San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and several others spoke with reporters after Saturday’s 30-9 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Here is what they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Opening comments:
“Injuries from the game: [LB] Tatum Bethune left with an ankle, he returned, [S Marques] Sigle had a knee, didn’t return, [RB Ameer] Abdullah left with ribs, and [DL] Robert Beal [Jr.] at the end there left with a groin. Go ahead.”
Obviously this game is what the young guys can do. What did you think about CB Chase Lucas? He had some pretty big plays in the first quarter.
“It was fun to watch Chase today. He flew around. We kept him a nickel the whole game. He’s kind of our Energizer Bunny. He was on practice squad all last year doing it, helping on offense and defense. He’s had a hell of a camp and thought he did a hell of a job today.”
Why didn’t CB Upton Stout play?
“His calf was tight. We were cautious with him.”
Did you get any update on DL Mykel Williams?
“Yeah, he hyperextended his knee. That will probably be a week or so.”
What about S Richie Grant? Why didn’t he play?
“Some issues with his knee. He’ll probably be about a week or so too.”
I know you want to go and watch film, but what are your early thoughts of QB Mac Jones?
“I thought Mac seemed like he performed well. I liked how he came out. It was a challenge, especially going against that defense. Had a bunch of guys out there too. I loved the first drive. The next one I think we went three-and-out, but I was happy with Mac today.”
You played the two rookie defensive tackles a lot in the first half. I know you have to look at the film, but what did you think from them initially?
“I felt pretty good with the defense in the first half. I thought we made a few mental mistakes, kept a couple drives going. I didn’t feel a lot out there, you know, with the pass rush and stuff, but I’ve got to get to the tape to really know for sure.”
Four turnovers. I know these are backups, but were you frustrated the offense didn’t seem to move the ball very much?
“Yeah, it was frustrating. I liked how we started out, but after that there wasn’t much to be excited about. We didn’t get many first downs. Four turnovers, the three picks, the fumble. I felt when we did make a play, whether the quarterback did, then the receiver was off. I felt we made too many mistakes and it was a frustrating two-and-a-half quarters.”
You never return punts live in practice or in a scrimmage with the Broncos. How much weight does WR Junior Bergen‘s 28-yard punt return carry? It looked like it was special teams, there was blocking on it too.
“He made a good cut and there was a guy down there and he made that guy miss and broke their contain. I thought it was a hell of a play. Those are his opportunities. Wish he got more in the game, but that was a hell of a play by him.”
Denver Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto had a series that he completely ruined. How do you feel about your backups at offensive tackle right now?
“I mean, he did ruin that whole series. One was on our tight end going across the formation. He just played pass all the way, so that wasn’t on a tackle, but it was three plays in a row. The next two plays, we went on the quick count and were lined up wrong. So, he was able to jump to the snap. So, I thought that was a little tough for [OL Spencer Burford] Spence. Then on the third down, we had a bust by a player who was supposed to be outside presence on him. Spence was expecting a chip, so he was just sitting there inside out, and there was no guy there. Bonitto is a hell of a player. We knew that would be a challenge. But I thought those three plays in a row were a little unfair to Spence.”
What did you think of WR Jordan Watkins‘ debut? I guess beyond the 50-yard catch?
“I thought he did some good things. I mean, especially that 50-yard catch. But he also had some plays where he struggled too. Getting that pick, he had a busted route on that, which that was a big one. So, making that big play on the first third down of the game in our third play is what allowed us to get that opening drive with a score. It was kind of a typical rookie game. There was some positive in it, but a lot of stuff that we can challenge him with when we watch the tape with him Monday.”
What have you seen from Marques Sigle and is that injury anything to be concerned about?
“I don’t think so. I don’t want to speak too soon, it looked more like just a knee bruise and stuff, but we’ll have to see. I thought he was one of the guys who flashed a lot tonight. He got a little bit late start on being injured in the offseason. I think it was a few days into camp where he really got going. But he’s had a hell of a week here and finished it off good today.”
DL Sebastian Valdez, the undrafted rookie defensive tackle, did he flash?
