No special vibe for Sherman this week
Former Seahawks star not bearing birthday gifts for QB Wilson
SANTA CLARA » You just knew cornerback Richard Sherman could find a way to spice up Sunday’s return to Seattle, his home the previous seven seasons before defecting to the 49ers this year.
First off, Sherman didn’t berate Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson the way he famously did former 49ers Michael Crabtree and Colin Kaepernick five years ago. But Sherman sure wasn’t offering praise Thursday about Wilson’s play-making ability.
Reporter: “You’ve seen through the years what Russell Wilson is capable of doing.“
Sherman: “Yeah, I’ve also seen him throw five picks in a game. So you’ve seen what he’s capable of on both sides of it. You understand that he can be defended, so you go out there and give your team your best shot.”
That was the most inflammatory of Sherman’s top quotes Wednesday (more below), and the five-interception flop he referred to was a December 2016 loss at Green Bay.
Just before this season began, a Sports Illustrated story brought up that game and how Sherman wanted to confront Wilson about his inferior play, also calling into
question the quarterback’s preferential treatment by the Seahawks brass.
“Everything I’ve had to say about him and that whole situation, I’ve already said,” Sherman added Wednesday. “It was a good time for the team, a good time for the organization. They didn’t handle some things I felt like they should have, and other guys felt like they should have.”
An ESPN report last year stated that Sherman yelled an expletive at Wilson during a practice. To summarize, Sherman surely would like his first interception as a 49er on Sunday to come at Wilson’s expense.
“I don’t really have a relationship with Russell,” Sherman said. “We were teammates and played during a very special time for the franchise.”
Wilson has won all 11 meetings against the 49ers aside from his first two visits to Candlestick Park, and that includes seven games at CenturyLink Field where he has produced 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions in those wins.
Wilson celebrated his 30th birthday Thursday, spending part of it praising Sherman to the Seattle media: “I have tons of respect for Sherm and how he plays. He’s going to be a Hall of Fame corner and meant so much to our team when he was here with how many plays he made.”
Here are Sherman’s other soundbites from Wednesday:
On if he’s surprised the Seahawks are in playoff contention despite their roster turnover: “Not really. They’re 6-5. It’s not like they’re 8-1 or 12-1. If they were that, I’d be very sur- prised. But they’re kind of middle of the road. They’re fighting in every game. They’ve won some close ones, lost some close ones. I’d expect that.”
On why he didn’t like Seattle releasing him this offseason: “You just expect after you’ve done so much for a franchise that they wouldn’t cut you when you’re hurt. It’s kind of a respect thing more than anything. But they did so you have to roll with the business.”
On allowing 113 yards in coverage last Sunday in Tampa: “With the quarterback moving around and creating backyard football, it is what it is at that point. You can only cover so many routes for so long. When a quarterback is playing backyard football, you’re going to give up some completions … Most of the plays we were all over it, we broke before the receiver did, then the receiver goes somewhere else once the quarterback scrambles.”
On a future relationship with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll: “I’m sure we’ll have some relationships at some point and talk. Pete was a good man, good coach and did everything he can for that franchise. I don’t have any ill will towards him at all.”
On the 49ers- Seahawks rivalry: “There was a lot more teeth to the rivalry during those middle years, for a number of reasons because there were several storylines. But since then, coaching changes have happened here, personnel changes have happened elsewhere and the Rams have become incredible in the division.”
On if his best home-field memory at Seattle was his tip to Malcolm Smith for a game- clinching interception in the NFC Championship game win over the 49ers five years ago: “I don’t know. I’ve had some pretty good ones in that stadium. But that was a big one for the franchise. We had some games where we came back from crazy deficits, playing through injuries. When we beat Tom (Brady) the first time when nobody knew who we were, that was pretty good. But that play, it was good, you just stay on top, wait for your (opportunity).”
On if he left Seattle feeling more could be accomplished: “One hundred percent. Once it’s all said and done and everybody is done playing, people will be more disappointed with what could have been with such a talented group of players.”
On if NFL defenses can dominate the way the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom did: “I don’t think the league really wants that or cares to have that kind of thing again. They care more for offensive football, so that’s what they’ll get. To have a special defensive group to play that well for that long, I think it will be very difficult to do, because of the style you have to play and the rules in which you have to play it.
“Most of those hits Kam (Chancellor) enforced, most of those hits we did would get you kicked out of the game now, which is crazy. It’s going to be harder and harder for guys to get into the Hall of Fame on defense.”
• Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin remains excused for a personal matter but did meet with team officials Thursday.
• The starting offensive line returned to full strength after center Weston Richburg and left tackle Joe Staley took Wednesday off to help their knee issues.
• Wide receiver Pierrre Garçon ( knee) remained limited.