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Thursday's Niners Daily looks at Andrew Tiller's recent rise on the offensive line.*
The San Francisco 49ers utilized a pair of right guards in a Week 5 loss to the New York Giants.
Jordan Devey made his fifth consecutive start for the 49ers, but he shared blocking duties with Tiller, who was promoted from the practice squad a day earlier.
Tiller was among San Francisco's final roster cuts at the end of the preseason, but he didn't get discouraged by the setback.
"I just knew I needed to work harder to accomplish what I want to accomplish," Tiller said on Wednesday.
So Tiller continued to make the most of his practice time by working on his pass-blocking sets and run-blocking techniques. He improved to the point where he was getting praised by members of the first-team defense, the very same unit he faced for five weeks as a scout-team lineman.
"I was getting compliments every day, but I still don't let those go to my head," Tiller said. "I know I make mistakes every day and the object is go out the next day and correct the mistakes you made the previous day."
Tiller told reporters that he shared first-team practice reps with Devey prior to last week's road game in his home state. Tiller, a Queens native, was told he'd be promoted to the active roster last Friday. Two days later, he capitalized on his opportunity when he was called into action against the Giants. What's more, Tiller played collegiately at Syracuse and saw serious playing time in front of 10 family members in attendance at MetLife Stadium.
"That was just a dream come true," the 6-foot-4, 324-pound lineman said. "To have my first real action in New York and I'm from New York, it was a good time."
Tiller's performance received a 1.1 grade from Pro Football Focus. His outing impressed his head coach, too.
"Tiller is a guy that I've been watching for a while and just watching him go about his business," Jim Tomsula said. "He did a good a job. He did. And Devey is getting better every week. He continues to get better. So we're feeling good with those two guys."
It's not known if the 49ers will continue to utilize a rotation at right guard in Sunday's home game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tiller, himself, wasn't quite sure how it would play out.
"We'll just find out throughout the week," he said.
