Thomas animated by ‘Stanford sack’
Solomon Thomas has two sacks this season, but just one “real sack” in his estimation.
On Sunday, the No. 3 overall pick in 2017 who is now a reserve had a takedown of Rams quarterback Jared Goff that showcased Thomas’ quickness and evoked memories of his AllAmerica college days.
In fact, the 49ers defensive lineman agreed it was a “Stanford sack.”
“It felt amazing to get a real sack,” Thomas said. “I just missed that feeling. So, yeah, it felt great.”
Thomas wasn’t the only one enthused. This week, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek told Thomas in a meeting about the reaction on the sideline to his 8yard sack.
“He was just saying ‘You should have seen the sideline — all of your teammates how happy they were when you got that sack,’ ” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said. “Because obviously Solly’s had some ups and downs since he’s been here, even on a personal level, and to see the development and type of person he is. … It was just great to see one of your brothers make a big play. Especially him. It’s even sweeter.”
In his first two seasons, Thomas had four sacks in 30 games (25 starts). In 2018, he played through intense grief due to the death of his sister and best friend, Ella, before the season.
This offseason, the additions of edge rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford helped push Thomas into a reserve role, and he’s played just 31% of the snaps this season on a defensive line that includes four other firstround picks. On Sunday, Thomas had two tackles and drew a holding penalty in 25 snaps. On his sack, he beat center Brian Allen and belted Goff from his blind side just as he finished his dropback.
Thomas’ previous sack this season came in Week 2, when he tackled Andy Dalton just before the line of scrimmage after the Bengals quarterback scrambled from the pocket.
“I feel like I’m at the best place of my career right now,” Thomas said. “Just trying to build off that and be the best player I can be in my career and in my life right now.”
Thomas, who was moved along the defensive line throughout his first two seasons, has primarily played in the interior in 2019.
“I feel more comfortable there, but I can play on the edge, too,” he said. “Inside is where I’m used to. It’s where I played in college. It’s where I excelled in college.”
Sherman weighs in: The assessment of one bigname cornerback about Tuesday’s trade of another bigname cornerback from the Jaguars to the Rams: Los Angeles paid too big a price.
The 49ers’ Richard Sherman, not surprisingly, had an opinion about the NFC Westrival Rams acquiring Jalen Ramsey for Los Angeles’ next two firstround picks and a 2021 fourthround pick.
“It seemed like they gave up a lot for him,” Sherman said. “It’s going to be great for him because he has a lot of leverage. And I wish they would try to not pay him at this point.”
Sherman, who negotiated his own contract with the 49ers last year, was referring to the fact that Ramsey is in the last year of his rookie contract. And given what the Rams gave up to get him, Sherman figures they’ll have little leverage when it comes to discussing his second contract.
“You give up two firstrounders and are like ‘Oh, we’re going to play hardball in these negotiations,’ ” Sherman said. “It’s like, yeah, back up the Brink’s truck to his house.”