Plenty of candidates to fill team leadership positions
Absence of former captains Staley, Buckner shouldn’t hurt veteran Niners
Strong voices remain inside the 49ers locker room. Some will get stronger.
“We’re all going to have an opportunity to step up and fill the shoes that Joe left behind,” tight end George Kittle said this week. “There’s not any one person that can do it, but we have a great group of guys that can come together to fill that role.”
Contrary to recent speculation, the 49ers still have leaders, and more will emerge this season. They just won’t be former captains Joe Staley and Deforest Buckner, all due respect to those model pros, with Staley now in retirement and Buckner part of the Indianapolis Colts’ generous payroll.
Kittle is one of three captains returning from last season. Cor
nerback Richard Sherman and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are the others.
The best leaders set the tone on the field, in the meeting rooms, and, for now, when they’re off mute on video conferences in the virtual offseason program.
When the 49ers rebuilt themselves from a 2-14 laughingstock to an NFC champion, they made sure one player alone was not responsible for leading them. It took a village, and inside each position group’s hut was a veteran’s guidance.
It also helps to have is a stable, harmonious hierarchy in coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
This is not a young, inexperienced team on the rise. This is a Super Bowl-caliber roster in which each player must hold each other accountable.
Mimicking Steve Mariucci’s method 20 years ago to have a “dirty dozen” leadership group, here are candidates with leadership traits, starting with the incumbent captains:
1. QUARTERBACK JIMMY GAROPPOLO >> He’s had an especially quiet offseason, aside from speculation whether he’d be replaced by Tom Brady. The quarterback, by definition, must be a team leader, and Garoppolo served as a captain last season for the first time since his Eastern Illinois days. Garoppolo’s calm demeanor will need to alter some for Revenge Tour 2020. He’ll be as fired up as anyone to make amends for the Super Bowl loss.
2. CORNERBACK RICHARD SHERMAN >> Two years removed from his Seattle Seahawks tenure, Sherman has been the locker room’s strongest advocate when it comes to player rights and the NFL’S beguiling rulebook. He is signed only through this coming season. The 49ers know how to get a hold of his agent – he represents himself.
3. TIGHT END GEORGE KITTLE
>> He’s been a captain since returning from his 2017 rookie year, bringing reliable intensity and entertainment on and off the field. He also made a heartfelt video in the wake of Staley’s retirement announcement Sunday. Reflecting Tuesday on Staley’s leadership script, Kittle said: “Joe did a great job talking and inspiring guys. He’s going to improve our team for multiple years to come even though he’s retired.”
4. LINEBACKER FRED WARNER >> He is the defense’s leading tackler and its circuit board, connecting all the different elements with the proper instructions. His primal scream to start each practice last year was just one example how he’s more comfortable in a vocal role.
5. RIGHT TACKLE MIKE MCGLINCHEY >> Staley groomed him, but Mcglinchey already looked comfortable and capable of a leadership role from the day he arrived as the 49ers’ top draft pick in 2018. As an example of what he learned from Staley, Mcglinchey said: “He knows his teammates and where to push buttons, and where not to push buttons.”
6. DEFENSIVE END NICK BOSA >> Staley prided his leadership style on simply doing his job, and perhaps no 49er is better at his job than Bosa, the reigning NFL defensive rookie of the year. He is a media magnet, and while he doesn’t seek out the paparazzi, he’s come through with blunt responses and timely humor.
7. FULLBACK KYLE JUSZCZYK >> This Harvard-educated, four-time Pro Bowler leads the way for the NFC’S most potent rushing attack, and his veteran standing commands respect throughout the team. While running back Raheem Mostert most benefits from Juszczyk’s blocking, Mostert is also blossoming as a team leader.
8. SAFETIES JAQUISKI TARTT AND JIMMIE WARD >> It’s hard to separate this tandem that’s been together since high school in Mobile, Ala. Ward is the longest-tenured 49er as he returns for Year 7 after recently re-signing on a three-year deal. Aside from his hardhitting ways and field awareness, Ward must now become more of a mentor. Tartt’s influence on the secondary showed when the 49ers missed his communication skills throughout their December games, which he sat out with a rib injury. He’s a low-key leader, which sometimes are the best.
9. LEFT TACKLE TRENT WILLIAMS >> Staley’s replacement at left tackle, Williams’ work ethic and force are sure to open eyes. His first four seasons in Washington were with Shanahan, so he knows what is demanded from the coaches, and his 10 years in the league will make him an apt enforcer.
“It is a new locker room but there are a lot of familiar faces. It won’t take any time getting comfortable,” Williams said. “I just want to come in, lead by example, be the guy working. Hopefully guys will work hard enough, take to it and believe in it.”
10. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ARIK ARMSTEAD >> Another quiet, lead-by-working leader. The 49ers chose to pay him, not Buckner, so Armstead will be tasked with helping fill that leadership void.
11. LINEBACKER KWON ALEXANDER >> He implores everyone to be “legendary.” No 49er can match Alexander’s energy and enthusiasm except perhaps Kendall Bourne, who also can emerge as a leader. Bosa called Alexander “probably the MVP of our team” as the linebacker returned from a pectoral tear for the playoffs. If Alexander is healthy and leading both on and off the field, the 49ers will get their money’s worth from a pricey investment.
12. KICKER ROBBIE GOULD >> He was a 2018 captain, and he finished last season strong, so don’t forget about the impact of this 16th-year veteran.