San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, and quarterback Brock Purdy addressed reporters following Thursday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Here's everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh
How are you feeling about your young defensive linemen and how far they've come? I know they didn't get a lot of preseason snaps.
"Well, they better have fresh legs then, but (laugh), no past couple of practices have been good. Feel fast. You know, like I said, it's going to be fun to get those guys out there and see how we do."
What's the likelihood that CB Upton Stout will be starting given the time that he had missed?
"We'll see. We still have another couple of days of preparation. I think we have a general idea of how this can play out, but whatever little advantage it might give, we'll just hold onto to that decision for Sunday."
The offensive system they've put in place, how similar are you expecting it to be versus what's run here?
"For sure. There are similarities, but you know, like everyone who's a disciple of, I grew up in the Seattle Seahawk cover three system, as created by [assistant head coach of defense] Gus Bradley, who happens to be in the building. I kind of branched off and made it my own deal. So, I'm sure [Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak] Kube over there has done the same thing. He's got some nuance to what he does that's a little bit different. While you see similarities, there are things that have his hallmark touch on it."
So, you'd expect them to really emphasize the running game out the gates to see if you guys can handle it?
"Yeah. You'd expect that, but it's really whatever they feel is fit for that game plan. They've got a fantastic O-line coach in [Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach] John Benton, who we had at the Jets with us too, and who we're all familiar with here at the Niners. Even [Seattle Seahawks run game coordinator/senior offensive advisor] Rick Dennison who's a really good O-line coach is also there. So, they're very well coached. You can see it on tape. They're athletic upfront, and they do a really good job executing their zone scheme."
Many teams in your division now run the outside zone. Did that come into play when you were talking about DL Mykel Williams, his value and what he might be good at in the game?
"Several things with Mykel, like rebuilding a defensive line. Mykel, you know, we look at him as an outside guy on first and second down, similar in the way [Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik] Armstead was, and then you kick him in inside, at least the early years of Armstead. Then give him a chance to go rush a passer. We think he's got a chance to be a really good interior pass rusher. But yeah, Mykel's athletic enough on the edge. He's long enough, he can set edges, and he can handle those double teams. Tight ends are going to be at a severe disadvantage with him. So, you feel good about him setting edges on the outside and making sure that ball stays funneled to the linebackers. So, it's all encompassing. He's just a really good football player who has got a really high ceiling. So again, one of those rookies who really has missed a lot of time during training camp, but we're excited to see him play and grow throughout the year."
How much has Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Donald improved over the last few years, and what is he doing well at this point?
"A lot. We played him last year when I was with the Jets in London. Just studying his tape, he's very confident, he is a playmaker. Last year he proved that he could be a good decision maker also. You know, he took care of the football, he got the ball to his playmakers, and I think the scheme just fits him. [Minnesota Vikings head coach] Kevin O'Connell did a great job, and I think him coming up to Seattle, being in the same system is going to be good for him. You can tell, even in the one drive that they had, just complete command of the offense and getting those guys in and out of the huddle with tempo. They were flawless in their execution on that one drive they had against Kansas City. So, he's improved greatly especially, even though I never got a chance to coach him at the Jets, the background of when I arrived to what you see is very different."
You prepared for different variations of this all off season, but you know why you were brought here. You also said that you could see as many as six rookies starting, probably didn't get the amount of playing time in the exhibition season you would've liked with them. So, how do you rate things right now with the expectation probably that you get better as the season wears on?
"Put your seatbelt on, enjoy the ride. It's going to be a lot of ups and downs, a lot of really cool moments, a lot of hair pulling moments, but they're good kids. They work hard. They're fast, they're violent. They love the game of football. They're ready to play, and they're ready for their opportunity."
You used to use the phrase, "we'll see" a fair number of times leading up to this. What is that like for you as a coach? I'm sure there's a certain amount of, "we'll see" any time you go into Week One, but this year in particular with so many new pieces, what is that like for you?
"The growth part, because you never know, right? You can go into a season, and I would imagine just talking to [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan], when the roster is veteran and it's been together for a while, you just know you're going to kick the living daylights out of people. When you're young and you've got a bunch of new faces, you have confidence that you will, but you're just excited for the affirmation, if that makes sense. You see it on in the practice field. We saw it against the Raiders in practice. We saw it with Denver. You know, just the competitive spirit, the guys are getting after it. Obviously, the regular season is a completely different speed. But it's going to be exciting to go through the process with them because it's not going to be the same at the end of the year. These kids are going to get better, especially with reps, they're only going to get faster. They're only going to get stronger. But, through the whole process, you just don't know until then, and this is just one of those deals where we're excited to see the affirmations come to life."
