San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones spoke to reporters on Friday, after the team's eighth practice of training camp. Here is everything they had to say.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh
With your top two corners being banged up right now, you're going to look at some of those other guys. What have been your early impressions of your depth at cornerback?
"It's been good, competitive. It opened up a pretty cool competition I guess you could say. We've got that third corner spot's wide open, and I'm not talking nickel or anything, there's a different battle for that. Just the third in the event one of them gets hurt, who's first up? So, if you've noticed, we've been rotating a bunch of guys, giving different guys opportunities to go in with the ones, and we'll continue that all the way throughout training camp."
I apologize if you've already answered this when you first came back, but now that the players have put the pads on and they're able to hit each other, how good does it feel to be the captain of the defensive ship again?
"It's always great to be here. You know [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan], [president of football operations/general manager] John [Lynch], [chief executive officer] Jed [York], [president of 49ers enterprises and executive vice president of football operations] Paraag [Marathe], you know the leadership group here is as good as anybody in football. Being back in this organization with those people has been awesome."
Does it feel like you have left?
"Oh, a lot of new faces, but a lot of the same stuff. But, no, time happens fast."
Do you find yourself watching how DL Nick Bosa and T Trent Williams do when they go one-on-one and in the 11 on 11 drills? Or are you too big picture?
"Yeah. To be honest with you, I don't want to say I'm not paying attention to them because I am, but there's so many different and new pieces. We're just trying to make sure that we're clean in the areas that we need to be clean. Like Bosa is going to be Bosa. He's going to take care of his job and, and knock on wood, he's going to be just fine."
Robert, you said that for that first day in pads, you were going to watch DL C.J. West on video to see what the fuss was all about. What were your impressions?
"No, he's done a really nice job. He's getting better every day. A lot of things he still has to clean up with footwork, hand placement and all that. But he's one that we're excited about. He's going to continue to get better every single day. He'll be part of the NFL for a while."
Going back to Bosa, being away from him for a few years and, and seeing him again first week in pads, what pops out to you as far as where he's taken his game from the time you last saw him?
"I'm going to be honest, Bosa was such a rare rookie. He was already way ahead of it, just the pedigree he's come from. He's come from a whole family line of how to prepare, eat, and how to take care of your body. Now, from a repertoire standpoint, just understanding football, his past rush moves and all that, and his awareness of things around him, it's obviously a lot further along. In terms of just his demeanor and his preparation, all of it's been spot on."
Robert, I know a lot of things that surprise us, don't surprise you guys. But what do you think of 55 [Sebastian Valdez]? It seems like when he's on defense, he's winning a lot of these one-on-one reps and in doing it in an impressive fashion.
"Yeah, he's getting an opportunity, and I think we're all kind of excited for Denver to get in here so we can just see our guys lean on different people, different schemes, blocking combinations and all that. But you know, he's done a good job to point and with these three preseason games coming up, he's going to have more opportunities to show what's real and what isn't."
Another rookie question. Your two third rounders CB Upton Stout and LB Nick Martin are not the biggest guys in the world. How have they done since pads have gone on and is that something that you are looking forward to seeing them?
"Yeah, I'll start with Nick. One thing we're not worried about with him is his violence, getting off a block, and understanding how to get to the football. He just has to continue mastering the scheme to give himself the opportunity to play fast. That part, from a rookie standpoint, he's got to catch up. But at the same time when he's in a position where he's comfortable to play call, he's comfortable with what he sees pre-snap, you see everything that we drafted and that stuff is pretty good. Upton, he is a straining, scrappy young man, don't fall asleep on his size. I mean, the guy plays way bigger than he is and way bigger than he looks. He's got a violence to him; he's got a violence to his demeanor. So, he's coming along really well too in that regard."
Just as far as that weakside spot, if you're Nick Martin and you're playing weakside in the summer, would that be an easier transition to strong side if you guys decided to go that way for the regular season?