“Yeah, I’d say he flashed the most today. Just noticed him out there.”
Was it a bit of a surprise or did you guys think when he came in that there was something there?
“He’s been flashing a lot in practice. He’s been a problem in one-on-ones, and it looked like he played the run well today. When our O-Line coach talks about him in practice, that means he’s doing some stuff, and it was good to see it carry over to the game today.”
Where’d he come from? I mean, was there somebody in the draft process that you remember banging the table and talking about Valdez? Because he has been impressive.
“I don’t remember exactly. We ended up recruiting those guys hard after the Draft, but I know he was the guy that we targeted.”
DL Kalia Davis seemed to make some plays. Has he taken another step this offseason?
“Yeah, I think he has. I think Kalia, one, I thought he had a really good offseason last year and was having a good training camp and then got hurt at Tennessee pretty bad and it set him back a ways. But I think this offseason has been very similar. I think he’s had a real good training camp and I thought he had a good first half there too.”
With New England Patriots QB Joshua Dobbs and Tennessee Titans QB Brandon Allen competing last year and you didn’t really seem to know who you were going to pick until it came up to it. Do you feel more secure with Mac, a guy who’s got one style as opposed to two guys that have different styles, and you head into the season knowing what you’ve got?
“Yeah, I mean we’ll keep going through it, but I mean, I feel fortunate to have Mac. I think Mac’s a good quarterback. I think he’s done some really good things in this League. He’s had a hell of a camp with us, and I think he did a real good job today. It’s always hard when you’re having the two and the three compete, they’ve got to split those reps and that’s what we’ve been through here the last year. But we kind of have much more of an idea now who our one is, obviously, who our two is and we have our three and four competing now.”
Are you healthy enough for sure to have the joint practice?
“Yeah, we are, but I mean it’s definitely getting hard. We had 19 guys that didn’t dress today because of injuries and that’s not counting the PUP guys and things like that, or there’s about probably seven healthy guys that I sat. Hopefully we can get a bunch of guys back for Monday. I mean, it’s real important that we get two good practices in Monday and Tuesday. So hopefully we’re in a better spot Thursday when we go against the Raiders.”
On that first interception, was that, was there some sort of miscommunication with Watkins or was it just?
“Yeah, he just got confused on the route.”
Do you still expect CB Renardo Green and WR Jacob Cowing back next week?
“I hope so. It depends on how their workout goes tomorrow. We were hoping, we were planning on getting them back this week. Hope it’s sooner than later because I don’t want their first practice to be against another team, so we’ll see how it goes.”
Was the plan for Mac to just play those three drives or were you kind of just letting him play it out?
“Our plan was 10 to 15 plays with him. He got eight on the first drive and three on the second, I don’t know what he got on the third. So, I think he finished right around 16 plays.”
What did you see from LB Nick Martin tonight?
“He ran around, got a lot of playing time. He had a couple misses, especially on a big third down on a shallow cross across the field, just got his eyes a little too nosy with the back. But, I like how Nick’s been going. But, I think there’s a lot of tape that he can get better from watching this today.”
I know I already asked you about WR Jauan Jennings and is this possibly related to business. You said ask Jauan. I don’t think we’ve had the chance and I don’t know if we will today. Has he told you that there’s anything to do with business with him not practicing?
“No, not at all. And this actually is why Jauan missed OTAs, because of his calf. It’s the same injury he had last year during training camp, which made him miss a couple weeks during training camp last year. We didn’t get him until the end of training camp last year and it’s the same thing on the MRI and same thing he is going through, but hopefully we’ll get him back sooner than later.”
49ers QB Mac Jones
On the missed play with you and WR Jordan Watkins, was that due to chemistry with you and the receiver or the wrong route?
“I’ll have to watch it, but I know what I saw on the field was just the safety kind of went to the right. So, I had the one-on-one and me and him are, he’s a rookie, right? So, we’re working on our timing and everything. I thought he played well overall and made a great play on that down the field throw early in the game to kind of set the tempo of the game. But he’s doing a good job in practice. I feel like we’re connecting a lot in practice and we’ll just continue to grow. It was his first NFL game and I thought he did a good job.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he pretty much knows who the one is and who the two is but threes and fours are still questioning. How did you feel about being out there today? How did it feel to be out there? How’d you feel like you played?
