File Photo AP: Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) rushes for yardage in front of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

On the 49ers podcast:

For Stanford alums San Francisco 49ers linebacker Solomon Thomas and Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey this should be fun to watch them to watch the two buddies playing each other but once they hit the field they’ll be competing something fierce. McCaffrey got the MVP last season with Stanford and the Panthers look really good going into this opener this weekend.

The whole thing about McCaffrey is that he’s coming off a first round draft and he’s got great credentials. He’s an explosive player and he pretty much could own the team. He’ll be catching the ball in the back field and playing in the slot and of course he’s a running back so McCaffrey is someone who is all the things that he was at Stanford and he’ll just have to showcase it when he takes the field at Carolina on Sunday.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com