San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, offensive line/run game coordinator Chris Foerster, and quarterback Josh Dobbs spoke to reporters after Thursday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Here's everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen
DB Deommodore Lenoir was obviously not happy that he wasn't named the Pro Bowl. What have you seen from him this entire season and do you feel like he is worthy?
"Of course. You're always going to want your guys. I know how good a player he is. And I understand also there's elements to the voting of that, it's like different thirds, so you just, you never really know how that pans out. But definitely. He's got that talent. I think he's an alternate, so at least there's some recognition, but I know guys are going to be disappointed."
He's definitely a guy who kind of thrives off the fact that he was a fifth-round pick. Do you feel like this is going to even fuel his fire more?
"Oh yeah. Guys that are really competitive will use anything for motivation and I think he can just add that to the mix."
There were several times this year where veteran players were quoted as saying there were communication issues. What do you do to address that with the guys you have on the roster and the people that you're potentially going to have on the roster next year?
"Yeah, we just, it's frustrating. And then that's why those veteran guys say that, we're all frustrated with it. It shows up and it's, sometimes it's different people, but it's immediately they know that they shouldn't have done that. So a lot of it is, the continue to push is the pre-snap communication is everything because most guys, if he's off the ball, he's probably going to move. So there's got to be, we just have to keep being better at it. And it's, you can't do it after the play. It's got to happen before. And then when it happens, someone starts moving during the play then you've already expected it, you've already pre-thought it. It's just something we've got to keep getting better at. And it hasn't, it's kind of shown up in critical parts of critical games."
Is it repetition, repetition?
"It is, it is. Like anything, if it's young guys or new guys, it starts with me and then the coaching and then the players have to execute. But it's a culmination of all that."
There was a play that stood out for good and bad reasons. Seemed like Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs got real wide open on their sideline and then S Malik Mustapha sprinted all the way across the field and made an incredible play on that. When you watched that again, what happened? How did he get that open and what'd you think of that effort?
"Are you talking about when he reversed backfield?"
Yeah. And then basically, Mustapha had to chase him down.
"Well, basically because he reversed and it was, and he's really fast. So we struck, really push pursuit and running to the ball and so we're all chasing and then he reversed field. And then yeah, you saw the speed and the effort and the style that Mustapha has on that play. It just showed up. That was, that's who he is. But again, Gibbs is really fast and he reversed field on us and kind of got us out of leverage. But, Malik finished really well with speed."
How would you assess Mustapha's rookie season now that it's almost done?
"I think he's been really good. We'll see how he finishes. I think, like I've said all year, he is an accountable guy that always wants to improve and his style has shown up all year. That's the one thing that's cool is who he was when we talked to him and everything you learn about guys when you're going through the process of learning the player, that showed up. Who he is, but also the style of play that we saw on tape in college, that showed up. And that's what I think jumps out to a lot of people. But I think more so behind the scenes of who he is, is really cool. So I think he's got a bright future. He's just got to, it's a big jump. You hope for a big jump from guys from year one to year two. That's always a huge difference from your rookie year to your second year. So you kind of hope to expect that jump. But it starts with how they evaluate themselves in the offseason and what they do right away. The best thing they can do is get with veteran guys that have had success and just learn from them. Talk to as many guys as you can, especially the guys that have had success and actually learn from them because it is a long, continuous year."
On fourth-and-goal from the four, what was the breakdown on that play and why not call man-to-man coverage to try to take away the quick throw?
"Well, the zones were working pretty good. It was a different zone, but we had played man before on the two-point play and had a bust. So, there are certain things that go throughout the game and then based on what they did, we should have it figured out, we just didn't. We didn't kind of push wide enough in our cloud and that's basically what it turned into. A lot of times when I'm in doubt, I like to go man, but you can't do that all the time. And there were a lot of those, like you said with the breakdown, sometimes you've got to mix it up. Or if you do it all the time, then guys can scheme you. So you've got to, just based on the situation."
From beginning to end, is there an area or areas that you look at and say, "We got better at this as the season went on?"
"I haven't fully evaluated that. I think, because it was just inconsistent. I can't really say until we finish the season. There were times that in the last four weeks that we got better. But I feel like, again, we just took a step back in a lot of elements in this game. So I just, overall consistency or inconsistency and then you're going to learn more once we really break it down. And it's hard, you're kind of sort of evaluating what you're calling and how we're playing things and kind of correcting things as the season goes. But those full self-evals happen at the end of the season. I felt like our communications were getting better and then we had another breakdown in a critical moment. The one thing I will say, I think the guys played hard all year. They have. And we've just got to see them do it again, because the season is not over. We've got a big game against Arizona. That's the one part that I can see is consistently, our guys have played tough, they've played violent and they've played hard."
