Playing in Tampa is a homecoming for Breida
Running back from Florida on pace for 1,000-yard season
SANTA CLARA » Matt Breida’s 49ers career officially began roughly 49 miles north of where he’ll be playing Sunday in Tampa.
Go back about 1½ years ago and you’ll find Breida in his Spring Hill hometown fielding calls from NFL teams during the draft. None drafted him. But the 49ers kept calling and won him over.
“You get that gut feeling that this was the right decision to make,” Breida recalled this week. “I’m happy I made this decision.” It’s been mutually beneficial. A rookie backup last year to Carlos Hyde, Breida assumed the lead role this season when former Georgia Southern teammate Jerick McKinnon injured his knee a week before the opener. Now, Breida is pace for the 49ers’ first 1,000-yard rushing season since Frank Gore’s 2014 exodus.
Sunday’s homecoming will attract a slew of Breida supporters, including his parents Mike and Terri, who adopted him two days after he was born in Brandon, a Tampa suburb.
Breida sat at his locker this week for a question-and-answer session previewing his return:
What extra meaning does this game have going back home?
“It’s nice to play in front of my family and stuff. Other than that, it’s another game for us.” Can you take me back to the draft and the decision to come here?
“Mike McDaniels (the 49ers run game coordinator) was on the phone with me through the whole draft, as was Bobby Turner (running backs coach). They were showing interest in how much they wanted me.
“I just felt this place fit me the best. I don’t know, I just had a feeling. You get that gut feeling that this was the right decision to make. I’m happy I made this decision.” What in your gut was telling you the potential the 49ers offered?
“I talked on the phone with coach Bobby T two days before that. Just getting to know him. Something just felt right about him. I had a good vibe with him. Hearing about coach Shanahan and everything, I knew this was the place I wanted to be.” ( The 49ers reportedly gave him a $5,000 signing bonus with $30,000 guaranteed in the threeyear deal.) Before they signed you, they drafted Joe Williams and traded for Kapri Bibbs. What encouragement did they give you?
“Just that, ‘ You’re going to get the same opportunity as those guys.’ That’s one thing I’ll say about coach Bobby T.: he’s fair. No matter how good you are or if you’re the starter or fifth stringer, you’re going to be treated the exact same. I’ve felt that since Day 1, and it’s a big reason why I wanted to come here.”
(Here is what Turner said of Breida during June’s media session: “He came in from Day 1 hungry. He competes. Obviously he has the speed. He plays hard every day. The thing he’s matured in is he’s in the system for a second year.”) Did the Buccaneers look at you?
“Yeah, I did their local pro day and stayed and talked to their running back coach. They had interest in me. Toward the end, it tapered off a little bit.” (The Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys were also hot after him.) Did you go to Bucs games going up?
“I went to one game with my dad. I grew up a big Eagles fan because my parents were from Philly.”
(Bucs coach Dirk Koetter attended one of Breida’s Georgia Southern games and came away very impressed, saying this week of him: “There are many running backs who are undrafted coming into the league and when they get opportunities, they make the most of it. Matt has certainly done that. He’s playing good foot- ball.”) What did you do during the bye to get ready for the Bucs?
“Treatment, treatment, treatment every day. I didn’t get away to do much. Just tried to rest up and heal my body.” How is your health (ankle and shoulder injuries have hindered him)?
“( The bye) definitely helped a lot. I still don’t feel 100 percent but each day I’m getting better.” Who kept you company during treatment?
“I was hanging with Jimmy (Garoppolo) and Jet (McKinnon). They’ve been here. They’ve been incredibly upbeat. Most guys would be in the tank not being able to play during the season. Those guys are going to meetings all the time. They’re very involved in whatever the team does. It’s crazy how upbeat those guys are.” Is McKinnon living vicariously through you?
“He definitely wants me to have a great season because he can’t play. I know he wishes he could be out there. I try to do whatever I can to make not only him proud but everyone else.”
(Coach Kyle Shanahan said: “Breida’s worked on everything. … All of our guys work hard, but in terms of taking it to a whole ’nother level, Breida and (tight end George) Kittle showed that the first day of OTAs. They were just pretty obsessive in everything they were doing.”) What would reaching the 1,000-yard mark mean?
“It’d mean a lot to me but also my teammates. My offensive line, for how well they’ve blocked this year, I don’t think those guys get enough credit. That’s a big reason why we’re having such success in the running game. And doing it for guys like Jimmy and Jet that can’t play this year. A 1,000 yards means more to them than me.” Have you envisioned pairing with McKinnon?
“Me and Jet always talk about being on the field at the same time together in some packages. I don’t want to spill too much. You guys will have to wait until next year and see what happens with that.”
(Shanahan on McKinnon-Breida packages: “I envisioned it this year, so that won’t change next year.”) How did you make that touchdown catch last game?
“The whole week of practice, I didn’t catch that ball. I was the last read on the play. By just catching the ball in the offseason and running routes, I put myself in position to be ready for that.” How many family and friends are coming to the game? “I couldn’t even tell you. Too much.”
Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (knee) and guard Joshua Garnett (thumb) did not practice for a second straight day Thursday. Linebacker Reuben Foster (hamstring) was limited and center Weston Richburg ( knee) resumed full participation.