Expectations for cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon were high in 2018 following his impressive rookie campaign. The third-year cornerback stood in front of reporters on Wednesday and acknowledged that he had an up and down season last year.
Witherspoon views 2018 as a learning opportunity and this offseason as a chance to refocus and improve. He has some pretty straightforward goals heading into the new season.
Witherspoon wants to be a better player than the last two years and improve in every area. He believes he was trying to see too much and learn too much in his second year and got away from playing technically-sound football.
Things weren't made easier by the San Francisco 49ers' myriad of lineups at safety. Injuries forced the 49ers to shuffle players in and out of the defensive backfield which presented its own challenges.
"It was difficult, but I think that's why you play the game," Witherspoon said. "We love being in tough spots. You kind of see that adversity, and it's just about how can we overcome it? You don't really harp on it.
"It definitely took its toll at times, a few busts that may not be there if you have the same personnel week in and week out. That's not an excuse ever. You've just got to build on it and learn from it."
Witherspoon and the rest of his defensive back teammates received some help this offseason when the 49ers bolstered their pass rush. The team traded for veteran Dee Ford and then used the No. 2 overall draft pick on Nick Bosa.
"That's huge," Witherspoon explained. "It helps make my job easier. To cover for two to three seconds compared to four or five, it's a big difference. Also learning how to tie that in and play more aggressive in knowing that the ball is going to come out quick."
Witherspoon wasn't overly concerned by last year's criticism from the fans and media. He knows that comes with being an NFL player. That doesn't change the fact that Witherspoon still needs to head into work and do his job to the best of his ability.
"It's about getting better," Witherspoon said. "If you did poor last week, you've got to get better. If you had a great game, you've got to get better. I think that consistency, it makes it easy."
You can watch Witherspoon speak to reporters below, courtesy of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Grant Cohn.