Lance ushering in new era, sounds ready to deal with it
SANTA CLARA >> Not even an opening week of organized team activities can be drama-free when it comes to the 49ers.
From Pro Bowler noshows to ever-intense scrutiny on their quarterbacks, the 49ers are not dull, nor is how they deal with the media's perceptions of them.
Here are some surprises from this week's start of organized team activities:
1. READY OR NOT, HERE TREY COMES >> Oh, you've heard national rumors (rather than local reporting) that Trey Lance is not ready to become the 49ers' starting quarterback?
Well, now hear how Lance copes with outside chatter, because it will be non-stop in good times and bad in the career ahead of him. “In the most respectful way possible — it doesn't change how I feel about you guys as people — but it's not my job to care what you guys say or anyone else on social media,” Lance said after Tuesday's practice.
Nice, cunning audible there, after a tight-lipped rookie year of politely deferring the mic to Jimmy Garoppolo.
“For me, I care about what the guys in the locker room think and what my coaching staff thinks. And at the end of that, that's my job,” Lance added. “You guys, unfortunately, aren't the ones that are making decisions for me or really have any effect on me in, again, the most respectful way possible.”
New position coach Brian Griese, a former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst, was glad to hear how Lance handled that, not that Griese instructed him what to say. “I told him what not to say,” Griese said laughing. “Because I said it when I was his age. I was horrible with the media, and it was not the way to go, so I had to learn that.”
Griese's thoughts on Lance: “I'm excited that he comes to work every day and he's humble and wants to get better. I view it the same way. I come with humility and we're going to get better together.”
2. PLAYERS VS. MEDIA? >> Defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw strayed from a positive offseason and got so fed up with others' criticism he confronted a reporter, Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn, on the practice field Tuesday. Kinlaw later unleashed a verbal tirade at Cohn in a live-stream broadcast. The two met up before Wednesday's media access and exchanged apologies, Cohn said.
Still, several players called out the motives and duties of the media. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but continuing to go after a player habitually seems like someone who's goal isn't to report or write a story,” Kittle posted on Instagram, adding that, “I thought players and reporters were supposed to work together.”
It's not the first nor the last athlete-reporter feud in 49ers' history, so what can be learned from it? Still true: the media should not be the story. Reporters are there to sleuth for news, relay information and, for some, offer compelling opinions and analysis, while being fair, respectful and professional. Players are subject to criticism, because “it's football and it kind of comes with the territory,” Kittle said in his press conference.
The 49ers' locker room has been closed to reporters since after the 2019 season. Thus, most interaction has been via video conferences and social media. Health protocols should allow for the locker room to re-open after training camp, thus renewing face-to-face interactions, leading to better insight and improved communication.
3. HOW DETACHED IS GAROPPOLO? >> Jimmy Garoppolo's return seems even more remote, and not just because Kyle Shanahan reiterated Tuesday that the 49ers plan to trade Garoppolo “at some time.” New quarterbacks coach Griese said he's had no contact with the incumbent (outgoing) starter since being hired in March.
How is Garoppolo doing? “No idea. Still no text back,” Kittle answered. “He got me an iphone, then never called me back on it.” Kittle was Garoppolo's most loyal supporter the past five seasons, and a running joke was about Garoppolo's unresponsive text messages. When's the last time they talked? “I don't know, when did we clear out our lockers after the season?” said Kittle, shrugging his shoulders in helpless fashion. “It's just Jimmy G. He does his own thing in the offseason.”
4. GOAL FOR 2022 BOSA >> Defensive end Nick Bosa had a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in his first season back from ACL reconstruction. While Bosa works out this offseason in his native Florida, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek harbors no concern Bosa isn't working hard to improve. On what, exactly?
“Small things,” Kocurek said. “When you're a rookie and have that blank slate, you take really big jumps. Then when you have a player the caliber of Nick, it's the small, minute details within your craft, just continue to work on pad level, inside hand placement, leverage, perfection with his hands, his feet. Can I take a millisecond off a rush and turn a hit into a sack, or a sack into a strip for a gamechanging type play.”