Robert Saleh: “It can get stagnant playing your own offense over and over and over again.”

Posted By on August 21, 2019

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh directs players during a combined NFL training camp with the Denver Broncos Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, at the Broncos’ headquarters in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

SANTA CLARA — This is the transcript of Robert Saleh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers P.R. department.

 

Do you plan on playing LB Fred Warner and LB Kwon Alexander on Saturday?

“That’s the plan, to give them some game action.”

Did you pull them out in the last game?

“With Kwon, it’s always been the plan. With Fred, he’s taken a good amount of reps in the preseason, been practicing and all of that. Just taking care of them.”

It’s pretty impressive how fast Kwon’s come along in team drills over the last few weeks and not doing the offseason workouts. Is that surprising to you or is that exactly how it was planned to be?

“You know what, I give credit, one to him, with his work ethic, two to the performance staff and the plan that they’ve had for him, and everybody executing it. He’s come along well. He’s made great strides from his first day of practice until now, so I’m excited to get him out there and see what he does for his first game action.”

Do you just look to see in terms of what his range is and how far that’s come along?

“Yeah, that’s basically what I was getting on in the first day until the Denver week. The range, the speed, all of it, just his fluidity keeps getting better and better. Like I said, it’s no pressure for him to go and be great, an All-Pro in his first preseason action, it’s just go out there, get his game reps in and get back comfortable playing football.”

What is the curve going to be for DB Jimmie Ward when he gets back into the fold in team drills and in practice?

“For Jimmie, it’s no different than as if it was the first day of camp. So, he’s going to come in, he’s going to practice, he’s going to get his reps in and we’ll talk about the plan for him during the game during the week for game action, but just see where he’s at. But, I think mentally, he’ll be okay. He’s been in all the meetings, he’s been going through all of it, he’s been in individual, he’s been at all the walk-throughs, so it’ll be a quick adjustment for him.”

You guys have seen him play free safety before, but things are a little bit different now. How much do you need to see from him in order to make a determination about who’s going to be the starter at free safety?

“That’s a good question.”

Thanks.

“No, he’s just like everybody else, [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and [general manager] John [Lynch] and John’s staff did a great job putting together a really good roster in regards to depth and all that stuff. [DB Tarvarius] T-Moore has stepped up and done a great job and he’s earned the right to be part of the discussion. So, for Jimmie, he’s got to go show that he’s ready for action. Not saying that he needs to do it now, but over the next couple of weeks he just has to continue to accelerate the way we know that he will. We think very highly of Jimmie, so it’ll be good to see him out there over the next couple of weeks.”

What are you looking to see from this defense in terms of cohesion and how they’re coming together and their communication these last couple of weeks before the regular season starts?

“We always talk about there’s three things that we’re looking for when we look at tape. There’s effort, there’s technique and there’s violence, which is first and foremost, you’ve got control over all of them. And then from there, just the communication part of it, getting used to one another, talking to one another, constantly reminding each another, because it can get stagnant playing your own offense over and over and over again, especially ours where everything looks the same. You get lazy with regards to formation and indicator splits and all that stuff. Picking up that part over these last couple of weeks, going to Denver, having those practices, now being able to practice a little bit, showing a little bit of Kansas City, and then getting a chance with the Chargers. So, the communication part is the big thing. I think they’ve done a great job representing the style that we want with the speed, the effort, the violence and technique. The communication part, never, never stop that.”

What have you seen out of DL Kevin Givens?

“Undrafted rookie free agent. He’s been doing a nice job. He’s got a ways to go, but from where he’s come from, he’s been really good.”

S Jaquiski Tartt had a really good beginning of that game until he got a little shaken up. Can you talk about what you’ve seen out of him, growth-wise, in camp?

“So, Tartt had a nice first half. He showed well on man coverage on their first-round pick, did well in tackling, communicated well, showed good range, great patience in the run game to recognize some of those slide boots that they’ve got. So, he was in the right place and put himself in position to make good plays. So, he’s grown. For him, it’s just going to continue like he can be a great playmaker, he’s just got to go make them. For Tartt to continue again, same thing, get better with every single rep that he gets, whether it’s practice or game time. But, I thought he did a nice job.”

Is he practicing today?

“He is on a, I believe, a personal day.”

Do you expect DL Dee Ford to practice at all this week and what does he need to do to get back up to speed once he does practice?

“So, Dee Ford, just like the other guys that haven’t been able to go, there’s no rush for this, especially on a short week, the Monday night game on the road and then going again on the road Saturday. For Dee, it’s just again going and checking in with the performance staff, see where he’s at. If he’s able to, great. If not, there’s no pressing need. Again, it’s up to the performance staff and how that goes.”

Are you confident that the time that he has been on the field back in the spring and the little that he got here he’s picked everything up and he can plug back in when he’s back?

“Yeah, for sure. Dee Ford’s position here is less mentally taxing than what it was with the Chiefs.”

