The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to play the Houston Texans on Sunday. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans spoke with reporters after today's practice. Here is everything they had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel
We've been hearing from your defensive players and defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans about how good QB Trey Lance has looked in practices running the scout team. How does that apply to what you guys do considering he's running different offenses? What can you kind of take away from that and how does he build by running the opponent's offense?
"That goes back to the preparation by him and his position coaches, [quarterbacks coach] Rich Scangarello and [offensive passing game specialist] Bobby Slowik. Making sure that you're prepared going into practice, you review the cards that you're running so that every single time there's overlap, because there's not a ton of secret plays in the NFL. There's a lot of overlap between what people are running and so when there is overlap, then you apply it in your verbiage and language and use your timing so it's incredibly valuable. There's always little details that they'll have to adjust, but every single time you're taking a scout team rep, you're in the huddle, you're using any sort of verbiage that applies to our offense. You're telling people where to go, you're using cadence and then distributing the ball against zone or man defenses. All of that is incredibly applicable to what players have to do, quarterbacks specifically on a down in, down out basis, whether you're scout team or running practice with the first team."
We've heard a couple players just talk about how Trey's become a little bit more aggressive in the pocket as a passer rather than run, but how has he changed or how have you helped him just tighten up his mechanics his throwing motion? What has changed with Trey behind the scenes in terms of that improvement?
"Well, it's just deliberate practice. You're going each and every day. Trey's a very smart dude and so he takes coaching very well. You want to be specific because he'll hear everything you say and he will try to apply it. So, it's just deliberate practice day in, day out. We have direct coaching points that we've over time kind of established as our core fundamental principles. So it's just really day in, day out saying, 'Okay, we want you to play with the base better, improve that.' And so he diligently does it and applies it every time possible. And then it's a matter of time with every player, every single player, it doesn't who you are, whether your [T] Trent Williams or a rookie, you're going to have lapses in technique. And that's our job as coaches is to always be aware of it, always be present and never miss an opportunity to help a young player get better."
How have you seen Trey evolve as a leader from really when he first got there for rookie mini-camp to today as he goes in to potentially start on Sunday?
"He's a charismatic, humble, young kid. It's like going to a new school. At first, you see glimmers of someone's personality, but if you have any social awareness, you kind of feel it out and see your place. The NFL season is almost like two seasons of college football. So what's the difference between being a freshman in college and a junior? I think people really respect his work ethic. That's earned not given and you feel that as a player and you allow it to all hang out. He's really just another player on the team and on this team, there's no room for individuals or 'I's. It's all about what's the best for the 49ers and the way he diligently tries to work at his craft, I think is very impactful to his teammates. And much like we were talking about with [WR] Brandon Aiyuk, kind of showing his personality. That's kind of what we've experienced with Trey and understanding that players want him to lead and him actually embracing that. And you can hear it in his voice. You can hear it in how he handles his teammates, it's been cool to watch."
What have you seen from QB Jimmy Garoppolo throwing the ball on the side before practice the last two days, whether in person or on video? Also, FB Kyle Juszczyk is up for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award and I'm kind of curious what you've seen sportsmanship-wise from a guy whose main job is to shove people to the side?
"Yeah. Okay. Well your first question, Jimmy is one of the best throwers on the planet. He's very gifted in the accuracy and ball placement and he throws really catchable, tight footballs. That hasn't changed. It's more about how it responds and how it feels, so that you can have strength in that thumb through the course of an entire game. So it's looked great, it's more about how he responds to it and how it feels the next day. That's why it's kind of a day-by-day basis with him. That's been encouraging watching it and you're kind of playing the waiting game saying, 'Okay well, Friday, how's he going to wake up and feel.' As far as Juice and his sportsmanship, I was kind of giving him a hard time about that today. I think it shows people's respect for him and how he goes about his business. But it was surprising because it's not like he gives his opponent an inch really. So I think it's more about how they respect him doing his job and going about his business and being a higher effort player because he does get a little salty during games. But I think it just speaks to how professional he is and what a great football player he is, doing things the right way."
How closely did you and Rich pay attention to Trey's snap to throw speed against the Cardinals in Week 5. And if you did, was that speed what you would expect from a rookie? Do you think that that's accelerated over time? Where is he on that part of the game?
"To be honest, we didn't even watch it. No, that is really all we do is pay attention. We try to be detailed as possible as a coaching staff. And it goes across the board from an offensive lineman's alignment to like, you're talking about speed to throw. I think the main thing is going through, watching him process and playing in the timing of a play. And that's something that every rep at every play that you do run, you get better at. And that's really just him accepting the challenge because we were perfectionists. Just because that that's our job. Our job is to get the best out of players. So all that is an opportunity to say, 'Hey this was great, but look at this, you were a hitch too late on this.' All of that is a huge part of a coach's job, whether it's a quarterback or you're talking about a running back pressing the right hole or taking the right track or you're talking about a receiver running this depth right. So all of those things have improved from training camp to what you guys saw in the Arizona game and then from the Arizona game to now. We've seen improvement the entire time, which can only happen one way and that's deliberately working at your craft and not ever getting exhausted with the process because it is an exhausting process, but you learn a lot about guys. And I think all of his teammates have learned that this guy is driven and is far from satisfied with his game and will continue to grow."
TE George Kittle in the game against Tennessee, I think he went three quarters plus without a target. I understand, obviously, that opens some things up for other guys. WR Deebo Samuel goes onto have a big night, things like that, but is that something that concerns you and you kind of make it a point moving forward of like, 'Hey, we got to at least try to get him the ball throughout a game.' Or how do you kind of view that when a team is doing so much to take one guy away, even if it is opening things up for someone else?