To single one guy out, can you look at LB Fred Warner? He's going to the Pro Bowl again, leading the team in tackles. He started the season really well, had the ankle injury, just how did he get through the season? Was he trying to cover for guys that weren't in the right spot at times? What was his season like?
"That's who he is. Fred is, I think he's the best linebacker in the league. For him to go to the Pro Bowl, he should. Should be an All-Pro whenever, I don't know how they do that or when they do it. But there can be times when you're thinking like that. But he has such good instincts that he makes so many plays and there are a lot that come to my mind that he makes that you don't see guys do. And he's also doing all the communications, as far as getting us lined up and everything. There are times that guys that have watched a lot of tape and they have instincts that they try and make plays and when you have so much success doing it, yeah, you're going to embrace that and you're going to have guys, you're not going to coach down instincts and he has those. So I wouldn't say there was anything unusual as far as trying to do too much. And as far as the production earlier in the year, just sometimes it happens like that. We've had what, one takeaway in like seven games? It's not good enough. It's hard to win games when you're in the minus all the time or you're just not taking the ball away. We haven't done our part there pretty much half the season."
How would you assess the job that you did this year? Did you learn, did you grow?
"I learn all the time. For me, I'm harder on myself probably than anyone ever can, anything you guys or anyone could say. It starts with are we winning the game? Regardless of, obviously I want our defense to be top-notch and to be the best that we can be and grow and get better. So, as far as evaluating me, I learned a lot. I have learned a lot and I'll learn more this week too."
Your name was one of the names listed as a candidate for the Jets job. Have you had any contact with them? Do you expect to interview with them?
"I've heard nothing. I'm just, I'm honestly just trying to play good defense this week."
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Chris Foerster
It seems like the makeshift line that you talked about last week, did some pretty good things against Detroit. Would you agree?
"I'd agree. Yeah. It was a good night for us. Throwing the ball is sometimes easier than running it. There's not as much precision needed sometimes. We were able to get in their way. The guys did a great job. The good thing was we were converting on first and second downs. We didn't have a lot of third downs, a couple third downs, got a little bit loose, but converting. [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] did a great job of calling the game in a way that took the pressure off the linemen. And when they did have to do it, they held up decently. I was really proud of the guys and had kind of platooned the left tackle position with [OL Charlie] Heck and [OL] Austen [Pleasants] and they did a nice job over there, [OL Nick] Zakelj, they held their own. It was one week game. We had a big game. It was against a really good opponent. The the downside is we didn't come away with the win and it's disappointing. The guys did hold up their end of the deal, but we have to work a little bit better to get the win this week."
Kyle said he's never had a guy from another practice squad come in and start for him. Have you had that situation?
"No, never have. It was unusual to have a guy that was on practice squad. The good thing was he was with Houston for the majority of the last year or so, and I don't remember the exact dates he was there and left, but he really had a good understanding of the system. So that helped him. But Austen hadn't, and he hadn't been in Houston all year. He'd been in Arizona on their practice squad. So Charlie Heck had a good recollection of it. But yeah, it's the first time that's ever happened for me too."
OL Dominick Puni started every game this season for you, which is pretty rare for a rookie to do. Do you see him staying at right guard in his career or where do you see him kind of having success down the road?
"We always saw him as a guard. When we drafted him, we kind of thought he'd be a guard. We started him over at the right side because we felt where [OL] Aaron [Banks] was and we talked at times, but then when [OL] Spencer [Burford] got hurt and he took over the right guard spot during training camp, he just excelled. And so I don't see him moving. There'd be no reason to move the guy. I've always had him in the back of my mind as potentially, a fourth tackle. But I don't think that's his best position. I do think guard is, and he's proven that. He's done a nice job there through the year. I just said it's been the longest year of his life. And I might have said it before, but I'll repeat myself because I'm old and I get that luxury. When you think about his season, it started his senior year of college, right? Whatever he did leading up to that, whatever they do in college, all their summer workouts. So whatever that was a year ago, July. Then as soon as his season's over, Draft prep and the Combine, then the Draft, then Rookie Mini Camp, then the 17-game season. And here he is, 18 months after he started his senior season at Kansas without really a break. The little bit of break in July that we get but for the rookies, it's not much. So he legitimately has hit a wall and not a bad wall from a standpoint of he's been playing terribly, but it was really hard to stay focused and he did it, which is why so many rookies don't start every game."
