San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs spoke to reporters on Wednesday after the team's seventh training camp practice. Here is everything they said.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen
The last two days, seven interceptions off of your starting quarterback, what were you guys doing defensively to create those kind of takeaways?
"We always stress the ball. It's always everything. That's hugely what it is. As far as scheme, every day is just work hard, get better. That's really it. Taking it day by day. There's no outlandish scheme or anything like that. It's just being detailed in what we do and that's playing hard, playing physical, violent, having that speed and communication that we have to have. And then it's just executing. But the main thing is our guys are just competing every day. Just work hard, get better. That's your focus every day. Then stuff like that works out and you get the ball because you're executing. You create some confusion up front with guys in his face. And everything, just rushing coverage ties together. So it's just about the work and guys made plays. We got guys that are making plays and that's important."
What are your early impressions of the two new defensive tackles? You have DL Maliek Collins and DL Jordan Elliot there.
"It's been great. The whole group has been really fun to work with and watch and see how they work. Elliot is so explosive, he's so powerful and he's got some movement too, but he's explosive. He's so big. He's a lot bigger than you think. You stand next to him, and he does have very powerful hands. And Maliek is very dynamic, moves really well, but he also has that power too. And you're seeing that from [DL Javon] Hargrave and from [DL] Kevin [Givens] and [DL] Kalia [Davis] and really all those guys, [DL] T.Y. [McGill]. Just the whole group. You're seeing them compete and seeing those explosive dynamic guys that we like, that can move, but also have power and it's just, it's fun to watch them all compete."
The new rule in the hip drop tackle, have you guys had to coach guys up on that or how do you approach that?
"I've watched some stuff on it. I think we'll address it in the future, probably, at some point."
Kyle often talks about the leaps that a player can make from year one to year two. You've got a lot of year two defenders under you. What do you tell them when their rookie season is over and they're going into the offseason about what to do in the offseason and to come in having made that leap?
"I think a lot of it is just a comfort thing. I vividly remember even myself, from year one to year two, just jogging on the field that second year, it's just, it's night and day difference. Just in where you were at. You just played college, you had a bowl game, you trained for this combine and stuff. And then it was like a full year. And then now you learn what it was to be a pro. And really, it's about being in the system, being in the building. It's like, I'm not a student athlete anymore, I'm a professional football player. So you've already kind of had your system. So there's a comfort level. You've got plans in place, you've got people around you who you trust, as far as teammates and coaches and staff. So I think it's more of a comfort level that they learn. And a lot of guys, it's just being around these veteran guys that can help them as well. But for us, it's about, 'Okay, here's where you were, how good can you be?' Because a lot of times you see them start to ascend during that first year anyway. So it's like, 'Okay, let's see the jump,' and you just challenge them."
The two second year linebackers, LB Jalen Graham and LB Dee Winters both had nice plays today. Have you seen that leap from both of them? Can you kind of talk about where each of them is?
"Absolutely. Dee Winters plays fast. So does Jalen. The way to play fast is to know what you're doing and to feel comfortable in that. And then you're anticipating it. You have to learn a whole new system. It's totally different in college. There's a lot of differences. And then the details of what we do. So it's understanding the differences in the offenses and then understanding the details of the defense. And once you start to grasp that, it starts to become second nature. Your brain is not slowing you down, then you can see that speed and you can fully cut it loose and that's where they're at. They're taking that jump, both of them. It's cool."
You handled a lot of the nickel stuff last. So you worked with CB Deommodore Lenoir a lot. LB Fred Warner was saying last year that the guys that can play in the same game outside and inside are really rare. Are they? What enables Demo to do that?
"It is hard. It's tough. It's rare to, it happens so fast inside and then you have to have a different skillset set in there as far as just the tackling and being able to think, 'Alright, we're playing this coverage, this stone coverage or now I'm playing it inside.' It's different. You have different run fits. You've got to get your run pass read, and then you have to be able to man up outside where there's space and that guy can work. So it is impressive that he could do it. Not a lot of guys can, especially in the game, but that's something we like our guys that have, versatility. It teaches you a lot. And then it also adds to who we can have up and you have to be prepared for that too, based on positions. Just like we talked about last time, I think with [LB Yetur] Gross-Matos having the inside pass rush versatility. It's big for your team."
