San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris
What did you think of DL Gracen Halton in the game against Miami?
"He played well. He had some good plays, had some rookie plays. You know, there's always going to be some ups, always going to be some downs, but really excited to see. I think he got a tackle for loss that I can remember, had a nice celebration on. Did some really good things, gave us great energy, great juice inside there. Plays bigger than his actual stature. Did a lot of really cool things. Really excited about where he's going to go and what he can do for the Niners."
In general, has that surprised you? Watching the tape at Oklahoma, I think a lot of people didn't realize he played as well against the run.
"I think I said this before, but his movement was not the surprise. He had great movement and things like that in Oklahoma. His natural ability to move around and kind of stunt and do some things like that. We thought we would get like this guy that can really help out in the pass rush. We knew that right away. But, when he got here, really shocked us with his ability to use his hands and played well in the run game and be able to be stout and do some real cool things there. I forget when we kind of got that revelation. I think it was sometime in camp, we put the pads on for sure, but his ability to go out there and play the run for us is really good as well. We're excited about that with him going forward."
Stylistically, when you guys are in four-down, can he play next to DL Osa Odighizuwa? I know you used him a lot in the five-down with DL C.J. West in between them, but where, stylistically, are he and Osa complementary enough or do they have to kind of more rotate?
"He certainly can. You like Osa to be at that three technique. You like him if we're playing with the four-down front for him to be at that nose tackle. But, he can do both. He can multitask. I think I compared him to [Los Angeles Rams DL] Kobie Turner in the draft when I was talking to you guys last. I'm not sure, but he's kind of got some of those type of qualities where he can play nose, play three technique, do a couple of different things. Really smart, really sharp young man. Really excited about him."
What do you think about what you have at nose tackle now with C.J. going down?
"We've got to step up. Next-man-up mentality. I'm really excited about some of the guys that we're able to keep, maybe to get around here and play for us, and then we'll get out there and we'll play and get a chance to get those things done. It's unfortunate what happened to C.J. because he took a step forward this game, just like everybody else did when it comes to that matter. But, really excited about the next guy to go out there and get the opportunity to do it."
What is it about Osa's game that you like the most? What's the most valuable part of his game?
"I think the adult in Osa is number one, first and foremost. How he carries himself, how he leads the room, his ability to go out there and show guys how to prepare, how to practice. Show guys how to prepare to get ready for the game, to make sure his body's in the right spot, make sure his mind's in the right spot. He does a lot of really cool things that way when it comes to leadership. Then he's a natural dog. Love that about him. Love his ability to go out there and play for us and play winning football."
He's quiet with us, so is he more vocal with you?
"He's very quiet just in general. He's more vocal in his room. He's more vocal with his guys. He's more of a, I don't know, a comforting type of guy. He brings people in. He's not a real loud guy. He's not demonstrative in any way, but I really love his natural grown man mentality to lead those guys."
How do you assess the run defense in general through two games?
"It's continued to get better every time. I know how you assess it. I love your Instagram stuff. You're awesome. You know, the first week we give up probably four or five runs that you want back. It might've even been a little more in the Rams game. This game, it got cut down to about three. And there's always different things. You always have some things where you have, one we had a bad alignment. One I thought was a holding. One of the plays that I didn't like this week was kind of on me. It was third down and long. They caught us in a conversion down. They popped the run. Some of those situations happen, whether it was the 17-yarder, the nine-yarder, the eight-yarder. You know, those things happen, but I did like how fast we played in the runs that we played really well. That's starting to breed understanding. I think [LB] Fred [Warner] alluded to it earlier, but sometimes I say things in the game, it's the first time you actually hear it in the game. You've got to go out there and execute it when you're playing tackle football. It's not always going to be perfect, but I do like the natural development the guys have taken. We went from probably, and I'm guessing, we probably went from about eight runs in that first game that you didn't like to maybe cut it down to three or four in this game that you just didn't like. There was always some things you can clean up, but I really like where the guys are going and how the understanding is starting to come together. You did lie about one thing, though. We definitely got down to the eight-man box. You're so full of it (laughter)."
