Robert Saleh on NaVorro Bowman: “He has no deficiencies.”

49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman plays during practice

SANTA CLARA

Here’s the transcript of Robert Saleh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers P.R. department

 

How was DB Jimmie Ward’s first day back on the practice field?

“It was good. Get him out there working. It was good to see him. He moves around just like he was moving around just like he did in OTAs.”

 

What was his workload?

“It was individual. Going through, just getting lathered up and all that stuff. So, hopefully we get a little bit more work in today.”

 

How much could you kind of work with him just on the mental side of stuff? What kind of things were you doing with him during the time when he wasn’t able to practice?

“[Defensive backs coach] Coach [Jeff] Hafley was working with him individually to make sure that he was up to speed, from that regard. Jimmie, credit to him, he took it upon himself to make sure that he was putting in the extra work from a mental standpoint to get ready.”

 

What’s the hardest thing he has to learn before the season begins? What’s the hardest aspect of his job?

“Playing middle-third safety is a very instinctual position. You’ve got to be able to see it. To me, the hardest part is being able to track and tackle. Coming out of the middle hole, when the defense gets creased and it’s him and the back one on one. That’s the hardest tackle in football in my opinion. Those are the reps that he hasn’t gotten. Because, even when we’re not live every one of those reps are so important to those guys. To put themselves through that mental strain of every rep being a tackling rep. That, to me, is going to be the hardest part. To make sure that his angles, and his angles in pursuit are perfect. But, as far as the instinctual part, understanding offense and where he needs to be. I think he’ll be smooth in transition.”

 

You don’t expect to play him on Sunday night do you?

“We haven’t talked about that yet.”

 

ME: When do you expect to talk about it?

“Sometime this week when [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] is ready.”

 

You guys signed DL Sen’Derrick Marks, a three-technique. Is that where he’s going to be playing?

“Yeah, he’s a three. Just like the rest of the guys, he’s here to compete. You know, he’s had a good past. He’s a good football player. We’re just trying to work him into shape. He hasn’t been through OTAs, training camp and all that stuff. But, give him a chance to play these next two games and see what he’s got.”

 

Has NT Quinton Dial played that position at all in the offseason and training camp?

“He’s been swinging between three and nose. Q-Dial has done a very good job also. We have a good problem. We have a lot of good, quality depth on the defensive line. So, we’re just trying to sort it out to see which ones give us the best chance to win.”

 

What has it been about LB Eli Harold that has allowed him to be in the running for that starting SAM spot?

“Eli’s very athletic. I mean, they’re both built the same. If you’re looking at Eli and [LB] Ahmad [Brooks], they’re very athletic, they’re both very strong, they both love the game. So, it’s a good problem. You’ve got two very good football players. That thing’s not even close to done yet. But, having another person who can add value to that position has been a bonus. So for Eli, his athleticism, his violence, his love for the game, that’s all been an exciting part for him.”

 

How has LB NaVorro Bowman transitioned to this new scheme on defense? Are we going to see something that we haven’t seen out of him before?

“God, the guy gets like 150 tackles in his sleep. When you’re dealing with a guy like NaVorro, instinctually they find the ball, they make tackles, they get PBUs, it’s what they do. I think he’d be a fit for any scheme.”

 

What have you seen from DL Tank Carradine and what do you like about him? When we spoke with you last time you said he was a dominant edge setter. Aside from that, just talk about his pass rush? Can you see him playing inside as a three-technique?

“He might get some opportunities. I think he’s damn near an elite six-technique. To be able to create pocket push from an edge, I think that’s where his home is. There’s no shame in that, I think he’s pretty freaking good at it. That’s where Tank’s strength is. Will he get some inside rush? Yes. He had some success with it with Denver. But, as a six, dominating tight ends and being able to transition from run thought to pass on first and second down, I don’t know if you’ll find much better than that in the league.”

 

ME: Are you committed to playing Bowman on all three downs during the season or have you considered platooning him as more of a pass coverage specialist like LB Ray-Ray Armstrong on third downs?

“I don’t want to close out anything, in terms of even between Bowman and [LB Reuben] Foster. It doesn’t matter. We’re going to put on the best 11 players to give us a chance matchup-wise to make sure that we’re in a position to be successful on game day. So, if it means putting an extra DB, if it means putting in two extra DBs, if it means taking out a D-Lineman. Whatever it is we have to do to put ourselves in position to be successful, based on the matchups that we’re facing we’ll take care of it as a staff.”

 

ME: What have you seen from Bowman in coverage specifically so far?

“He’s been good. He has no deficiencies. Bowman’s looked really, really good. Both coverage-wise, he still has his range. He’s got good quicks in and out of his breaks. So, I’m really not worried about all that stuff. But, at the same time, you’re looking at a guy like all these tight ends that are around now. You’re looking at [Seattle Seahawks TE] Jimmy Graham, [Carolina Panthers TE] Greg Olsen, [New England Patriots TE Rob] Gronkowski, and there’s matchup problems. So, how you’re going to handle those matchup problems will always be a discussion. I do think they can easily cover them, between him and Foster. They can easily cover a tight end. You always have those discussions to make sure that you’re doing what’s best for the organization.”

 

Are you kind of just peeking ahead in a couple weeks when you guys face a back like Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey coming out the backfield, would that fall more on Reuben Foster to cover the back coming out?

“Haven’t thought about it.”

