Tag: Joe Staley

Joe Staley to announce 49ers’ Day 2 draft picks

Joe Staley is announcing the 49ers’ Day 2 draft picks per Matt Barrows.

Joe Staley retired after the 2019 season, but that didn’t end his involvement with the 49ers. While head coach Kyle Shanahan has tried pushing the former left tackle to coaching, the team will utilize him in a different capacity this year. Staley will announce the team’s Day 2 draft picks according to Matt Barrrows of the Athletic, confirming a report from Leo Luna on Thursday.

The 49ers are slated to pick three times on Day 2 of this year’s draft, with all three picks coming in the final four of the third round. They’re on the clock at Nos. 99, 101 and 102. That 102nd selection is the final choice in Round 3. San Francisco could trade up, but wherever they pick, it’ll be Staley announcing it instead of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Barrows also reported that Staley helped train a handful of offensive line prospects leading up to the draft. Those players included Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron, North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch, BYU OT Blake Freeland and Michigan OT Ryan Hayes, who had a 30 visit with the 49ers.

Finding an offensive tackle could be a priority for the 49ers with Colton McKivitz in line to take the starting right tackle spot. Even if a draft pick doesn’t beat out McKivitz, having better depth at that position would help an already strong San Francisco roster that doesn’t have a ton of holes.

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Kayvon Thibodeaux, Joe Staley engaged in hilariously bizarre Twitter feud over 49ers NFC title loss

Thibodeaux v. Staley was quite a Twitter battle.

New York Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and former San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley got into one of the strangest Twitter beefs of the new year.

As the 49ers struggled to mount much of a fight against the Philadelphia Eagles during Sunday’s NFC championship, Thibodeaux took to Twitter to troll San Francisco for their bad afternoon.

Well, Staley took great offense to that and decided to slam Thibodeaux’s playing ability and say that he’s let New York media get to his head.

Thibodeaux responded with an equally devastating clapback, and the two were off in the bizarre social media back-and-forth. You can see the highlights below.

Then, out of nowhere, former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes got in on the action.

Staley did not take kindly to Tynes’ response.

Adding to the conversation, former Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan came to Thibodeaux’s and Tynes’ defense.

As you can guess, there really wasn’t a “winner” to this feud, only social media hubbub. However, Staley wasn’t the only member of Niners faithful who didn’t like Thibodeaux’s post. San Francisco defensive end Arik Armstead had some critiques of his own.

Thibodeaux responded with a wisecrack of his own, but he doled out some respect for his fellow pass rusher.

While we certainly won’t see Thibodeaux and Staley take their beef onto the field since the latter hasn’t played since the 2019-20 season, the 49ers and Giants might have some words for each other the next time they play.

They both lost to the Eagles, so at least they have that in common.

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Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux sparks Twitter beef with 49ers jab

New York Giants rookie LB Kayvon Thibodeaux ignited a Twitter war on Sunday night after taking aim at the San Francisco 49ers.

New York Giants rookie linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is quickly becoming a lightning rod.

From his snow angel celebrations on the field to some of his commentary, Thibodeaux seems to rub some the wrong way. That played out again on Sunday night when Thibs took aim at the San Francisco 49ers on Twitter.

At the time of the tweet, the 49ers were taking it on the chin from the Philadelphia Eagles. They ultimately fell, 31-7, which sent Philly to the Super Bowl.

After catching wind of Thibodeaux’s tweet, retired 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley returned fire on the rookie. Things took off from there.

The exchange eventually led retired Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes to chime in. He, too, took aim at Staley in an attempt to deflect some of the hate away from Thibodeaux.

Tynes, of course, kicked the Giants by the 49ers in the 2011 NFC Championship Game.

The back-and-forth did not sit well with Giants legend Michael Strahan.

For Thibodeaux, this wasn’t even his first “who are you” moment of the year. He had previously taken aim at Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday in much the same way.

The rookie then defended himself on Twitter.

If nothing else, Thibodeaux certainly knows how to stir the pot.

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Andrew Whitworth rips Joe Staley over tweet that’s ’embarrassing for our game’

Andrew Whitworth ripped Joe Staley on Instagram for a tweet that he called “embarrassing for our game”

Andrew Whitworth is on his way to the second Super Bowl appearance of his career, but after the Los Angeles Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers, he took to Instagram to send a message to former 49ers tackle Joe Staley. And it wasn’t a kind message, either.

Whitworth ripped Staley for a tweet he sent before the NFC Championship Game about buying tickets from Rams fans. Staley was trolling Whitworth’s wife, who offered to buy tickets from Rams fans rather than letting them fall into the hands of 49ers fans, who packed SoFi Stadium in Week 18.

