SANTA CLARA — Kyle Shanahan’s assistant coaches unfold out inside Levi’s Stadium’s auditorium for 60 minutes of interviews with the media Thursday. Heck, if they'll deal with that strain, then an hour sport on Sundays might be a breeze, proper?
Truly, that annual entry to Shanahan’s employees provides a treasure trove of perception. So, whereas gamers received the time off from follow, listed here are a dozen issues we discovered per week into coaching camp:
1. LANCE’S ‘SPECIAL’ DEMEANOR
Trey Lance’s new quarterbacks coach, Brian Griese, is actually inspired by what he’s seeing, and regardless that solely half of Lance’s passes have been accomplished via seven practices, that good and unhealthy provided a peak into how the first-year starter copes.
“I’ve been actually inspired by his demeanor. That’s spectacular for a younger man his age. That’s not pure,” Griese mentioned of Lance, 22. “The best way he interacts along with his group, the way in which he operates on the sector, the way in which he responds when he makes a mistake – all these issues are very, very optimistic, on high of his bodily talents, that are important.”
Griese is a former NFL quarterback-turned-broadcaster and now a first-year assistant. He famous how NFL quarterbacks’ feelings can run the gamut, from the wild excessive of a Brett Favre to QBs who're “flatliners.” Lance is revealing his type every snap, and his potential to compartmentalize his function and obligations are evident.
“For somebody his age, 22 years outdated,” Griese mentioned earlier than stopping himself. “Look, he doesn’t have it down, guys. We’re persevering with to develop at that. However he has a basis and base that’s actually spectacular. He’s received an acceptable quantity of understanding of timing and moments. He doesn’t get too low, too excessive. That’s fairly cool to see.”
2. GRIESE ON GAROPPOLO
Two months in the past, Griese mentioned he’d but to talk with Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s throwing on the aspect at camp whereas awaiting a commerce or launch. Have the 2 talked but? “I texted him. However I left that between Jimmy and Kyle,” Griese mentioned of Garoppolo’s awkward limbo. “I've an enormous quantity of respect for Jimmy. I used to be in a state of affairs the place I knew I wasn’t going to be on a group, and I used to be let go late within the course of, after June 1 for wage cap causes. I keep in mind how arduous that was.
“All of us wish to know the place we’re going to play, the place we’re going to be. Now this has gone on, so it’s very tough for Jimmy,” Griese added. “I've plenty of empathy for the state of affairs he’s in. I do know what he’s meant to this group, to this locker room, to the Bay Space. So I hope that is resolved as quickly as potential, and he finds a spot that works for him. I want nothing however one of the best for him.”
3. MASTER THIEVES
Safeties account for 5-of-11 interceptions produced to date at camp by an deliberately grasping protection.
“Our guys are attacking the ball greater than we have now previously,” safeties coach Daniel Bullocks mentioned. “We had 9 interceptions final yr, ranked twenty sixth. We have to do a greater job ending the ball and profitable on the level of assault. Our guys now are assured they'll go make a play on the ball.”
Safeties with interceptions: Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Tarvarius Moore (two) and Tayler Hawkins. By the way in which, Bullocks confirmed that longtime cornerback Dontae Johnson is being seen this camp as a security, although he’ll additionally break up time at nickel.
4. TRENT THE SCOUT
Trent Williams will not be solely an All-Professional left sort out but additionally a savvy scout, in response to Chris Foerster, the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator.
“His examine of opponents is unbelievable,” Foerster mentioned. Each week, I've the fellows – it’s not an unique concept – you will have your guys do a scouting report. I assign, ‘You do a defensive lineman, you a defensive lineman.’ Each Friday evening we learn them. I don’t want a guide on them, simply what's our method or assault going to be. Trent’s one of the best. It’s not even shut, how on level he's of what (the opponent) is attempting to do and what it's good to do to dam him.”
5. HOORAY FOR TURAY
Defensive position coach Kris Kocurek is “actually completely satisfied” along with his unit’s begin to camp, together with early indicators that rookie Drake Jackson “exhibits up across the quarterback quite a bit.” One off-the-radar identify to observe is defensive finish Kemoko Turay, who had 12 sacks and a really critical ankle damage in his earlier Colts tenure.
Kocurek on Turay: “Cross rush size, go rush get-off, explosive dude out of his employees, a man that may bend the sting and might threaten the quarterback from an out of doors edge. … He’s constantly going to the ball with a goal … and making one thing occur when he will get there.”
6. KINLAW’S COMEBACK
Javon Kinlaw’s comeback from knee reconstruction is on monitor, and that excites Kocurek for what it means to his line of defense’s inside.