 

You’ve got in this upcoming game Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook. I assume that that gives you a nice warmup for things that you’re going to see during the regular season?

“For us, I know we’re going through the run through and all that stuff. The game plan stuff is still more about us than it is about the opponent. Dalvin is a good back. He does have some really cool traits that we’re going to have to deal with that are similar to some of the backs that we’ll see early in the season. So, from that regard, we have not game planned that part of it. But, to see how we match up in zone and man and all that stuff, it’ll be a good evaluation, a good test for us.”

 

Will the substitution patterns that you used during the first half of Sunday’s game be similar to the substitution patterns you use during the regular season? Is it going to be a dress rehearsal in that sense?

“It changes week to week.”

This article has 36 Comments

  1. So Grant did you Chuckle when he said Bo has been very good in coverage or he has thought of who is going to cover Christian McAffrey? It appears you did your homework and harder for the coaches to lie or not to let anything get out to the enemy. What a shell game you guys have to play. I understand why coaches keep things close to the vest but I appreciate the quality of questions you come up with especially when nobody is demeaning anybody! Hope you have a great weekend, will you be at this game?

    1. He can keep it close to the vest, but Bowman’s agility has been greatly compromised. Anybody that watches him play can see it for themselves….

  2. It doesn’t sound like Saleh is worried about Bow’s coverage unless it’s against elite TEs. Elite TEs are a matchup nightmare for most LBs.

    1. Or they’re just going to drop him into zone. Zone doesn’t require man-coverage agility. Just smarts and going down-hill to the receiver and meeting him at the same time as the ball.

      1. Agreed. Perhaps I should have expanded a bit. Bow may be able to cover lesser and average TEs in man. But as you said he could be used in zone at times. They could also send him on a blitz. If Saleh didn’t think Bow could cover at times, he wouldn’t start, he would only come in on obvious running plays. We already know that Armstrong replaces Bow in passing situations. Armstrong is a former S, so that makes sense whether it’s Bow or anybody else. Bow is far from being elite in coverage, but he is not a liability on every pass that is thrown his way.

    2. 80,
      I agree, Saleh made it pretty clear. As always, posters love to insert their own views and professional opinion.

    3. Elite TE’s are a nightmare for all LB’s, that’s why they try and get SS and CB on guys like Graham and Gronk.. But I bet Bowman could shut down Logan Paulsen. Lol..

  3. Tank is all of a sudden elite? Sounds like a salesman on Armslist trying to get rid of surplus from the armory. If he’s on the level, we should have one of the top defensive lines in the NFL….

    1. He was the best defensive lineman on the field last game. Was constantly getting pressure. I think he breaks out this year in the right system.

      1. Raw.. I think Balkee screwed the pooch in even drafting this guy. He went from a rush specialist DE to a bulked up tackle, holding guys up like Justin Smith. This man is a defensive end, not a DT. Balkee blew it with this guy. Hopefully his strength comes out in the new scheme.

          1. One of Baalke’ many shortcomings is attempting to change the positions of the players he drafted. Or to believe that obvious deficiencies could be corrected by coaching. and that injured players were always sure to return to pre-injury form.

    2. If you look at his career, despite playing at the wrong weight and wrong position, he’s been a productive pass-rusher given the paucity of his actual reps. But, in the end, the proof will be in the pudding.

      1. We have a saying in the Deep South that the last words you hear a redneck say is “hey ya’ll watch this!”

        This is the bemusement I feel watching your antics on the blog as you self immolate your intellect time and again with abandon. You constantly claim empty victories with a flag you wave only to yourself (talk about lost causes!). You are a sad little clown but you don’t know it and a bemusement to the rest of us.

        So yes, cheap entertainment,like a train wreck!

  4. There is a a lot of moving parts on this defense. It’s going to be interesting to see how Saleh uses all this different guys and who indeed is the best 11.

  5. I think having the problem of all them good quality defensive linemen , whether they are on the cusp of a break out year ,or the elite status is already there . Is great . Now hoping we don’t just cut them , there has to be a trade on the horizon .I hope to fill a team need , I’m sure each of us could come up with at least one area of concern , I personally am not happy with offensive line ,(ie guard) also I’m not buying on the cornerback spot either . Feel good about the lbs ,but still not happy there . Guess my question to all would be , what value / trade would justify . Think a couple of us have had this discussion before . But none of us come up with a name the fits the bill ,so to speak . Anyone got that figured out would love to hear your thoughts. That’s one thick defensive line . But what’s it’s value right now is ?

    1. I share your concerns about the OL and corners and have voiced this in previous posts 49s78. I’m most concerned about the DL being able to generate pressure on the QB and relieve the pressure on the DBs. As they say, everything starts up front!

      Same is true with the OL if a run game can be established then the play action will work and the QB, WR and everyone will look much better, not to say anything about a well rested D.

  6. Love Bo, but it looks like one deficiency might be remembering to put his mouthpiece in before the play starts. Other than that, he brings LOTS to the party, including much needed leadership.

  7. Niner defense will get their litmus test trying to stop Dalvin Cook. If they can hold him to 3-4 yards per carry, they may have improved greatly. If they allow 8 yards per run, they will need to make some hard choices on defense.
    .
    Glad they are emphasizing best 11 on the field. It may mean Ray Ray and Tartt in on third downs
    .
    I hope King Solomon proves he was a wise choice.
    .
    Niners need to win the turnover battle. Then they might get decent field position.

Comments are closed.