DB Deommodore Lenoir's a new team captain this year. I realize you weren't here when he got here, but in terms of his leadership, what are some examples of the stuff that you've noticed throughout camping to this point?
"You always want to see how somebody approaches the game. You want your leaders to be deliberate. You want your leaders to be your hardest workers. You want your leaders to lead by example with regard to regen, rehab, working out, taking care of their bodies, their eating habits and their study habits. Just observing him through that. He doesn't have to say a word. I can tell you right now that he's already a leader in that regard. He's very deliberate in his approach. He's very intentional. Every rep is very important to him. Then on top of it, you see him talking to guys. He's got an energy to him. His teammates love him. He's a dog on the football field in terms of his physicality, and his desire to compete. So, pumped for him. Like I said, this is my first exposure to him, and he's every bit of what you would expect the captain to look like."
With someone like DL Nick Bosa who everyone talks about how advanced he was coming into the NFL and that was your only season with him. When you come back and you see him, is it like he looks like the same guy, or has he added things or done things to where he's a far different player?
"He's added stuff. His rookie year, I'd never seen a D-lineman make so many Tackles just whiff before, like the way he did. It was bizarre. I remember standing on the podium because God bless [former OL] Joe Staley couldn't block him the entire training camp. I was like, well, eventually he will. He is a veteran. He still hasn't touched him, but you just know guys like him, his pedigree and the way he was raised and the way he approached the game his entire life. He's always trying to find nuance to his game to help him get better. I'm really pumped for him. I don't want to say he's always going to have big years. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one plays out for him."
You said that all the young guys in the locker have changed the attitude. I know you weren't here last year, but do you feel that youthful energy from all the young guys in there?
"I can't compare it to years past. What I could tell you is that whenever there's an injection of youth, they don't know any better. They haven't been scarred by the business part of it. They haven't been scarred by the playing time. They make an average two-yard gain and they're jumping around like they made a fourth and one stop to win the Super Bowl. It's just that juice and that energy. Their love of football shines in their habits because everything is fresh and new to them. That does kind of trickle down and it does rub off on all the veterans. You can compare it to an old dog getting a little puppy in the house. The old dogs going to get up and get ready to go. It's going to have a little extra juice to it. So young guys are fun. Like I said though, they make mistakes, but they go a hundred miles an hour doing it. They bring a lot of juice. They make it fun. And like I said, we're looking forward to seeing them play."
Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak
How much less stressful is it going into Week One knowing that WR Jauan Jennings is on the better side of possibly being out there, given the calf and the contract negotiations. How does it feel to have him out there?
"It's great. Yeah, less stressful to have Jauan out there. A great player, big part of our team. Nothing like seeing his smiling face out there playing and he gives us energy and he's a great player. So real excited to have Jauan. Happy to see him out there on the field on Sunday."
To follow up, against Seattle, that's one less position you have to worry about having someone who's accustomed to the system. That's what I mean by less stress. Do you feel that now that he's available?
"Yeah, it definitely takes a little bit of a burden off bringing guys up to speed, especially some of the new guys we have in who maybe would've played a bigger role had Jauan not been ready this week. But you know, Jauan also hasn't been out there in practice. You're bringing him up to speed from a physical standpoint too, but yeah, it definitely takes some of the burden off those guys, but we're expecting contribution from those guys regardless. So, but to answer your question, yeah, it's definitely better."
Have you been in touch with the Seahawks offensive coordinator much?
"A little bit. This week's been a little quiet, so we're giving each other our space and look forward to seeing him on Sunday."
Going back to childhood, have you had many head-to-head battles?
"This will be our third time going against each other in the NFL, obviously nothing outside of that. So, it's a really cool thing. It's a cool experience, it's pretty rare, so we treasure them for sure, but it's a little awkward during the week, but it'll be fun on Sunday."
Do you try and guess what he's going to do or how do you play that the mental game beforehand?
"It's not my job. It's interesting that we're on the same sides of the ball, so we're really not competing against each other. That's for [defensive coordinator] coach [Robert] Saleh to figure out. And same for him."
What makes Seattle Seahawks heac coach Mike MacDonald's scheme unique and effective?
"I mean, they're really well coached, that's the biggest thing. Whether it's unique is one thing. I mean, it's, yeah, it's unique in that they're really well coached. The way all their coverages tie together, the blitzes tie together, it's a really coherent, cohesive scheme and you can tell they're really well coached. You can tell they coach detail, and they play very hard. They tackle, they do fundamentals well, but they also challenge you mentally and as a play caller, they challenge you schematically. So, he's definitely one of the best, hardest guys to go up against and it's going to be a challenge."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan called RB Christian McCaffrey a psycho in a good way. How would you describe his drive to get to this point now after he's come back and where he is at Week One?