“He’s slimmer, his physique fats is down, he’s shifting actually good, and now it’s a matter of stacking these reps,” Kocurek (“Coach Okay” to some) mentioned. “If every little thing retains occurring monitor, we’ll enhance it as time goes and hopefully by Chicago (within the season opener), you’ll all see the completed product. I’m actually excited. He’s massive, lengthy, explosive participant that may reset the road of scrimmage and be disruptive.”
7. WARNER’S FIRE
As Warner has grown into the protection’s chief, he’s coming into his fifth season with large depth, as mirrored by this week’s follow fights with Brandon Aiyuk.
“He’s one of many hardest working linebackers I’ve been round,” Holland mentioned. “Guys see that. They wish to know what made you good. Fred, ‘Simply watch me.’ They know his aim is to make our group higher.”
As for Warner’s wingmen, Dre Greenlaw and Azzeez Al-Shaair, Holland added: “All of them lead in several methods. Fred is extra of a vocal, instance chief. Greenlaw, a ‘watch me work, watch me play,’ and Azeez is similar approach.”
8. ‘DON’T FORGET ABOUT J.V.’
Corey Undlin was rightfully singing the praises of his defensive backs’ displaying in camp when he remarked: “Don’t overlook about J.V.” Certainly, Jason Verrett is displaying burst in his comeback from final yr’s anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Will he come off the bodily unable to carry out record by the season opener, regardless that the 49ers’ starters appear set with Charvarius Ward and Emmanuel Moseley? “I don’t know when. I do know this: I’ll by no means wager towards the man. We’ll see how that performs out.”
As for Ward’s arrival from the Chiefs, he’s been stellar along with his protection and a capability to be taught a brand new scheme. “You inform him one time, it’s over. You don’t inform him twice,” Undlin mentioned. “His recall and skill to do ‘this’ on this protection, it’s like (on the spot). His potential down the sector to seek out and play the ball, it’s superior.”
9. TREY SERMON’S ENCORE
Amongst this camp’s chief mysteries is how Trey Sermon will rebound from a quiet rookie season. New working backs coach Anthony Lynn is “more than happy” with final yr’s third-round choose from Ohio State.
“He has the ability set to run the way in which he’s working. I wish to proceed to see that and take it to a different stage,” Lynn mentioned. “He is aware of what’s anticipated of him this yr, as a result of we’ve received a bit competitors in that backfield. I like the way in which he’s responded.”
Amongst these competing with Sermon for a backup function behind Elijah Mitchell are Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty and rookies Ty Davis-Value and Jordan Mason.
10. STAFF MOVES
Solely 4 assistants stay from Shanahan’s unique 2017 employees: DeMeco Ryans (defensive coordinator), Johnny Holland (linebackers), Bullocks (safeties), and Bobby Slowik (pass-game coordinator).
“We’ve constructed a tradition right here that’s proper. We've got an opportunity,” Holland mentioned. “What Kyle confused (to the employees) was we’ve received to teach our gamers to be higher. If Fred (Warner) is an ‘A’ participant, let’s make him an ‘A+’ participant. If a man’s a free agent, let’s coach him and make him higher.”
A yr in the past, the 49ers misplaced their defensive coordinator when Robert Saleh turned the New York Jets coach; this yr, they noticed Mike McDaniel go away his offensive coordinator publish to grow to be the Miami Dolphins’ coach.
Mentioned Slowik: “Final yr, it was me, Chris (Foerster), Mike and Kyle speaking on a regular basis about our sport plan and what we would have liked to do. Now it’s the identical, simply with out Mike, which makes issues tough as a result of Mike was actually good, inventive and had plenty of good concepts. … We’ll have new concepts however follow the identical basis.”
11. HUDSON’S HANDS
Advised that Tanner Hudson has caught all 10 passes thrown to him at camp, tight ends coach Brian Fleury replied: “It wouldn’t shock me if that have been the case. He has a really fascinating ability set. He could be within the dialog of ‘Finest Arms on the Staff,’ which everybody has seen. He has a singular potential, whether or not it’s a imaginative and prescient factor or what. If you happen to have been to sluggish it down and watch, his eyes observe the ball and monitor it. He has plenty of confidence to make catches anytime wherever the ball is round him.”
Hudson may tackle the Jordan Reed function from a pair years in the past to enrich George Kittle in two tight-end formations, one thing Jordan Matthews additionally was pursuing earlier than his season-ending knee damage Monday.
12. WHAT ABOUT ‘FREDO
Misplaced amid all of the discuss concerning the 49ers’ younger offensive lineman is Alfredo Gutierrez, their second-year undertaking who got here out of the NFL’s worldwide participant pathway program. Gutierrez, a local of Tijuana, Mexico, didn't play final preseason and is assured of a practice-squad spot for a second straight yr.
“Fredo’s labored actually arduous,” Foerster mentioned. “He’s been there each day. Kris Kocurek says he’s gotten higher. He’s working arduous. Don’t know he’ll ever be (elite) however he has labored arduous and gotten higher.”