Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh won't be coaching new San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but he'll have his defensive backs covering him during practices. Cornerback Richard Sherman will be one of those defensive backs.
Both Saleh and Sherman were asked about the newest Niners player on Thursday and what he brings to the team.
"Just game-planning against him in the past, Emmanuel is a handful," Saleh told reporters. "Great route runner, tremendous speed, great hands, violent at the catch point. I guess he's really smart too, so it's kind of been seamless for him. Hopefully, I get a chance to be a fan this weekend, watch him."
Saleh had a chance to speak with receivers coach Wes Welker, who happens to be a former teammate of Sanders', and the newest addition is acclimating nicely to the offense and playbook. There are a lot of similarities from what he was doing with the Denver Broncos, where Rich Scangarello, the Niners' former quarterbacks coach, is the offensive coordinator.
"I'd say about 90 percent of it is similar," Sanders said on Wednesday. "Obviously, there's 10 percent that the terminology is different, and I've got to get adjusted to that. I look forward to it."
Sherman already knew Sanders relatively well. The two would cross paths at Pro Bowls and other NFL-related events. The cornerback was asked how he fits into the 49ers' receivers group and even, in one way, compared the receiver to himself.
"I think he fits well," Sherman said. "He's a good leader. He's a guy that's been there before. He's done it. He's played in big games, made big catches. So I think him being 10 years in the game will be great for that room, give a great voice, a calm voice, similar to I guess what I do in the [defensive backs] room."
Sunday will be National Tight End Day. You know the 49ers Pro Bowl tight end, George Kittle, along with his position group, will partake in the festivities. Hopefully, for fans, much of the celebrating will take place on the field against the Carolina Panthers after big plays.
Sherman was asked if there should be a National Cornerback Day.
"I hadn't thought about that," Sherman responded. "I wonder what you'd do. Just walk around, taking things that don't belong to you, batting things down from time to time? That's interesting. Let me give some thought to that."
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