"No, it's a very good question. There's going to be a transition, right? The techniques are the same, but everything gets flipped. But at the same time, you trust that with a week's worth of preparation, they'll be able to figure it out. That's what you're banking on. You want to put these young men in position to show themselves the best they can throughout training camp. You want to avoid having them bounce around too much because there is too much thinking involved. Sometimes as a coach, you want guys who have flexibility, but at the same time, we've got to set aside what we want to prepare these guys to make this football team. From there, you trust through just the diminishing of the roster and the amount of reps people get. You trust that, like I said, with preparation, they'll figure it out."
S Ji'Ayir Brown spoke yesterday about going into offensive meetings, sitting there absorbing information so he can be better. How common is that for safeties where you've been in the past, and how do you see that reflecting on his game so far?
"I think the great teams always share information with one another. Whether it's player to player, coach to coach, player to coach, or coach to player. I talked about it today; Kyle does as good a job as anybody in front of the team in terms of the information he shares both offensively and defensively. Thirdly, special teams and what coaches are trying to scheme, what coaches like and what players are trying to accomplish on all three phases, and really helping these guys with the big picture of football. So, they're just not stuck in football one-on-one where their scheme is all they're thinking about. There's so much more to scheme. It's understanding what you're being asked to do and the wise of every technique. I think when you are a player, if you can always strive to get that information, that 501 level of football where you're thinking beyond your technique, you're thinking beyond your fundamentals, and you're thinking beyond just what you're being told to do. You always give yourself a chance to expand the field so you can make more plays."
What's your perspective on the QB Brock Purdy to TE George Kittle combination? You've seen George with a lot of different quarterbacks the first go round, so what makes this special and unique?
"Purdy is a damn good quarterback. I've said it before. The young man layers the ball as good as anybody in football. He's very good with processing, gets the ball in and out of his hands, and Kittle makes it easy because he's got unbelievable route running abilities to create separation. He's a big body that still has all the speed he had when he was a younger man. He's still young, but it's a testament to Kittle. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is, he's going to work relentlessly with that quarterback and with himself to put himself in position to be a playmaker and credit to Purdy. He gets him the ball when he needs to get it to him."
DL Alfred Collins was asked to play a little bit differently in college than what you guys are going to ask. How's his transition to your scheme going?
"He's coming along. He missed all of OTAs, not to make excuses for the young man, but he did. It was with an injury, so it wasn't like he was camping out, doing D-line drills. He was just trying to get up to speed. So, he's behind the eight ball, but he's working hard. Love the way he's approaching every day, and he'll catch up. He's a big body with good feet. Those are things you can't teach. It's just a matter of time before he gets his legs underneath him and he starts to make more of an impact. That's visible."
QB Brock Purdy
How has life been at home?
"I don't know. I still really can't describe it, just how awesome it is coming home and seeing little baby girl and holding her and her sleeping on me. There's nothing better. No gift can compare. And seeing Jenna [Purdy] and how she's been awesome as a mom, just all of it all together. It's so good."
Congratulations.
"Thank you."
You're awfully young to have such an epic offseason. How are you ever going to top this one?
"I don't know. We're extremely thankful, just having a baby, our family growing, to be able to knock out the contract and everything. It's been just a huge blessing all around. Nothing compares to having a baby and being married. That's first and foremost. So, we're just extremely excited and our hearts are so big right now."
How cool is it that you and your teammates are having kids at the same time and that those kids are going to get to grow up with one another?
"It's awesome. Hopefully we'll be together for a while and have the kids be out on the field pre-game. We always talk about it and joke around, but I think it could be something that could be really cool. [RB] Christian [McCaffrey] and I have talked about it in the past, a couple years ago even, how it'd be sweet to have kids remember us playing in the NFL and go to work with dad and this is our work. So, it's pretty cool. Hopefully we can all have our kids grow up together."
Who gave you the best advice about being a dad?
"There have been so many guys in the locker room. I think [P] Thomas Morstead has been pretty cool to ask questions to. I think he's got like five kids and just his experience with playing in the NFL, but also making his family a priority and how he's raised his kids has been pretty cool to hear about. A bunch of other guys have had kids recently in the past couple years, [LB] Fred [Warner] and [OL] Jake Brendel, so it's been cool to just sort of pick everybody's brain. It's been awesome."