“It felt pretty good just to get back playing football. I was talking to some of the guys, it’s just been a minute since everyone’s played football, a real game. And for me, I’m on a new team again and you just get more comfortable as time goes along. Definitely started off fast against their one defense, which is good. I felt like the guys answered the question there and we just have to, really me, have to just play better in those other two drives. And the good news is we get hopefully another chance next week to go out there and do it.”
It takes some quarterbacks a year to get real comfortable in the system, but you seem pretty comfortable. What would you attribute that to?
“Yeah, I think just focusing on my footwork and my reads and really just doing what I’m being coached to do and try to apply that. I’ve done a good job in practice and did a decent job tonight, but really just want to keep improving my footwork and my reads and my throws. And that’s going to take time no matter what offense you’re in. But we’ve been working hard at it and I’ve got a lot of room to grow. So, I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting better each day.”
The first time we talked to you, you talked about how different this was going to be in terms of the system and that you were looking forward to that. As it’s gone along, has it been more of a revelation every day like, ‘wow, this is a great system for me?’
“Yeah, I think every day you learn something new in the system and obviously you get the chance to go out there and play in the game and kind of just feel things out. It’s my first time taking real snaps in this offense. So, I’m looking forward to the growth that all of us will be able to do and definitely want to play better and put more points out there. And that’s all you can do is kind of just take it day-by-day and see how you can do better.”
What’s your process like? When will you watch this film again? Do you watch it with your teammates, with your coaches? Do you like to watch it alone?
“I definitely will peak it and put it to bed, but also learn from it and watch it with everybody, really, the coaches. If I see something that was wrong or whatever and I want to talk to somebody about it, receivers or whatever, then I’ll tell them whether that’s tomorrow or whenever. And that’s your job as the quarterback. You want them to do the same, like, ‘Hey, what were you seeing on this play? I was open’ or whatever. So, it’s all about open communication. Then obviously in the NFL, moving on quickly. We get a chance to have a joint practice again and obviously have a couple practices next week us against us and that’s where you can kind of make the adjustments and do better the next week.”
Do you talk to QB Brock Purdy in between series at all or is that just all with the quarterback coach and the coordinator?
“Yeah, I talked to Brock. Yeah, he was good. He was chewing on some sunflower seeds [laughter]. So, he was enjoying the game. He did a good job just before the game giving us our space and also just encouraging everybody and just being Brock, that’s just kind of a laid-back guy. That’s probably interesting for him to see other guys playing. And at the end of the day, I’m trying to learn from him every day. We talked about the interception and things like that and what I can do better out there. So, it’s a group effort.”
49ers DL Kalia Davis
How do you feel like training camp is going for you and carrying into this game?
“I feel like I’m having a good training camp. I’m still here, healthy, so that’s a big thing. I feel like there’s still some things I can get better at. I’m going to watch the film today and be hard on myself and get better.”
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said you took a step in the offseason last year and then again this season you’ve had some flashes in training camp. How did it feel to be out there today? What did you do in the offseason to take that step?
“I think the biggest thing for me was the experience I got last year. I played the most I have in the games last year. So just being in the games and getting that experience really helped me a lot. So I took the experience and I knew what I had to get better with this off season and I worked on it, that’s pretty much it.”
What was that experience like for you last year? Kyle just talked about that Tennessee game, in the preseason, where you were having such a good game and then that injury derailed you for a while. How did you get through that and what was that like going through that?
“It was unfortunate, but everything happens for a reason. I just feel like when you’re going into a season with an injury it’s going to take a few weeks to get back. Camp really hardens you, so you’re going to lose that hardness that you get from camp. It just took me a few weeks to get back to myself last year and I’m just happy that I can be out there competing this year with the guys.”
When you watch yourself on film where do you think the biggest improvement you’ve made is?