Go get the quarterback?

“Yeah, that’s right.”

With CB K’Waun Williams being injured, is there any thought to giving Jimmie Ward some time in the slot?

“You know what, that’s something you can talk about for sure, but nothing that’s come up yet.”

How do you view the slot position? I guess for starters, do you think K’Waun will be available Week 1 and regardless, how do you view that slot position?

“Well, it’s a very important position. Back in the day, teams were 70-percent base, the SAM linebacker was the important one. Now they’re 70-percent nickel, so that nickel is basically taking over that SAM spot. So, it’s very important. With K’Waun, there’s hope. We’ll see what happens. [CB Emmanuel] Moseley’s done a nice job stepping up in that spot also. [DB] D.J. Reed’s [Jr.] doing a nice job in there. So, we’re confident that we’ll have that position under control once the season starts.”

What are your thoughts on DL Solomon Thomas’ game Monday and how much do you envision him playing against Kansas City?

“Solomon, I thought he had a really, really nice game. One play I’m sure he wishes he had back, but he’s playing with very little indecision. He’s very decisive, he’s got good technique, he’s playing very fast and I like where he’s at mentally, I like where he’s at physically. He’ll take on the same load as everybody else here. Once we talk about it, don’t see any restrictions with regards to how much he’ll play for Kansas City. Again, we’ll meet on that later in the week. I really liked his game. I thought he did a nice job. He probably could’ve come away with two sacks. Some of the guys left him hanging on the rush with contain and all that stuff, but I thought he did a nice job.”

This article has 148 Comments

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  2. Grant’s Saleh poll from last fall…

    Will Robert Saleh be the 49ers defensive coordinator next season?

    No (53%, 273 Votes)
    Yes (47%, 247 Votes)
    Total Voters: 520

  3. I’ve been hard on Saleh calling for his replacement since the end of 2017. Everyone seems to be talking about how well he is doing. I’m not at all adverse to admitting that I was wrong, but at this point I’m just not sure if the “improvement” in the defense is due mostly to Saleh or is it more due to Woods, Kocurek and Lynch (getting better players, ex. Ford and Bosa). That 35 point Chief first half last season still has me doubting Saleh (although the defense did much better in the 2nd half – but by then the Chiefs were so far ahead it was very difficult to catch up, Jimmy G injury notwithstanding).

    1. At this point in the lead-up to the 2019 season, I’d say the improvements in the defense are a combination of factors, as you’ve noted. If the punting game is strong through the season, and the offense can stay on the field a little longer, the defense should be in good shape–barring catastrophic injuries.

    2. I think it is too early to say anything about the 2019 49ers D tbh. But if it indeed much improved this year then I think it will be a combination of added talent, added coaching staff and the improvements of Saleh as a coordinator/ changes he makes to the D, and Saleh will definitely be worthy of kudos for it.

      I could be wrong here, but I suspect the change to the wide-9 has more to do with Saleh/ Shanny realising they needed to change and then going out and getting the guy best to teach it, rather than getting Kocurek and him coming in and dictating the change. Same goes with any changes in coverages and bringing in Joe Woods. Both Kocurek and Woods will bring their own flavour to it, but I think some credit needs to be given to Saleh and Shanahan for identifying the changes they want to make and bringing in the guys to teach it.

      1. I liked the idea of everyone growing together. First year GM, HC, DC, and all rebuilding a team and instilling a new culture. Seems like a good way to head off any big ego’s by making mistakes together as you grow, learning from them and then taking the action necessary to correct them rather than pointing fingers or crying to the press….

        1. “I liked the idea of everyone growing together. First year GM, HC, DC,…”

          Yuppers…Its the way I was seeing it.

      2. Yeah, I understand what you are saying. I often say that rightly or wrongly the guy at the top gets the kudos or blame (in this case the DC). So even if I doubt Saleh, I should be consistent and give him the kudos, assuming that the defense has in fact improved and of course absent any other information available to the public. As you say, we really need to wait and see if the defense really is improved.

  4. Ack. There goes Saleh, mentioning violence. Maybe a better term would be focused, controlled aggression.
    .
    Violence is associated with causing injury. That is not the appropriate term, imho.
    .
    Violence, to me, means uncontrolled mayhem, which results in injury. It is an extreme form of aggression, which could be derived from a lack of discipline, and control.

    1. The path to the dark side.

      Oh…. Be sure to use your _many battle/warfare-related cliches and metaphors throughout then season.

      2. Actually, Sun Tzu said that it was the acme of skill to defeat an opponent without striking a blow.
        .
        Violence begets attrition, that is why he advised against sieges. They are too costly in men and material. His strategy? He would leave an escape route. They would flee, and he would mop up any skirmishes, while capturing the city intact.
        .
        Yes, at times, there needs to be violence, but a superior strategy is to out maneuver and out think their opponent. Sometimes, speed and striking at a critical moment, may be the difference between winning and losing.
        .
        I guess I associate violence with attrition.

        1. Sleb
          * FYI: Sun Tzu never played football Sleb! There is a difference between war and football. If you had
          done either, you would know the difference!

          1. Sun Tzu did not have cannons, guns, airplanes helicopters, tanks jets or aircraft carriers, but his teachings are timeless, and football coaches like Zimmer have a nickname like ZimTzu.

            1. Sun Tzu did not have cannons, guns, airplanes helicopters, tanks jets or aircraft carriers

              And most NFL teams do, amirite?

            2. No, but they can adopt ideas, tactics and strategies envisioned 2500 years ago.
              .
              Zim-Tzu does.

            4. ?
              Stupidity is also a gift from God, but one that should not be abused!
              ~John Paul II

              It’s almost like he knew you, Seb!!

        2. “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” George S. Patton
          I’ll take Patton over Sun Tzu. ?

          1. General Omar Bradley saw the effects of Patton’s aggressive style of conducting war. He objected to the excessive casualty totals. To Patton, soldiers were expendable, if used to achieve an objective.
            .
            A perfect plan may be to achieve the same objective, but at a minimal cost of men.
            .
            I prefer the perfect plan. Less attrition.

            1. “To Patton, soldiers were expendable, if used to achieve an objective.”

              This is vastly misleading… soldiers are expendable to all generals to some extent.
              Risk/ Reward, discipline and order, all are weighed by generals. Or do you not remember the story of Sun Tzu executing the kings eldest concubines to prove a point?

            2. Careful Sebbie… Bradley had his strong points, and he also came up a tad short at times. Consider his role in ordering the advance through the Hurtgen Forest–a rather bloody mess, considered by many to have been quite a waste…
              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hürtgen_Forest

              A companion piece…

              Bradley’s Army Group now covered a very wide front in hilly country, from the Netherlands to Lorraine. Despite having the largest concentration of Allied army forces, Bradley faced difficulties in prosecuting a successful broad-front offensive in difficult country with a skilled enemy. General Bradley and his First Army commander, General Courtney Hodges eventually decided to attack through a corridor known as the Aachen Gap towards the German township of Schmidt. The only nearby military objectives were the Roer River flood control dams, but these were not mentioned in contemporary plans and documents. Bradley and Hodges’ original objective may have been to outflank German forces and prevent them from reinforcing their units further north in the Battle of Aachen. After the war, Bradley would cite the Roer dams as the objective. Since the Germans held the dams, they could also unleash millions of gallons of water into the path of advance. The campaign’s confused objectives, combined with poor intelligence resulted in the costly series of battles known as the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, which cost some 33,000 American casualties. At the end of the fighting in the Hurtgen, German forces remained in control of the Roer dams in what has been described as “the most ineptly fought series of battles of the war in the west.” Further south, Patton’s Third Army, which had been advancing with great speed, was faced with last priority (behind the U.S. First and Ninth Armies) for supplies, gasoline and ammunition. As a result, the Third Army lost momentum as German resistance stiffened around the extensive defenses surrounding the city of Metz. While Bradley focused on these two campaigns, the Germans were in the process of assembling troops and materiel for a surprise winter offensive.

              Check your history before spouting off…

              3. I do not blame Bradley, I blame Hodges more for that debacle.
                .
                That battle ignored a huge tenet Of Sun Tzu. – Do not attack an enemy’s strength.
                .
                A little context needs to be told. The German resistance was stout, because they were planning bigger things. If you could note, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest ended Dec 15. On Dec 16, the Germans launched their major counter offensive, which caught the Allies with their pants down.
                .
                The Battle of the Bulge resulted in more territory lost, and way more casualties. Patton himself got bogged down in the Battle of Metz, and his frontal assaults were wasteful, and not strategic. Instead of a frontal attack, he should have done a flanking attack, against weaker defenses.
                .
                Ernie Pyle wrote that Bradley was the ‘GI’s General’, and his subsequent leadership of the Veteran’s Administration cemented that acclaim. He also was instrumental in establishing and promoting the GI Bill, which allowed returning servicemen the ability to go to college.
                .
                Some may diss Bradley, but he helped win the war. He should have gotten a medal for putting up with Montgomery, and he was the one who relieved Patton of his command, taking over when Patton was sent home for his mistakes. Bradley may have made a misstep in the Hurtgen Forest, but his overall successes dwarf that one mistake.
                .
                If you want to discuss military tactics during WWII, I will be happy to oblige. In my opinion, one of the worst tactical defeats of US ground forces occurred in the Battle of Kasserine Pass. It was incompetence at its finest, and it was an ambush and slaughter.
                .
                What factors hastened the war’s end? The destruction of the coal gassification plants, depriving Germany of enough fuel. The Battle of the Bulge was lost because they ran out of fuel. Another factor was the attrition rate of their fighter pilots, once the US outfitted their planes with long range fuel tanks, so they could escort the bombers deep in Germany. America established air superiority, so the invasion of Normandy was a success. as one German general put it, ‘the British left us with deep and bleeding wounds, the Americans stabbed us in the heart.’

              4. Nice attempt at a recovery. As stated, Bradley had positive, as well as not-so-positive impacts in the European Theater. The Hurtgen Forest episode was an absolute mess. Nice try blaming all on Hodges. Bradley was right there–planning and operations.

              5. Reading the Wiki pages does not tell the whole story.
                .
                Hodges was old school, used to WWI tactics of frontal assaults. He was the one who issued the orders and made up the battle plan. Although his superior, Bradley called Hodges-sir.
                .
                Hodges chain of command had officers dubbed Captain Bligh, Iago and Monk. He sacked a commander who asked for temporary leave, after he was informed his son had died in combat.
                .
                It was a perfect storm. Incompetent leadership, poor intelligence, backward strategies, unforgiving terrain, inclement weather that did not allow allied air superiority to engage, and German resolve to stiffen resistance in order to hide preparations of a counter offensive.
                .
                It was bloody on both sides. The Germans lost 25,000 casualties, so it was not like Kasserine Pass, where the American force was slaughtered with light German casualties.
                .
                The objective to secure the dams failed, but the reasoning was just. The Germans blew the floodgates, and stopped the American forces from advancing for 2 weeks.
                .
                After the victory at Normandy, the Allies thought they had the Germans on the run. Too bad that thinking was flawed, and the Battle of the Bulge was proof. Bradley was fighting the war on 2 fronts. He was set on invading Germany, and he had Megalomaniac Montgomery insisting on being supreme commander and hogging all the glory.
                .
                Some say Bradley did not deserve his nickname as the ‘GI’s General’. However, Ernie Pyle lived among the troops, and he had his finger on the pulse of the average fighting man.
                .
                The Battle of Hurtgen Forest was a bloody mess, but War is Hell. Attrition is to be expected.

    2. Because you’ve never played the sport and don’t understand certain terms and the meaning of them in this game.
      Dude do you always have to be so offended? Smh

      1. Play with violence just sounds injury inducing. Just my opinion.
        .
        ‘There’s effort, technique and Focused Force (Violence).’ I want maximum effort, Flawless technique and optimal force.
        .
        I am only questioning an adjective, I am not eviscerating Saleh. I think he is doing a good job. It is so important to shut down the running game. It will make their opponent’s offense one dimensional.
        .
        Other posters have commented on Kocurek, but Woods may be doubly important. The Niner DBs are all fast and talented, but Woods may select the best squad, that will work in tandem. together. The importance of moving on from Hafley cannot be over stated. Woods also has DC experience, so he is helping Saleh in that department, too. Until Hogan, they did not surrender a TD. The second half defense looked very competent, even though they were playing third string players. The defense overall looks good, even though Buckner, Ford, Armstead, Bosa, Warner and others did not play. With all the upgrades, and added depth, this defense is good enough to keep them in games, and maybe even help win a couple, with turnovers.
        .
        I want the Niners to play smart, and avoid injury. Playing with violence is an accident waiting to happen.

        1. Huh??? You definitely never played a physical sport.
          This is like an mma fighter or boxer thinking “if I don’t hit my opponent hard maybe he won’t do it to me.”

          Even Bill Walsh had a slogan saying “ I will not be out hit today.” Does hitting someone not have a connotation of violence?
          Maybe Bill should have instructed his defenders… “tackle softly and when tackling a player, always leave an avenue of escape.”

          1. Shoup, I played soccer for years. It was pretty tough and physical.
            .
            Hitting is a form of violence, but there can be fair, by the book tackling, and there can be violent, dirty play.
            .
            Ever heard of Muhammad Ali and his ‘Rope a Dope” strategy? He covered up, went in defensive mode, and let his opponent expend all his energy. Then Ali won, by defeating an exhausted foe.
            .
            Football is changing, with the specter of CTE looming large. There can no longer be those violent hits like Ronnie Lott delivered. He even wondered if he could play like he did, in today’s game. Violence is what causes CTE, and Nick Buoniconti is its latest victim.
            .
            Hitting with focused force is preferable. Hitting violently, to cause injury, should be frowned upon. Being very aggressive is part of the game, but one may cross the line into violence, causing injury.
            .
            Posters wonder why there are so many injuries. Well, the coaches want the players to be violent. Violence causes injuries. The Niners were 4-12 because of all the injuries.
            .
            Guess you do not care if they go 4-12 again.
            .
            I want the Niners to play with aggression, with focused force, but also in control and with discipline to avoid personal fouls. Violent play leads to personal foul penalties, because violence is uncontrolled mayhem.
            .
            I want the Niners to play hard, with proper technique, and avoid injury with smart, disciplined and in control, focused energy.

            1. ag·gres·sion
              /əˈɡreSHən/
              noun
              hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront.