Whitworth says he used to respect Staley, but that’s seemingly no longer the case. He went on to call it “embarrassing for our game” and says he would “hope a legend of the game would leave a players wife out of it.”

Whitworth called Staley a “tough guy” and will “address that at a later date.”

It was as strong a message as Whitworth has ever sent publicly, which shows how angered he was about Staley’s tweet. Read his full post about Staley below.

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Joe Staley dips toes in coaching waters while 49ers practice with Chargers

There’s a familiar face on the #49ers sideline for joint practices with the Chargers as a franchise legend tries out coaching.

There’s been a familiar face around the 49ers during their stint in Southern California: former left tackle Joe Staley is hanging out with the team and getting his first taste of coaching while his former club practices near his home.

Rumblings about a possible return to the team in some capacity began the moment Staley announced his retirement during Day 3 of the 2020 NFL draft. While he was recently mum on a return to the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Staley was excited to be back, and that the team was excited to have him in the building.

“Yesterday was his first day working,” Shanahan said. “It was our off day and he was so amped up. He was kind of annoying us all day, wanting to do more. But I’m pumped that he’s here. He’s passionate about football. He loves football. It’ll be nice to have him in the room. He’s never been on this side before, so he’s probably going to be a little sensitive realizing how we’re not always nice with what we say behind closed doors, but we’ll see how he does. I know he’ll be opinionated and I’m just pumped to have him.”

While the excitement has been apparent for the long-time 49ers left tackle, this isn’t a permanent addition to their staff. Staley lives nearby and wanted to take the opportunity to get on the field to try his hand at coaching.

“He’s going to be here this week,” Shanahan said. “He lives pretty close to here so he just wanted to come up with the week and try to see what coaching is about. And I know he’s got a passion for it and I know he wants to be around football. He wants to he decide if he wants to work this many hours before he jumps into it with his family. So, he’ll get a look at that this week.”

Staley in July told 95.7 the Game in San Francisco that Shanahan was eager to get him on his staff, but family was first and foremost for the 36-year-old who only walked away from a 13-year career one year ago.

“I know Kyle’s trying to get me up there to work on his staff, but I’m not ready to do the coaching thing yet,” Staley told the Morning Roast. “I’m really honestly just enjoying the time that I have with my family right now. I have two young girls, seven and four, and we’re enjoying spending a ton of time together. I’m catching up on all the time I missed while playing football and I’m not in a huge hurry to get back into something.”

A taste of the coaching life may give Staley an additional push to get involved, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him hold out longer. Either way, the 49ers would love to have a franchise legend in their building in some capacity, even if it’s just for a week of preseason work in Southern California.

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Joe Staley: ‘Kyle’s trying to get me up there to work on his staff’

Joe Staley could eventually join the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching staff, but it won’t happen soon.

Former 49ers left tackle Joe Staley didn’t go far from the organization after his retirement following the 2019 season. He was still visible on social media and in interviews, and it was clear Staley had a place with the organization whenever he wanted it. The long-time left tackle revealed on 95.7 the Game in San Francisco that head coach Kyle Shanahan is angling to get Staley on the coaching staff.

In an interview with the Morning Roast, Staley said despite Shanahan’s efforts, he’s not quite ready to join the coaching ranks after a 13-year NFL career.

“I know Kyle’s trying to get me up there to work on his staff, but I’m not ready to do the coaching thing yet,” Staley said. “I’m really honestly just enjoying the time that I have with my family right now. I have two young girls, seven and four, and we’re enjoying spending a ton of time together. I’m catching up on all the time I missed while playing football and I’m not in a huge hurry to get back into something.”

The 49ers drafted Staley in the first round in 2007, and he was a mainstay on their offensive line for 13 years. Shanahan coached him for three seasons, and the fact he’s already trying to get Staley on his staff speaks volumes about the impact the left tackle has.

Coaching requires perhaps a larger commitment than playing, so committing to such an undertaking would certainly require him to spend even more time away from his family. A different role may better suit Staley for the time being if he does want to get back into the game without becoming a coach.

The team could benefit from having him around, and he has the cachet to keep that door open for as long as he’s even remotely interested in possibly rejoining the organization.

Joe Staley provides optimism about Nick Bosa’s return from ACL injury

Longtime 49ers LT Joe Staley has been in touch with Nick Bosa, and is optimistic about the DE’s return from an ACL injury.

Nick Bosa’s return at full strength after tearing his ACL in Week 2 last season is perhaps the single biggest key to the 49ers’ return to championship contention in 2021. Long-time 49ers left tackle Joe Staley has been in touch with the young defensive end and told NFL Network that he’s confident in Bosa’s ability to return and be a key cog in San Francisco’s defense.

