Niners Nation
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Falcons Week 7 matchup
“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters following Friday’s practice, providing final updates ahead of the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Here’s everything he said.”
Fred Warner’s injury creates a 49ers leadership void. Can George Kittle help fill it? (paywall)
“Warner, who has a certain gravitas, and the carefree Kittle, who harbors dreams of being a future pro wrestler, have different leadership styles. However, they share an all-consuming passion, universal respect and Hall of Fame ability, and Kittle’s return Sunday is well-timed given the team’s offensive leader will be returning as the 49ers try to navigate without their defensive heartbeat….Kittle’s candidates to address the team also include All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, a 15-year veteran and a cancer survivor, and backup defensive tackle CJ West, a rookie fourth-round pick with a theater background.
“The cool thing about football is you can learn something from Trent Williams,” Kittle said. “I can learn something from CJ West. … As long as you keep your ears open, you listen to them and you can learn something really cool.”
For new 49ers middle LB Tatum Bethune, talking is just as important as tackling (paywall)
“Saleh said it used to be that the 49ers sought different traits and body types for the three spots. Since 2019, they’ve looked for the same type of player — physically, at least.
“They’re all the same guy,” Saleh said. “Whoever speaks and communicates the best is the Mike linebacker. So in this case, Tatum is next up.”
Communication is something at which Warner — always talking, pointing and directing traffic — excels and an area that was noticeably off after he left Sunday’s game, including on a busted-coverage touchdown for Tampa Bay in the second quarter.
Saleh, however, said he’s certain Bethune will make strides as the new defensive ringleader as the season goes on. For one, he has natural command and is a good communicator. He’s also the son of a youth football coach, Greg Bethune, who happened to coach then 7-year-old Nick Bosa at Pembroke Pines Optimist Club in South Florida. Bethune, in fact, was Bosa’s first-ever coach and a guest of Bosa’s in the green room when the 49ers drafted the defensive end at No. 2 in 2019.“
49ers vs. Falcons: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions (paywall)
“Kawakami: 49ers 24, Falcons 20. I can’t get Atlanta’s embarrassing 30-0 loss to Carolina out of my head. The Falcons have talent and obviously just beat the Bills, but they’ve got some sloppiness in there, too. The 49ers are wounded, no doubt. I just don’t think they’re going to let this season slip away quite yet.”
Five 49ers to watch in big Week 7 game vs. Falcons on Sunday Night Football
“Coach Kyle Shanahan views this Sunday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons as a big game. The 49ers enter the game with a 4-2 record, in a three-way tie atop the...