"Yeah, I mean, he hasn't done anything we didn't know he was going to do. He has that gene, whatever it is, where he is just so driven and he's not going to be deterred from his goal. And it's been awesome to see him just starting the offseason and just carry him through training camp to where he is at now. Just a lot of respect for Christian and how he takes care of himself, how he prepares and, and whatever word you want to use. Yeah, he's unique in that way."
Can you even quantify how much confidence he gives the staff and teammates?
"Yeah, I mean, no. He gives everyone confidence. He's one of our leaders. He's one of our best players and when he's rolling and feeling good our team has a pretty good mindset."
WR Ricky Pearsall missed a lot of time earlier in the offseason, but since he returned, he hasn't really missed any time. How much has he improved during this span?
"A lot. He missed OTAs and he had the setback coming into camp, but since he came back, I don't think Ricky's missed a beat. And you can just see the growth; you see it in training camp every day. You saw it in the preseason game, and that's been huge for him. That's what he needed. He needed to string together weeks and stack practices to really start to grow as a player. And he has done that. And so, he has given himself a great chance to have a good year. So, I'm happy where Ricky's at."
How will the play calling go on Sunday? Is Shanahan going to take the reins and then how will you kind of chime in?
"Yeah, Kyle calls the plays. Obviously, I called them in the preseason. I had to talk to the quarterbacks, but Kyle communicates to the quarterback. You know, play calling, it is collaborative in some regard. Like, we're always communicating, we're always suggesting things and giving ideas in certain situations. And Kyle does a great job of taking that information in and processing it and then letting that be whatever he wants to call. But so, he's calling plays, but like always, it's a collaborative process between me, him, our [assistant head coach/offensive] line coach Chris [Foerster], [run game coordinator/tight ends] Brian Fleury, and anyone who kind of sees things as the game goes on."
To follow up on that, at the college level, in-game adjustments have really changed because of technology. Like how hard is it and how has it changed since you got into the league?
"Since I've been in the league, it hasn't changed much. You have the tablets to see kind of the pre-snap and post snap of each play. So, we kind of haven't gone beyond that in the NFL. We've talked about this before, but there's sometimes it's having too much information, too much video in between plays, it can cloud your mind with too much stuff. And the simplicity of the picture is, it's kind of what we know. It's kind of how we know how to make adjustments in games. So, I don't know any different way. So, I'm not going to compare it to anything else."
TE George Kittle is almost 32 now, and the last couple seasons since you've been here. Has there been any curiosity of like is this guy going to be the same. Have you noticed anything as far as slippage?
"George is in as good of shape, looks as good as he's ever looked to me. And that's a credit to him for how he handles his off season, how he takes care of himself in the off season, during the season. He's a specimen in that way. I mean, he's really, to me in the best shape he's ever been in as a player. And it just speaks to how he prepares and it's really cool."
QB Brock Purdy has established himself as a terrific scrambler. When you watch him run, do you think, man, we need to design some runs for him?
"Brock can run. I mean, I don't want to reveal plans or anything. And we've had plays for Brock to design run. It depends on the scheme you're going against too. You know, you do want to avoid your quarterback getting hit. That's always a big part of it. But if we see something and we think there's a way to take advantage of it, we always try to, it doesn't mean it's going to get called, but we go into games with stuff for Brock."
QB Brock Purdy
The 49ers are 3-0 since you've been the starter up in Seattle. What are the difficulties and challenges involved when you go up there and play?
"I think it starts with communication. In an environment like that where it feels like they are on top of you in the stadium. You've just got to be on top of your operation, breaking the huddle, being on the right cadence for us on offense, making sure the guys hear the right calls in the huddle. All that. It's a real part of the game and it's something that you can't overlook. It doesn't matter how much success you had playing there, every single game, every drive, it's there. So, we're definitely not overlooking that. Obviously it's one of the best places and hardest places to play in the NFL."
Last time you faced this defense, they held you to 17 points at home. What makes them a good defense?
"I think they do a good job of taking away explosives. You know, playing bend but don't break kind of defense, making the quarterback check the ball down and be smart and they want to get you to push the ball in certain areas. And then they play really tight coverage and it's almost like you can't miss. You've got to be pinpoint accurate as a quarterback. You've got to run the ball really well. So just overall, they've got a really good defense. They understand the scheme, all the guys playing in it, and I think [Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike] Macdonald calls a great game. Game after game last year if you actually watch the film, he calls a great game overall, just his coverages and I think everything ties together throughout the game for those guys and how they play in it. So good scheme, good players and that's what you get."
