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San Francisco • On this first night of the exhibition season, Denver displayed the opportunistic defense the 49ers lived by the last two years, something that carried San Francisco back to the Super Bowl in February, 18 years after capturing their fifth championship.
The NFC champion Niners? They looked sloppy in all phases in 10-6 loss Thursday night.
A Super Bowl preview in August? Hardly looked that way.
Shaun Phillips scooped up D.J. Harper's second-quarter fumble and returned it 9 yards for the game's lone touchdown. Mike Adams added a timely interception as the Broncos began anew following that stunning double-overtime loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens back in January's AFC divisional playoffs.
With the star quarterbacks on either side — Broncos veteran Peyton Manning and third-year pro Colin Kaepernick — playing all of one series each, it was impossible to gauge just how good their given offenses will be.
Vick to start Eagles' preseason opener
Michael Vick or Nick Foles? Might as well flip a coin.
Vick will start for the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener against New England on Friday only because it's his turn to go first in the quarterback rotation. Foles also will take snaps with the starters, and the second-year pro will start the second preseason game.
"It was Mike's day in the rotation, that was the easiest way for us to do it and then we'll make sure the rotation works out that Nick will get the start next week," coach Chip Kelly said Thursday. "The two of those guys, we feel like we've got it balanced out. We met with those guys this morning. They were great with it, so that's kind of our plan going in."
49ers wind up with CB Wright after all
Cornerback Eric Wright has joined the San Francisco 49ers.
The free agent defensive back signed a one-year contract Thursday and was placed on the non-football injury/illness list.
Wright had been traded to the reigning NFC champions last month for a conditional draft pick in 2014, but he failed his physical, nullifying the deal. Tampa Bay then released Wright.