Are you emotionally wiped out with everything that's been going on these last couple months or is it good to be out in the field again?
"No, it feels good. Obviously, there's so much stuff that has happened in my life off the field for sure, but to come in the building and keep it simple and play football, I feel like it's really good for me. I come here and I get my mind back on what matters and stepping out on the field and competing and playing the game that I love. Obviously there's a new goal with a new team this year, so there's a chip on all of our shoulders right now so when I come here to work I hone in on what my job is and it feels good. Obviously when I go home it's great seeing my family too."
Last Friday, did you know that was going to be the due date and how the day unfolded for you personally?
"Yeah, that was her due date, which was crazy. I had no idea. Every single morning I'd wake up as if I was going about my day in football, and I was just waiting for Jenna to shoot a text over to our PR people and they would come and grab me. But, I woke up that morning and my wife had her doula over at the house and they were like, no, this baby's coming today. I was like, all right. So, I called, [head coach Kyle] Shanahan and [quarterbacks coach Mick] Lombardi and said, guys, I won't be able to make it. I think it's getting real. They said enjoy it and be there for her. Then sure enough, our baby came that day, so that's how it went down."
Without getting too personal, was it a long labor?
"I'm trying to think. It started early in the morning, then we had the baby at 2:58 PM, so that whole day."
Her name is Millie?
"Yeah."
Is there a story behind how you named Millie?
"Her grandma's name is Ludmilla, but we didn't want to name her that. So, we gave her a little nod and went with Millie."
It's a joke that receivers always say they're open. WR Ricky Pearsall was talking yesterday about the slow start for him leading to this season. He said, I just wasn't really getting targeted, of course the implication that he was probably open. Is there something to that, that you had to work and develop chemistry and trust with him? I'm not saying he was always open, but it started to click a little at least, during the Lions game?
"In our offense it's usually steps, timing, you're breaking at a certain angle, and last year Ricky was raw with his talent. He had it, but he also had to learn our system, our timing, and where I'm throwing the ball. He's got a lot of shimmy, which is great. We need that, specifically against man coverage to create separation and we love that. But, I think that there were sometimes where he had to learn that he you couldn't take a couple more steps and then break out, I need you there now, I need to get the ball out now. We had a couple of those moments and there were times where he took it a little deeper and then broke open. He was like, 'dude I was open.' I said in the timing of the play, I needed it quicker. So, we had moments like that, and that's part of getting to the NFL, learning the system, a quarterback and a receiver talking and getting to know each other. I feel like it has gotten better for sure over the last year or so. I think towards the end of the last season, you saw Ricky come out his shell, he was playing within our system and timing, so he is going to continue to learn who he is as a receiver and what his strengths are and I'm going to continue to learn with him and that excites me. So, I think we've gotten some pretty good work so far and we're just going to continue to chip away at it.
You remember your first year in the system. You've seen other quarterbacks in their first year in the system. QB Mac Jones doesn't, at least to us, look like he's in his first year in the system. How do you feel he's doing picking up the offense?
"Dude, he's doing great. Obviously like you could just tell the experience that he has playing in the NFL and understanding football in general. He studies really hard. He goes out there and I think his footwork, his eyes, everything is very detailed and just like how Shanahan and Lombardi and [offensive coordinator Klay] Kubiak coach it. And so, he's going out there, he is executing consistently and he's doing a great job. So really excited for him."
DL Nick Bosa had tagged off like three out of four snaps. Does it help you, because you don't face those guys during the regular season in practice, how does it help you right now in terms of making sure you're up to speed and all those types of things to have a guy like that on the other side?