The play you're talking about, the third-and-nine where they ran Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane?
"Yeah, they got me."
You had one defensive tackle. Only Osa was on that.
"Yeah, we were in full-out blitz mode, man. They got me on that one. Full-out blitz mode and they caught us on the draw. Great play, great call by [Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator] Bobby Slowik. Kudos to them. You've got to take your hat off sometimes."
You must have played against WR Brandin Cooks, or game-planned against Brandin Cooks a lot when you were in Atlanta. What are your memories about him and going against him all these years?
"I believe he was with the Saints my first time game planning against him when I was in Tampa as a rookie. He came in as just like a real speed guy, real guy that could take the top off. Then he evolved into this guy that was just ultimately able to be counted on, whether he was a Ram. He's been a couple different spots and I've missed him at a couple different spots, but I've heard nothing but great real things about him where he's been and how he prepares and how he goes about his business. So, really excited that he's on our football team. Really excited to add a guy like that when you need him. When it's time like this, when you can come in here and really help you, we'll see where he goes and what he can do for us. The character and the quality of the guy you know that you love, but we definitely always had the game plan for the top-end speed first. His ability to go out there and execute at a very high level. He was at Houston. I played against him. I think now that you're thinking about it, I think he's played everywhere, but really had a real respect for him wherever he's been."
He says he still has the speed.
"It looked like it watching him go out there and run. I remember speaking with [former NFL WR] Joey Galloway when he was 97, still playing wideout. I said, 'What's the difference between now and when you were younger?' He just said, 'It takes longer to get warmed up.'"
We've seen over the years a lot of coach-to-player communication. We get some audio from NFL Films, 60 Minutes the other day with offense. We rarely get to hear the defensive communication. What does Fred like? What do you like to give him? What do you try to sprinkle in?
"I think a lot of the communication from defense happens during the week. Then for me, a lot of those things are like tips and reminders. Just reminding him right before the snap. Fred has this amazing recall, first and foremost, almost too good. It's almost scary to tell him some things because he'll anticipate and play something that's really not his at times, which at times everybody's throwing a pool party in there once in a while, it may go wrong, but you almost want to be careful. Fred doesn't like a lot in the huddle on game day. He definitely likes more during the week. Our communications happen during the week, during the meetings, text messages at night, whatever the case may be. Game day, we have a couple of things on the sideline that we can talk about when things show up, but when it's really going down, all the fire's going down, Fred likes to play. Get him the call. Then by that time he knows exactly what you want, what you're thinking, what the thought process is. We've got a real clear, concise way of communicating what the situation is and what's happening with those guys. He takes it to a whole new level when you talk about linebacker play."
DL Nick Bosa doesn't have a sack yet through two games, but he's been close a couple of times. It looked like Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis had to get away from him a couple of times in the Dolphins game. How are the offenses scheming against him and what have you seen from Nick so far?
"He's been really the most dominant player without a sack. I mean, I have to say he's been awesome. You know, when he's rushing the passer, the first play of the game, the first play of the season, was absolutely outstanding. You know, this week checking around Willis and he just forgot how to sack people. But other than that, man, I've joked with him this weekend, but other than that, he's been awesome. We'll see moving forward all the stuff that happens with him, but he's been playing great."
DL Mykel Williams is going to start practicing next week.
"How do you know that? I don't even know that yet (laughter)."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan that.
"Oh, good."
I imagine you must have done a lot of research on him coming out of Georgia.
"Yeah, I couldn't stand him. No, I love that kid, man. He's amazing. Those Georgia kids that year, whether you're talking about the safety, talking about the two guys, the guy we took in Atlanta and the guy here, they had a great class. They're raised the right way, they're coached the right way. Then he had a really good rookie season here with you guys. Then having a chance to be joining up with him this year was absolutely outstanding, so I can't wait to get him back on the grass and watch him play. Remember, I haven't seen him play on the grass yet, so getting him out there would be really special, would be really cool for the team."
If the Falcons had drafted him, would you have used him at end and inside? Does he have that versatility in your eyes?