“I feel like just being out there, to be honest. Just being out there with the guys and competing and working on my explosiveness when I’m tired. I don’t know what, how many weeks we’re into camp, but my legs are dead. So just working on recovery and stuff like that.”
49ers CB Chase Lucas
How do you feel like you played today?
“I been telling everybody in this building, once I get an opportunity, I’m going to run with it. I feel like [Defensive Coordinator Robert] Saleh gave me that opportunity and I just feel like I just took advantage of it. I felt great out there though. Like I was telling the other reporter, I felt like it was college again. Like I was out there playing like a kid. I had a lot of fun tonight.”
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan specifically called you the Energizer bunny. Do you think that you have earned that nickname?
“I don’t think I’ve earned that yet because I know Kyle hears me talk, but at the end of the day, I am just being me. At the end of the day, if I have to get my teammates riled up, I’m going to do it. That’s just naturally who I am as a person. So if I have to take that nickname, I’ll take it.”
After this game, what’s something you’re looking forward to for the next few games going on?
“Just continue the success, I don’t even call it a success because we lost. I will just say just fix the little things. I feel like it was a decent game, but there were some things I still need to fix, so just have to keep getting better.”
What were the little things you think that you just spoke about?
“Really that fourth down, that fourth-and-five we were playing man coverage and he ran a slant on me and got the fourth down. It was a good ball, good catch, and he beat me opposite of my leverage. At the end of the day, I feel like I’m good enough to make those plays. So I think those are just the little things I need to start correcting a little bit more.”
49ers DL C.J. West
I saw you split a double team early against the run successfully. Is it different from college or is there a higher level of intricacy from the linemen at this level?
“For sure. At this level, offensive linemen are smarter, they’re faster, and they know different ways to bend the rules just a little to give themselves an advantage. On that play specifically, it was just me sticking to my technique, playing as hard as I possibly could, and understanding that as a rookie, you’re going to get humbled. Today was definitely humbling, going up against the starting offensive line and this other team. There’s a lot to learn in order to get better.”
Is it strange to play in a game where it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose?
“Honestly, I didn’t even think about that. Even though it’s the preseason, this matters to me. Every single snap matters because I want to prove that I can do this, and that I can be there for my teammates. So everything mattered to me. I wasn’t thinking about whether we won or lost or if it counted toward our record.”
What was your biggest takeaway tonight?
“Consistency, for sure. I have to be consistent in how violent I am with my strike. I need to keep working on that, watch the film, and see where I went wrong and what I did well. I’ll carry that into the next game and into our next practice against the Raiders.”
Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton
Opening Statement:
“Not even just the game, but going back to the practice that we had the other day, I thought we started out slow, both first units, and that was disappointing. There will be a handful of stuff we look at there. I think we were 0-4 on third down offensively and things began to pick up. I thought [QB] Jarrett [Stidham] did a good job. I thought defensively, we ended up with four takeaways and too many penalties for my liking. One of the things we talked about was coming off the importance of a four-day trip like this and getting in a lot of plays. There were a number of things that we’re going to have to improve upon, like missing some protections. There will also be a lot of positives. We’ll be evaluating players, getting a chance to have better tape, which will help make the decision process for us a little bit easier.”
You got RB RJ Harvey touches early. How much did you want to see of the rookie?
“We divided up how we’re going to play guys in phases. He’ll continue to work with the ones. RJ probably had more snaps than [RB J.K.] Dobbins and then next week, we’ll flip it up to seeing some of the other backs.”
In terms of the other backs, RB Blake Watson had his moments. Maybe you could summarize him and the others?
“I think we’re trying to build cases for all of them. In fairness to the process, we’re trying to keep giving them opportunities so that the decision can become a little bit easier. It’s difficult right now. We’ll look at all of the film.”
With the early slow start, when the ones know they’re going up against the number twos, do you think that’s natural?
“In this league, throughout the season, you’re going to go against a lot of faceless opponents. You’re going to have injuries. You better be ready to put your best stuff on tape. That’s a good question, but I don’t know if they felt like the other day they got the work in, but nonetheless, it was just average to below average.”
