49ers’ Sherman, all healed, eager to face Seahawks
Cornerback Richard Sherman refers to 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as “James,” and Sherman probably uses a few unprintable words when referring to the Seahawks’ decision-makers who released him in March.
His feelings about the Seahawks again became clear when asked Tuesday about the offseason changes to his former team’s roster. His response: He wasn’t paying attention.
“They decided to let me go and pursue another team,” Sherman said. “So once they cut ties, I cut ties.”
Yes, Dec. 2, the day Sherman will face the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, is no doubt circled on his 2018 calendar. And Tuesday marked a significant day as Sherman prepares for that prime-time game and 15 others in a season in which he’s returning from a torn Achilles tendon he sustained in November.
For the first time since he was injured, Sherman participated in individual drills instead of rehabilitating on a side field during practice. Sherman shrugged off Tuesday’s milestone in his rehab, but it was tangible evidence that, as he has insisted, he’s on track to participate in a full practice when training camp
opens in late July.
“If I wasn’t an eight-year vet, I might be out there getting more reps in,” Sherman said, “but they don’t seem to think I need the reps; I don’t think I need the reps. So it works out.”
It’s well documented that Sherman doesn’t lack for confidence. And so it’s no surprise that he sounds undaunted about being at the crossroads of a career that has included four Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pro seasons and the sixth-most interceptions (32) among active cornerbacks.
During this offseason, he has turned 30 — an ominous age for a player at his position — and has undergone a relatively minor surgery to remove bone spurs in his left Achilles while rehabbing the other. He then signed an incentive-laden contract that suggests the 49ers have doubts about his ability to recapture his form.
However, Sherman insists he feels better than he did at 29. Or 28.
“I feel light-years better than I have over the past few years,” Sherman said. “This is the first offseason I’ve actually got to heal up; let all the ailments go away and come out completely healthy.”
Last year, Sherman said his right Achilles began bothering him during offseason practices, it became worse in training camp and he knew it was compromised when the regular season began. It finally tore Nov. 9 in a win at Arizona after he’d tried to manage the injury in practices.
“We just kind of babied it as long as we could,” Sherman said, “but you can’t baby it in a game.”
His injury helped pave the path to his release from the Seahawks, and the presence of Garoppolo was a factor in Sherman signing with the 49ers.
On Tuesday, Sherman didn’t detail why he refers to Garoppolo as “James,” but did explain what’s impressed him about the QB.
“He’s been phenomenal around the team,” Sherman said. “He’s just another one of the guys. He carries himself well. He executes the offense great. He goes through every single read. His mind works really fast, which is cool to see.”
As Sherman discussed his new teammate, he couldn’t resist looking to the future when he finally also could call him a practice rival.
“I’ve had a great pleasure watching him,” Sherman said, “and I look forward to try to (intercept) him a few times.”
Injuries: Wide receiver Trent Taylor had minor back surgery to remove bone spurs several weeks ago and is expected to be ready for training camp, head coach Kyle Shanahan said. … Linebacker Dekoda Watson exited practice with a calf injury and required assistance leaving the field.