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Ricky Watters played four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (1991-94) and was a big reason why the team won its fifth Super Bowl championship during the 1994 campaign. After that season, the 49ers allowed Watters to leave for the Philadelphia Eagles, where the running back had three consecutive seasons of 1,550 or more total yards.
The production didn't change in Watters' next three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he continued that streak. It wasn't until 2001, his final year in the league, that Watters failed to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and 1,550 total yards.
Steve Young often regrets the 49ers' decision not to prioritize the return of Watters after the team's last Super Bowl championship. The Hall of Fame quarterback wonders if more titles might have been possible had Watters' career in San Francisco been extended.
The 49ers traded for
Christian McCaffrey on October 20, sending a haul of draft capital to the Carolina Panthers for the running back. On Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, McCaffrey proved it was a smart trade, registering eight receptions, 149 scrimmage yards (94 rushing, 55 receiving), and three total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing, one receiving) in the 49ers' 31-14 win. As a result, he was
named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Young joined KNBR on Wednesday and was asked to compare the 49ers' newest star running back to Watters.
"Ricky was bigger, and so he could run people over," Young shared on the
Tolbert & Copes show. "... Christian is twitchier, right? He's more Lamar Jackson. Like, he can make you ... you just miss. Ricky was more fluid. But we all underappreciated him when he was with us. And then, when he was gone, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, was he great.' And that's just one of those stupid mistakes that we all make when you don't appreciate people that are close to you.
"But both of them, super talented, and really, to me, are the sauce of championships. Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Watters are the kind of things that create a championship ... that's how you go win them. So that's why I'm pretty excited about it."
Having a player like McCaffrey on the roster can elevate everyone else's play. It can also create frustrating matchups for opposing defenses, especially once the 49ers start getting players back from injuries.
"Deebo's not even healthy," Young said of Sunday's game against the Rams. "... Deebo's watching. What I love about the Christian McCaffrey add, it's kind of like adding double because of his preparation and his ability to recognize the blitz. He can be that extra quarterback in the huddle."
Young added, "Christian's so prepared, memorizes every week, 'Tell me more, Coach. Give me more. I want more.' And then everyone around him is going, 'Should I be asking for more?' Yeah, if you want to keep your job. That just raises everybody. It sets the bar. ... Guys like Christian McCaffrey do not allow you to just go through the motions, and that really helps week to week."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Young below.
It's not an exaggeration to say that RB Christian McCaffrey is coming off one of the best individual seasons in the history of the San Francisco 49ers.
In his first full year in red and gold, McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing yards (1,459), total yards (2,023) and total touchdowns (21) on his way to becoming Offensive Player of the Year. His yards on the ground were the fourth most ever for a Niners running back and his 21 touchdowns trailed only WR Jerry Rice's team record of 23, which the Hall of Famer accomplished in just 12 games in 1987. McCaffrey was also prolific in the passing game, hauling in 67 receptions and often providing a safety net for QB Brock Purdy.
Because McCaffrey has meant so much to Kyle Shanahan's scheme, it's easy to see why the offense
Taylor Swift, the Kansas City Chiefs, and a Super Bowl overtime matchup. If the NFL is scripted, the league came up with a good one this past season—unless you're a San Francisco 49ers fan.
During his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium this past weekend, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy faced a candid inquiry from one young participant: Is the NFL scripted?
"No, the NFL is not scripted," a smiling Purdy responded. However, the quarterback added, "Good
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