Staley told MJ Acosta-Ruiz on NFL Total Access that the 49ers’ defense is predicated on the pass rush, which starts with the former No. 2 pick.

“From day one, I never saw a rookie come in and totally transform a defense like Nick Bosa did for us in my last year there,” Staley said. “He was an unbelievable talent, and losing him last year was such a huge loss for that team. What he can deliver off the edge really sets up that whole entire defense. It allows the linebackers to play a little bit more downhill. It allows the cornerbacks to play a little bit more aggressive. That pass rush is really key for what they want to do there.”

Bosa and Staley clashed plenty during the 2019 season – which was the defensive end’s rookie year and the left tackle’s last. The two have remained in touch even after Staley’s retirement, and he was optimistic when discussing the 2021 campaign.

“I’ve been talking to him this offseason, I know he’s ready, he’s been training incredibly, incredibly hard. So, this is going to be a huge piece for the Niners going forward,” Staley said.

The 49ers rode a sensational rookie season from Bosa to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. He racked up 85 pressures and 9.0 sacks, and was perhaps the single most dominant player on the field in the team’s Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.

San Francisco added Samson Ebukam this offseason to help the pass rush, and there’s some optimism that Dee Ford might return after missing virtually all of last year with a back injury. Still, Bosa is the key to what the 49ers want to defensively. They’re built from the defensive line back, and Bosa is on track to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has already indicated the team’s star defensive end should be back for training camp, and Staley’s added optimism is just another good sign that Bosa can return at full strength in 2021.

Chargers Prospect Interview: North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez had the opportunity of interviewing potential Chargers prospect, North Dakota State tackle Dillon Radunz.

I spent this past week down in Mobile, AL for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, a prestigious college football all-star game, where over a hundred of the top senior prospects showcase themselves in front of a crop of NFL personnel.

I was fortunate enough to sit down and talk to former North Dakota State offensive tackle Dillon Radunz to pick his brain and get an inside look at his mindset going into this year’s draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 304

College Bio Page

Chargers Fit

While Radunz needs to get better at finishing blocks, he has the athleticism, range, foot quickness and run-blocking temperament needed for the NFL. With Los Angeles, Radunz is capable of playing either tackle or guard. While he develops more mass and add bulk to his frame, his skillset suggests high potential.

Round Projection: Early-Mid Round 2

Highlights

How’s your time been like at the Senior Bowl?

Overall, it’s been fun. I’ve been dying to play football since Oct. 3. It’s competitive, and every time I get done with practice I’m like, “I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!” My body is sore, but overall it’s been a blast.

You only played one game this past season due to COVID-19. What did you do to keep your body in shape and who did you work with?

Like you mentioned, we only played one game, which was unfortunate. To stay in shape, I pushed my conditioning and my body to get stronger and more durable, so that way when I do go into a regular season I’ll be stronger and more durable than I was before.

I went to California and started training with Joe Staley and his weight trainer. I was able to gain a lot of strength and a lot of football IQ, on and off the field from Joe and how the league operates. Worked with him and started Combine training in January in Irvine, CA and still had him as a coach.

Describe the mentality of North Dakota State that’s helped them become one of the most dominant programs.

The mentality is that we are going to bring it to whoever walks through the program and develop them into better men, not just better football players. It’s all about selfless leadership. We are going to take care of each other, push each other and give 100% each time, and that’s how we’ve become so successful.

You played left tackle in college, but got some reps this past week at left guard. What suits you better?

I want to be a left tackle because that’s where I’m most confident. But some teams want to see what I can do inside, which I have no problem with. Ultimately, I want to play a significant role early on in my professional career. I know it’s a team sport, so wherever I’m going to have the most impact, that’s where I’m going to play.

How do you handle speed differently than power?

Ultimately, it’s get in your spot. With speed, I was born with it, so it helps. For me, it’s moving my feet and extending my arms. In regards to defending power, I have great hip bend and I’m able to arch my back. However, I realize that I won’t be able to do that all the time. However, I’ve been fortunate to learn from Paul Alexander to help me develop my technique and work on that combination.

Do you have a preferred pass set?

An angle set. It’s basically an aggressive pass set on a 45-degree angle, where you have a balanced set and punch from your back. With a vertical set, you better have strong hips and a strong anchor. With a jump set, you need to have quick feet. I choose to be in between those.

Whether it was at the Senior Bowl or throughout your time at North Dakota State, who are some of the best pass rushers you’ve gone up against?

There were a lot of them at the Senior Bowl, by no surprise. In college, Ron’Dell Carter out of James Madison University was really good. Elerson Smith, who’s here at the Senior Bowl, was a good challenge when I played him while he was at University of Northern Iowa. He bulked up, so he’s quite a bit stronger now. Other than that, Khalen Saunders, who now plays with the Chiefs, was another tough matchup.