              ——-
              Whoops! When your proposed alternative also has the word which you have trouble with…well, you fail!

              ¡Inglés es muy difícil!
              L’ingles è difficile!
              Durum est anglicus!
              L’anglais est difficile!

              Anyway you cut it, and in other languages, English is hard for you!

              1. Hostile OR violent behavior OR attitude.
                .
                I choose aggressive attitude, without the violent behavior. If you think that a person cannot be aggressive without being violent, I cannot change your mind.
                .
                Readiness to attack, as in blocking and tackling. Confronting can be done aggressively, but not reaching a level of violence.
                .
                Reading, and interpretation, is fundamental.

              2. So is English. Something you fail to grasp. Put your pop up books aside.

                Now you attempt to insert interpretation. Nice try.

    3. Sebbie, football isn’t a garden tea party. The more active a player is the less chance he has of being injured.
      That is what Saleh means by violence.

      1. Directing that force is also important. Violence seems random, with mayhem.
        .
        We both are trying to say he same effect, but mine is less violent.
        .
        Focused force/ Violence are pretty similar.
        .
        I hope you are happy we are quibbling over words than discussing Kaep. ;p

        2. Time and period, Seb. If you’ve read Jane Austen (I’m guessing you might’ve–fits some of your vocabulary) the romantic leads are always confessing the “violence” of their love and affection!

          1. Sounds like a real bodice ripper. ;p
            .
            However, sex and violence do not mix, nowadays.

    4. I actually love the term. I think there is a layer of maliciousness being associated with it here, when really all Salah is saying is that he wants a fast, tough defence. Playing violent, in my opinion, doesn’t mean playing to injure, but playing with a swagger. And frankly, if there is one thing the Niners need more of, it’s some swagger.

      1. Considering the Niners went 4-12, because of all the injuries, I just want them to stay healthy.
        .
        Violence has negative connotations to me. Criminals are violent. Violence and maliciousness go hand in hand. Violence and mayhem. Violent collisions. Violent injuries. Violence means one is out of control.
        .
        The American Psychological Association considers violence as-‘an extreme form of aggression such as assault, rape and murder.’
        .
        Wiki says- ‘Violence is the use of physical force to injure abuse, damage or destroy.’
        .
        Those are their definitions, I did not make them up.
        .
        Playing violent, in my opinion, leads to injuries. Violence causes attrition. Violence has led to a quarter of the team not being able to practice.
        .
        Playing aggressively is a better term. Playing with focused force can also mean playing with a swagger. Playing very hard, but in control is preferable.
        .
        Am I malicious to object to violence? It is just an adjective. I just think it is a poor word choice.

        1. Sebbie… I’ll call you out when you use warfare-related cliches and metaphors this season. What IS the outcome of warfare, Sebbie? Hmmmm?

          I know you’re not a hypocrite, yes? You’re just a die hard Niners fan……

          1. Violence- an extreme form of aggression that leads to assault, rape and murder. The use of physical force to INJURE, abuse, damage or destroy.
            .
            We have enough of that off the field. Why bring it on the field?
            .
            Sure football is littered with war references, but the game does not result in death, the destruction of cities, or genocide.
            .
            Go ahead. glorify violence. I will not.

              1. Guess you like teams that go 4-12. I do not.
                .
                I want to root for a healthy team, because that is the only way the Niners will be able to compete, and win.

              2. It’s no wonder that Seb misunderstands the term. He has trouble with metaphors and misuses them like a drunken sailor misuses shore leave!

              3. Easy, look at the definition.
                .
                Violence- The use of physical force to injure, abuse, damage or destroy.
                .
                If you want to have the Niners to do that to other teams, just expect other teams to do the same thing to the Niners.
                .
                Violence results in attrition.

              4. Come on Sour,
                Since we don’t want any connotation of violence I’ve come up with new words that are acceptable.
                Tackling will now be called cuddling.
                Blocking will be replaced with dry humping???hmmm no that won’t work…rubbing fuzzies??? No… Belly rubs??? That’s it.
                The trenches can be replaced with the open border line?
                The long bomb maybe would better as the garder toss? To sexual… maybe the flower toss?

                Guys help me out here. We really need to make this sport more pc.

              5. George Patton to his troops:
                I don’t ask you to die for your country. I want you to make the enemy die for his.
                Point being: be the hitter, not the hittee, because it’s football.

              6. Seb has selective outrage. And still has trouble with metaphors (violence) and similes!

                Bless his pc heart.

              9. Violence in society is a big problem. Violent blows to the head has caused players to suffer CTE. Violence causes injuries, and results in attrition.
                .
                The Niners can play hard, with aggression, but uncontrolled aggression becomes violence.
                .
                Easy, you are trying to defend the indefensible, just to counter me. My advice- Choose your battles wisely.
                .
                Patton was a great general, but he had flaws. Slapping a shell shocked soldier, and calling him a coward, did not cover Patton in glory. The attrition rate of his soldiers was alarming, because achieving his objectives were more important than soldier’s lives.
                .
                Ronnie Lott surmised that he could not play the way he did, in today’s game. Rules protecting the players from violence is protecting them from injury.
                .
                Oh look, that blow to the head would have been flagged today, and guess what? That violent hit resulted in an injury.

