Somehow, offensive tackle Joe Staley retired, but the San Francisco 49ers managed not to get worse. That's because general manager John Lynch and Co. replaced the six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman with a seven-time Pro Bowler.
Offensive guard Laken Tomlinson is excited at the prospect of playing next to yet another fantastic player.
"I think he's a hell of a ballplayer," Tomlinson said of Trent Williams. "Having someone like that being a part of the line, I think it's going to be really, really good for us. The X amount of Pro Bowls. I think having that player play the left tackle position, that's going to be fantastic.
"So, I'm looking forward to that. I'm sure everyone's looking forward to that, as well. And we're all excited that we got Trent as part of the team."
Staley will be missed, though. He anchored the offensive line for 13 seasons, and Tomlinson had the privilege of playing next to and learning from him for the last three.
"Obviously, having Joe as a part of the line was, for me, a treat," Tomlinson said. "I [got] to play with him for the past three years. That's been phenomenal. The type of leadership that he brought to the team and the 49ers, just with his career path, being on the same team for all that time, and doing everything he can, taking the team to two Super Bowls, that just goes to show what kind of leader he is, and what we lost when he retired.
"We feel really confident with Trent. We also lost Mike Person but the guys we have In the room, we have some really good ballplayers, and I think we're going to do a good job. Having the same offense coming into the season, I think everyone is going to mesh well."
The lessons Staley taught Tomlinson weren't limited to the football field.
"I've learned so much from Joe," Tomlinson said, "not only as a football player but as a man, as a husband. He's taught me how to be a better man. When you want to look at someone as a leader, Joe Staley is the definition of a leader. I mean, in my eyes, what I've learned in college from (Duke head coach) David Cutcliffe, a true leader is someone who not only helps produce more leaders, but also leaves the place better than he found it, and I think Joe Staley did exactly that. I'm sure he didn't want to retire. But he did exactly that. What he did for the San Francisco 49ers, all we can say is 'thank you' for all of his sacrifices, all of the time he put into making the program what it is."
Tomlinson also shared his most-recent fun memory of his former teammate.
"I think it was the playoffs, Green Bay game, when we had this really good block together, and we just sprung Raheem (Mostert) for a touchdown," Tomlinson shared. "I turn around, and I see Joe dancing, and Mike McGlinchey dancing, so I just jumped in to dance with them. We were doing some kind of shaky dance thing. It was wild, man. That was one hell of a game.
"That's one thing with Joe. His competitive spirit is so high, but he still has so much fun out on the field. When you see a player like that having so much fun on the field, it's contagious."
