Sherman has the long game in mind
With no picks this year, DB wants to play 4 or 5 more seasons
SANTA CLARA » Richard Sherman might be in the first year of a three-year contract he signed with the 49ers in March. But the 30-year- old cornerback said Thursday he has no intention of calling it quits once his deal expires.
“I think I’ve got about four or five more (seasons) in me,” Sherman said. “At some point everybody makes the transition to safety if you’re smart enough to play that game. I’ll probably do that in a couple years, or whatever the team needs.”
Right now, the 49ers’ defense needs a few more interceptions, and this season may be the first one of Sherman’s NFL career where he doesn’t finish with at least one pick.
Sherman had an NFL-best 32 interceptions from 2011 to 2017. He had eight interceptions in 2012 and 2013, and had four in one season as recently as 2016.
But since the start of the 2017 season, Sherman has two picks in 19 games, with both coming off of Houston’s Deshaun Watson in Seattle in Oct. 2017 when the Seahawks hosted the Texans.
“It’s not something I think about,” Sherman said. “The ball will get where it gets.”
Certainly Sherman is used to seeing quarterbacks exploit the opposite side of the field. But does he feel he’s missed opportunities for an interception this year? “No, I haven’t had one,” he said. The 49ers were hoping Sherman would regain some of his old form in his return to his home state, especially considering their defense last season ranked 22nd
in points allowed and 24th in total yards.
It hasn’t quite turned out that way.
Going into Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium against the Denver Broncos, the 49ers are last in the NFL in takeaways (five) and interceptions (two). Their last interception was Oct. 28 when safety Jaquiski Tartt picked off quarterback Josh Rosen in what ended up as an 18-15 San Francisco loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Last week’s 43-16 loss to the Seahawks epitomized the team’s frustrations. Both Ahkello Witherspoon and Antone Exum Jr. frittered away opportunities to pick off Russell Wilson. The week before, Fred Warner had a chance to nab a Jameis Winston throw.
“Every game it seems like the ball is on the ground or we’re missing an opportunity,” 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Thursday. “They’re going to come in bunches. It’s baffling to me that we haven’t been able to get as many as we had and how many missed (opportunities) we’ve had.
“I’m not even talking about miraculous plays. I’m just talking about plays that I feel like are gimmies. We should be well in double digits in terms of takeaways.”
Sherman has seen the same thing.
“When you get your opportunities, guys have had balls in their hands and just dropped them,” Sherman said. “There have probably been four or five of those where it’s just been clean interceptions, but they hit the ground.”
Since last November, Sherman, who will turn 31 on March 30, has had two surgeries on both of his Achilles tendons. He’s missed two games this season, most recently the 49ers’ Oct. 21 game against the Los Angeles Rams when he was inactive with a calf injury.
Sherman, though, said his body feels as good now as it has all year.
Maybe with his body back to normal, his statistics can return to a familiar place, as well.
” I knew year one (with the 49ers) would have its struggles, coming off the injury I came off of,” Sherman said. “But I also knew that I would be able to still play at a high level, I just didn’t know if I would be able to do it every week. But I feel good right now.”
• Receiver Pierre Garçon ( knee) did not practice Thursday, calling into question whether he’ll be able to play against Denver. Garçon, who has missed the last three extend games, was limited in practice Wednesday.
Also not practicing Thursday were running back Matt Brieda (ankle) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder). Both will not play Sunday.
Limited in practice Thursday were Exum (knee) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (achilles). Center Weston Richburg ( knee) and guard Laken Tomlinson ( hip) were both full participants after being limited the day before.