"Yeah, it's huge. Obviously he'll just tap me on the shoulder or whatever tell me that he was there. But it's good getting that kind of pass rush. It's real. If you're at practice dropping back and you're not getting touched or anything and you're going through your progressions all perfectly, to me it can be scary because once you get into the game, it's 11-on-11, it's going fast, you've got blitzes, you've got different stunts by the D-Line and they're up in your face. So, to have him every single rep and feeling his presence 24/7, honestly, it's great work for all of us, myself included. Throwing with a push in the pocket and having to have different arm angles around him, it's all real. So, for him to give us a look like that realistically, like every single play that he is in, it's really good. So, I appreciate him for that, but obviously he's getting really good work and I want him to be a monster come season for our team. So, he's doing just that."
Do you tell him to chill out at all?
"Heck no. No, I don't tell him anything. I tell him I appreciate you working and pushing this, so we need it."
RB Isaac Guerendo hurt his hamstring like right at the beginning of his rookie year and missed a lot of camp, made his presence felt by the end of the year on the field, but he was always a little behind. What are you seeing from him now as he's stacking practices and what he knows in the passing game and all that kind of thing?
"Yeah, I think he's doing a great job. Running really hard, hitting the gaps hard. I feel like he understands how we coach reading the run game and stuff and how coach [running backs coach Robert] Bobby Turner's [Jr.] how he coaches and what he expects and learning from [RB] Christian [McCaffrey]. He's definitely taken another step. And it's evident to all of us if you watch the film. So that's really good. And then in the pass game obviously he's got good hands, he can get out of the field, he can go up the field and make some big plays over linebackers and safeties. So, all of that put together, he is definitely growing and he's going to continue to get better. So, for all of us to have him, Christian, a good running back room, it's really important."
WR Demarcus Robinson and WR Russell Gage Jr. are making plays for you it looks like. How nice is it to have a couple veteran receivers that you just know are going to go get it for you?
"It's huge. Obviously with like [WR] Jauan [Jennings], [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B.A. out for now, to have guys that can go in and still show the young guys like, 'hey, this is how it's done.' They're detailed in what they do, they know their assignment, but you throw it out there in man-coverage, zone or whatever, they're going to go get it. And tight windows, even if it's like a bang-bang kind of play, having strong hands and tucking the ball right after, those are all real things. They show that every single practice. So, I'm excited to have them and for them to be an example for the rest of the guys."
Just on WR Jordan Watkins. With what you were describing with Pearsall, just the precision needed that you're looking for that the offense requires, where is he in that sort of process?
"Yeah, I think he's got really good football IQ. He understands the game. You could tell he's played a lot of football in his career with college and everything and he's smart with that. I think obviously coming into our system, you've got to learn, same thing like Ricky last year as a rookie. It's 'what's the timing? How is Kyle calling this? Where do I have to be within the play? What is my split when I'm run blocking and who am I blocking?' There's all these little details there are so important. You watch Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, our receivers block really well in our run game, and that's a huge part of it. And so, I think for him it's like learning all these things, not just the pass game, but our offense. Running the ball, blocking, who am I blocking, getting there fast. Those are all things. That's what it takes to play receiver for the 49ers. And so, he's learning all of those things. He's shown obviously glimpses and flashes of he can be that kind of guy which is really exciting. So, it's about putting that all together consistently every single day at camp."
QB Mac Jones
Are you at the point where it's second nature with the offense or how are you adapting?
"Really just trying to take the coaching and apply it to the field. Everything's going to be a work in progress. Whether you've been in a system for five years or for one year or a couple months, it doesn't matter. Just trying to take it day by day and do what they're asking me to do and there's going to be ups and downs, but we found some consistency here and I just need to keep stacking good days."
What was your process for your time away, staying in the playbook and things like that?
"Yeah, I did like 10 practices on my own in full pads, so that was kind of my plan leading up to this. And I feel like that really helped to go through each install. Obviously OTAs is great when you kind of get introduced to it and learn and hear things for the first time. And then obviously these training camp practices are very important and then you get a chance to apply it into the games during the preseason. But like I said, I'm just trying to focus on each attempt and taking it one play at a time and really listen to the coaches. Obviously, we've got some good coaches and they've seen these plays against a lot of different looks, so I'm just listening to them and following them."
Did you get scripts from here for those practices? Where do you do it and how do you go about it?
