San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens spoke with reporters before Wednesday's practice, as the team prepares to play the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
When you dive back into the tape from Sunday, what are the things that kind of stick out to you that you can kind of wrap your mind around and work on this week to get better?
"Yeah, I think just staying calm in the pocket. I was a little antsy from the start on Sunday. So just staying calm in the pocket. I think that's the biggest thing. If I stay calm in the pocket and go with my reads and then everything else takes care of itself. And so that's one thing that I'm going to focus on this week.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has talked a lot about stressing turnovers. How do you focus on limiting turnovers without making it something that you're fearful of and staying aggressive?
"You just keep emphasizing it, just make the simple play. That's the biggest thing. Just make the simple play. Don't try to do too much. If it's not there, throw it away. And that's up to me. I have the ball in my hands every play, and so I've just got to protect it."
On the broadcast the other day, they showed QB Jimmy Garoppolo sitting up in the press box or wherever and he was taking notes. I'm just wondering what kind of resource he's been for you throughout this and maybe what kind of things he's doing in the game to kind of stay plugged in?
"Yeah, he's a positive influence and a positive voice. We don't see him too much during the week, like doing rehab and things like that, but we're always catching up, always talking and he's just a positive voice. I know he pulls for me more than anybody. And so, yeah he's a great teammate and that's the biggest thing just always lifting me up."
The turnovers aside, it seemed, you know, some of your passes were a little bit more inaccurate than usual on Sunday. How much does that stick with you and why was that? Was there something common on why you were missing guys either high or throwing low?
"I can't put my finger on one reason really. I think the biggest thing is you just go back to the field and get your routes on air in and you practice and you just go back to work. I mean, those are routine plays. Those are expected to be made, that's the expectation at the position. And that keeps us on the field, so I've got to be more accurate."
My question was about overthrows. A lot of times when you see quarterbacks, not you, but any quarterback, miss it's often that the ball sails over the target. I'm just wondering, is there a common denominator there, follow through, getting the ball over the offensive line? Why when quarterbacks miss do they often miss high?
"I think probably has to do with the feet. I think that's the biggest thing. When my feet are at their best my throws are at their best. So, just keep feet keep sound foot work, and just stay calm with your feet in the pocket and your mechanics take care of themselves."
FB Kyle Juszczyk is one of the finalists for the Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Can you just talk a little bit about him as a teammate in that way and what he's brought to your game?
"He's a true pro in every sense of the word. I mean, ever since he came to the 49ers, we came in the same year here and he is just a true pro. Really just, he does everything right. And that's, I mean, he just does his job to an extremely high level and does everything right. And that's all you can really say about juice. I mean, he's a pro, he's a great teammate, just does his job. And if you do your job at a high level, every single day you'll gain respect and that's what juice has done, and that's why the whole team respects him and it's why he's up for the award because he's a solid team teammate and a role model for sure."
How much are you looking forward to George being back at practice this week and how much effect can he have on the offense, especially on game day?
"Yeah, I can't wait to see George out there. Even just as, take his talent and play-making ability aside, just his energy and smile. You know, George is always bringing juice and so it'll be awesome to have him back out there. And to the offense, I mean, people know anytime George gets the ball in his hands a big play is about to happen and so he definitely helps the offense and helps the team."
