Jimmie Ward
Jimmie Ward is a source of near-constant frustration for 49er fans.
Having had much of his career hindered by injury, it still isn’t clear what Ward’s best position is. And, at this point many believe he is not worthy of his first-round draft position in 2014.
Those doubters will be more confident in that assertion after Ward conceded a 30-yard touchdown to Michael Gallup last week.
It may have been pleasing to some to see fire in Ward this week as he scuffled with Texans star DeAndre Hopkins during practice. But both players were ejected and the 49ers coaching staff was not pleased, as Saleh explained.
“It’s a missed opportunity on a bunch of levels. One, you don’t get to face a guy like Hopkins,” he said. “But, it’s a trickle-down effect. Now, other people need to pick up Jimmie’s reps.”
Fighting is unlikely to impact Ward’s roster status. What is more probable to do so is the aforementioned lack of a defined position. His versatility has been praised but the truth is that he struggled at boundary corner and the nickel and free safety roles he can also play are filled by K’Waun Williams and Adrian Colbert, with rookie D.J. Reed showing promise playing both those spots.
What Ward’s immediate future may hinge on is the play of Greg Mabin and rookies Tarvarius Moore and Tavarus McFadden.
That trio are all better fits physically for what the Niners want at boundary corner in their Cover 3 scheme. Should they have success in the remaining preseason games, the case to try to find a trade partner to take the last year of his contract may to be too strong to ignore.