Talk about CB Renardo Green. He's getting a shot in the slot. How has he done with his opportunities there?
"I'm happy with the progress. He is picking it up quick. He's, again, same thing as Demo. We're working him inside and outside. We're doing that with a few guys. He's doing good. Really good."
Have you decided if assistant head coach/defense Brandon Staley is going to be in the booth for games?
"Yeah, he's going to be upstairs."
What's the biggest challenge for you in this promotion and becoming the defensive coordinator and having that top spot?
"I think your day's different now. You have different responsibilities. So it's just planning that out, working through it and just understanding that, alright, 'I'm in charge of my staff and the entire defense and what we want to look like. These are the changes I may want to do. This is how I want today to look and these are how I want everyone to coach a position and do certain things.' I'm the final say really on that. And it's just been fun once you get to the games it's making the calls but it's really the preparation. It's the preparation of the week and the offseason and training camp. It's been really fun."
With your calls and sending them into Fred Warner is there a certain dynamic of the relationship? You and Fred kind of have to be on the same page. What's your relationship with Fred?
"It's good. He is a great guy. He's really, really smart. He knows every part of this defense. He understands. So I do like to talk through what I'm thinking on certain things and why we're doing something today and tomorrow. And so to keep developing the relationship and talking through that with him has been good."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the defensive side of the ball pretty much won practice on Monday and then it seems kind of the same thing happened yesterday. What's the reason for that?
"I don't know. I was talking about this with some of the coaches. I don't know if it's the standard of and now my mindset always. I don't really think of it like that. I always feel like I see what we can be. So I don't feel like we're just winning the day, like you say. I expect it to be like that. And we have a great offense and I see the problems they give us too, and it makes us better. And I enjoy when they have something that gives us trouble because it challenges us to think and to play better. And I just know where we can be. So it's, win the day, whatever. Did we get better? That's all I care about really that day, like did we work hard? Did we get better? Did we finish? Did we play with that speed, violence and finish that? It's about that every day."
Deommodore talked about strategizing with Staley and some of the things that he's taught him already in terms of percentages and when to look at something. On the radio interview he even said he was like the defensive Kyle in terms of knowing strategy. To be in your position and have an offensive strategist and a defensive strategist of that caliber, what's that like?
"It's great. Like I said, it's been great having him here. He is really smart. He's got a lot of experience and stuff like that. It's huge. It's been awesome."
QB Brandon Allen
WR Ricky Pearsall got his first full practice in today. What would have you seen from him? What's it like throwing to the rookie?
"Yeah, glad to have him back. I think you can kind of see he's explosive. He's quick in and out of his breaks. He's a really good route runner. He's definitely going to help us in that sense. And I think the more reps he can get, the more time he can spend out there practicing the better he's going to get."
What's this camp been like for you having been here a full year going throughthe playbook once. Do you feel just a lot more comfortable in running the system?
"Yeah, absolutely. I think everyone knows [head coach] Kyle's [Shanahan] offense is difficult at times to kind of get down, to kind of be really comfortable in and it comes with, with reps and studying and all that. And so I think having that whole year last year to be in it and then come back again this year with the same system has been good. Definitely more comfortable, mainly in terms of verbiage. I've been able to call the plays a lot easier, visualize in my head. So, I definitely think last year helped."
What are the keys for a quarterback to succeed in this system?
"We're really big on playing with our feet, knowing where to go on what hitch and the timing of routes and seeing the defense and throwing into holes really. So I think if you can play with your feet and be really dialed into, 'here's my first hitch. Here's my second hitch. Here's my checkdown. What defense are they in? What do I anticipate being open?' I think you can succeed in this offense."
Can you kind of just describe your relationship with QB Brock Purdy and just how you've helped him with your years in the league?
"I think the biggest thing, Brock's awesome. Obviously the way he played last year kind of shows that and he can make all the throws, he can make all the plays. I think what I do bring into the QB room is like you said, kind of just the years in the league and just the amount of defenses I've seen, the amount of just kind of general reps where I've seen this coverage play out a certain way. Just little tips here and there. Where if you know the coverage, but if you see him kind of playing it this way, you can anticipate he's going to undercut this route or you can anticipate this is going to be open. That sort of thing. So I do think just kind of the years in the league, the experience that I've accrued has kind of been helpful for him."
