Ji'Ayir Brown's nickname is "Tig." That childhood nickname originated from the San Francisco 49ers safety's high energy, much like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh.
However, you won't catch any of his teammates calling him that in training camp. Well, safety Tashaun Gipson did this week but quickly caught himself doing so. No nicknames are allowed for the rookie safety. Not yet, at least. That is something his teammates say has to be earned. So it remains "Ji'Ayir" around the team facility.
Brown probably won't have to wait long to hear his teammates call him "Tig." The 23-year-old is quickly showing why the 49ers selected him with their first pick in this year's draft. The safety has been making plays and catching the attention of reporters on hand for training camp practices.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward recently called Brown a "grown man," praising the first-year player's efforts on the practice field.
"You look at him, he looks like he's been in the league already for a couple of years," Ward said. "I definitely think, in the preseason, when the pads come on, he's going to be smacking people around. His game's really going to show real good."
That moment is coming soon. The 49ers will face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, August 13, holding joint practices with the former Bay Area rival next week. That game can't come soon enough for Brown.
"I haven't tackled nobody since December last year, so definitely looking forward to getting back to it," Brown told reporters after Saturday's practice. "You know, show off my tackling ability to the team and let them see what I'm all about."
Brown is ready to hit someone. That mentality is encouraged on the 49ers defense, a unit known for its physicality.
"That's just my game. I think that's everybody's game on the team," Brown shared. "You know, this is an aggressive defense; I think the most aggressive defense in the league. So I have to live up to that standard with those guys, and my football style is just like theirs. So it's definitely going to be a game of physicality."
Brown added, "These guys, they hunt. Guys like [LB] Fred [Warner], leading the pack, [LB Dre] Greenlaw. These guys hunt. They set the example. And if you ain't out there hunting, you can't be with them. So I just joined in on that hunt. I hunt with those guys."
Aiyuk and Deebo are "special"
Brown is going against some talented playmakers in practice. While he knows that will make him better, the young safety is still in awe of his offensive teammates, guys like wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
"Aiyuk, I like Aiyuk, man. Deebo, too," Brown told reporters. "Those guys are special, really special talent. First of all, Aiyuk, the way he can get in and out of breaks, the way he leads defensesm the way he makes a play on the ball. Definitely one of the most talented receivers in the NFL.
"Deebo as well, especially Deebo's run after the catch. Deebo is a lot faster than people think. So them guys are definitely special wide receivers. It's the reason why they do the thing they do."