How would you evaluate your running backs’ performances?
“If I went through each of them, they have some strengths. They do different things. The running style of [RB] Audric [Estime] is a little bit more forward, a little heavier. [RB Tyler] Badie is someone who gives you some versatility and protection. I think Blake has a little bit of home run speed. It’s early still. The key for us, and I’m just talking about those three, is to make sure all of the guys are getting enough reps where it can help us in the end.”
Does WR Trent Sherfield Jr. have the ability to contribute in a number of different ways?
“When you can block like he can and play special teams, it was a heck of a catch. He’s had a good camp. He had a good week.”
What was your message to the team?
“There’s positives in that, but my messaging was also directed at the first unit defense and I don’t think we were able to do that. In talking to the team, I wanted to make sure that there were some things that stood out. You guys took it away four times. That’s a good thing. We had too many penalties. We’ve got to get that cleaned up. There was just some things that even before I even put the tape on that we have to be prepared to clean up and then some things that were part of winning a game.”
What’s the timeline of things you want to clean up?
“There’s some mistakes that are going to happen. But it’s the pre-snap, it’s the illegal man downfield. There’s a handful of these things that have to be cleaned up like, like tomorrow. I do think it’s important when we come to work tomorrow. It’s not just the players. This is the first road trip for us. I’ve got 14 things written down that I’m pissed off about that have nothing to do with the game. That’s part of the debrief, too. The willingness of the player, employee, all of us to accept and make those corrections are important.”
How do you think Jarrett Stidham stays sharp and is able to perform like this when he really hadn’t played since this time last year?
“If you’re watching practice, he’s playing a lot. If you’re really watching practice, you’re seeing him with some of these ones because the receivers are in and out. None of them have played. Stidy’s a rhythm player. He’s had countless snaps, in the OTAs and minicamp. I understand the question, but there’s so much that goes into their preparation, their drops, their mechanics, and the rhythm of each play. His experience is very evident when you watch them.”
When looking at QB Bo Nix, what did you see he was missing today?
“It’s not just him. The key is move the team, move the ball. We’ll look at that tape. There’ll be a play or two that I’m sure we can clean up. I don’t know how many snaps each of the QBs had, let’s say counting Thursday and then tonight. But I said to [San Francisco 49ers Head Coach] Kyle [Shanahan] afterwards, we got a lot of good work done in two days. That really gives us a lot of film to look at. The timeline and the sense of urgency I think is real important.”
Last year your team improved with two more wins than the previous season. Is your team better than last year?
“So, I’m going to pretend that wasn’t part of the question. The question was, is this team better than last year? I think this year’s team has a chance to be, but I think the biggest thing we always talk about, you’re not ever picking up where you left off, but I do think this year’s team has a chance to be better. We’ve added depth at certain positions we didn’t have a year ago. We were in the largest cap deficit dead money in the history of maybe all of sports, but certainly in the NFL with 90-some million. We’re not in that position this year, it’s two thirds of an operating budget, but this team’s going have to do that. Same amount of games, one game more, they’re going to write this chapter and we’re going to all be here for it. And our job’s to try to accomplish that, but we’re right at the beginning with a lot of work ahead of us.”
How do you evaluate the intentional grounding call? Is that any kind of teaching point?
“Yeah, I want to see it because I didn’t get a clean look on the sideline. So, when I see the film and then understand it, certainly, it would be.”
With WR Trent Sherfield Sr., there was a lot of talk about his special teams work, but did you have sort of a vision for him?
“Yeah, blocking, there was a vision, absolutely. There was a vision. He’s physical as a blocker and he can run. And there was a time in New Orleans when we had a variety of receiver combinations, but [former New Orleans Saints WR] Devery Henderson, [former New Orleans Saints WR] Robert Meacham were guys that could run and block. And so you can look at that and say, well, they’re going to run the ball when they’re in there. And then it came off of heavy play action, and there were a lot of shot plays. So, the vision for him was obviously receiver five, four core special team. He’s physical in the run game and he can run. So, there’s a lot you can do with that, if that makes sense. And, and I think when you get a free agent, you’re more into tune maybe with a draft pick, but there are some things maybe that he even surprises you with. And I think he’s had a good camp. He’s a very serious player, very focused player, intentional, would be a good word to describe how he approaches the game, and that role is clear then. There’s a lot you can do with that.
