Nothing meaningless about last 4 games
Shanahan evaluating players, coaches for jobs next season
SANTA CLARA >> Coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t hiding his ambition for the 49ers’ final four games.
Officially eliminated from the playoffs last Sunday — even though it seemed assured in Week 3 with Jimmy Garoppolo’s knee injury — the 49ers (210) must re-examine everything for 2019.
“Right now, I’m evaluating the heck out of our team, our coaching staff and we’ve got four games here that are extremely important,” Shanahan said. “There’s a lot of tough decisions that we’ve got to make at the end of this year.”
Rather than analyze how the 49ers can upset the Denver Broncos (6-6) — simply put: stop their running game, win the turnover battle — let’s take a unique look at a few players whose futures are up in the air:
Mulling Mullens
With 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, there are reality checks and then there is virtual reality. This being Silicon Valley, let’s start with the latter.
The 49ers, since 2015, offer virtual reality to help players review practice film and the game plan, and Mullens dabbles in that tool a couple times each week.
“It’s pretty interesting. You go in and you put the goggles on and kind of watch practice from the quarterback’s view compared to just sitting and watching on your typical projector and stuff,” Mullens said. “Different quarterbacks like it. Some do, some don’t. I feel like I’m kind of in the middle.”
It’s not as if Mullens, however, can call up Broncos footage and practice ducking under Von Miller’s sack moves. “That’s something you can’t simulate until game time,” Mullens quipped.
As for the reality check: Mullens has lost his past three starts after a glorious debut over the Raiders. He’ll compete with C.J. Beathard in the offseason to back up Jimmy Garoppolo, though all three could stick on the roster if neither backup is traded.
Asked if Mullens can be a fullfledged starter in this league, coach Kyle Shanahan replied: “I don’t know. Being a starter, he’s got command of the offense. The game’s not too big for him. But, I’m not going to go there yet.”
Mullens is coming off a 414yard outing (with a pick-six) in Sunday’s 43-16 loss at Seattle. His 1,147 yards are the second-most by a 49ers quarterback through 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 414yards in last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. UP NEXT
Broncos (6-6) at 49ers (2-10), today, 1:05 p.m., CBS
four starts, trailing only Garoppolo (1,250 yards, last December).
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said of Mullens’ starting potential: “I’m not sure about that. He’s played four games. It takes more than that to judge a quarterback. But he’s getting a chance to play. He’s got to go prove his worth.”
By the way, Joseph’s quarterback, Case Keenum, revived his career last season with the Minnesota Vikings’ playoff push. One of his training methods: reviewing over 2,500 practice plays through STRIVR’s virtual reality.
Season of giving
Pita Taumoepenu spent Tuesday packing up a shipping container with Christmas gifts for his native village of Pea in Tonga, about a two-week voyage in the South Pacific. The next day, the 49ers gave him his long-awaited present: a promotion from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster.
“The first things I loaded were cleats and gloves from college (Utah), but my mom and I also
bought toys and shoes, and some furniture, and flip flops,” said Taumoepenu, a 2017 sixth-round draft pick who played only special teams in two games as a rookie.
“Growing up in Tonga, my grandma said that being alive is making other people feel better,” Taumoepenu, 24, said. “This makes me feel good.”
What a great way for Taumoepenu (pronounced: “TAOmoy-PEH-new”) to spend his final practice-squad paycheck of $7,600 – and then some.
“Some years, I got Christmas presents, and some years I didn’t,” Taumoepenu said. “I want to make sure all the people in my village get Christmas presents. I know what it feels like not to get them.”
He didn’t start playing football until he moved to Utah in high school, having grown up playing rugby in Tonga. Taumoepenu was undersized and raw when he joined the 49ers last year. Now his 6-foot-1 frame is up to 250 pounds. Will his speed rush get to Keenum on Sunday?
Taumoepenu isn’t complaining he’s had to wait for his chance, the result of defensive linemen mostly avoiding injury. Dekoda Watson’s torn calf last game finally opened
a spot for Taumoepenu.
“He was always part of the first discussion: ‘Is it time? Is it time? Is it time?’” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “But, every week, our organization has had to deal with (other injuries), whether it’s offense, defense, special teams, with a different group.
“So, now it’s his turn. Hopefully, he takes advantage of it.”
Father and son
When Jeff Wilson Jr. debuted as the 49ers latest running back in this season’s injury-riddled cycle, Jeff Wilson Sr. was there in Tampa cheering on the son he weaned on football in the tiny, east Texas town of Elkhart.
After the younger Wilson produced 134 yards of offense last Sunday, he emotionally spoke about how this was the payoff from daily practices in the front yard with his father, himself a former Texas prep star.
“It was awesome, because I used to always hear people in the community talk about how my dad used to run the ball,” Jeff Wilson Jr. said this week. “Even at a young age, when I came out of the womb, I had a football.
“My life has always been centered SANTA CLARA >> Anthony John York, the son of the San Francisco 49ers owners and younger brother of team CEO Jed York, died Friday at the age of 35, according to a brief statement posted to the team’s website and social media Saturday.
“With deep sadness, we mourn the passing of our beloved son and brother, Tony. Although our hearts are quite heavy at this time, we have so many special memories shared with him to carry us forward,” according to the statement released Saturday. “Tony will forever be remembered as a bright, spirited entrepreneur with an unmatched passion to serve others who could brighten a room with his personality and sense of humor. Tony, we love you.”
Anthony York is the son of Denise DeBartolo York and John York, who own the football team. Jed York is three years older than his brother.
The statement did not give a cause of death.
Anthony York lived in Sausalito and founded a Bay Area company, Koda, which focused on preparing young people for their first jobs after college, according to the statement.
around that, and he’s always been a part of my life. It was like, ‘Football and my dad. Football and my dad.’ That’s the relationship we built and just had fun with it.”
When Jeff Wilson Jr. finished up his all-state high school career, he headed to North Texas State over offers from New Mexico, New Mexico State and Sam Houston. He had choices. When his father headed to college, he went to play at the University of Texas-Arlington, until the program was disbanded after 1985.
“After that, he decided to come back home, start working and take care of his family,” said Jeff Wilson Jr., the second youngest of seven siblings.
The 49ers are expected to start him today as Matt Breida (ankle) sits. Sixth-string entering camp, Wilson was last Sunday’s featured back, and he woke up the offense with an 11-yard run plowing over a Seahawks safety.
“You always have to pick and choose your battles,” Wilson said. “I’m not going in there and run down the middle at people’s head. There’s times to do it and times you don’t. I’m more of an aggressive runner.”