Who are some offensive linemen that you like to model your game after?

The three that I model my game after would be Joe Thomas, Taylor Lewan and David Bakhtiari.

I’m curious, is there an NFL quarterback who you’d love to block for?

Buccaneers’ Tom Brady, for sure. I jumped on the bandwagon when I was in seventh grade.

What kind of impact is Dillon Radunz going to make at the next level?

I’m going to bring team chemistry. That’s the way that I believe teams win Super Bowls. I want to instill that so that way the team is firing on all cylinders. That’s what I want to bring to others and myself, so that way whatever they ask of me I am going to do at a high level and it’ll ultimately resonate with others. Team chemistry. I think that’s what makes teams great. At the end of the day, I’m going to protect my teammates, love the fans, and give back to the community.

Joe Staley: Deebo Samuel can be greatest receiver in NFL

Joe Staley believes 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel can be the best WR in the NFL.

Expectations for 49ers second-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel were already soaring after a stellar rookie season and a strong showing in Super Bowl LIV. Recently-retired 49ers left tackle Joe Staley raised the bar on those expectations in a post-game chat with Samuel after the team’s 31-20 loss to the Chiefs in that Super Bowl.

Samuel was already supposed to be the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver in 2020, but Staley thinks there’s a higher tier the 2019 second-round pick can reach.

“Basically, he’s one of the most talented rookies I’ve ever seen,” Staley told the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman after the Super Bowl. “I was just telling him how important this offseason is and he can be the greatest receiver in the NFL. Just to work really hard this offseason and use this as motivation.”

Staley hasn’t been the type of player to throw hyperbolic praise around during his career, and Samuel’s rookie campaign supports the veteran left tackle’s assertion.

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Samuel posted 961 yards from scrimmage last season – 802 through the air and 159 on the ground. That’s the most ever by a 49ers rookie wide receiver, surpassing the previous high of 953 by Jerry Rice in 1985. His 961 scrimmage yards ranked 27th among all wide receivers, and second only to Tennessee’s AJ Brown among rookies.

Perhaps the most impressive part is how much of his productivity came in the back half of his rookie season. Samuel’s first half was relatively pedestrian with 22 catches for 227 yards with one touchdown, and five rushes for 37 yards and one touchdown in seven game. His 16-game pace after the team’s first half was 50 receptions, 519 yards and two touchdowns through the air to go along with 11 carries for 85 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

His second half is where Staley’s belief in Samuel becomes more conceivable. He exploded for 35 catches, 575 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and nine rushes for 122 yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. His 16-game pace was 70 catches, 1,150 yards and four receiving scores, along with 244 yards and four rushing touchdowns on 18 attempts. 1,394 yards from scrimmage would have put Samuel at No. 2 among all receivers last year.

Samuel took Staley’s encouraging words to heart and began an offseason training regimen that includes working with fellow 49ers Trent Williams and Jerrick McKinnon, along with Washington running back Adrian Peterson.

There was evidence in the latter half of 2019 that Samuel could be the most productive receiver in the NFL. Staley, who’s seen all there is to see on a football field during a 13-year career, believes there’s even more for the receiver to tap into. If Samuel heeds Staley’s words throughout his first full NFL offseason, he could quickly live up to the former left tackle’s monumental expectations.

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Jonah Williams training with Joe Staley, who he models his game after

Cincinnati Bengals OT Jonah Williams is learning from one of the greats.

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The Cincinnati Bengals place much on the shoulders of Jonah Williams in 2020.

Williams, the team’s first-round pick last year, finds himself tasked with manning left tackle in front of Joe Burrow next season after missing all of his rookie year.

So naturally, Williams has turned to one of the modern greats for guidance. He told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com he’s been working with Joe Staley:

“It’s a huge benefit for me. Joe’s a guy I like to model my game after. Joe’s extremely athletic but he’s also extremely technical and a very smart player. That’s kind of the tact I like to take. Just being the most prepared guy out there. There’s a lot of nuggets out there that I can take from him and be able to combine them with Coach Turner’s coaching and then hear it from Joe.

Staley, a first-round pick in 2007, played from 2007-2019, making six Pro Bowls and getting a nod on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, among other accolades.

Williams had previously worked with Staley as part of his pre-draft process.

It’s good company for Williams to work with, to say the least. Otherwise, the former Alabama star says he’s as ready to go as he can be given the unorthodox nature of the offseason.

He’s also looking forward to the pressure of his play going under the microscope as he protects Joe Burrow: “Everybody is going to be watching me if I hinder him from doing his job. I don’t take any pressure off myself. I think it’s exciting.”

Again — Staley is quite the guy to learn from and model his game after as he gets ready.

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