What has it been like having WR Jauan Jennings back and how does he look to you?
"Yeah, it's been awesome. Obviously, the energy that J.J. brings when he steps on the field and the dog mentality that he has, it's been great. Then dropping back and trusting in him to be where he needs to be and picking up where we left off, it's been great. So, obviously having him back has been sweet, trying to get him in the right matchups, getting him the ball and letting him eat. So really excited that he is back for our team and obviously as a quarterback, having one of my starting receivers out there."
How quickly can you get back to where you were before he went out with the injury?
"I think it's been pretty smooth so far. You know, I think the practices that we've been together out in the field, we've picked up where we left off. I think over time, over the last couple practices have been really good. Just talking about some routes and things, getting reps, throwing him some tight-coverage balls, and for him to come down with them has been really good reps and timing that we've gotten at practice so far. So, obviously we have a couple more days to get ready for this game together and we're going to continue to hone in on the details to be ready. Obviously, he's been in this situation before where he comes back from an injury, gets put right back in and he picks up and goes. So, J.J.'s really good with that."
You've had success up in Seattle targeting TE George Kittle, as you have in most places. How tight is that combination of you and him right now? Because It's looked really good throughout camp. How much can part of that be traced to you guys spending time out in the Nashville outskirts?
"Yeah, it's been good. Obviously, we've had a great camp together. I think just he understands our offense. I understand it and for us to be able to go out and see the game the same way and for him to be where he needs to be. Just the trust, the timing, I think we've gotten a lot of looks and reps together just over the years. In the offseason, yeah we train together which is great, but the minute we step out on that field, it's just us playing ball. Two guys that absolutely love the game. We're always talking about every rep, who needs to be where and what we both can be doing better. So, the communication part of it has been huge for us. Then you see it on the field in the game. Hopefully, it doesn't matter where we're playing, it's always, 'hey, you've got to do your job.' And we've had success in Seattle together, yes, but every single game's different and more than anything, I trust 85 and I know he's going to continue to be the consistent tight end that we need and be where he's supposed to be and I'm going to continue throwing him the ball."
What do you two have going this week? Iowa or Iowa State?
"We don't know yet. We've talked about a jersey or a helmet or something, but we've got to finalize that. But come Saturday, cyclones baby."
What's your nickname for T Trent Williams? How did you give that to him? Binkie?
"I think when I said that in an interview, they were asking me about what's it like having Trent Williams block for you? So, for me, I just said he is like my binkie because I know my left side's good. He is a Hall of Fame left tackle. (Laughter) I don't really call him that. I just call him T-dub or bro or whatever. So, I don't really call him binkie, but anyways that's sort of where that came from. But he's a Hall of Fame offensive line blocker for me, and I'm very thankful for that."
What's the excitement level of having RB Christian McCaffrey back out there healthy and ready to go?
"Oh, it's been awesome. Just going through camp, all the reps we've gotten, what he can do and what he brings to our offense running the ball and then the defense not knowing if he's going to go out for a pass and the element that brings to them and their scheme, just all of it. It's been so nice having him and his leadership and everything. You could tell the minute he steps on the field, everyone's on top of their stuff. There's some kind of aura that he has every time he is out there. So having him back, there's nothing better."
Does binkie have any correlation to the baby and that's what keeps her quiet and that's why it's like a safety thing?
"Yeah, I think so. When you're in times of some chaos, you'd like a binkie like for our baby. You give her the binkie and she's calm. And when Trent's out there blocking for me, I'm calm."
I think you're 88-percent conversion when you do sneaks, short yardage, one yard or less, since you became the starter. Do you guys consider that a form of the tush push? Do you not? Why is that so successful for you?
"Yeah, the way we've run it, we do it a couple ways and stuff, changes week-to-week, but obviously it's not I don't think like Philly's tush push or anything, but for us depending on the week and whatnot, we need a yard, how can we get the yard? So, we're scheming up different ways and it's not always that, there's a bunch of other different plays that come from that. So, like I said it's different but our coaches do a really good job of understanding the scheme of the other defense that we're playing and how can we get a yard or whatever. I think our shore yardage has been pretty good over the years and hopefully we can keep that up."
Do you consider yourself a dual threat?
"I don't think so. I'd say pocket passer that can escape and use his legs when he needs to."
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