Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
DeForest Buckner on Arik Armstead: “He’s bigger, stronger, faster”
San Francisco 49ers first round selection
DeForest Buckner spoke to the media following Wednesday's practice. Buckner was drafted by the 49ers with the seventh overall selection at the end of April as the team hopes to improve a pass rush that produced just 28 sacks in 2015, ranking 29th in the league.
One topic of discussion was former Oregon Ducks teammate and current 49ers teammate
Arik Armstead, who was last year's first round selection by San Francisco. "He got a lot better...even better...than he was before and i'm catching up with him. You know what I mean? It was always like a friendly competition back at Oregon," Buckner said when asked how Armstead had improved since the two last played together. "Arik, he's doing really well. He's built as a player on and off the field. I'm following his footsteps right now because he's got a year over me so I'm just following what him and the other veterans do."
"That year in the league, it's going to change you no matter what," Bucker said when asked if Armstead seemed bigger or stronger than he remembered him. "He's bigger, stronger, faster. I just gotta catch up."
Buckner was asked about
ILB NaVorro Bowman and his leadership on defense. "When Bow speaks, everybody listens. He has that type of leadership and everything and he's a great leader to follow," he responded. Buckner went on to state that the veterans on the team have made it very comfortable for the rookies. "I couldn't ask for a better place," said Buckner.
Buckner also touched on going against
Alex Balducci, another former teammate from Oregon. However, Balducci played defensive tackle and Oregon and has been playing offensive guard during practices. Buckner stated that it was strange early on but that he can't let up just because they are friends. "It's still a competition. He makes me better and I make him better," said Buckner. "He's looking like a natural at guard."
You can watch the entire interview below.
DeForest Buckner Details First Minicamp with 49ers
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers considered trading Mike McGlinchey last year
Mike McGlinchey received a life-changing payday, signing a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos. The offensive tackle has known for a while that he would not return to the San Francisco 49ers, the only NFL team he has played for and the one that made him the No. 9 overall pick in 2018.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear to McGlinchey that he was likely playing his final months for the team. There was too much money invested in other spots, and the 49ers knew they couldn't compete with other interested teams.
Behind the scenes, Lynch and Shanahan kept McGlinchey in the loop of what the team was thinking, and everything pointed to the tackle playing elsewhere in 2023 … maybe even
Photo: Recovering 49ers QB Brock Purdy spotted by fan
Brock Purdy can begin throwing again sometime in June. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is expected to be ready to hit the field—practice or in-game—sometime in September.
Purdy is recovering from surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He hasn't been seen since the surgery, with his last public appearance taking place In Arizona, during the week leading to the Super Bowl.
One fan spotted Purdy, though, getting a photo with the 49ers quarterback (h/t TheSFNiners). As expected, Purdy is wearing a massive brace on his throwing arm,
49ers signing OT Matt Pryor, per John Lynch
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch sat down with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning. One of the tidbits he offered is that the team has signed offensive tackle Matt Pryor.
The #49ers signed OT Matt Pryor, general manager, John Lynch said. Prior has appeared in 60 games with 24 starts over four seasons with Philadelphia and Indianapolis.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 27,
49ers' QB1? John Lynch calls Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse"
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, speaking with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning, made it clear where Brock Purdy sits in the team's quarterback depth chart. Purdy, recovering from surgery on March 10, has earned the right to the top spot.
"I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse at that," Lynch said. "I'll let [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] make those kind of decisions, but I know, when we talk, I think Brock's probably earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up, he'd probably take that first snap."
Of course, Lynch clarified that all quarterbacks—Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold—will compete for the 49ers' starting job. However,