Were you able to pick up like any defensive keys? Like maybe some defenses started playing him a certain way?
"Yeah, I think it's different week-to-week. Obviously with just the style of defense you're going against week-to-week, the different types of players. Some corners may be more aggressive than others. Some linebackers might get a lot of depth on their drops. Some might not as much. Some bite harder on the fake. So I think it really depends week-to- week."
You mentioned getting the reps obviously last year this time you weren't getting nearly as many as you are this camp. How much growth have you seen in yourself, just in terms of being comfortable in the system?
"Yeah, I do think a lot more reps this year has helped. Just being able to physically run the plays myself, as opposed to sitting and watching and trying to take the mental rep from last year. I do think getting in and getting more reps of actually running the plays has helped me a lot."
Competitio is a part of this league and they brought QB Josh Dobbs in and his experience was almost a polar opposite of yours. He starts with Cleveland, then he goes to Arizona and then he goes to Minnesota. He starts all those places. Can you imagine three systems in a year? What's your observations of Josh and getting to know him?
"No, it's not easy to do. And obviously, he did pretty well being thrown in some tough situations like he did last year. And I've kind of known Josh for a while now, but obviously first observation, he's really smart. He's really picked up the offense pretty quickly being here, in the short amount of time that he has. You can see he's dialed into what he's trying to do on the field. He knows the reads. He's seen a lot of defenses. So he's experienced. He's smart, accurate with the football, and that's kind of everything you want to see."
What does QB Tanner Mordecai bring to the quarterback room? What gives him a chance to be successful?
"Yeah, Tanner's got an incredible arm. His arm's talent, I put it probably close to the top. He can spin the football. You can tell he's really put the work in the film room trying to learn the offense, get the verbiage down, call the plays. It's a lot for him coming from college and a system, purely in the gun, I think in college for him. So calling a play in the huddle was different for him. But I think he's done the work in the film room and you can see the arm talent that he has just when he lets go of the football, it comes off pretty well."
There was a play where quarterbacks coach Brian Griesy was following him and chased him around the outside earlier. What was going on there?
"That's our conditioning. Yeah, we don't call a lot of QB draws. So anytime we give a handoff, we're with the running backs and we carry out a boot fake, he'll chase us down just so we get some conditioning in."
With Brian Griese, does that bring a little more fun and interaction in the room?
"Yeah, you don't love when he is chasing you down and he is making you run to the sideline, but he does bring the energy every day in practice. And I think as quarterbacks we kind of feed off that. You can get a feeling when coaches are tired. It's the third day of practice in a row, but you really do never feel that with Griese. He's always got energy. He's always getting us hyped up before practice to get us ready to go and it starts with that, getting us to run and get going."
You re-signed fairly quickly here. Did you have at least some confidence or feeling that you'd have be able to compete for a backup job this year?
"I'd hope so. Part of signing back as quick as I did, I wanted an opportunity to have a chance at the two, knowing full well they could bring someone in and have me compete for it. And I think me and Josh have had a pretty good competition going so far. I think we push each other every day on the practice field and really as a QB group as a whole. We're out there all to make each other better, includes Brock, includes Tanner. We're all pushing to make the right play, make the right throw. There's no animosity towards each other at all like we want to see everyone succeed and make everyone around us better."
QB Josh Dobbs
What led you to think that this was the right spot for you to sign as a free agent?
"I've had a lot of respect, obviously for [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and the organization. And then obviously, playing for the Cardinals last year and playing against San Francisco, I think Brock had like a perfect game. I think he had one incompletion. So when the opportunity presented itself to be a part of, obviously, what's been going on here, what's been built here over the last several seasons, but also being in an offense, in a scheme and can learn from the guy that really created it within the NFL, I jumped at that opportunity."
What was last year like for you, just in the whirlwind that it was going from team to team? How was that, how did that go for you?
"It was crazy. I think crazy is the simplest term to define it. It seemed like every time you kind of got settled, it was like, okay, let's go learn a new offense, learn new teammates, learn a new city, and try to get reacclimated to go out and play good football. So, it was definitely was a crazy experience. But I enjoyed every aspect of it. I enjoyed the opportunity to go out, compete, put my best foot forward every single week and get that opportunity to lead from the front. I enjoyed the experience, but ideally don't want to go through another crazy season such as that. But I take it one day at a time and embrace each opportunity that I'm given. Go out and make the most of them."
