San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is fast. He knows it and opposing defenses know it – even during training camp practices. In June, ESPN ranked him as the second-fastest player in the NFL behind just Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill.
Goodwin feels that he has more to offer than just his speed and that's why he loves being in Kyle Shanahan's offense. He felt underutilized during his time with the Buffalo Bills.
"I'm running a lot of different routes that I never had the opportunity to run before," Goodwin said in May. "I'm just excited. I'm excited I can assume a different role."
Goodwin went on to say that, during his time in Buffalo, he was usually limited to go-routes and comeback patterns and lining up outside the numbers.
"It sickens me that people would think I'm just this fast dude who can't run routes or can't catch," Goodwin said.
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The 49ers are utilizing Goodwin at multiple spots, including the slot. That's where Goodwin found himself during a play in Saturday's practice. The coverage on the defense broke down and the speedy receiver found himself running 20 yards downfield all alone. Quarterback Brian Hoyer found him as well – with the football – and Goodwin raced down the field and into the end zone. No one came close to catching Goodwin once the football was in his hands.
That speed will be an asset to the 49ers this season because opposing defenses will have to account for it. Shanahan knows that and spoke about it on Saturday.
"Speed is one of the best things in this game if you have it," Shanahan said. "Speed scares everyone. When you have that speed to scare people, which not many people in this league do because a lot of people can run, but when you have elite speed like Marquise does, people are going to back up."
Shanahan went on to say speed like Goodwin's and proving you can catch the football while utilizing that speed can open things up underneath for the offense. Goodwin is working hard to evolve his game and become a player who scares defenses with his skill. He wants the football thrown his way and he wants to prove that, if it is, he will end up with it in his hands.
"That's why we brought him here," Shanahan said. "I think it's very tough to succeed in this league for very long when all you are is a speed guy because people can run with you if they get a 15-yard head start. They just meet you where you're ending up. You've got to be able to run the route tree or have the threat of it. Marquise, we believed he could do it and so far he's shown us that. He's worked at it. He's worked at his hands, he's breaking down and he's doing a good job so far."
Goodwin spoke to the media on Saturday afternoon following the team's second practice of training camp.
"I'm constantly evolving as a receiver," Goodwin said. "Each day, I come out, I do what I'm told, I fix the little things that I need to when watching film. It's continuing to show and that's a credit to my coach, my teammates for believing in me, pushing me each day and correcting me on the little details."
On March 9th, the 49ers signed then-free agent Goodwin to a two-year, $6 million contract. He discussed the decision to come to San Francisco and play for Shanahan.
"It was a great decision for me to be able to play under Kyle, play with my teammates," Goodwin said. "I always wanted to be a part of his offense. He had one of the most prolific offenses in the game last year. So, just looking to build off of what they did last year and bring that here. Same intensity, same swagger, except a little more juice."
Cornerback Rashard Robinson, who is entering his second NFL season, has had an opportunity to go against Goodwin in practice and has come away impressed by the receiver. On Saturday, he also shared his thoughts on his offensive teammate.
"Marquise is pretty fast," Robinson said. "Me and him out there running, it's like a track meet almost...He's really been working and you can see just from OTAs coming into camp, he's been doing very good."
Goodwin's 4.27 time at the 2013 NFL Combine was the fourth-fastest in the history of the event. The receiver also posted a broad jump of 11 feet. He was a member of the 2012 United States track and field team and finished tenth in the long jump at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