"He does. He can play anywhere. He's kind of that spinner in a different way. He can go inside, outside, do different things like that. I'm not sure if he couldn't stand up. He can do a lot of different things. He's really athletic, really talented. And remember he, coming out, had some type of injury. I can't remember exactly what it was right now, but it kind of slowed him down. We all thought he was slow, and he is not. He can run, he's big, he's physical, he's fast, he can move inside, he can rush the passer. He provides a lot of opportunity and things for us to move forward and get better and better at."
Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett has been targeting Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride a ton. He's obviously a great player. What stands out? Why is he such a great player?
"He's awesome, and he's also a great guy to be around. He's very much like our guy. Don't tell our guy I said that, he'll beat me up in the lunchroom. But, he's active. He's a great pass-receiving catcher. He's a willing and physical blocker at the point of attack or away from it. He loves football. I was very close to his coaches that he had when he had [former NFL tight ends coach] Ben Steele and some of those guys. Now he's with these guys that I've worked with and done a lot of good things with. He's a phenomenal player."
What stands out to you about CB Upton Stout? Is he getting better and better?
"He's a dog. I mean, just watch the last game. He's absolutely outstanding. He was all over the place, our player of the game on defense. We took a sack away from him by taking that penalty. Didn't realize that at the time, but he's outstanding. He should have had a sack and a half, a bunch of tackles, tackles for loss. He's all over the place. He's physical. He's an absolute dog."
Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak
Can you revisit the QB Brock Purdy completion to WR Mike Evans to the one-yard line and how it looked from your view up in the crow's nest?
"Yeah, it was not a good look for the play we called. So, you're already kind of hoping, 'Brock, don't make it a bad play' which he knows that. And he comes out and makes the guy miss. Okay, now we got a chance to do something. The guy running with Mike, it had to be a perfect throw or else it would have been picked and Brock threw a dime. That was awesome. That was a heck of a play by him."
What are your early impressions of WR Brandin Cooks and what you're seeing from him in practice?
"Yeah, good to have him here. He's a pro. He's been doing it a long time. He's a worker. Everything. His reputation kind of precedes itself. He's a heck of a worker. Everywhere he's been, people just talk about how hard he practices, obviously how hard he plays. He's a vet. He's picking up our offense quick. It's good to have him out there and get him involved and just get him incorporated into our offense. So, he's been a pleasure to have."
He was playing for the Rams in '18 and '19. Did that give him a good foundation for what you guys do?
"Yeah, he's been in a lot of schemes. I feel like in every scheme that's out there now he's been in. But probably just familiarity with some of the route tree, maybe some formations. But things have changed so much since then too. Things have evolved. So, I don't know how much it really has helped, but maybe just a little bit."
What do you think of WR Jordan Watkins? He hasn't been able to get out there. What does he need to do to make that next step?
"He's going to get some ops. It's unfortunate why guys have to get elevated with injuries, but Jordan's going to get his opportunities and he's going to be called upon at some moment in these games. We're going to need him. And is he ready to make the play? Is he on his assignments on the details? Is he executing in the run game? It's just going to come down to Jordan going out there and playing good football and executing when his number's called. That's all we're asking of him. It's all we're asking of anybody. But it's a good opportunity for him. He's been working really hard. I'm really proud of how he's kind of approached these past few weeks of the season, just working on the scout team and getting ready to go. And he's going to get an op here. So, we'll see how he plays, but I'm excited for Jordan to see him get out there."
What jumps out about Arizona's defense?
"They've been together for a while. It feels like this scheme with [Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator] Nick [Rallis] calling it and a core group of players, obviously [Arizona Cardinals S] Budda [Baker] kind of being the guy who runs the show there, they've been running the same scheme and it's a really challenging scheme to prepare for. There's multiplicity in everything they do – fronts, pressures, coverages. They kind of do it all and they do it all at a high level. They've been like that for the four years. So, it's a lot to prepare for. The thing that has always jumped out to me about Arizona is they are a team that plays very hard. They run to the ball. They swarm. They attack. And we always have our hands full. They're really hard to run the ball against. And so it's always a challenge versus these guys. They know us pretty well too. It's a divisional opponent. So, we definitely have our work cut out for us. We got to be ready to go."