When does DL Matt Henningsen come back?
“He’ll be having surgery when we get back to Denver. And it did come back as an Achilles tear. So unfortunately I hate that for him. And that’ll put him out for the season.”
Broncos QB Bo Nix
You started slow. I was asking the coach there if it was a matter of the ones knowing they’re taking on twos. Is there a natural let up?
“No.”
What did you make of the outing overall, being back out in a game situation?
“I thought it was good. I thought our team competed really well. It was fun to see guys get out there and fly around. As the game went on, we just found ways to score points and our defense did a great job. No matter who was in there, they got stops and got turnovers, which is big and added some excitement to the game, some momentum for us offensively, and as a team. It was good to see us get out there, score points, put drives together, field goals, touchdowns, whatever it was. We just kind of made plays when we needed to make them, and overall, our defense just played really good.”
Do you evaluate your own performance in a game like this, like you would in week 12 or is it different in the preseason?
“Well, it’s a different evaluation, but I still evaluate pretty tough. Obviously, there’s some things you can’t quite control for a preseason game. There’s a lot you don’t really know going into it, but my favorite part with the preseason is just reacting to what you get. Sometimes in the game you have to react because it’s not something you prepare for. That’s how you can treat a preseason. Just get out there and see things, react how you would on a play, and just take the ball where your eyes lead you. Like I said, it’s not always going to be planned and you’re not always going to be prepared for a look, so that’s what preseason gives you a lot of.”
What happened on the intentional grounding play?
“I just threw it away. I didn’t get the ball to the line of scrimmage.”
Did you see the pressure you get?
“Yeah, it’s something we have to look at with the pressure, but overall, when I got out, I just didn’t quite look at the line of scrimmage to get the ball there.”
After the first two series were done, did you tell Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton, let’s give us one more or a third series?
“No, I just did what I was told.”
Denver Broncos RB RJ Harvey has done a lot of work early. What have you seen from him?
“Yeah, it’s fun to watch him go out there and compete. He’s young. He’s got a lot of ball left ahead of him. He’s got some juice. He can get out of the backfield and catch the ball. His routes are great. He runs the ball really well and he’s just going to learn and grow and continue to get better with the run schemes and all that kind of stuff. It’s hard as a newcomer that your first time really going live to see how everything develops. But it’s going to take time, and he’s just going to get better over time and each rep he gets, he’s going to get better at it. He’s going to see a lot more as he goes down the road and he’s just going to be able to add a lot of tools to his toolbox as we go. So I’m excited for him, excited for the whole running back room. I thought they did a really good job. They ran the ball tough, ran the ball physically, got some first downs, broke a lot of tackles, which is always good to see, and so that’s a good room right now.”
When you signed Denver Broncos WR Trent Sherfield Sr. in the spring, did you know a lot about him? What’s it been like getting to know him?
“He’s been a great surprise, a great addition for us as a whole. He adds an element of physicality and experience. We have a young receiver room, so he adds that element that he has been there, done that, seen a lot of football. He made an incredible play today, actually several plays today and then finished it off with the touchdown. So he’s just steady eddy. He goes over there and does what he’s supposed to do, and he makes the catch. He makes it look easy and that’s what is going to be good because he’s going to be a physical guy. He can go in there and block, and he is also going to make plays catching the ball. That’s obviously what you want as a receiver. You want to see the guy go out there and make catches and he’s done a really good job of that.”
How do you find a way to respond and evaluate the Niners practice? How much do you relish going back to play and looking forward to that?