"Yeah, we have obviously installs, like every team does. And you go through and just hit each play and call the play and run the plays and I was fortunate to have people help me do that. I've always done that really, but I really kind of built a plan this offseason because it is new and it is a lot of hard play calls and stuff, so obviously just trying to apply that to these practices here."
Where did you do that?
"In Florida."
Did you bring your uniform to Florida?
"Yeah, I mean a lot of guys practice in the offseason in pads and stuff. I like to throw in pads because that's the most realistic, but everybody has their systems that they use and at the end of the day, you've got to play in pads. So, I like to throw in pads."
What is the biggest adjustment you've had to make since becoming a Niner?
"Really just getting back to like focusing on the process and my daily schedule and daily routine. They do a great job here giving you resources and I guess as a player you have to organize your thoughts for each day and attack each day, whether that's doing the cold plunge or your weight lifting, all that stuff. So, I feel like I've kind of gotten into a rhythm and I just need to be consistent and really just learn from the older guys on the team. We've got some really good vets and ask questions and pick their brains about what they do each day really just to stack up good days."
There have been a few instances where you've been more than willing to take off and run if it presents itself. That's not exactly your game, but is it something you've gotten better at over the years, deciding when to go and when not to go?
"Yeah, I guess everyone thinks I'm really slow [laughter]. Maybe I look like Forest Gump out there sometimes, but I've been working on my quickness and I think that's one part of my game I improved last year on tape if you watch the tape and stuff. And really throughout my career, I've had some good scrambles, but here it's really about playing on time and then also being able to scramble. I think [QB] Brock [Purdy] does such a good job of that, watching the tape, he goes through his reads and then he goes and makes plays, so there's a fine balance. And [quarterbacks coach] Mick [Lombardi] has talked about it, of just playing with your rhythm and timing, but also just playing the game of football and taking those five yards. If you can scramble and get five, it makes it a lot easier on [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] to call the game from like first-and-10 to second-and-five versus second-and-10. So, definitely just getting those cheap yards has been good."
WR Ricky Pearsall was in here yesterday and he described you as hilarious. Would you describe yourself as hilarious?
"That's a nice compliment I guess, but I like to crack jokes and stuff but when I'm on the field I'm pretty serious and locked in. But I feel like football, the reason we play is to have fun and try and win and work together. So, I'm always going to just show my personality in that way and try and keep it loose in the huddle and just have a good time. So yeah, that's part of football, so I appreciate that I guess."
With Kyle Shanahan, how's he different from other offensive coaches you've had in your career?
"Kyle's awesome. Really just been good to get back in the meetings with him and when he watches the tape, he just sees the game so quickly and so fast and really correct. And it's good to learn from him from each rep, whether I'm in or Brock's in or somebody else is in. And the way he thinks about plays and how he calls them is really cool and just learning that process and just getting used to his flow and those call-up periods and how he wants to call plays. So, it's been really cool. Obviously he does a great job designing and then as quarterbacks, like I said, we're just trying to do what we're being coached to do. I think that's important in the system and taking it one play at a time."
When you watch Brock and TE George Kittle at practice, is it readily apparent to you that they're really on the same wavelength?
"Yeah. I feel like I'm on like Madden or something watching those guys because they're just in sync every time and they do a great job."
Would you say Kyle Shanahan's playbook is the most sophisticated out of the coaches you've had?
"Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. I think each system that I've been in has pushed me in different ways and put more on my plate in certain things. So as a young player it was a lot of like MIKE identification and me picking out the MIKE. That was a lot on your plate as a young player because you have to tell everybody where to go. And then in Jacksonville, a little bit of both and then I kind of transitioned into this one where it's all about rhythm and timing and motions and all that stuff. So, it's been good. I did some of that in college which was awesome for me. And really just applying those things that I learned then and now and just mixing everything together and playing fast and also not overthinking things and just playing on time."
Would you say there was a point where you kind of lost your confidence? And if so, how do you build it back?