              10. Seb, as always, you are deeply confused! I was not defending violence, per se, but merely pointing out your hypocrisy and ignorance. Do try to keep up!

                The rest of your blather is the same misdirection you always use when on the losing side of an argument.

                SunTzu would not be proud of you!

                “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

                Self awareness, you lack. Understanding your enemy’s argument, you rarely, if ever, grasp. That’s why you are laughed at. You are a fool, strutting and fretting upon our stage. Your tales are always full of sound and fury, but signify nothing!

              12. Try again. As always trying to claim a victory when you have been thoroughly vanquished.

  5. Does anyone know how we are stacking up versus the rest of the league in regards to injuries? I fear we not only may have players with a higher propensity to get hurt but also a prevailing mentality to avoid practice to avoid the risk as well. That’s the problem with younger teams. Too many players overly concerned with fulfilling the length of their contracts rather than committing 100 percent to any one season. We need more players on this team like Sherman and Staley at key positions. Players that have money in the bank. Wr is one. Rb another.

  6. Down on the field of battle
    The echoes never fade
    Notches on Ford’s gun
    Another debt is paid

    Wilson in the dirt
    Eerie silence
    Profession of violence

  7. The defense will have a rough start vs TB and their offense, if they’re good at throwing it like last year,
    But the offense couldn’t ask for better defensive opponents to start the season.
    Tb and cincy are horrible on defense.
    Perfect for an offense with a question mark at its most important position.

    1. The first 3 games are against pocket passers, which plays right into the strength of our team.

          1. Not really, he’s neither nimble or fast. He posted a 4.97, 40.

            I’m more worried about our offense than our defense in this game if I’m being honest. This is Tampa’s first year in a new system.
            If they are not exhausted from the travel which normally a scheduled loss… east coast, early game… that’s rough.

            1. You win this game, and use it to springboard past the stigma of not being able to win on the east coast. That sets up the game against the Bengals, and gives them a positive intangible. In my opinion, they must return home undefeated to face the Steelers if they want to turn the corner this year….

              3. UC if they win they first 2 games and Jimmy stays healthy for the season… I would assume this team will be in contention for the playoffs.

            2. Shoup… it’s game one, and none of the starters will be playing the week before.
              I think it’s to early for the tired bodies and minds game 1 of the season to worry about that.

              Doesn’t matter what his 40 time was. He can run, is strong enough to shake off tackles and can scramble.

              I don’t agree with the offense.
              That defense was god awful last season and not even Ariens can fix that in one year.

              Run the ball down their throats, throw the ball in chunk yards, not quick slants all day. Use those RB’s a ton in the passing game.
              They should easily put up 21 on them.

    2. The opener in TB is one of the games I had chalked up as a win, but that’s going against all the available data.

      11/16/14 – Last 49ers win on the East Coast
      23.4 – avg points scored in opener for Arians as HC
      22.4 – avg points scored in home opener for Arians.
      9.5 – avg points scored in opener for Shanahan
      12.5 – avg points scored in road opener for Shanahan

      1. Aren’t you the one who says that what happened the year before is meaningless with regards to the current season?

        1. It really seems to bug you that pretty much everything I wrote about that 5 game stretch and how it would effect 2018 turned out right.

          Coaching track records are a very good barometer because they are a constant, while the players come and go.

          1. Doesn’t bug me at all. I just remember a long discussion about the “meaningless” comment. Hey, if you want to backtrack, have at it.

            1. Lol. Not back tracking at all.

              Arians is a very good coach, with a track record of having teams that are very well prepared.

              I’m just hoping that my pick wasn’t based on emotion.

              1. I’m gonna leave it with this Jack. The track record of a team is made up of all parts of that team: owner, front office, coaching staff and players. I think occasionally you can single out one aspect and put the blame there. But most of the time it is not that easy. Until this year KS hasn’t had the players to field a team that is better than 0.500. That doesn’t mean I’m absolving him of some of his faults. There are definitely some close games you can question his playcalling, like calling pass plays when he clearly should have ran the ball and run the clock down.

                But this year, I think the team has all the necessary components. Barring injury, if it is another losing, pathetic season, I may well agree with you that KS should stick to being an OC. I never said he was a great HC, just a very competent OC. I think for all of our sakes, fans and the team alike, let’s hope that this season answers some questions.

              2. “Until this year KS hasn’t had the players to field a team that is better than 0.500. ”

                Please remind me. What record did you predict for the team a season ago?

