Connor Colby, the second-year pro, is officially starting at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers over rookie Carver Willis. This isn’t just a depth chart shuffle; it’s a massive statement from the Niners on where they see their offensive line heading into the season.
The Left Guard Call
Matt Maiocco confirmed the news: Colby gets the nod. While Willis, the rookie, is active and might even rotate in, the starting gig is Colby’s. This move was a big question on a podcast yesterday, with everyone agreeing Colby would be the pick once the dust settled. And honestly, it feels like the correct call. Why? Because you just can’t ignore the experience. This guy rolled into the NFL with 55 college starts already under his belt. That’s a ton of reps, a ton of game situations seen, and that’s something a rookie, no matter how talented, just doesn’t have yet.
The Colby Conundrum
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. While Colby’s got the experience, there are whispers about his mental game. As one pundit put it, “He’s a really good athlete, too. He’s not a bad athlete. In my mind, he overthinks himself. He gets into his own head. He’s his own enemy.” Sounds like a player who gets in his own way, right? They continued, “There are a lot of plays where you’re like, ‘What are you doing? You’re good. You don’t have to do that!” Last year, those kinds of mistakes were costly. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster apparently had an easy time picking apart Colby’s tells, which meant natural cutback lanes for the Niners’ offense just never opened up. This wasn’t some minor issue; it directly impacted their run game.
So when the 49ers spent all offseason talking about Colby’s improvement, about how “the game has slowed down for him,” this is exactly what they’re banking on. They’re hoping those past issues with overthinking and giving away tells are gone. Tonight, they need him to prove it.
The 49ers are hoping Colby shows that growth tonight. What a night for football already, huh? Speaking of showing up, OUR Seattle Seahawks just pulled off a clutch 13-10 win against the New England Patriots! Talk about starting the season right in the Emerald City! Mike Macdonald’s squad is already showing that grit. So while the Niners deal with their left guard hopes, we’re over here celebrating a W! Let’s go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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