Did it make you better?
"1,000%."
You look at the Cleveland system, Arizona and Minnesota, the 49ers, see similarities and pick things out?
"Definitely. There are always similarities, right? It is football at the end of the day. A lot of teams, especially those teams who are running a similar-esque system to what's going on here, as I would say, maybe a derivative of this. But they're all also different and they all have different personnel and different ways to attack the field. So to your initial question, did it make me better? One-hundred percent, because first off, you get a chance to go out and, start and play with the ones. That's something I've been looking forward to throughout my entire career. Getting those real-life game reps, man, they're invaluable. And then second, from a perspective standpoint, yes. Being able to be around different coaches that obviously have had a lot of success as head coaches and as offensive coordinators in the NFL, was really cool and very unique. To get the perspective of these offenses to continue to add different tools to my tool belt as I go out there and try to compete whenever I get my opportunity on the field."
Watching the Super Bowl and seeing WR Jauan Jennings and some of those plays, did that bring back some memories?
"It did. I was so excited for him. I think I literally tweeted, I was like, 'Jauan is about to be Super Bowl MVP,' when everyone thought the Niners here were going to win last year's game. So I was so excited for him. I know a couple plays were right there, right? It is just the difference between wins and losses in the NFL, especially in the Super Bowl, on that stage. But I was so excited to see him go out and really be Jauan Jennings on the biggest stage of football. I remember when I was at Tennessee, he came in and he was a quarterback, he was like my little brother. We were doing squats together and everything. And so, to see his maturation from coming in as a quarterback to playing as a freshman in college at receiver to going five years at Tennessee and coming here and earning every opportunity he's gotten and going out excelling to get on the biggest stage and do what he does. It's been great to see his growth throughout his football career. I know he's just scratching the surface of the player he can be."
Are you responsible for having him go over to receiver?
"Am I responsible? So, I was going into my junior year, he was a freshman. He had some time if he was going to play quarterback either way, but it was a great opportunity for him to get on the field, to make an impact and he jumped at that opportunity. He jumps at any opportunity, as you guys know. So, I wouldn't say I was responsible. I think it might've been something that was going to happen either way when he got to Tennessee, but he's made the most of it for sure."
That play where he threw the touchdown to you, when you're watching the Super Bowl, it was obviously, I think very reminiscent. That went to a running back, and you were the QB, but how many similarities did you see?
"I saw them everywhere. Obviously, Tennessee media jumped at every single replay that they could make. And then I actually texted him, I think a couple weeks after the game because he was in Dallas, and we were about to work out together. I was like, 'So did they ask you about your play from Florida, when you threw the touchdown to me?' He said they didn't ask him about it, but I'm sure they got it from somewhere knowing he could make that throw across the field. But it was cool to see. For him to throw a touchdown in the Super Bowl, not many guys can say that. Let alone not playing quarterback. Pretty cool memory for him."
The game against Arizona last year, talking about QB Brock Purdy on the other side? That was actually on the anniversary of the Hail Mary to Jauan.
"It was. I remember after the game, I think Jauan was out that game. But we got a picture because we had to get a picture to signify the anniversary. So yeah, I remember that for sure."
QB Brandon Allen was just in here talking about how everything is tied to the quarterback's feet in this system. Is that emphasized here more than the other stops that you've played at?
"Yeah, I would say it definitely is the biggest point of emphasis in our QB room and it is emphasized a little bit more than other places. It shows just with the efficiency, how efficient the offense has been over the last several years. When you have a quarterback in there that's very good with his footwork, his reads, his decision making, is decisive and gets the ball to the best weapons in the league, it shows how successful this offense can be and continues to be. It is a big point of emphasis. Us as a room collectively, I know I just got here and Brock has been here for going to his third year now, Brandon was here last year, [QB] Tanner [Mordecai], he's learning it with me too. We're all in there trying to refine our footwork, play with efficient feet, click through our reads as efficiently as possible, because we know if we get the ball out of our hands, we get the ball in our playmaker's hands, then this offense can't be stopped."
