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Continuity.
Cornerback Richard Sherman expects that to be the San Francisco 49ers' biggest advantage heading into an unprecedented and unpredictable season. NFL teams haven't had proper offseasons due to the coronavirus pandemic. When squads gather on the practice field during training camp, it will be their first time doing so since last season.
Yes, teams have been working hard this offseason. That work has been conducted virtually, though. Players have been training on their own, save a few player-organized practices that ended due to an increase in positive COVID-19 tests.
Sherman expects the 49ers' continuity to help the team overcome the strangeness of this offseason, and fuel a quest to return to the Super Bowl.
"This year, we won't catch anybody by surprise," Sherman said Monday during an Instagram interview with Pro Football Focus. "
Fred Warner was in his second year; has been a huge impact playmaker for us. (Nick) Bosa was obviously a rookie. Dee Ford had his knee troubles throughout the year, and hopefully, that's quelled.
"We lose DeForest (Buckner), which is an enormous loss, but obviously, they drafted (Javon) Kinlaw to do that ... We get Ronald Blair back. Obviously, Kwon (Alexander) will be back and play more games, hopefully, this season. (Dre) Greenlaw got some valuable experience. Emmanuel Moseley was in his second year, playing in the Super Bowl, undrafted free agent from Tennessee. He played really well."
"So you've got to expect that the continuity -- any time that you've got the same secondary, same defense coming back, the communication is better, the continuity. That's what helps teams like us in this uncertain time, where practice will be different and everything."
Other than just having continuity, Sherman expects the young roster to improve with the added experience of the 49ers' deep playoff run last season.
"We'll have the same group, running the same scheme, and guys communicating the same, guys who know each other," Sherman continued. "So that will be helpful, but you've got to expect guys like Bosa to improve,
Deebo Samuel to improve. They've got (Brandon) Aiyuk coming in — Kyle (Shanahan) is drafting guys he wants — and he'll come in and make an impact."
Then you have Jimmy Garoppolo. Even though he threw for nearly 4,000 yards last season, Sherman expects his quarterback to be even better in his second full NFL season as a starter.
Fair or not, the national media has placed much of the blame for February's Super Bowl loss on Garoppolo's shoulders. His reduced role in the 49ers' two playoff games and an offseason flirtation with potentially adding
Tom Brady has only fueled the criticism and doubt.
In the end, Shanahan and company decided that Garoppolo was a better long-term solution for the 49ers than Brady, who will be 43 years old in a few days.
"And obviously, I think that Jimmy G, this being his second full season, hopefully, starting, will have leaps and bounds improvement, and he had a great season last year," Sherman said. "So, I look forward to him having a Pro Bowl season this year."
Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the San Francisco 49ers were among several NFL teams in attendance for former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton's pro day workout. The defender also goes by the name "Johnny."
Illinois DT Johnny Newton, a projected 1st-round pick, just wrapped up an impressive Pro Day — showcasing elite explosion and power after a Jones fracture that he's fully healed from.I'm told the following teams were in attendance, among others:BillsCowboys49ersJets… pic.twitter.com/ggMIiIBkub—
The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways.
"Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through."
Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