“Each time you get to put on the pads, each time you get to go against the defense, every day really, you get to go out and practice or play, it’s the time for you to evaluate. You see what you did well, see what you didn’t do well, and just try to get better from it. The good thing about football is every one of those plays were different. Today, you saw a different outcome and so you can talk about it and add that to your football knowledge, and move on and go from there. And this season will be really fun because you get to actually go a week long on an opponent and actually get to prepare for them before you go into a game. And today it is kind of like a change up of practice. You get to see different looks and it’s kind of fun because you can’t really prepare for what you’re going to get, so it’s kind of just surprises. It was good from that standpoint, but obviously, when we go back and look at everything, we’ll be able to nitpick it and find some things to get better at.”
Denver Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham and you are pretty close. What was it like to go out there and watch him and play the way he did?
“I thought it was awesome. I felt like he did a great job of taking what the defense gave him but also being very aggressive. He made some plays with his feet, which isn’t common from him, but I thought he did a really good job. He’s training really well right now. You can tell the difference in the athleticism that he has and he’s capable of using. I think this is as healthy as he’s been. I think it’s as good as he’s looked. And I’m excited for him to continue to train that way and play that way because I know he’s got a lot that he can show. It’s fun to see him and [Denver Broncos QB] Sam [Ehlinger] get out there and play like they do, just taking care of the football, making good decisions, being smart. I’m learning stuff when they’re on the field to take for me. So, it’s cool to be able to be close with those guys and be able to translate some of our games together.”
Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham
How has it been for you kind of recalibrating things and coming back but being the number two?
“No, it’s been great [Denver Broncos QB] Bo Nix and I obviously have an incredible relationship. I mean, he’s one of my closest friends and being able to be with him and help him out as much as I possibly can. That’s what I’m here to do. Not only him, but the rest of the guys on offense. And this is a lot of us.This is our third year in this system together. We’re just trying to keep pushing guys to be better and keep pushing him to continue to excel and lead the team.”
What can you do in this scheme that you couldn’t do 12 months ago?
“I think there’s a lot. There’s not as much thinking pre-snap and that sort of thing. It’s more, knowing what we’re doing now. Let’s attack the defense in certain things. It’s knowing what we can do on offense to help ourselves make good plays and score some points.”
What’d you think of your numbers? I mean, 14 of 15? 136/140 passer rating, in any game preseason or regular season that’s pretty darn good.
“Like I said earlier, I think it was good that we were able to move the ball and put some points on the board. But, you know, the guys around me played great. The line played incredibly well and the backs ran the ball super well. That obviously helps the pass game.The receivers were running a lot of good routes and catching the football. So it was a team effort and like I said earlier, we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit with some of the penalties, but we’ll get that cleaned up and get ready to go next week.”
Broncos S Talanoa Hufanga
What does the timeline look like next week? Head Coach Sean Peyton was talking about the sense of urgency to fix and get better.
“We talked about a good way to see it, is coming back and decreasing it. We have to go through the whole layers as to what is the right calls at the right times. It is exciting for me to learn what their process is and be a part of it.”
What did it feel like getting out there with a lot of guys that you will see the field with in Week 1 live tackling?
“It was good to get out the jitters, fly around and make some plays with them.”
Last time the Broncos were 12-5, they won Super Bowl 50 in this building. That is just two more games than you won last year. Do you think about returning to this building for the last game of the year?
“I think that is the goal for everybody. That is our goal. Every team’s goal is to win the Super Bowl. What we have to focus on is our next week. Our next week is playing Arizona.”
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Monday’s practice—the team’s first of the week as it prepares for Saturday’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos.
Shanahan offered several key injury updates, including news that second-year…
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters following Saturday’s 30-9 preseason-opening loss to the Denver Broncos, providing key injury updates on several players.
In-game injury updates:
LB Tatum Bethune left with an ankle injury but later returned.
S…
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke to reporters on Thursday, after the team’s 12th practice of training camp—a joint session with the Denver Broncos. Here is everything they had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco…
There’s one offensive player turning heads at San Francisco 49ers training camp—Ricky Pearsall. The second-year wide receiver opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to a lingering hamstring injury, but has since returned to practice and looks…