                “I think occasionally you can single out one aspect and put the blame there. But most of the time it is not that easy. Until this year KS hasn’t had the players to field a team that is better than 0.500. That doesn’t mean I’m absolving him of some of his faults. There are definitely some close games you can question his playcalling, like calling pass plays when he clearly should have ran the ball and run the clock down.”

                All i did was state that I predicted a 49ers win week one and then laid out some numbers for two coaches in circumstances like what we’ll see week 1.

              3. I’d be happy if they score 24 points in Tampa.
                It will be tough, but I have a feeling this defense is going to look very good and promising.
                And now that I say this, the opposite will probably happen. ?

              4. « I’d be happy if they score 24 points in Tampa. »

                Yeah that should do it.

                The defense has played very well in openers the last 2 years, giving up an average of only 18.5 points.

                If the offense can step up they might have a shot to start 1-0.

          2. Jack Hammer
            * It really seems to BUG YOU that pretty much everything I wrote about…….
            * Your answer tends to indicate you’re the who’s being defensive (bugged)……

      2. I liked the opener on the east coast. Not sure if its as big of an advantage when its the first game of the season. Travel should have minimal impact as if you cant get up for the first game of the season….

          3. Geep, Seb took a long trip and never found his way home…

            He is a glitch in the Matrix

  8. Jennifer Lee Chan
    ‏@jenniferleechan

    Many #49ers returned to practice (which was without pads)
    including:
    Jimmie Ward
    DJ Jones
    Ronald Blair
    Joshua Garnett
    Mike Person
    Antone Exum
    Levine Toilolo
    DJ Reed
    Damontre Moore

    Jalen Hurd was in uniform but limited. In the locker room he said his back was getting better.

  9. Head Coaches hired in 2017

    Sean McVay, 24-8, lost WC, lost SB
    Anthony Lynn, 21-11, lost AFCDR
    Doug Marrone, 15-17, lost AFCCG
    Sean McDermott, 15-17, lost WC playoff
    Vance Joseph, 11-21 *fired after 2019
    Kyle Shanahan, 10-22

    1. And here’s the 2016 season record for the above teams…

      Rams, 4-12
      Chargers, 5-11
      Jags, 3-13
      Bills, 7-9
      Broncos, 9-7
      49ers, 2-14

      1. Makes ya wonder if they would have been better off hiring someone off this blog. No?

      2. Yeah but who wants details right? Easier to just dump on Shanahan for not winning while ignoring how many key injuries the team has had. I don’t get why a fan of a team just looks at things in black and white with no context. It’s like Little Cohn’s latest twitter posting about QB’s JG’s beaten vs. QB’s Mullens has beaten. They don’t play against the other QB so the premise makes no sense from the start and is simply a way to try and take a shot at somebody. This is definitely the strangest blog/forum I’ve ever come across. I’ll give it that.

      3. That’s another way to look at it.

        Win change from 2 years pre-hire to 2 years post-hire

        Rams +13
        Chargers +12
        Jags +7
        49ers + 3
        Bills +/- 0
        Broncos -10

        1. Again no context given. How did the rosters compare when each Coach took over? What did they have at QB? Did they suffer key injuries that affected the play on the field? You single out Lynn as doing a great job and he had a HOF caliber QB sitting there when he took over. Not one of these teams mentioned had as bad a roster and lack of talent at the skill positions as the 49ers did. None of them lost the number of key players to injury the 49ers did last season. If you’re going to do a comparison at least be honest about it.

          1. LOL.

            It’s just a simple list of records. If you’d like to do a full analysis and provide a write up go for it.

    2. McKay had a SB talented team before he arrived.
      Sure, he did what Fisher couldn’t do, but scoring only 3 points in the SB was a complete fail.
      Especially given the fact that he was being called the next young offensive genius.

      My son-in-law is a huge rams fan and is already seizing up who they are going to play in SB. Of course he wasn’t to happy when I told him that I doubt his rams will make the SB.
      I view them as highly overrated and letting Anderson walk in the wake of Gurly’ gimpy knee could be a big mistake.

      The rams O-line has been good and have protected Goff well, but that will change when they play us this year. Our defense is going to make Goff look like the next Chris Everett.

        1. Yeah, that guy.
          He’s turning into another Hollywood celebrity – and I tend to forget all their names.

          1. McVay is different from KS because KS had to tear things down and build from scratch.
            .
            Like you said, the Rams team had talent, but Fisher held them back. He also benefited from having Phillips, with his HC and SB experience. Saleh was a green rookie who last was a LB coach.
            .
            The Rams also were aggressive in the FA market.
            .
            The score was tied 3-3 in the 4th quarter so they had a chance to win, but Belichick out coached McVay, and he even admitted it after the game.

            1. “McVay is different from KS because KS had to tear things down and build from scratch”

              Agreed. It was similar to what happened to Harbaugh when he replaced Singletary. Talented rosters were in place but they were previously headed by a coaches who had failed to evolve with the game.

