Can Brock Purdy's practice interceptions actually have value for 49ers?
There may not be a more important job for a quarterback in the National Football League than taking care of the football.
Turnovers are killers and every coach will be ready to point out the turnover margin in a defeat.
In practice, the tune on turnovers changes. Quarterbacks still aren't hoping to make them, but it's also viewed as an opportunity to learn more than a catastrophic mistake.
Eyebrows went up when quarterback Brock Purdy tossed three interceptions in the 49ers' first padded training camp practice. They stayed up the next day when he threw four picks in his final five throws.
Purdy has downplayed the interceptions, and after Sunday's practice elaborated on the learning process from those turnovers.
“I take pride in protecting the ball for our offense and our team," Purdy said in a press conference. "And so obviously, I'm mad when I'm not completing the ball to our guys and it's going to the defense. I'm hard on myself and the coaches are too. We have a standard here. So it's not, like I said, we're just going out and just because it's practice it's okay to throw picks. No, there's still a standard here. But with that is, I know you guys have heard me say this all over the media, but now's the time to be trying out some stuff in terms of throwing some windows and some tight coverages and whatnot. But you know, I still have to grow. I still have to be better and I'm hard on myself with it. But now's the time to do it.
"I remember last year coming off my UCL at practice, I was throwing some stuff, and I threw multiple days of picks. But you get into the season and you're ready for those moments and you're ready to execute and protect the ball. So that's where we're at in the time of year.”
Purdy hasn't committed a turnover since his seven INTs in a two practice span. That's a sign the growth he's hoping for is happening.
There's no way to fully eliminate turnovers from a game. Limiting them, however, is crucial. If throwing a few extra in camp means Purdy is ready to throw a few less in the regular season, both he and the 49ers will take it.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Can Brock Purdy's practice interceptions actually have value for 49ers?