"Yeah, I think that's a great question. Every athlete goes through that in points in their career. I think most importantly, I think the biggest thing for me is believing in myself and not having somebody tell you that you're good or bad or whatever. It all comes from what you believe and what you've worked for. So, I've struggled with that, but I also feel very confident, especially going to a new spot, having a fresh start and trying to earn it every day. I think that's important. And learning from some of these players on this team, they've just done it for so long consistently and just watching everybody's every move and watching Brock and taking the coaching. So, I'm a very confident person overall. And obviously that's tough when you've had some up and down years, but I know I'm going to get it back on track."
You mentioned in the spring that you want to get back to the point where you feel like you could just rip it, you don't have to think as much anymore. Do you feel like that or is it close? Are you there? How do you kind of get back to that?
"Yeah, I think it's definitely a mentality and you've got to wake up feeling that way and not be reckless, but commit to each throw. Mick has talked a lot about that. And I feel like I've done that. Whether it's a good throw or a bad throw, at least I'm sending it and committing to it. And I think that's what you have to do. You can't be in between on decisions and living with your decisions, especially in a new system. I feel like at practice sometimes, yeah, maybe I ripped one I shouldn't have or whatever, maybe I ripped one that I should and it works out great. So, it's all learning and committing to the throw."
How much did you look at maybe Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold's trajectory coming here and having a rough start to his career and then looking what he's done now, as sort of maybe an example?
"Yeah, you see a lot of guys that have bounced around or whatever and honestly it just takes finding the right fit. I'm fortunate to be here and everyone's career is different, but I feel like there's a system in place and if I can get back to following my rules like I did in the past and played some really good football in this League, not consistently enough, but I feel like when you have a system you can rely on that and stack good days and really just good plays back-to-back. So, I'm looking forward to doing that and get a chance to do that in the preseason year."
Where in the process of camp do you get to kind of build that rapport or talk to your receivers about where they like a ball in a certain route? How does that all come together?
"That's a daily thing. I mean, obviously there's a lot of guys rotating in different groups and you're not with the same guys every day at practice. So really their job is to line up and run their routes and their steps and our job is to try and get it to them and then if it's not a connection, then what happened? That's kind of what you're asking, 'Did I throw it too soon' or 'did he want it more on pace' or whatever. So, I always ask questions really to get the answers and because the quarterback can tell somebody what to do, but if you can't see it from their point of view, then it doesn't matter. So, I'm always asking questions to see how they want certain routes thrown. Then for me, if it's not timed upright, I'm like, 'Hey, you've got to get out of your break' or 'I was late on that one.' So, every play is different but it's all about communication and that happens not only in the film but on the walk-thru and in the cafeteria. It doesn't matter where you are if you see a guy and you want to talk about a route. That's when you've got to do it."
What's the give and take dynamic between you and Brock? What are some things that he's taught you and maybe some things that he's done?
"Yeah, like I said, Brock's done a great job in the system, so he's very consistent every day, comes to work every day and I really just watch what he does, his footwork, his timing, ask him a question about a motion or a play that he has run in the past. He's just been great at telling me how to do it the right way and vice versa. I mean, anything that I can help him with, I will. Obviously, he's a pretty independent guy. So, I'm looking forward to just being with him and watching his tape. Obviously, he'll watch mine and we'll just bounce ideas off each other and that's how you get better."
Last Friday you had experience with the ones. What do you see on the 49ers defense? Are there some guys that may have surprised you whether they're incumbent guys like DL Nick Bosa or LB Fred Warner or there's some new guys that jump out to you that this is something to pay attention to?
"Yeah, I think a lot of it is scheme too. I think [defensive coordinator] coach [Robert] Saleh has done a good job. I played against him in the past few times and he's doing a good job mixing it up and the front is the front. They're always going to go forward and be fast and you can see that with Bosa and even some of the young guys there. And a lot of it is just for me, I got the chance to go against the one defense. It is faster out there, and you've got to be ready to play. You've got Fred flying around and [LB] Dee's [Winters] out there. I like Dee's play. He's running around making plays, so they've done a good job. I'm excited to see how they gel throughout the year and throughout the preseason because they're doing some different stuff. It looks like coach Saleh's done a good adjusting and things too."