Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh, Brock Purdy preview 49ers-Browns Week 13 matchup
““It is weird just because he was my hero growing up. He was probably my number one player just in terms of being a true fan. I always talk about how I got his jersey in ‘94 and wore it for about six months straight until someone jacked it from me. I’m still looking for that guy. But no, he was such a unique player. He was just different than everyone, his talent and everything. Now to watch him be a coach and to watch him raise, I think he’s got three boys, but to watch the two boys in sports have been really cool to watch. I know my wife and my daughter, they’re huge Colorado fans too. So, I get hear about Buffaloes all the time.”
49ers overreactions: Brock Purdy’s true identity on display in win vs. Panthers
“It always was going to be difficult for him to perform at the level he showed in his first full season as the starter, when he had a 113 passer rating and finished fourth in the NFL MVP voting. There is no doubt Monday night’s showing against Carolina is not going to cut it.
He was a split-second slow on his decision-making on his first two interceptions. Was it rust from missing so much time this season due to turf toe? Or is he physically not capable of driving the ball down the field?“
49ers game review: How Ji’Ayir Brown took the long way round but came up big (paywall)
“The 49ers had possession at their own 44-yard line with three seconds left in the first half. A Hail Mary? Nope. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a short pass to running back Christian McCaffrey that gained 19 yards.
Was head coach Kyle Shanahan trying to prevent Purdy from throwing his fourth interception in the first two quarters? Yes, but he probably would have called the same play even if Purdy hadn’t thrown a pick.
Shanahan learned from his dad, Mike, who thought end-of-half Hail Marys weren’t worth throwing due to the damage a cheap interception could do to a QB’s psyche in the final two quarters. Shanahan, as a young offensive coordinator, thought his QBs shouldn’t be so worried about their stats. But he eventually came around.
“Five years later, I’m not calling that Hail Mary,” Shanahan said on the Athletic’s “Playcallers” podcast in July 2023. “‘That just messed up my quarterback. He had two picks that weren’t his fault, then he threw a third on a Hail Mary and now I can’t get him to throw the ball in the second half. Oh, man, my dad was right. He knew what he was talking about.’”
49ers minutia minute: Panthers defenders didn’t enjoy Jauan Jennings’ pancakes (paywall)
“Jennings has a reputation as a relentless blocker, and considering the 49ers called 22 run plays in the second half, he had plenty of opportunities to practice his craft. He recorded two pancake blocks in the game, one against safety Nick Scott in the third quarter and the second on Moehrig in the closing minutes. Moehrig responded by getting up and taking a swing at Jennings’ privates.
“That’s when he did it — when I pancaked him,” Jennings said.“
49ers tackle Austen Pleasants honors son, limb-different community with special cleats (paywall)
“Pleasants and his wife, Leah, welcomed their son Beau to the world seven months ago, and “he is amazing,” Pleasants said. “He is the happiest baby there is.”
Beau was born without the bottom half of his legs and half of his arms.
“To be able to bring awareness to limb difference and to show people who may be going through similar situations that they’re not alone is such a blessing,” Pleasants said. “To be able to use our experience to help others, that’s the biggest thing.”
Molly Stapelman founded Lucky Fin in 2010 after her daughter, Ryan, was born with symbrachydactyly, a partially developed hand with missing or incomplete fingers. And yes, Lucky Fin is from the movie “Finding Nemo” and Nemo’s “lucky fin” — being made differently doesn’t hold him back from accomplishing his goals.
(Nemo is pictured on the tongue of Pleasants’ cleats.)“
49ers vs. Browns injury report: 5 players miss Wednesday’s practice
“Below are Wednesday’s practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Browns, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff.”
For 49ers’ Brock Purdy to bounce back, he’ll have to beat the elements in Cleveland (paywall)
“If the ball is wet, it does change the mindset of taking care of the ball,” Purdy said Wednesday. “But at the same time, you do have to drop back, you got to throw it on time, and if it’s not there in time, let’s be smart with the ball.”