Moore ready for 49ers’ challenge to be free safety
Jimmie Ward figures to begin the season as the 49ers’ starting free safety, but history suggests he could finish it on injured reserve.
Ward’s bulging medical file means one question is particularly relevant regarding a position that’s viewed among the most important in their defense: Who is the 49ers’ backup free safety?
In a mild surprise, the answer is Tarvarius Moore, who pushed aside Adrian Colbert early in training camp and began taking the firstteam snaps while Ward remains sidelined after breaking his collarbone in May.
Moore, a 2018 thirdround pick, was a free safety at Southern Miss who was moved to cornerback as a rookie before the 49ers moved him back to free safety after Ward was injured in the spring.
Confused? Last week, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh indicated Moore’s head might be swimming in his new spot.
“He’s by no means even close to being an NFLready safety by Week 1,” Saleh said.
However, Moore’s snaps with the first team have only increased since Saleh offered that, which suggests the 49ers are committed to getting him up to speed. On Wednesday, Saleh was asked for an update on Moore’s progress. He offered that Moore was doing a “very, very good job.”
“He’s getting a lot closer,” Saleh said. “… He does not lack athletic ability or anything like that. It’s just catching up in the position.”
At 6foot2, 200 pounds, Moore twice ran a verified 4.32second 40yard dash at his pro day at Southern Miss last year. At Quitman (Miss.) High, Moore qualified for the state track meet in the 100 and 200 meters and high jump, posting topfive finishes in each event.
The 49ers prize speed and range at free safety, which often serves as the last line of defense. They term the position “The Eraser” because the free safety is charged with cleaning up others’ mistakes.
“When things hit the fan,” Moore said, “you’ve got to make sure you don’t give up the touchdown.”
The 49ers entered their offseason program with Moore still at cornerback, but their plans for him changed when Ward was injured again. Ward’s broken collarbone marked the fifth time he has broken a bone in a fiveyear career during which he has missed 29 games.
Shortly after Ward’s latest injury, assistant defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks called in Moore on a Saturday to let him know he was changing positions. Moore also spoke with Saleh about the move, which he didn’t view as temporary, based on their conversations.
“I felt like they wouldn’t ask me to learn the whole playbook in a weekend and go out there and show what I could do at safety if they didn’t believe in me,” said Moore, who played in a different defensive system in college. “So it was definitely a challenge that I was willing to take on. I felt my coaches believed in me, so I believed in myself that I could do it. And I’ve just been trying to put my best foot forward ever since.”
Learning a new position in the NFL is already old hat for the 22yearold.
Last year, Moore played cornerback for the first time since high school and he initially struggled.
In the first two preseason games, Moore recalled he was “getting cooked” at the line because he lacked patience, and wide receivers kept wriggling free from him at the line of scrimmage.
“I was getting frustrated with myself because I just couldn’t master it quickly enough,” Moore said. “But playing a new position, it doesn’t happen as quickly as you want.”
Moore began to feel comfortable by midseason and he was prepared when he started the final two regularseason games as an injury replacement. In his first start, a 149 loss to the Bears, Moore forced a lategame fumble by wide receiver Allen Robinson that set up a potential gamewinning drive that fell short.
Eight months later, Moore again is enduring some growing pains at a new position.
On Tuesday, he was asked about Saleh’s critique from early in training camp: Is he not close to being a startingcaliber safety by the season opener?
“I do have a lot of confidence in myself, but I definitely see where he’s coming from as far as my details,” Moore said. “Just the small things I need to improve: aligning right and anticipating things before they happen. I’m enjoying the challenge.”