Of course Jimmy Garoppolo Color Rush Jersey , the eek 9." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteNiners Nationa San Francisco 49ers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibrary49ersOddsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsFiled under:NFC WestNFL NewsPatrick Peterson suspended six games for PED violationNew,33commentsOf course, the 49ers don’t play the Cardinals until Week 9. PDTShareTweetShareSharePatrick Peterson suspended six games for PED violationOn Thursday some rather unexpected news hit for the Arizona Cardinals. Cornerback Patrick Peterson has been suspended six games for a PED violation. The suspension not only entails the aforementioned violation, but per Ian Rapoport, it also involves a masking agent. Rapoport pointed out it could have been a four-game suspension, but because of the masking agent, it’s six. The Arizona Cardinals need help anywhere they can get. They had a decent draft but are still hurting for consistent playmakers on both sides of the ball. Given the age of Larry Fitzgerald, it could be argued that Peterson is the best player on that Arizona Cardinals squad. As far as impacting the San Francisco 49ers, the 49ers won’t meet up with the Cardinals until Week 9. Those of you hoping to face a Peterson-less Cardinals squad are going to be disappointed. The Seattle Seahawks are the only team in the NFC West to take advantage of this power play. It’s rather interesting how this suspension went down. We’ve seen PED suspensions aplenty in the NFL, but rarely are masking agents involved. This indicates that Peterson not only was using PEDs, but was also trying to cover up his drug tests for doing so. We don’t know what the drug was that Peterson tested positive for so it will be interesting if anything leaks on that front. While the NFL has been able to slap suspensions on players for using PEDs, many of the suspensions have had appeals and players admitting they didn’t know a banned substance was in what they were taking. The fact Peterson’s masking agent failed to cover-up whatever he was taking now begs the question on if there were drug tests he successfully passed using a masking agent in the past. Going one step further, who else in the NFL has been doing this to success? In his first career start against the Raiders https://www.49ersfanshop.com/Fred-Warner-Jersey , quarterback Nick Mullens exceeded expectations, wrapping up a highly efficient night, throwing for 262 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and finishing with a near perfect passer rating of 151.3.With his stellar play, head coach Kyle Shanahan felt obligated to continue giving Mullens the start at quarterback, despite having a healthy C.J. Beathard. Heading into a Monday Night Football matchup against the 1-7 Giants, many expected a similar performance from Mullens.A tougher defense, higher expectations and multiple offensive miscues led to a worse performance in Mullens’ second-career start against New York. The undrafted free agent finished 27-of-39 for 250 yards, but only threw one touchdown and two interceptions. His passer rating was also nearly half of what it was in his debut (73.7). Let’s dissect certain plays to break down some positives and negatives from Mullens’ play against the Giants.Early in the first quarter, Mullens and the 49ers’ offense is faced with a third-and-7 in Giants’ territory. Wideout Dante Pettis motions out and is able to break free from the defensive back. Unfortunately, Mullens throws behind Pettis, causing him to break stride and not gain enough for a first down. Next Tarvarius Moore Jersey , Mullens’ first blunder of the night that led to a Giants’ interception. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne runs a comeback route and Mullens throws the pass too late, allowing defensive back Janoris Jenkins to deflect it into the hands of linebacker B.J. Goodson for an easy INT. This was an issue that was not prevalent in Mullens’ first start, but in his second start his throws outside the numbers seem to arrive late and with not enough arm strength. On the flip side, one of Mullens’ best traits is that he’s decisive in attacking the 49ers’ best matchups and will release the ball quickly when he sees an opening. On this next play, Shanahan loves the matchup between tight end George Kittle and safety Landon Collins. Kittle makes a quick move and Mullens hits him in stride for 18 yards. This is what the 49ers need more of moving forward this season.This next play is a similar set up as the last one, but the 49ers bring Kittle off the end of the formation, as he runs across the field. With the defender following Bourne across the field, Mullens realizes it is man coverage and can take advantage of Kittle running between multiple defenders. The Giants lose the 49ers’ biggest weapon in all the traffic and San Francisco gains 22 yards on the play.Later in the second quarter, Mullens continues to his pre-snap reads to find easy throws for large gains. Kittle motions across the formation, Collins follows him, signaling to Mullens that it’s going to be man coverage. Looking at the right side of the formation, the defender across from wideout Marquise Goodwin is seven yards away from the line of scrimmage, giving Goodwin the space to get open on an inside-breaking route. Goodwin does exactly that and Mullens hits him for a 17-yard gain.On Mullens’ lone touchdown pass of the night Kentavius Street Color Rush Jersey , Shanahan deserves all the credit for this play design. By stacking up four receivers to the right, the Giants’ defenders had a difficult time following all the 49ers’ pass catchers off the line of scrimmage. Running back Matt Breida snuck free to the left side of the end zone, as Mullens delivers a beautiful ball for six points.This next throw was Mullens’ second-biggest blunder of the night, as he and Goodwin aren’t on the same page with the route. If you notice closely, Goodwin stops and goes twice on this route, likely confusing Mullens. It turns into an interception for the Giants, eventually breaking the way for their victory.Mullens didn’t have as good of a game against the Giants as he did in his opener against the Raiders, but there are some positives to take away. His decisiveness and ability to release the ball quickly has been exemplary, but there’s still flaws in his arm strength and timing with certain receivers.For the 49ers, the rest of the season will be an evaluation to see who’s going to be their backup quarterback in 2019. It’s time for Mullens to go out there and earn it.