Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Preseason football gets a bad rap, and the hosts aren't holding back this week — they call it exactly what it is: an embarrassment that fans still pay full price for. But buried in that "meaningless" 2026 preseason Week 3 game against the Raiders was a genuinely concerning trend for the 49ers. The hosts break down what they saw from second-round picks Alfred Collins and CJ West on the interior defensive line, and it wasn't pretty. Getting pushed backwards on nearly every rep against a Raiders roster full of guys who might not even make the final 53 is not the confidence-builder the Niners were hoping for heading into a season where the interior D-line was already a question mark. They also dig into what it means for the Niners' 2025 draft class if either player ends up on the roster bubble. Elsewhere in the show: Carver Willis got extended run at left guard with Dominick Puni still working through concussion protocol, and speedster De'Zhaun Stribling sat out — which the guys think is actually good news for his role in the offense. Plus, the guys debate the greatest NFL broadcast theme songs as we count down to Week 1.
Topics discussed include:
Alfred Collins and CJ West struggling up front vs. the Raiders
Whether the 2025 Niners draft class is trending toward a miss
Carver Willis auditioning for the left guard job
Dominick Puni's concussion protocol status
Why De'Zhaun Stribling sitting out is a good sign
The case for shrinking (or scrapping) the NFL preseason
Ranking the best NFL broadcast theme songs
Do you think Alfred Collins and CJ West make the final roster? Let us know in the comments.
0:00 – Is Preseason Football Even Worth Watching?
1:38 – Carver Willis Gets an Early Look at Left Guard
2:13 – Alfred Collins & CJ West Getting Pushed Around
4:22 – Stribling Injury News & Starting Spots Up for Grabs
7:21 – Broadcast Theme Songs & Fantasy Draft Talk
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Listen live: audacy.com/957thegame/listen
Visit our website: 957thegame.com
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Preseason football gets a bad rap, and the hosts aren't holding back this week — they call it exactly what it is: an embarrassment that fans still pay full price for. But buried in that "meaningless" 2026 preseason Week 3 game against the Raiders was a genuinely concerning trend for the 49ers. The hosts break down what they saw from second-round picks Alfred Collins and CJ West on the interior defensive line, and it wasn't pretty. Getting pushed backwards on nearly every rep against a Raiders roster full of guys who might not even make the final 53 is not the confidence-builder the Niners were hoping for heading into a season where the interior D-line was already a question mark. They also dig into what it means for the Niners' 2025 draft class if either player ends up on the roster bubble. Elsewhere in the show: Carver Willis got extended run at left guard with Dominick Puni still working through concussion protocol, and speedster De'Zhaun Stribling sat out — which the guys think is actually good news for his role in the offense. Plus, the guys debate the greatest NFL broadcast theme songs as we count down to Week 1.
Topics discussed include:
Alfred Collins and CJ West struggling up front vs. the Raiders
Whether the 2025 Niners draft class is trending toward a miss
Carver Willis auditioning for the left guard job
Dominick Puni's concussion protocol status
Why De'Zhaun Stribling sitting out is a good sign
The case for shrinking (or scrapping) the NFL preseason
Ranking the best NFL broadcast theme songs
Do you think Alfred Collins and CJ West make the final roster? Let us know in the comments.
0:00 – Is Preseason Football Even Worth Watching?
1:38 – Carver Willis Gets an Early Look at Left Guard
2:13 – Alfred Collins & CJ West Getting Pushed Around
4:22 – Stribling Injury News & Starting Spots Up for Grabs
7:21 – Broadcast Theme Songs & Fantasy Draft Talk
Download the Audacy app to never miss any of your favorite 957 The Game content:
go.audacy.com/y-listen-live-957thegame
Listen live: audacy.com/957thegame/listen
Visit our website: 957thegame.com
Subscribe on Twitch: twitch.tv/957thegame
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/957thegame
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/957thegame
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/957thegame
Join our Newsletter: audacy.com/957thegame/join-our-clubs/mvp-club