Puni said he was feeling physically pretty good, but he's emotionally a little tired?
"It's just the emotion and that's what is. You have to stay on point to be sharp every week. There's no let up in the detail. It doesn't matter how talented you are, the details will get you if you're not on every little thing. Like the Rams game, there was some stuff they did that we talked about that I'm mad got him because we talked about it all week and it got us the first two passes and it was hard. Physically, I know during the season, t was funny, I said to him, 'hey Dom, what do you do on the off day?' He goes, 'nothing coach.' He said, 'I come in on Monday after playing a full game. I throw some weights around the weight room and I feel great.' I said, 'well, that's not going to be the same in about three years.' So I told him, 'you need to start getting into routine.' And he did. He started going to the regen. He started all the things you can do, the acupuncture, massage whatever they can do, with [director of functional performance] Elliot [Williams] stretching and things like that. And he did it all as the season went on. So I think he's young, so he probably isn't going to hurt a lot, but he does have that. He started a process of learning how to be a pro."
In your mind between left and right guard, do you want your best guard to be playing on the left side or does it not matter?
"Don't think it matters that much. In the middle it doesn't matter as much. I don't think I'd switch if he were our best guard, say for example, in a year, if he's our best guard, I'd still leave him on the right side. It doesn't really matter. Sometimes the right guard positions put a little more, sometimes you're naturally more of a right-handed team, which tends to be some ways you slide left more and the right guard's more one-on-ones. But that's random. That's a random comment. I don't know that would matter that much. Everybody says the tackles don't matter and they pay them like it doesn't matter because that's what the market says. That's just market value. Just because a Camry costs one thing and a Benz costs another, even if they were the same cost, one is still a Camry and one is still a Benz. It doesn't matter what the market says they're worth. If my back's to the quarterback, that matters to me. That is worth more that I can see this issue. I can't see. So that blindside theory, I don't want to get into that. That's a whole other discussion blindside. They had some issues with that, but yeah, blindside, I think it is the difference at tackle, guard."
OL Aaron Banks is entering kind of an important offseason for him. How would you assess how he's performed over the last four years here and how do you value him moving forward?
"I love Aaron Banks as a person. I loved him the minute we drafted him. I thought he is an outstanding guy. He works his tail off every single day. He's always looking to get better. He was up and down with some injuries, in and out and this year he had just a tough start to camp. Aaron Banks got better. Working every single year, he worked a little bit harder. He came here, we had weight issues with him. We had to keep his weight down. He went away for summer and came back heavy. We had to get his weight down and he had the injury in the preseason game. And then all of a sudden, by the time you're in years three and four, the guy's getting better. And yeah, he still has some of the things that some players that never goes away. [T] Trent [Williams] has things that he did his rookie year that I've been correcting him since 2010 that still are there. So that's every player. It's just to what degree, I've loved Aaron Banks. I think he's an excellent football player. He has some development to do still. He's still got some work to do and to make it through seasons consistently, which he's done a good job of that. But there's still some things that we can correct, but I think he's improved. That's the biggest thing I could say about Aaron. And I love the guy, just love the guy."
You have three new linemen in this room OL Matt Hennessy and Heck and Pleasants. You've just seen them in the game and now some practices. Is there anything about those three guys that stands out to you?
"Yeah, Heck has the movement skills. He's a very fluid athlete, very smooth and shows a lot of the movement skills that are good obviously for protection on the edge and also in our run game. So he has some of those good skills. Hennessy is a real good scheme fit for us at center and guard. One of those more, I don't want to say undersized, but a guy that's a little more, like a [OL Jake] Brendel quicker and twitchier and things like that. He's got a lot of that in his body. And then Pleasant's a really big guy that will have to work hard in our system to be a great fit. But he did. I left him in at the end of the game. I was really close to pulling between he and Heck because Pleasants had the unfortunate play being downfield for no reason. And so I was mad at him and like, I said, 'you thought it was a run?' He goes, 'no, I knew it was a pass.' He said, 'no, you thought it was a run. You were down.' He didn't, but, so then the next series I left him in and because he was anchoring good. He is a big dude, man. And when 99 [Detroit Lions DL Za'Darius Smith] and some of those guys started to push him, he could sit it down where Charlie has to work a little bit more on that. So they all bring a little dimension to it. Scheme fits a little bit more Heck and Hennessy than Pleasants."
