The 49ers were in a gift-giving mood in Miami and lost the game 29-17 to the Dolphins. The 11 penalties included a flag that prevented a likely touchdown, and Brock Purdy threw a game-winning pick in the final two minutes.

The bright spot is that the loss leaves the Niners just outside the top ten of the draft.

The biggest news from the loss was a calf injury to Dre Greenlaw. After the game, an angry Fred Warner said, “We have to protect Dre from himself.” His thoughts were echoed by defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen. Together they blame Kyle Shanahan.

Shanahan has a long history of running players to high reps after they return from injury. This is likely to keep Greenlaw out of action for the rest of the year.

Play balls

George Kittle – Eight catches for 106 yards. He is the team leader for my game balls this year, Kittle is having an All-Pro season.

Deebo Samuel – Seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown and five carries for 25 yards. Samuel responded to criticism of his career last week with his best game of the season. After the game he was laughing, joking and happy, reaching a new low in his numb self-absorption.

Fred Warner – One game with 11 tackles, 26 in the last two weeks.

Renardo Green – 10 tackles and one pass defended.

Penalty flags

Ricky Pearsall – Two illegal formation penalties, one of which takes away a first chance and a goal inside the five-man line.

Jake Moody – 1-2 on field goals, a missed shot to left caused Shanahan to throw away his tablet in disgust. It becomes increasingly clear that Moody has to go. The 3rd round pick was wasted. Yet again.

Kyle Shanahan -Playing Greenlaw was reckless and unnecessary.

THE VIEW FROM 10,000 FEET

A post-Super Bowl hangover is one thing, that’s another. The unity of the past gave way to independent contractors. Contract negotiations became daily soaps. The key will be for the Niners to learn from these mistakes and recognize the need to build continuity with all of the starters in camp.

Injuries have been a concern, but that’s due to the doubling of aging, fragile veterans, lack of quality depth, terrible drafts in 2022 and 2023 and a team in turmoil based on playoff play over the last four years. Then add Shanahan overusing players and the score is 6-9.

Next

Detroit. Hide the women and children.

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