San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley spoke to the media today and shared his thoughts on the team's offensive line, among other topics. Staley, as many of the players on the team have expressed, discussed getting use to the tempo of Chip Kelly's offense, both physically and mentally.
"I think the difference though is that everything has to be quicker and you don't have as much time to check with the guy next to you," Staley stated. "Everyone has to know exactly what they're doing."
Staley had strong opinions about the NFL rule that is prohibiting rookie OG Joshua Garnett from taking part in the team's early offseason activities. NFL rules prohibit rookies from participating in offseason work until their school's senior class has finished their terms, even if that rookie has already graduated.
While Staley believes that it is important to ensure that rookies have an opportunity to complete their degree, he called the rule "a huge disadvantage." He states that it is not fair for the guys who are done with school, can be at practice, and want to be at practice. Staley has been able to stay in contact with Garnett and had just texted him.
"I think that's a weird rule. I don't want to get started on that," Staley told the media. "I think just the biggest thing coming from college to the NFL is the mental game and just learning the playbook, learning the speed of everything, how much quicker everything is as far as your adjustments and identifying things."
Staley, who is eager to get Garnett with the team, thinks that he has done a good job doing as much as he can in the offseason to learn.
He also stated that he has not been in contact with retired offensive lineman Anthony Davis, who has stated that he would return to the NFL but has not yet filed for reinstatement.
Staley talked a little about the competition along the offensive line. "I think the main concern is just getting the right guys out there for Week 1," he said.
You can watch the full interview below.