Lance ushering in new era, ready to handle 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 ½ 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.”
5. ADAPTING TO NEW RECEIVERS COACH » Brandon Aiyuk “loves” Leonard Hankerson’s promotion to wide receivers coach (in replacing Wes Welker), and he said a lot of other receivers share that “real connection” with Hankerson. “I’m big on relationships. I connect with anyone,” said Hankerson, who played under Shanahan and his father at Washington a decade ago.
Only three receivers return from last season — Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel — so Hankerson must develop relationships in a hurry. He wouldn’t get into specifics on goals for Samuel if/ once the disgruntled receiver reports, instead saying: “We all have things we can work on and get better. … It’s about being the best we can be, regardless of the situation.”
6. ‘BIG MONEY CORNER’ » Wearing No. 35 and lining up at right cornerback is newcomer Charvarius Ward. “That’s a big-money corner,” wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said.
Ward’s proven a quick study as he adjusts from Kansas City’s press coverages to the 49ers’ system. “I love his length, his height, his movement skills,” secondary coach Cory Undlin said. “Kansas City, they played so much man, and now a lot of the stuff we do, you end up off (the line of scrimmage) … He’s learning how to line up off and not too deep. That’s a skill.”
Ward, at first glance, seems worthy as this offseason’s high-priced acquisition (three years, $40 million). He’s experienced, aggressive and what this defense needs. He’s also eager to learn; he went up to a referee at Tuesday’s practice to compare notes after a play.
7. STATE OF OTHER CORNERBACKS » The 49ers would love to have cornerback Jason Verrett back in the lineup. His comeback rom an ACL tear in last season’s opener likely will keep him out of team drills until camp. “The guy’s special,” Undlin said. “He’s been in every meeting, he’s doing his rehab, and I lean on him a lot. He’s played a lot of ball and his IQ is off the charts.”
The restocked cornerback unit’s other question is in replacing K’Waun Williams at nickel back. Rookie Samuel Womack and 2021 draft pick Deommodore Lenoir are being tested both in the slot and outside, while Darqueze Dennard is the current frontrunner. Undlin is relieved to have a much deeper unit than last year’s that started in a penalty-plagued “rut.”
8. JACKSON’S ‘SECOND BURST’ » In Dee Ford’s prime, his initial burst made him a pass-rushing phenom. Top draft pick Drake Jackson’s “second burst” is what wows defensive line coach Kocurek, as Jackson likely replaces Ford opposite Bosa.
“Once you beat the blocker, you have a second burst to the quarterback where the sacks show up,” Kocurek said. “The second burst just jumped off the tape. He has really long arms to elongate, with the second burst, that I can see becoming a really productive NFL pass rusher.”
Kocurek raved about the USC product’s “bend on the edge” and an ability to win one-on-one matchups plus “flatten out at the top of his rush.” Having edge-rushing help allows the 49ers to keep Arik Armstead at defensive tackle, where he moved last season and flourished in the playoffs.
9. THE DEEP END » When Danny Gray called for a device to massage his hamstring in warmups, it wasn’t necessarily an alarming health concern, because he remained in practice and ran well on multiple deep routes. It’s a reminder that his legs — and his teammates’ — better be ready for more down-field targets than ever under Shanahan.