Outside of Budda, any other guys stand out? I know Arizona Cardinals DL Walter Nolen's a pretty talented defensive lineman?
"They definitely have some talented guys up front. Obviously [Arizona Cardinals LB Josh] Sweat's a really good pass rusher. Nolen's jumping out. They have a number of guys on their interior D-Line, guys that just grind and play really hard and they make it really hard on your interior guys to block them in the run game. Five-down looks where they're getting us into five-0s and they're making everyone block one-on-one, it's a challenge. In the back end, they got some talented players. I know they've had some injuries, but just consistency in their scheme, guys are really familiar with the system. So, whoever they got coming up to play, they're going to be ready. So, it's going to be a challenge."
OL Connor Colby has talked about he just felt a little overwhelmed and tried to fix everything all at once last year and didn't feel like it went great. Through the first two games, has he been a pleasant surprise? In what areas has he improved when you look at him now from his rookie year?
"I don't know if I would say surprised. We started him because we expect him to go in there and play good. And Connor had a good camp. He had a good preseason. I think the area where he's improved the most is just consistency. I think there were games last year where there were highs and lows. He was playing solid football and then there'd be lows and that's hard on a rookie. Emotionally, that's hard. Mentally, that's hard to kind of overcome and bounce back, but Connor's been consistent. He's been steady. And he's been playing good, consistent football. It's been two weeks of that and the challenge for him is to just to keep doing that. So, we're happy with where he's at, but we got to keep going."
Kind of a year further ahead on that same timeline is OL Dominick Puni, who seemed in the preseason more comfortable and confident about what his year might look like. What have you seen from him?
"Dom's another guy who his rookie year and then to his second year there were areas where he needed to grow. Going into his third year, again, another guy you've seen a lot of consistency from. He had a great camp. He's become one of our most solid, reliable guys up there and really happy with how he's playing. But again, I say this about everybody. We're talking about two weeks of football. The challenge of the NFL is getting ready every week to go take on a new challenge and play good football again. If you can stack 16 good weeks, now you can say, 'Okay, I'm a pretty darn good player.' So keep pushing Dom, keep challenging him every week to get better, and we'll keep going."
It's hard for rookies to get on the field for running backs coach Bobby Turner Jr., but RB Kaelon Black is playing and he's playing as a rookie. What is he doing that other rookies maybe haven't done in past years?
"It's hard to play running back in the NFL as a rookie. There's a lot that goes into it. I think Kaelon is a special guy, similar to Strib [WR De'Zhaun Stribling]. In terms of we knew what we were drafting in terms of the person, how well they prepared in college, how they were in their interview process. They're just locked in. They're just really smart football players. He's played a lot of football. He's played at a high level, played in a National Championship. And so as soon as he got here, nothing was too big for him. He took to the coaching. Any rep we gave him, he was ready for it. I just think we saw that consistency throughout camp. He was ready to play. And so, it's credit to him. He's wired the right way. He's a heck of a player. So, we're proud of where he's at and keep pushing him."
You once ran a high school English department. Do you ever critique any of our stories?
"No offense, but I'm usually not reading anything written about the Niners. Sorry, no. But, I can look over something if you need me to sometime. I'll be some eyes."
What about the grammar of the other coaches and the players? Is that a problem?
"No. We had spellcheck. We had all that stuff. So, you move past the grammar and focus on other things."
Is there a thesaurus anywhere on your desk?
"No. People think English major; they think grammar and thesaurus. No, there's other stuff to it. "
Do you have a book on your nightstand that you're reading?
"No, I'm hitting the pillow, going to bed."
QB Brock Purdy
How many times have you seen FB Kyle Juszczyk do his celebration?
"I've seen Juice do his celebration for like five years or however long I've been here. A little confused by the punishment he's dealing with."
Do you remember the league coming in and saying that, apparently Juice wasn't the only one who was fined this week for celebrations, do you remember that being an emphasis? Were you told to be careful with how you celebrate things?
