One major difference from Warner’s rookie season is his improved ability to read the game more quickly. He can now, as he describes it, “diagnose like a surgeon” what the offense is doing and communicate that to the rest of the defense. This pre-snap evaluation helps him react more instinctively.
“That’s why I feel like I play at a different speed now,” Warner said. “Even though I’m not necessarily faster, I’m seeing things in space differently.”
Kittle mentioned that Fred has been affected by Dre Greenlaw’s absence since they feed off each other’s energy. Fred tends to trash talk running backs or sometimes Kittle and Purdy. Kittle enjoys frustrating Fred by giving him the silent treatment.
Breer, in his Sports Illustrated mailbag, suggested that Labor Day weekend is a reasonable timeframe for resolving the situation, and believes that both parties will be addressed by then.
Lynch commented that various factors influence the situation, including the overall market and the specific market for Lamb’s position. He noted that this fluidity can complicate matters, especially given the team’s constraints from having already rewarded many of their players.
Lombardi began his coaching career with Harbaugh and has noticed similarities between Harbaugh and Shanahan, the 49ers’ two most successful coaches in the past thirty years. While Shanahan is known for his hands-on style and expertise in offense, Harbaugh is more of a CEO figure, concentrating on team culture and mindset.
“They go about it in a different way, but they try to get to the same endpoint,” Lombardi said. “When the ball kicks off on Sunday, they want to be the most physically and mentally tough team to handle any adversity that comes up in the game.”
“While San Francisco will want to get something out of its final preseason contest, it’s much more important for the team to escape the game without any injuries to key players that will carry over into the regular season.”
“There does not seem to be a whole lot that separates Burford, Zakelj, Hubbard, Parker, Bartch and Kingston. Only three of that group will make the 53-man roster, but those left out could find their way back to the practice squad.”
“The 49ers brought back a familiar face, re-signing veteran tight end Logan Thomas to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday.”
“It’s possible a strong performance Friday could erase any doubt the 49ers might have about starting Mustapha against the Jets in prime time in the regular-season opener, with QB Aaron Rodgers eager to try picking on him.
Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen largely waved off concerns about two plays from Sunday in which Mustapha didn’t make the tackle despite being in prime position. On one play, he said, Mustapha was tripped. On the other, Sorensen suggested he hesitated, which Sorensen viewed as an aberration due to Mustapha’s trademark aggressiveness.”
Hargrave, who struggled with a hamstring injury late last season, now claims to be fully healthy. Ideally, the 49ers would strengthen their run defense sufficiently so that Hargrave can focus entirely on his specialty: rushing the passer.