Have you gotten more comfortable throughout training camp?
"One-thousand percent. You get more comfortable with reps. That's just the nature of anything in life, right? Especially in football when you're learning a new offense, and you have four offenses in your head at one time that you've learned in the last 365 days. It's always a process. That's why I love training camp. You get a chance to come out, compete, put your best foot forward every day. But also get those reps, they're invaluable to be able to grow and improve each and every day. it's July 31st right now, which is crazy to put things in perspective, it's not even August yet. But the goal is, when you get out there for the first preseason game, you're leaps and bounds from how you feel right now, just seven days into camp. And as you get to the second preseason game, third preseason game, the confidence, the comfort level, the efficiency with your footwork only grows so that by September, first week, you hit the ground running and you're ready to go play the best ball you can. So each day is an opportunity to grow and get better. Each day also is filled with new installs. So, you're trying to process the new install and also not make the same mistake twice from yesterday as well. But each day you get an opportunity to go out there, you improve, you grow, you get more comfortable. And then you go out and you play the best football you can in the fall."
You got hot last year, I think it was the comeback game against Atlanta. I think I remember WR Jauan Jennings saying something like 'Astronaut Dobbs.' How often do you talk to him or did he contact you during that run when you got really hot with Minnesota and kind of just talk about the other side of you with aerospace engineering and all that and how that helps you?
"Yeah, for sure. It was great to get the support from my former teammates. I got a lot of texts from a lot of guys that played with around the league, both during my time at Tennessee and some of my former teammates in the NFL. So yeah, it was really cool getting that support from former teammates, man because in general, especially as a quarterback, you put your best foot forward, you never know when you're going to get your opportunity. I know that goes for a ton of guys and their stories across the league. But the goal is whenever the opportunity comes, you're ready to take advantage of it. So it's good to be able to do that and it feels good to get the support from the guys. And so obviously you want to harness that momentum and continue to improve. Then to your second question in regards to aerospace engineering obviously is a passion of mine. It's a very publicized passion of mine and I think everyone knows about the story, which I love because it's what I love to do outside of football and I've always had a passion and affinity for aviation, aerospace engineering and I try to use my platform to show that. You can be an NFL football player, but also if you want to be really good at something else and you have the time and work ethic, you can also do that as well. So yeah, it is important to me. But while I'm here at camp, I'm focused on ball or in season, I'm focused on ball. And that's being the best quarterback it can be for our room and embracing whatever role that my spot entails and then I get my opportunity to go out there and play the best ball I can."
This offseason, in regards to that passion of yours, were you in Canaveral?
"So I was not in Cape Canaveral. I went up to Cleveland for the eclipse which was very unique. My current goal in that world is I'm working on my pilot's license. So I started that, actually during my time out here during OTAs, which was a lot of fun because it's beautiful. Fly out to the coast, fly out to the valley. There's a lot of airplanes in the air out here, that's for sure. I didn't notice that until I started training, but it's a great place to learn to fly. So started that. But that'll be all on the back burner obviously for the season. But yeah, that's what I worked on this offseason. So I'll continue to pick out different things throughout my off time in order to continue to grow in that world. But while I'm here, it's football season, my time and attention's all on ball."
Where are you on your hours?
"I think I have 35 of the 40 you need to get your private pilot's license and then you work to your instrument rating. You keep growing from there. So we're close. I haven't taken my check ride yet. So it's probably something I'll hold off for after the season. But maybe get some practice in, go check out the mountains and stuff out here. But yeah, it's just it's very cool. It's very pretty, very peaceful. A lot going on a little bit. But there's actually a lot of crossover that talk to FAA, they repeat, they say a call, you've got to repeat it back to them very specifically. You've got a lot of stuff going on. It's just like what you're saying in the pocket. You got to call out one of coach [head coach Kyle] Shanahan's plays. They get real wordy in there. So it's been good crossover between the two."
Are you trying to fly like spacecraft ultimately?
"I like flying planes. I think spacecraft, they don't make them with wings anymore. So I think there's a lot of automation, nowadays, technology taking over different from the sixties and stuff. It will be like hand flying, getting up there. So no flips or anything. We don't do anything too crazy though."