SANTA CLARA – First-round pick Joshua Garnett arrived at work on Tuesday morning and was greeted by offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, who gave him a new set of instructions for the day.
Garnett, who has been playing on the right side since his arrival with the 49ers, shifted over to the left side for the first time on Tuesday.
“I played left in college, came here and played right (for) the first seven practices,” Garnett said. “(I) got moved to the left today. So I’m kind of showing I can do both sides. I can go wherever the coaches need me to go and be that versatile guy.
“I didn’t ask for an explanation. Didn’t need one. Wherever they put me, I’m going to go there with a smile on my face.”
Garnett worked with the second-team offense at left guard, behind veteran Zane Beadles. Andrew Tiller continued to work with the first offense at right guard. Garnett said the transition was not too difficult.
Garnett’s move could mean that Beadles’ position is now in question with Tiller strengthening his hold on a starting spot. Or it could mean that the 49ers want to give Garnett work on both sides to keep their options open for where he is the best fit for the team’s offensive live.
The move was not a difficult one for Garnett, who was one of the nation's top guards at Stanford, he said.
“It’s more conceptual,” he said. “If you understand the rules of the plays, going back and forth shouldn’t mess you up too bad.”
QB competition: Blaine Gabbert completed 10 of 12 pass attempts during 11-on-11 drills, as he routinely went for the safe, underneath throws. Colin Kaepernick completed 7 of 11 throws during those three periods.
Kaepernick’s best work came during the 7-on-7 sessions, when he had three nicely thrown touchdown passes of 15 yards apiece. Kaepernick hit Jerome Simpson on back-to-back scoring plays, including a back-shoulder throw against the coverage of cornerback Keith Reaser. He had another short TD throw to tight end Blake Bell.
The best throw of the day was Kaepernick’s toss to DeAndrew White against Will Redmond, on which Kaepernick let the pass go before White made his break. Kaepernick led White perfectly on the other side of Redmond along the left sideline in the end zone.
This ‘n’ that: Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who is nursing an upper-body injury, was in pads but did not take part in any of the 11-on-11 work. . . .
Outside linebacker Tank Carradine had a strong day, as he worked in mostly nickel packages on the right edge. Carradine got into the backfield on a couple of run plays and beat reserve left tackle Colin Kelly for one of his two would-be sacks. . .
Chris Davis, Gerald Hodges and Redmond all had passes broken up in 7-on-7 drills. . .
In a team drill, linebacker NaVorro Bowman made a timely break to bat down a Gabbert pass intended for Quinton Patton.
Daily transactions: None.
Next practice: The 49ers are scheduled to return to practice Wednesday at 10:25 a.m. for their first practice at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco since 2004. The practice is expected to attract 9,000 ticketed fans.
