Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, and current ESPN analyst, Steve Young spoke on KNBR Radio on Wednesday, as he does each week during the NFL season. Among the other things he discussed on the Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks Show, which included labeling the 49ers quarterback situation as "fraught with terror," considering how it plays out, was how the 49ers finished the game against the Detroit Lions last Sunday. Specifically, how they went from having such a huge lead to almost losing that lead.
Much has been discussed on this topic already, and debates have been held around the question of whether coach Kyle Shanahan pulled his players too early (leading to the Lions almost tying the game), or whether he pulled his players too late (leading to Jason Verrett's season-ending knee injury). Former 49ers tight-end, Brent Jones, was on KNBR earlier in the week letting it be known that you can't pull starters too soon because it sends the message that the game is over. And players can then have a let down.
Young seemed to believe the issue was more with the players, not the decision made by the coach. He talked about how players don't even play much in the preseason, and how September has become the new preseason. So players often aren't ready by Week 1.
Asked specifically what he thought about the team almost giving up its lead late in the game, Young answered, "It's a sign of immaturity, where a coach pulls players out and the team kind of responds, in kind, and you kind of fade. But I can totally expect that now, with the way that teams are put together and how little time you have. I would expect more for the 49ers because of the locker room they have, and that kind of thing, but that'll be a lesson. But anytime I was on a team, and we got a big lead and they pulled people out, and everyone faded, it was a sign of immaturity."
He added, "That would be what I would say to the team, if I had a chance to go talk to them right now, 'take that as a sign that we're not put together yet.'"
Young did note that what happened on Sunday isn't a big deal. But he did suggest the team needs to be honest about it, look to work on what needs to be improved, and realize that it still has things that need to be, in his words, "buttoned up."
The 49ers have a chance to button things up this weekend, as they travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.
