49ers RG Brandon Thomas: “Early on, everyone could tell I was playing straight-legged.”

SANTA CLARA – Second-year guard Brandon Thomas spoke in the 49ers’ auditorium Tuesday afternoon. Here are selected quotes.

Q: How did it feel to play football after not playing for a year?

THOMAS: It felt really good. It’s been a long time coming. I was excited to get back out there and show what I could actually do. It just felt good. The first hit kind of took me into the game, and then I was like, “OK, I can do this.”

Q: You played on the left side in college. Now you’re playing right guard mostly. What has the progression been like?

THOMAS: It’s basically the same thing, just opposite techniques – that’s how you have to look at it. Playing offensive line, you’ve got to know both sides, every position. That’s how you have to look at it. You have to know all of the techniques.

Q: How do you feel physically?

THOMAS: I feel good. I feel real good.

Q: Did you feel that way through the offseason program and the early part of training camp? Could you tell that it wasn’t all there and it was going to take a while to get back into shape?

THOMAS: All summer I worked with the strength staff. We knew it was going to be a process. Early on, everyone could tell I was playing straight-legged. I needed to work on changing direction. But as time moved on I felt like I got better. It’s still a long way to go, but I feel like I’ve gotten better in the process. You have to understand the process, and I think we all understand it.

Q: What there a point in camp where you felt like this is working, this is coming back?

THOMAS: In OTAs I felt like it was coming back. It was just going to take some time.

Q: You played straight-legged because your legs were underdeveloped from having dealt with the knee injury, or you were subconsciously trying to protect your knee?

THOMAS: I’m not sure what it was. I just know it was probably a comfort thing – getting back in the stance, staying in the stance the whole time, bending at the waist and playing that low again.

Q: You talked about the process, but at this point in your mind do you feel you’re competing for a starting job?

THOMAS: I feel like everybody is competing for a starting job. This is the NFL. It’s training camp. Everybody wants to play. Everybody wants to make the 53.

Q: Was there one play Saturday night you’re particularly proud of?

THOMAS: I can’t recall one play, but I know a couple plays I was proud of, a couple pass sets I was happy with. I saw the game they were bringing and I was pretty proud of it. A couple run plays that we had, the combination blocks looked pretty good.

Q: There was one where the linebacker was coming up the middle and you redirected him in the interior. Do you remember that?

THOMAS: I do remember that play. The linebacker was coming in the A-gap, it was a five-man rotation and I redirected him across the line.

Q: Was that intentional to get that lane open? Did you know where the runner was going?

THOMAS: I was keying the guy the whole time. That’s just part of our blocking scheme.

Q: Have you done much work at tackle this offseason.

THOMAS: It’s been primarily guard, but if they want me to play tackle I could.

This article has 13 Comments

  1. He’s starting to get his swagger back but, “I was keying the guy the whole time. That’s just part of our blocking scheme”, might be construed as too much information perhaps….

    1. I understand that as well. But when kaep talks like he does, he’s supposedly being a tool, or arrogant???? Well we can’t have it both ways. I’m in favor of never telling the media any game planish schemes or situations. If that would make meca toll, well tool it is

  2. Jerome Simpson suspended six games for violating substance abuse policy.

    I guess that clarifies the #3WR situation (a little).

    1. I jumped the gun. Baalke says he knew it was probable he would be suspended for a previous violation.

      Do suspended players count as part of the 53?

      1. Maiocco – “Simpson will not count against the 49ers’ 53-man roster at the start of the regular season. He will go on the reserve/suspended list.”
        http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/49ers-wr-simpson-suspended-six-games

        The fact that he can return Oct. 19 makes me think the suspension is actually a good thing. It solves an immediate roster math issue. If a WR gets hurt, Simpson can be activated.

        [Apologies for the multiple posts]

        1. That could happen but it’s also around the time that smelter could be activated and to be honest I’d rather see what a rookie with number 1 potential looks like than a guy that is no better than a middle of the road receiver that is one mistake away from losing football for at least another year

    2. I’m liking the WR group comprising Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, DeAndrew White.

      1. Could get interesting after week 6 though, with Simpson coming off suspension and I imagine Smelter potentially coming off PUP (assuming they put him on PUP).

        1. Odds are someone micht be injured by then. It gives them time to see what Patton/Ellington/White actually bring to the table. I agree with Brodie that this is a good thing. Now there is less chance of having to release a potentially productive player.

    1. That’s my hope.

      LT Staley, LG Boone, C Martin, RG Thomas, RT Pears … is a nice array of athletic ability. I can’t say yet if the center-right side will be productive, but Martin and Thomas is a good start when it comes to athleticism.

      Before A.D.’s retirement I was hoping for
      LT Staley, LG Thomas, C Martin, RG Boone, RT Davis

      Shortly after A.D.’s retirement I thought it would be
      LT Staley, LG Thomas, C Kilgore, RG Martin, RT Boone

      But this is the NFL. Tomsula’s making them earn their spots.

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