The San Francisco 49ers reported to training camp today and the big stories are, Solomon Thomas has not been signed, Reuben Foster is officially good to go, and everyone is excited to be here.
After two dismal years at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers start 2017 under a new regime with a new attitude.
“We’ve all been talking about it,” said linebacker NaVorro Bowman. “You can just feel the energy. Guys aren’t, ‘Dang, training camp is here.’ It’s ‘I’m glad training camp is here.’…Guys understand what [head coach Kyle Shanahan] has asked of us.”
For safety Eric Reid, the atmosphere reminds him of his days at LSU and the one thing everybody was focused on.
“Everything we do it about winning, and that’s all we care about,” said Reid. “It definitely feels like we’re headed on the right track.”
After a 2-14 season, winning would be a nice change of pace, but the 49ers are not going to be a playoff hopeful overnight.
“For me…for the team, i’s just to take it one week at a time,” said Reid. ” We’re not going to settle for anything. We know that we struggled last year…Me, I’m trying to win every game.”
Reid is in a contract year, and he confirmed today that he has not been in any discussions about said contract, so this season is a big one for him. He said he wants to remain on the 49ers, but football is a business.
“I’m living my dream,” said Reid. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is play football. I’m confident I’ll be on somebody’s team next year.”
Meanwhile, general manager John Lynch said that he is disappointed that Thomas is the only rookie left unsigned, but Shanahan knows it will get done.
“…It is part of the business,” said Shanahan. “We totally understand it. Solomon wants to be here as bad as anyone. We want him here as bad as anyone. I’m confident we’ll get it done.”
On the plus side, Foster has been medically cleared to play and he will practice as normal starting tomorrow.
“We’re excited to get him out there,” said Shanahan. “We’re going to go a couple days without pads, which is league rules. But, the third day of practice you’re allowed full pads and we expect him to be out there like everyone else.”
The expectations of the 49ers’ new head coach are not lost on offensive lineman Joe Staley, who came in with the best shirt of the day, one that said Fat and Jacked.
“His playbook’s been known as being very intricate,” said offensive lineman Joe Staley, “He has a lot of different moving pieces, a lot of different things that he throws at you and expects a lot out of all of his players.”
Quarterback Brian Hoyer, who has the advantage of having played under Shanahan in Cleveland, enters training camp with the starting QB job, which is somewhat unfamiliar territory, as it has been in question most of his career.
“Now just to be able to go out and focus and take control, knowing that this is my team, this is my offense…you can just focus on the football side of it,” said Hoyer.
John Lynch said that running back Carlos Hyde looked “tremendous,” and it’s no wonder. Hyde comes into training camp at 228 pounds, which he said is the lightest he’s been since high school. Hyde’s future with the Niners has been a hot offseason topic, meaning that Hyde has a lot to work for, but he feels like he’s in a perfect position to do so with the new offensive scheme.
“It’s outside zone, but it’s downhill,” said Hyde. “I’m a downhill back, so I feel like I fit the scheme very well.”
So well that Hyde’s goal for the season is to be “the number one rushing running back in the league.” That’s going to be a tough one but hey, it’s good to have goals.
It’s definitely a fresh start. Now let’s see if that can translate to wins and losses. There’s nowhere to go but up and up is where this team is looking to go. Go Niners!
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