The San Francisco 49ers' first padded practice of training camp was anything but quiet. The intensity boiled over multiple times during Friday's practice, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw and running back Christian McCaffrey getting into a heated exchange. Fortunately, there is no bad blood between the two teammates.
In fact, Greenlaw's first thought after one of the altercations was pretty funny. The linebacker was asked by reporters about the scuffle and revealed his immediate thoughts.
"Honestly, my process was like, you better not touch 23 or you might not be on this team," Greenlaw joked. "But I think it was a play before where I kind of got rolled up on him a little bit, and I was like 'Damn.' But then naturally, he caught a ball on me, a five-yard ball, and I pushed him out of bounds. Think he thought it was worse than what it was."
Reportedly, after Greenlaw pushed McCaffrey out of bounds, the star running back got up and shoved Greenlaw back.
"But at the end of the day, my first initial reaction was, I was happy he did it because it just shows that he's got that fire in him," Greenlaw added. "And that's what I like. I like that fire. Yeah, it gets everything and everyone going. But yeah, I knew, don't touch 23."
That's as good an indication as any that the incident was nothing more than two competitive players getting caught up in the moment. McCaffrey also downplayed the situation afterward, making it clear that he has tremendous respect for Greenlaw.
"Dre is my favorite football player in the NFL," McCaffrey said. "He has been for a long time. And it's because of stuff like that."
The two players have been teammates for several years, and Greenlaw's return to San Francisco this offseason has reunited him with many of the players he helped lead during the 49ers' run to Super Bowl LVIII. The linebacker spent last season with the Denver Broncos before returning to the 49ers this offseason. His physical, emotional style has been one of the defining characteristics of his game throughout his career, and it's clear that he's bringing that same intensity back with him.
That's something the 49ers certainly want from Greenlaw, but there is a fine line between playing with an edge and putting teammates at risk. Acting head coach Chris Foerster acknowledged after practice that fighting and unnecessary altercations aren't something the team wants to see, calling them a "waste of time."
At the same time, the competitive fire that Greenlaw brings is a big part of what has made him such a popular player inside the 49ers' locker room.
More info on: Dre Greenlaw, Christian McCaffrey
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