Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers made their assistant coaches available to reporters, as they do any offseason. Below are some notable tidbits from the interactions.
No contact with Garoppolo
On Tuesday, tight end George Kittle said he hasn’t spoken to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo since the team cleaned their lockers after the season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers still plan to trade Garoppolo, but also said nothing is guaranteed.
On Wednesday, San Francisco’s new quarterbacks coach Brian Griese said he has worked closely with all of the team’s quarterbacks this off-season except Garoppolo. The assistant coach hasn’t even spoken to Garoppolo.
New #49ers Qb coach Brian Griese works closely with Trey Lance, Nate Sudfeld and Brock Purdy. He has not had any contact with Jimmy Garoppolo, he said.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 25, 2022
#49ers assistants meet the media and QB Brian Griese has a lot of nice things to say about the transition to coaching; he hasn’t spoken to Jimmy Garoppolo yet
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) May 25, 2022
Yes, Garoppolo is recovering from his March 8 shoulder surgery. Still, the position coach not working with the quarterback at all is a good indicator that the team is focused on moving forward without him.
Chris Foerster has faith in Aaron Banks
Last year’s second-rounder Aaron Banks only played five offensive snaps during his rookie campaign in 2021. However, the 49ers seem confident that the offensive lineman can make more of an impact during his second NFL season.
49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster believes Banks can earn the left hat spot following Laken Tomlinson’s departure to the New York Jets.
49ers O-line coach Chris Foerster is optimistic about Aaron Banks grabbing the starting LG spot. Told me Banks’ natural side is left. SF was actually really happy with the way he ended his rookie season. They should replace Laken Tomlinson?
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 25, 2022
Kris Kocurek praised Armstead’s adaptability in 2021
Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek shared that the 49ers appreciate versatility along the defensive front. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. However, the assistant greatly appreciated Arik Armstead’s adaptability to the unit’s success in 2021, especially after injuries hit the team. “I have no obligation,” Kocurek said. “I said, ‘Hey, I’m just sending this off you. What do you think?’ … He was all for [moving inside]† Arik, the most important thing he showed me is that he is a selfless player. He is a team first man. He has been captain for the past two years. The boys look up to him.
“And most people can’t make that transition mid-season. If you want to make such a transition, it usually has to be in the off-season, [using] the OTAs to get acquainted there a little, and then grind it in [training] camp, and then get started on week 1.
“He gets thrown in Week 7, Week 8. It’s not the easiest thing to do. Arik excelled there as the season went on. … And then in the playoffs, I thought he played his best ball was make a difference-type player out there, run and pass.”
Inside insight from 49ers D-line coach Kris Kocurek today on the versatility of DE/DT that is a hallmark of his unit. Kocurek gave Arik Armstead a lot of credit for the adaptability he showed in the season.
Clarifying stuff, more to come: https://t.co/OxlLeJ6OEb
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 25, 2022
Raiders train Colin Kaepernick
This one isn’t from Wednesday’s media availability, but it’s still noteworthy. Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who last played in the league during the 2016 season, has scheduled training with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Colin Kaepernick, who last played soccer in 2016, the same year he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, will train for the Las Vegas Raiders this week, league sources told ESPN.
More about NFL Live now. pic.twitter.com/zAuWybhILx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 25, 2022
Kaepernick has been out of the league since the start of the regime of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, when the 49ers chose not to bring the quarterback back.
Kaepernick’s NFL career was halted after the quarterback began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, prompting many others to follow in his footsteps the following season. Director Spike Lee is working on a multi-part documentary for ESPN that focuses on the polarizing quarterback.
In 2021, Netflix released the drama series “Colin in Black & White”, voiced by Kaepernick.
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