Pederson, Pham spat ‘crazy,’ Wilson says
Jeff Wilson became part of a national story last week that featured two professional baseball players, a roster move made in their high-stakes fantasy-football league last year, a slap and a suspension.
The San Francisco 49ers’ backup running back’s reaction to being a bit player in such a bizarre story?
“That was crazy, man,” Wilson said, smiling.
Wilson was clearly amused Wednesday when asked about the dispute between San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham, who was suspended three games after slapping Pederson in the outfield during batting practice. The source of the friction: Pham thought Pederson was cheating when Pederson kept Wilson on his fantasy-football roster when Wilson was on the 49ers’ injured-reserve list.
“I guess I was just excited to be in the conversation,” Wilson said, “and shout-out to Joc for having me on the team. And taking one for the team.”
Wilson initially wasn’t aware he was part of a story in which Pham told reporters he was a “big dog” and “high roller” in Las Vegas, and Pederson showed reporters parts of the text-message string from their fantasy league. Wilson said 49ers kicker Robbie Gould gave him the initial heads-up before his family members began calling him.
“I don’t really get too much into” fantasy football, Wilson said. “I just know that all we do on the field helps them win. So I just try to do my part and let them do theirs.”
Not yet: Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, 37, said he declined to have a second interview with the Vikings for their head-coach opening in January partly because he wanted to gain more experience. Ryans, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, began his coaching career in 2017 with the 49ers as a quality-control coach before becoming a firsttime coordinator last year.
Ryans said he had an “outstanding” experience with the Vikings, terming them a “great organization.”
“For me and my family and everybody involved, everything has to be the right fit for us,” Ryans said. “And I think for myself, I wanted another chance. Another season to develop more, become a better coach and better leader. So when I do become a head coach, I want it to be the right opportunity. Not just to be a head coach and say ‘Oh, I’m a head coach.’
“If I do it, I want to be very successful at it and I want to do it for a long time. For me, it’s not just about jumping at the first opportunity. Whatever opportunities we get presented in life, you want it to be the best for you.”
Not ever: Kris Kocurek is a well-regarded defensive line coach. And he intends to keep it that way.
Kocurek, 43, a former defensive lineman who has coached the position for each of his 14 seasons in the NFL, does not aspire to be a defensive coordinator.
“When I was younger, my first three or four years in the league, I took every single note I could possibly take on coverages and all this stuff,” Kocurek said. “And I’d be taking notes on coverages — and I was watching the D-line. Since I was in middle school, I’ve always put my hand on the ground. It’s something I have a passion for. It’s something I really don’t see changing.”
Kocurek’s career goals are relevant when it comes to potential in-house replacements for Ryans, who oversaw the NFL’s third-ranked defense last year. Ryans was promoted from inside linebackers coach when defensive coordinator Robert Saleh became the Jets’ head coach in January 2021.