Training camp and preseason are where new faces on new teams attempt to work out the kinks before the games start to count.
The quarterback-receiver timing and relationship is a key aspects offenses work through in August.
On the first day of San Francisco 49ers training camp, Colin Kaepernick hooked up on a deep ball with new speedster Torrey Smith. Since then, the duo has reportedly struggled to connect long much, which has Smith asking for more shots.
"It's not that I feel like I'm a speed demon or the fastest man in the world or anything," Smith said, per the San Jose Mercury News. "But sometimes I feel, 'Hey, I can run, bro. You can throw it out there and I'm going to go get it for you.'"
Smith averaged 16.9 yards per catch the past four years with the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco, who wasn't afraid to take a shot deep.
"It's definitely an adjustment for Kap," wideout Anquan Boldin said. "A guy with that kind of speed, you have to learn how to throw to him, and they're still in that stage."
One thing to watch as the preseason presses forward is how this duo's chemistry builds.
"He's shown he can make plays in big-time situations," Kaepernick said. "That's something we want to take advantage of."
The Niners passing game has regressed the past few years. The new staff hopes Smith's field-stretching ability can open up defenses and gives Kaepernick better looks. In his two full seasons as the starter, Kaepernick has struggled with his chemistry at times with receivers not named Boldin. He'll need to improve for the 49ers' 2015 offense to have a shot at succeeding.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Steve Smith's retirement news and predicts the training camp QB battles.