You've liked Zakelj as a center. He played guard these last two games. How's he done there, and moving forward, is he showing you that he can be a guy who comes in at either spot perhaps next season?
"When he played guard in the preseason, we gave him start against, I think it was New Orleans. He had a very good game, which he made the team on that game and kind of beat [OL Ben] Bartch out as the backup center/guard. And then when he got his opportunity this year, got in a game, started a game against the Detroit Lions on a big stage in a big game. They came and played it as hard as they could. And we played as hard as we could. And he did well. I'm not ready to crown him as a guy that's a potential starter, but he'll have a really good chance to compete. And he's earned that right to compete because of how well he played at center. He did really well at center in the preseason as well. I think it's not his natural position. Both positions, he really has to work himself into solidifying both of them. He's got to get stronger. He's got a lot of development to do still, but how can you argue, he played well when he's had an opportunity."
He's not natural as a center?
"Yeah, he was a tackle in college. Center's been a stretch for him, but I had to give him, between him and Bartch, the way it played out with [OL Jon] Feliciano being the starter, we were trying to find another center to develop. And that's why I gave him the chance because mentally he's really smart. He was not quite as twitchy as you'd want for a center, but I said, I got to give him a chance and he found a way. Feliciano came up with a term. He said he's got like a 'wonky leg' like wonky legs through – like somehow, some way instead of like an athlete accelerates through and gets to the next level. Zakelj kind of wonkies through there, but he gets the job done. And that's a Feliciano term. So we've kind of kept it that. He wonkies his way through at center."
QB Josh Dobbs
When you came here, you'd been to so many different places and you called it crazy when we talked to you back in late July. You wanted to kind of immerse yourself in this system with head coach Kyle Shanahan and now you've been in it for like a whole year and you're going to start this game. I'm curious how far have you think you've come within the system and do you feel like a different guy?
"I don't feel like a different guy, but it's been good to be in one place for the year for sure and be around the same terminology, same teammates, same coaches, and just get consistent coaching within one scheme. So I've enjoyed that. I've enjoyed learning Kyle's scheme, watching [QB] Brock [Purdy] play really well within the scheme. I know our record isn't really indicative of our goals for the season, of course, but it's been good. It's been good to be around the guys, obviously be around a scheme that's been very successful and is at several other places throughout the NFL. So I've enjoyed the year."
There are so many offenses around the league that are similar to this one now. Do you see this game as sort of an audition for free agency in March that you can kind of show these other teams that you can run the system really well?
"Per-se, yeah. I think anytime you get a chance to get on the field and play, it's always an audition not only for the team that you're on, but for the other 31 teams, especially knowing my contract situation and being a free agent in March. So it's an opportunity to go out and show what I can do here as a 49er in this scheme as well as for other opportunities. So I kind of let free agency, all that stuff, work itself out when that time comes. I'm just excited for the opportunity to get on the field and play. We all work to have this opportunity to play at the end of the day and it's obviously fun to be a part of a great room and be supportive of Brock throughout the season, but to get a chance to get your number called and go out there and play and show what you can do is something that you never take for granted in this league. Whether you play quarterback, receiver, defense, no matter what, you can't take that opportunity for granted. So, I'm excited to get out there, play, compete. I've built a lot of camaraderie with several guys, a lot of guys throughout the locker room, so to be able to step into that huddle and lead that group of men in our last opportunity on Sunday will be a lot of fun."
Would you like to come back here next year and what have you learned from Purdy watching him prepare this year?
"Free agency will be free agency so we'll let that handle itself. But, what I've learned from Brock is just being able to be in command of the huddle. We do a lot on offense, right? And a lot is on the quarterback's shoulders from reads, progressions, sights when we're throwing hot, trying to play the game within the game of knowing what the defense is doing. And to watch how he prepares and how he segments it and how he sequences his approach to each play, whether it's just in the run game with calling two or three plays at the line of scrimmage or in the pass game feeding the ball to the right receiver based on different and crazy looks that we get every week, it's been very impressive to watch. And so, learning that, seeing that from him, hopefully I'll be able to show a little bit of what I can do as well on Sunday from what I've learned from Brock throughout the year."