"No, that's the first time we had heard about that as players. [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] does a good job of hitting stuff around the league and stuff with, you know, violent acts after scoring touchdowns or jumping on the goalpost or whatever. That never came up. Juice, that's his name. He drinks a juice box after he makes big plays and stuff. So, I don't know. We're all confused and it sucks, to be honest, for him."
LB Fred Warner yesterday was talking us through your pass to WR Mike Evans down in the corner, the 27-yarder, saying how hard it is for you, a quarterback, to pump fake and then go through that play. Just all the things that are going on in your head. Can you walk us through what is going through your head during a play like that?
"Yeah. I mean, we had a keeper called, so obviously we're faking the run and then I'm rolling out. Mike was number two in the progression and [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] sort of got hung up early, so I got my eyes to Mike and obviously there was a backer out there first so pump faked him, just trying to get some space and create some time to get to Mike and I felt like Mike had a couple steps on the guy. He was running. I felt like it was man coverage. For me, I was like, 'Alright, I've just got to give Mike a chance here.' That guy was coming underneath to undercut the route and the throw and I just was like, 'Just give Mike a chance and put it on him.' So, yeah, I threw it and there was really nothing more than that, to be honest. It was just sort of playing ball."
What challenges do you see in the Cardinals defense?
"I feel like they do a good job with a lot of different looks. Sometimes they'll do the five-down, four-down fronts, and then all of a sudden they've got the three-safety structure and they're going into a bunch of different coverages from there and stuff. We've played against them the last couple of years and it's always a challenge every single year. It doesn't matter how many times you play them. They can do a lot of different things. Then on top of that, like, they're a defense that plays hard. You can see them flying around and being physical and stuff. [Arizona Cardinals S] Budda Baker is always going to fit the run gaps and run full speed so you've got to know where he's at. I think just overall, they've gotten more sound at how they run their defense for sure. A lot of guys have been in the system and have had some familiarity with it. So, a defense that we definitely can't sleep on at all and we've got to bring our best."
Going back to that play again. It took you 30 seconds to describe that, but it's all happening in like three seconds. Has the game slowed down where you can process all of that compared to before? Does it feel like it's slowing down?
"I think Kyle and [quarterbacks coach] Mick [Lombardi] and [offensive coordinator] Klay [Kubiak] have done a good job going back in the offseason. Like, we'll watch all of the keepers from the year and be like, alright, all the different looks that happen and they're coaching me really hard. I wanted to be better at them this season and stuff, so I think just the detail that I go into the play with, knowing, alright, this can be the look and if this is the case, I have to react this way. If it's not, keep attacking. And I've got to go through my read and all that kind of thing. So, I don't know. It's not just like I'm out there running random plays. It's like every play there's so much thought into what my details have to be, what my fundamentals have to look like, and then from there, go and execute and do it well. So, yeah that was just a play, like I said, where I had to create some time by pump faking that one guy. Mike was screaming across the field, make the throw, and go finish the drive off. So, it was that kind of thing."
When you watched the replays of it, did you realize how tight of a throw it was? And does it impress you what you pulled off there?
"I mean, after the game and stuff, when I'm watching it, yeah I'll go through the film and stuff and be like, 'Yeah, that was obviously a tight throw.' Mike had great hands and concentration to catch the ball, even with that guy swiping for it and making a play after. In the moment, it's like, how can I do my job, execute, be violent with the throw, execute and finish the drive? That's what I'm thinking about. Then yeah, when the game is over, I look back on the film and stuff and be like, 'Wow, that was a cool play.'"
The play that you're talking about, I believe it was Kyle or TE George Kittle that spoke about the fact that it's not easy to do what you did. The motion of your body to make that play is not easy. If you could explain from the mind of a quarterback why that play is so hard?
