Early lesson molded Staley
Lineman started as a rookie, now begins 12th year
SANTA CLARA >> Joe Staley used to be so naive.
As a rookie, he witnessed a fellow 49ers offensive lineman get injured, then cut from the team. That’s when a stunned Staley launched a profane tirade against the injustice of it all.
“I got really worked up,’’ Staley, now 34, recalled as he prepared for Sunday’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. “I said, ‘This is (bull)! A guy gets injured and you get rid of him like that?’ “
George Warhop, the 49ers’ offensive line coach at the time, had no patience for the youngster. “Joe, this is a business!” he shot back. And then Warhop hit Staley with a bit of old-school advice: “Go do everything you can to make sure you’re not one of those guys.”
That season Staley became the 49ers’ first rookie offensive lineman to start every single game since 1968. And 158 games and a whole lot of wisdom later, Staley is still here. He also has learned how to cope with the comings and goings of just about everyone else on the offensive line. “I think that there’s been more than 100 dudes that I’ve said goodbye to,’’ he said.
Instead, Staley focuses on the joy of saying hello. For example, he has all but adopted tackle Mike McGlinchey, the first-round
pick from Notre Dame, as his little brother. They recently sang a Backstreet Boys song together at a 49ers fundraiser, which is about as close as two football players can get. “He’s a good dude,’’ Staley said. “We have the same kind of personality, so we get along really well.”
Staley also embraces the opponents who keep offering him fresh challenges. He opens his 12th NFL season on Sunday against Vikings menace Everson Griffen, who is coming off a career-best 13 sacks for the NFL’s top defense. In two previous games against the 49ers, both Staley starts, Griffen managed only a half-sack.
But it wasn’t easy. “He’s got a crazy amount of moves,’’ Staley said.
At 6-foot-3, 273-pounds and fast, Griffen has long been one of the league’s most underrated players. His 43.5 sacks since 2014 rank fourth during that span, trailing only Von Miller (48.5), Ryan Kerrigan (47.0) and Chandler Jones (46.5).
“He’s just finally starting to get the recognition that he’s deserved his whole career,’’
Staley said. “I have a ton of respect for him as a player. He plays nonstop every single play. He doesn’t take plays off. He plays the pass, the run, and he’s going to give it his best.”
Griffen is just part of a dominating defense that allowed just 83.6 rushing yards per game last season, second only to the Philadelphia Eagles (79.2). That’s part of why Staley has worked so closely with McGlinchey, getting the rookie right tackle ready for a daunting first task.
“It’s cool to have that young guy who is excited to learn,’’ Staley said. “It’s just exciting to have a little bit of a mentorship with him and be in that kind of role.”
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, another relative newcomer, admires Staley’s knack for bringing people together. The offensive lineman has been the team’s Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award Representative for three consecutive seasons.
“He’s been awesome, in the locker room, on the field, all of that stuff,’’ Garoppolo said. “He’s a pleasure to work with. He’ll keep you level-headed and keep you humble for sure. He’ll keep you in check. But you need a guy like that.”
Running back Matt Breida is a fan, too: “He’s
amazing. I learned, too, that he’s a lot faster than he looks. It’s tough to catch up with him on those outside runs. He’s a great blocker who will be in the Hall of Fame someday.”
Staley’s closest friends on the line last season included Zane Beadles (cut in May) and Daniel Kilgore (traded to the Miami Dolphins).
But there was no tirade this time.
“I’ve learned it’s not going to end a friendship based off someone playing here or not,’’ Staley said. “The friendship keeps going. So you miss not going to work with them every day, but it’s part of the business.”
INJURY REPORT >> Linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) was listed as doubtful. “Doubtful is a small chance, so we’ll see on Sunday,’’ coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Brock Coyle seems the most likely choice to start in the WILL linebacker spot, but Shanahan said only that the 49ers have a number of choices.
• Reserve linebacker Dekoda Watson tweaked a hamstring during practice and was ruled out. He will not travel to Minnesota. Tackle Erik Magnuson (hamstring) is also listed as out.