LISTEN: Why all positions (Except QB) Should Be In Play In The Draft →
placeholder image

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports


Kyle Shanahan: 49ers’ Alfred Morris not just a short-yardage running back

Aug 26, 2018 at 6:38 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with media members Sunday night, and he offered up some thoughts on veteran running back Alfred Morris.


The San Francisco 49ers may have lost Week 3 of the 2018 preseason to the Indianapolis Colts 23-17, but veteran running back Alfred Morris was surely one of the Niners' bigger standouts.

Thanks to injuries suffered by fellow running backs Jerick McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder), the 49ers were forced to go out on the free-agent wire and grab Morris, who thrived under head coach Kyle Shanahan when he was the Washington Redskins' offensive coordinator back in 2012 and 2013.

Now 29 years old, one might wonder how much Morris has left in the tank after San Francisco grabbed him on a one-year deal earlier this preseason.

"I definitely have plenty left in the tank," Morris told KPIX 5's Dennis O'Donnell after his preseason debut Saturday.

But with McKinnon and Breida being more of the shifty, elusive tailbacks on San Francisco's roster, some might have thought Morris' plan would be as a short-yardage, third-down runner if he winds up making the 49ers' 53-man squad this season.

"I was really pleased with how Alfred ran the ball," Shanahan told reporters on a conference call Sunday night. "He was running the ball really good in practice, and our O-line was blocking well in practice. I was very excited how it carried over to the game."

San Francisco's starting offensive line had, perhaps, its best effort Saturday in Indianapolis. And that helped pave the way for Morris to register an impressive 17 carries for 84 yards for 4.9 yards per attempt.

So much for the idea of being a short-yardage back.

"Alf can do all of it," Shanahan explained when asked if Morris was going to be a short-yardage carrier. "Alf always gets a little bit more than you block him for. I like that in all our runners, but I do think he brings a bit different of a dimension to it. His size, his weight. He can carry people a little bit further when they are unblocked.

"He gets a lot of explosive runs. Those don't always score the touchdown or get the long one. But he's a very efficient runner, and that's why he's had a lot of success in this league."

Despite Morris' standout effort, the 49ers' plan for the running back depth chart in 2018 is anything but certain. McKinnon and Breida look to have locked up spots, leaving Morris, special teams ace Raheem Mostert and long shots Joe Williams (out with a rib and hip injury) and Jeremy McNichols as dark-horse candidates.

Still, Morris' impressive preseason debut should give Shanahan and Co. a tough decision, which is exactly what he'll want when formulating this position.

While most starters don't see action in the fourth and final preseason game, it wouldn't be overly shocking to see Morris get a few reps on Thursday, Aug. 30 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Unless Shanahan is convinced and needs no more evidence to keep Morris around into the regular season.
  • Written by:
    Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Andy Reid praises 49ers' Brock Purdy, has advice for Kyle Shanahan

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs witnessed all he needed from Brock Purdy last season to assure him that the San Francisco 49ers are in capable hands at the quarterback position. Purdy was an MVP nominee in 2023 and had his 49ers just a play or two away from clinching a Super Bowl victory away from the Chiefs. Unfortunately, for Purdy and the 49ers, Reid and his own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, widely regarded as the best in the game today, dashed their Super Bowl dreams in overtime last month. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, speaking at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, Reid stated, "Yeah, I


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan: 49ers hope to keep Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy together

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ran into his wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. "He was randomly at our hotel. I don't think he wanted to be," the coach shared on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meetings. The 49ers are currently negotiating a long-term extension with Aiyuk to ensure he remains with the team for the foreseeable future. However, with it only being March, it's challenging to predict how everything will unfold. Typically, under the leadership of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have reached agreements with their star players closer to training camp in July. Lynch stated yesterday that the


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers promoted Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

After Steve Wilks's dismissal, the San Francisco 49ers had several options for their vacant defensive coordinator position. Although former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was considered for the role, he ultimately joined the coaching staff as the assistant head coach under head coach Kyle Shanahan. He will focus on game plan preparations while offering his experience to the team. Nick Sorensen, the team's defensive pass game specialist, was awarded the defensive coordinator position. Shanahan opted for an internal candidate, valuing Sorensen's familiarity with the staff and the defensive system. When asked what qualities Sorensen demonstrated to prove he's ready to call plays for the defense, Shanahan explained, "He's worked with a lot of people


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan's insights on 49ers QB Brock Purdy's rise

By David Bonilla
Mar 27

In addition to discussing his quarterback, Brock Purdy, with reporters on Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan also sat down with NFL Network's Steve Wyche during the NFL owners meetings. Purdy's NFL journey has been captivating. The quarterback embarked on his professional career buried on the 49ers' depth chart after being selected with the final overall draft pick in 2022. His opportunity to showcase his ability to play in the NFL came only after the team suffered injuries to two quarterbacks. Purdy flourished, leading the team to the NFC Championship Game during his rookie season and to the Super Bowl last season. His rise underscores the


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone