The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ex-Falcon Oliver excited to play in Super Bowl
Cornerback says he ’had a great time’ in 5 seasons with Atlanta.
LAS VEGAS — Cornerback Isaiah Oliver had a strong regular season for the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
Oliver, drafted in the second round (58th overall) in 2018, played five seasons for the Falcons before signing with the 49ers. He played in 17 regular-season games and made six starts this season. He has played on special teams in the playoffs against the Packers and the Lions.
“We’re excited and pumped up about trying to get a win,” Oliver told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday during Super Bowl Opening Night.
The 49ers plan to focus on stopping the Chiefs’ rushing attack. The 49ers gave up 136 rushing yards to the Packers in the divisional round and 182 yards to the Lions in the NFC championship game.
“It starts off with stopping the run,” Oliver said. “That’s the biggest thing for us right now. Getting back to doing run defense, also trying to get after (Chiefs quarterback Patrick) Mahomes as best that we can.”
The Falcons did not re-sign Oliver after the 2022 season, and he landed with the 49ers in free agency.
“I had a great time in Atlanta,” Oliver said. “I really grew as a player during my time there. I want to thank (former) coach (Arthur) Smith and thank (general manager) Terry (Fontenot) for my time there. They gave me an opportunity, really, coming off the injury. Signing me back for that fifth year was really big for me. I’m forever grateful for that.”
Oliver was moved to nickel back and suffered a season-ending knee injury. He re-signed and played a fifth season for the Falcons in 2022.
“I was glad to see coach Rah (Raheem Morris) back there (as Smith’s successor),” Oliver said. “I’m excited for him and his journey.”
Oliver thanked Morris for helping to elevate his play during the 2020 season.
“That 2020 season, I had him on the defensive side,” Oliver said. “That’s really when I started playing better. I took my game to the next level when he came over. So I will always be forever grateful for him as well.”
Wilks says Morris will ‘do a tremendous job’
San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was a candidate for the Falcons’ head coaching job, is getting his group ready to face Kansas City.
In addition to his interview for the Falcons’ head coaching position on Jan. 13, Wilks was interviewed by the Chargers for the head coaching job that went to Jim Harbaugh.
“I thought it went well,” Wilks said of his interview with the Falcons. “Congratulations to Raheem (Morris). I think he’s going to do a tremendous job. I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a coach and even more as a person.”
Wilks, 54, has head coaching experience. He made his reputation as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator under Ron Rivera. He started his coaching career at Johnson C. Smith (1995-96) and Savannah State (1997-99) after playing at Appalachian State.
Wilks was the head coach at Savannah State in 1999. He was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach in 2018 and was the Panthers’ interim head coach in 2023 after Matt Rhule was fired.