacks. Purdy certainly wasn’t perfect a day earlier, either, when he threw three interceptions.
Camp is when chances should be taken. A tip here, a late pass there, a pocket collapses, a route is askew, the defense anticipates things, and, voila, picks happen.
Purdy had 11 passes intercepted in 444 attempts last regular season (a 2.5% rate that ranked 24th), and his only interception in the playoffs came before he led their NFC Championship Game comeback. As a rookie, he had three interceptions in nine games upon assuming the starting role, with no interceptions in three playoff games.
JUSZCZYK’S FRESH APPROACH
Juszczyk returned to practice along with Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey after all three were off Monday. It was Juszczyk’s first “veteran” day of rest in his career.
“It only took 12 years. But I embraced it,” Juszczyk said, before quipping: “I had to ask Christian for tips. He’s well-versed in them.
“But, no, Kyle (Shanahan) and I talked before camp about mixing some in this year. It was good for me. I felt fresh today. … I’m not necessarily thinking specifically about January. We’re all very conscious and aware of how long the season is and how long it’s been for us the last four or five years. you do have to think about that now in pacing yourself.”
ONE-ON-ONE HIGHLIGHTS
The best catch in the one-on-one action came when undrafted rookie Terique Owens, after nearly yielding his spot in the rotation to Jauan Jennings, stayed in to beat Ambry Thomas on a 30-yard go-route to catch Brandon Allen’s pass.
Jennings won all three of his earlier matchups to catch passes from Purdy, including jumping for a contested ball with Isaac Yiadom.
Purdy’s three passes to Samuel resulted in an interception (by Lenoir), a breakup by Lenoir in tight coverage, and a drop by Samuel on a well-thrown deep ball.
Missing from those one-on-ones and in practice overall was rookie cornerback Renardo Green, for unknown reasons.
PEARSALL’S PROGRESS
First-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall was held out of the one-on-one drill but did join 11-on-11 action for the first time this camp, and he caught a 15-yard throw from Allen on his first target.
FIRST PSEUDO-FIGHT
The first scuffle of camp saw defensive tackle T.Y. McGill charge after rookie offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston before the scene deescalated relatively quickly.
KICKOFF CHAOS
Special teams coordinator Brian Schneider continues to adapt to the NFL’s ongoing kickoff rule changes. “It’s more target practice. Hang time is out,” Schneider said.
Kicker Jake Moody is faring well in that regard, and after closing out practice yet again with a successful field goal, Moody broke down the post-practice huddle. “It’s always fun seeing guys in their second year come into building when camp starts,” Schneider said. “… It’s a whole different feel, how their body feels, how comfortable they are. They’re excited. It’s a different mentality in Year 2.”