              1. The team Harbaugh took over didn’t have the talent the Rams team did. Harbaugh got a lot out of a pretty average roster overall. McVay came into a team with some elite talent that had been badly managed by Jeff Fisher.

              2. The team Harbaugh inherited was voted the most talented team in the NFC west by the other teams.
                It already had J. Smith, Bowman, Brooks, Goldson , Willis, Gore, VD, Staley, Iupati, Davis, Crabtree, and A. Smiths day they brought in Whitner, Rogers in the off-season… the only core players not mentioned yet were Kaepernick and Aldon Smith
                The niners roster was probably better top to bottom, it just didn’t have the playmakers the rams did.

              3. Most of those players were pretty average on the other teams they came from or went to after. Of course Bowman, Willis and Gore were pro bowl caliber already, but most of that team was made up of pretty average talent that Harbaugh and Fangio took further than the talent dictated. McVay as you mentioned had playmakers already in place which is a huge advantage as well as some elite level players on both sides of the ball. He was much further ahead than Harbaugh imo.

      2. « McKay had a SB talented team before he arrived. »

        Cool, but they were 4-12 the year before he got there which shows that coaching matters.

        The most impressive for me is actually Anthony Lynn.

        2. Jack,
          Yes the rams had very good talent before McVay arrived, and yes he gets kudos for making them top shelf.

          That said, he thoroughly embarrassed himself in the Superbowl. Not only did his boy genius brand take a hit, but his team doesn’t look like the same team as last season.

          Some players have moved on and their ace RB will be slowed down by arthritis. Their offense in preseason still looks like they’re experiencing some lingering effects from last February.

          I still believe that they are the top team in the West division, but just don’t believe that they are a SB team.
          At least, that’s one man’s opinion.

  11. Grant, thanks for posting the transcript. The 49ers have not yet uploaded Saleh’s presser to their YouTube channel.

  15. Pair of 49ers players part of St. Thomas Aquinas’ remarkable tradition
    San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa, Sam Young both starred at the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. high school, which plays at De La Salle on Friday

    St. Thomas, which comes to Concord to play Northern California’s top-ranked team, De La Salle, on Friday night.

    At the start of last season, 15 players from St. Thomas were on NFL rosters — the most for any high school in the country.

    https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08/22/pair-of-49ers-players-part-of-st-thomas-aquinas-remarkable-tradition/

  16. Pat’s Patrick Chung indicted on cocaine charges. The NFL needs to get rid of the combine and replace it with a brain camp to be held at the Mayo clinic with Psychologists and Psychiatrists brought in to evaluate the potential draftees’ mental health and stability. Pacman Jones and Aldon Smith could be brought in as consultants, among many others. Not sure it will work though because the NFL is a living laboratory where there is daily proof that there is no cure for stupid.

    1. Unfortunately, it appears one needs ESPN premium access to view the full list. Sounds like a great resource.

  21. Williams could have looked nice in a 49er uni, but Bosa will do it great justice when all the dust settles.

    Both players will have great careers and help their respective teams. Reggie White, the best sack leader of all time only won one Superbowl.

    You have to be surrounded by other great players to achieve lasting success.
    During the glory years we signed a declining defensive star in Fred Dean. When mixed with our other stars on defense he was able to get his ring.

    Our current defense is starting to look pretty good. Bosa won’t need to get 10 – 12 sacks as a rookie, because for the first time in the last 6 years the defense is going to make some serious noise.

    Bosa will be good, but part of that will come from being surrounded by other talented players.
    Brick by Brick (baby!)

  23. Jennifer Lee Chan
    ✔
    @jenniferleechan
    “He’s had a hell of a camp.”

    Shanahan on WR Jordan Matthews. He says the coaching staff knows what they have in Matthews so they don’t need to play him as much in the preseason. They let Richie James get a few more snaps as a result.

    1. Sung to the tune of ‘On and On’, by Leo Sayer

      Down in Jamaica, they got, lots of, rum and coke,
      slug it down,, this blog thinks I’m a joke,

      Lonesome Seb, he’s in love with ol’ razor,
      takes him from fire into the, fryin’ pan,

      On and on, Seb just Keeps on postin’
      and he smiles when he feels like dying,

      On and on, on and on—-rum and cooooke.

        1. Cool song.
          Wonder what ever happened to Bishop. I can’t remember if he had any other big hits.

      2. I see you got your list out. Say your piece and get out.
        Guess I get the gist of it, but its alright.
        Sorry you feel that way, there is only one thing to say.
        Every silver lining’s got a touch of grey.
        .
        I will get by
        I will get by
        I will get by
        I will survive.
        .
        Go ahead and TrollD away, you have so little to say.
        You try so hard, but failing’s your reward.
        At least I am not you, a know nothing yoo hoo.
        The words you know are all obscene, but it’s alright.
        .
        I will get by
        You still can try
        You fail but strive
        I will survive.

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