How much does having WR Jauan Jennings on the roster, I know you've worked out with him during the offseason, how much does him being on the roster help your transition?
"It's been good. It's been good. A familiar face is always great. I've met a lot of the dudes in the locker room though, just throughout my time in the league. There were several free agents, obviously, signed this year, as we all know. So, I've met a lot of guys throughout my time in the NFL and happened to be obviously on the same team this year, which has been cool to interact with guys I've watched, seen from afar or crossed paths with over the offseason. And then specifically Jauan, it's really cool. I called him, I think it was after the Seahawk game. We had a really good game. He was playing X, first game at X, really stepped into that role of being like the guy, the go-to receiver and just watching him mature from what he was at Tennessee, he came in as a quarterback. He was kind of like my understudy to be the next quarterback at Tennessee. And watching him make plays on Sundays at receiver and really growing to the role of, 'I'm Jauan Jennings, the number one receiver in the NFL' has been really cool. And it's been great to obviously be around him in the locker room from an interpersonal relationship, but I think it's been really cool to watch who he's become as a football player. I'm excited to watch his career from here on out."
Are you going to help him get to that 1,000 yards?
"Yeah, that'll be nice. I know he's going to put some pressure on me for sure. So hopefully we can take care of that early in the game. But yeah, I know that's a big milestone for him. He's put in a lot of work. We won't force feed him the ball, but yeah we want him to get there for sure."
You played a lot of football last year. You kind of referenced this, but how hard is it to go from that to watching?
"Yeah, it's weird. It definitely is weird. It's definitely a slower paced of a year. For me personally, it's been just interesting just kind of by battling that dynamic of knowing that you can be out there and you've gone on, you played really good football and also recognizing the situation and using it as a learning opportunity. So, mentally I've learned a lot about patience. I said it before I got my first opportunity to play that the league taught me a ton about patience and just perseverance and mental toughness through it all because my first time not starting was when I got to the NFL, so definitely was an adjustment. But being here, I think just being around the guys, being around the room that we have, the coaching staff, hasn't made it difficult to be in that position and has made me enjoy wanting to learn and interact with them. But yeah, it's been a different dynamic for me, personally. So just navigating that each year is really a lifetime of its own especially at the quarterback position. So, you just take the challenges, take the opportunities that each year brings you. You try to make the most of every opportunity you get to go out on the field and execute and play at a high level and hopefully you're setting yourself up to be a starter and be a guy that some organization can rely on week-in and week-out. That's our ultimate goal every single time at least I step on the field."
What are you hoping to showcase on Sunday, whether it's for the 49ers or any of the 31 other teams? Is it the processing, mental, physical? We got to see it a little bit against the Lions. You had a good body of work last year, but there might still be some questions, 'is this the guy who could lead our franchise?'
"I don't think I'm trying to prove anything without a doubt. I just want to go out and play good football. I've worked hard in the offseason preparing for the opportunities I got in the preseason, opportunities in camp and obviously if my number were to be called to be ready at a drop of a hat anytime to go in and execute and play at a high level. Showed it last week. But now to have a full week of preparation, a full week of practice and reps, it's totally different. So, wanting to go out and play good football. Every time you step on the field you play to win. So I want to go out, compete, play at a high level and get a dub, send us out on the right note for this season and then we'll let the off season take care of itself."
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold was in your position last year. Today he was voted to the Pro Bowl. Have you taken note of sort of the path that he took to Minnesota and to the Pro Bowl?
"For sure. No one cannot see the story and the success that he's had. Obviously, I was in that building in Minnesota last year, so I know how special that team is and that building is. It's been really cool to watch him step in and take advantage of that opportunity to lead those guys. And obviously they'll make a really cool playoff run, we'll be watching. But quite frankly, I'm kind of focused on myself, this team and more importantly my journey and maturation throughout my time as an NFL quarterback. So yeah, you take note of those stories and those opportunities, but at the end of the day, Sam got an opportunity, took advantage of it. And I think that's just a testament to him, obviously his work ethic of being prepared for that opportunity and it's a lesson for every player in the NFL that no matter what the opportunity is, how big or small it may seem or be, if you go out there, you take advantage of that opportunity, you'll be able to be the player that you dreamed about being in the NFL. And so, that's what I noticed. You get the opportunity to play, you go out, you play well, you play to the best of your ability, you try to lead your team to a victory and everything else will work itself out after that."