*Happy Friday. Niners Daily takes a look back at preseason game one.
- Hyde the Nerves
Pierre Garçon admitted to being nervous before his first NFL game. So much so, he was up late the night before playing out scenarios in his head.
"I actually was up thinking about it," Hyde said. "I was picturing it in my head. How would this run hit? Will I take it to the house my first one? Will I get stopped for negative yards my first carry?"
But all it took was one handoff to put the rookie runner into his comfort zone. "Once I got that first carry out of the way, the jitter-bugs went away and I felt comfortable," Hyde said after the game. The running back impressed with three carries for 34-yards including this 19-yard rush that left two Ravens on the turf.
>>In a postgame tweet, Hyde expressed the good feelings he had despite the final score.
Not the outcome we wanted but it felt great being out there playin! #Blessed #49ers http://t.co/eIudwEmZmA — Carlos Hyde (@elguapo) August 8, 2014
Wilhoite on the Defense
"Not good enough. Point blank. Period."
Linebacker Michael Wilhoite was not pleased with his team's defensive performance Thursday, a game in which the Ravens nearly doubled the 49ers in time of possession.
Playing shorthanded on the defensive end, Wilhoite didn't point to fatigue as an excuse for the poor play. Instead, he called himself out as part of the problem.
"There's no excuse, it wasn't good enough and we have to get better," Wilhoite said. "What I did tonight wasn't good enough."
Still, the linebacker knows it is early and the time for improvement is now. His performance for the remainder of training camp will dictate his chances to start the season at inside linebacker, a spot vacated by the injured NaVorro Bowman. How does Wilhoite feel about his chances of replacing Bowman?
"Feeling more confident, more comfortable, but definitely still need to get better.
"All you can do is learn from your mistakes and keep moving. This is a long season, it's week one of the preseason," Wilhoite said Thursday night.
Though tough to swallow, past outcomes of preseason openers haven't foreshadowed the regular season ahead. In the Jim Harbaugh era, the 49ers have scored more than 6 points in their first exhibition game just one time.
Reid's Positive Outlook
49ers versus Ravens didn't end when the clock hit zero Thursday. The 49ers will stay in Baltimore through Sunday for three days of joint practices. Safety Eric Reid sees this as an opportunity to amend the lackluster performance.
"We have the opportunity to practice with the Ravens for the next couple of days and I think we should take advantage and get it fixed for the next game."
Jeff Garcia Wants a Look
Don't call it a comeback…
@jenniferleechan @angu1980 Hell yeah I'm game. Bring me in & let me compete 2 back up Kap. I'll battle, fight, & compete for the @49ers #JGF — Jeff Garcia Football (@JeffGarciaJGFA) August 8, 2014
The Vault
49ers Hall of Fame cornerback Jimmy Johnson lines up in the secondary during preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Sept. 6, 1968. (AP PHOTO)