"There a lot of things that factor into that. Especially, at the tight end position. If teams want to play soft zone and play two-shell defense, the best thing about having multiple players on your offense that can make plays is that you are allowed the liberty to take what the defense is giving you. There's certain times that he's left one-on-one on third down a ton and teams are playing a lot of man. That's when we look at ourselves critically and say, 'Hey, what are we doing? This guy has a matchup and we're not taking advantage of it.' But realistically, if you're going into a game and on third down two guys are covering George Kittle. Well, yeah, he can probably still make a play, but you're also adding risk for your whole team. And when you have other playmakers, which we're afforded you, you can distribute the ball and he does have opportunities. He can make more of them. So there are situations where we definitely are in, hindsight, like 'Hey, we didn't take advantage of certain situations with players. This past game, we'd love Kittle to have 250 yards receiving every week. But is that the best thing for the team? And I didn't really see us as an offensive coaching staff, miss opportunities that we wish we had back. It's game-by-game. I know it's fantasy people's nightmares, but that's kind of what we do. We try to do our best to take what the defense gives us and get the ball to where the defense is most vulnerable."
Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans
Let me ask you something I asked LB Fred Warner yesterday, which is how has QB Trey Lance been looking in practices as far as giving your defense a good taste of the upcoming opponent and whether that's improved, gotten better over the last month or so?
"Yes. I think Trey has done an outstanding job over the past month or so. You can definitely see the improvement. He's done a really good job of being more aggressive, taking shots on us and really threading the ball in some really tight coverage. So he's done a really good job as far as challenging us, making it definitely harder for our guys to defend. I was definitely encouraged by what he's done over the past month or so. It looks really well, so I'm pleased with Trey."
What do you think about the rookie quarterback that you're going to be facing and what other challenges do the Texans offense offer you?
"Yeah, I think the first thing with that offense is they're going to lean on the run game. I think that's how you help the rookie quarterback, definitely leaning on the run game. So they've done a good job, definitely the past week, where they've ran the ball very consistent with over a hundred yards rushing last week. So first things first, we have to stop the run game and they've helped the quarterback by running it. Also not putting too much on his shoulders. You could tell it's been more screens, more boots, quick passes and he does a really good job. He goes through his progression really well for a young guy and he can find an open spot in zone coverage. So he's done good job over the past couple weeks and you can see how they've been effective over the past couple weeks and able to win some games, based on the run game and his play."
I think we ask you this every week, but just curious what your evaluation of how CB Ambry Thomas played against the Titans and how are you seeing him grow from week-to-week right now?
"Yeah, Ambry, he's getting those quality reps. What young guys need. With young guys, you have to get thrown in a fire and you learn all on the job. It's one thing to just practice all the time, but you have to get out there against live competition. Ambry has been matched up with some of the top receivers in the NFL and he's gotten better and better each week. I see the confidence building in him. He was able to make some plays against some of the top guys and his confidence is still building. He's still learning. He's still growing, but I think he's progressing in the right direction."
You say that Houston Texans QB Davis Mills goes through his progression well, is that surprising or rare for a rookie to process quickly in his first season?
"I think it's always difficult for the young guys when they first come in. Just seeing the different coverages and things that are presented in the NFL and to see a guy like Davis, you can tell he is a very smart guy. They don't give him a lot, but the things that he has, he's mastered those things and he does a really good job. And you can see the confidence in him from when he first started out the year up until their most recent game. You can see his confidence has grown throughout the season."
LB Patrick Willis was just named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I don't know how much you've crossed paths during your career or after, but as a lot of people say, you just kind of know a hall of Famer when you see him. Does he qualify as that in your estimation?
"Yeah, I think it's a no-brainer that Patrick is a Hall of Famer. I remember Patrick from when he was back at Ole Miss, just making every tackle. Even when he had the big club on his fist, he was still out there making plays. He's always been a dominant player from college all the way through his time in the NFL. Patrick is one of the best linebackers to play the game. You talk about speed, you talk about physicality, you talk about smarts, he's everything you want in an inside linebacker. And he set the tone for the defense here, for the eight, nine years that he was here. He was that guy. He was the leader of this defense. And it was just always fun to watch him every time. Even when I was playing, [linebackers] coach Johnny Holland would give me, I was struggling at time with open field tackling, and he makes a DVD for me and it's of Patrick Willis. And just studying Patrick and how he tackled, so it's definitely a guy I respect. I have the utmost respect for Patrick and I can't say enough good things about him. I know he's a great man just off the field, but he's always been a tremendous teammate and one of the premier linebackers in the league."
When you went back and watched the Tennessee game there was a lot of third-and-longs that the Titans got. Were there a couple of things that were breaking down there that you could put your finger on that were fixable or was it just a different issue on every play? How did you kind of evaluate that?
"Overall, man, we were in position to make plays. We had to make plays and that's what it came down to. I think we were in position, we just didn't make the plays that we should have made. So it was discouraging, on third down when we're in a very advantageous position, when we're in those third-and-longs. So that should be a high percentage win for us defensively and we understand that. You just have to make the play. Guys recognize the routes and everything we're doing, playing with proper leverage. So it was a couple different breakdowns. Each one had its own set of issues, but I just think guys, playing smarter, playing with the proper leverage and making a play when it's your time to make a play. You have to go make that play."
And following up on that, they did a lot of max protect. DL Nick Bosa was talking about the challenges of that. How much does that affect what you can do in terms of pass rush? And are there ways that if teams do that moving forward that you can counter that?
"Yeah. that's what we've been getting the entire year. People are going to max protect to slow Bosa down. Bosa has been an effective rusher for us and he's garnered that attention because of how productive he's been. I have to do a better job of putting him in position to be successful."