"I guess they might think it's hard because I'm a right-handed thrower. So, going left, the momentum of my body moving left and making a throw, like any quarterback out there that's right-handed knows, that's the tougher throw, especially with a guy trailing, a guy running full speed and leading them. It's tough to be perfect in that situation, so I think maybe they looked at that and be like, 'Wow, it's tough to see quarterbacks make those kind of throws and be that accurate and have that kind of zip on the ball in the moment.' It's a tough play. I don't want to overreact. It was a great play. Everyone's talking about it, I guess. It was just another throw that I guess you see quarterbacks make on Sundays and I guess my challenge is you make a good throw like that, that's cool. What's the next play and how can you be better and keep doing it?"
When you say violent throw, I don't hear many NFL quarterbacks talk about a violent throw. What do you mean by that? Why is that important to you, making violent throws?
"I think just the mindset of, there's tight windows, there's guys that are open. And being open in the NFL isn't always clear as day, just wide open like a lot of people see in high school and college and stuff. So, I guess the mindset that I have to have is be violent with the throw, be committed to the throw. Obviously, every throw is different. You can have layered throws, touch throws, whatever you want to call them. Then there's plays where, like the play we're talking about, where you're on the move and there's a guy chasing Mike Evans from the back and he's trying to undercut this ball. My mindset has to be, commit to this throw and make it a violent throw, put it on him. I feel like that's something that I've learned, I don't know, within this last year and stuff, having that kind of mindset. There's a time and place for it, though."
Zero sacks in the last two games. First time since 2018 that unit's put together consecutive games without sacks. From your perspective, what are they doing so well? Why are they so successful right now?
"Man, I think those guys have just trusted in the process of what coach [assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris] Foerster has been coaching, for one. They're all in on that. Two, I think they've played together for a while now, that unit up front. Obviously, you've got the left guard position that is a little new with [OL] Connor Colby. He's had experience from last year though. But, just across the board, those are guys that have all played together and when you get consistency with that, they understand passing things off. They understand picking certain things up and squeezing down, communicating in the run game and stuff. They've played together for a while now, which as a quarterback and as an offense in general, it's super nice when you've got guys that understand tendencies and what the guy next to you is going to do and communicating and all those kinds of things. Those are things that are rare, so I'm extremely blessed to have those kind of guys. They work hard, they trust in the process of getting better and we've all played together for a while now. So, it makes things nicer. It's been two games. We don't want to overreact or anything, but we've all got to go out Sunday and prove to ourselves what our standard is again."
In a game like the Dolphins game, it seemed like your processing speed was at its peak. Do you feel differently from week-to-week as far as that aspect of your game? Does processing speed fluctuate throughout a season?
"Yeah, I think it obviously depends on the team that you're playing, their scheme. It's tough to answer that question, every single week I'm going to process it different. I'd like to think that I go about my process the same way with studying, preparation, all the things, being on top of their different looks on first and second-down compared to third-down. Those are all things that I try to be consistent with throughout the week and throughout the year. But, every team is different. Every scheme is different. So, I guess that can change. But, I think the biggest thing for me is like, how can I be a true professional quarterback where the highs aren't too high, the lows aren't too low? I can continue to just take it one play at a time, one drive at a time. It's for four quarters. You can have a great start to a game, but it's how you finish or it could be a slow start and it's how you finish. So, I feel like that's the mindset of getting me to play at a high level and an efficient level for a whole game. So, I just need to lock into that and continue to trust that."
What did you tell former NFL QB Dan Marino and vice versa?
"We've already sort of caught up before in the last couple of years, but it was cool just seeing him again. Obviously just reminiscing like, 'Hey, dude appreciate you and what you've done for the game of football.' Obviously, my dad was a big fan. It's the reason why I wear 13, acknowledging him in that way, which was cool. And then I was like, 'I never got to see you play.' And then he was like, 'It's all good.' You could still turn on the film and watch me. So, I've got to go back and do some Marino film watching. But, it was cool. He said he wants nothing but the best for me and to stay healthy and everything. So, it was really cool."
More info on: Kaelon Black, Nick Bosa, Connor Colby, Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans, Gracen Halton, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Osa Odighizuwa, Dominick Puni, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Upton Stout, De'Zhaun Stribling, Fred Warner, Jordan Watkins, C.J. West, Mykel Williams
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