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SANTA CLARA — Running back Jerick McKinnon and center Weston Richburg met the media Monday and gushed at the bright futures awaiting them in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
Last season’s 5-0 finish under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo did not go unnoticed by Richburg, the new starting center who’ll be protecting Garoppolo and opening rushing lanes for McKinnon.
“When Jimmy comes in and they go on that run, it just looked like there was a lot of great things ahead,” Richburg said. “That’s how I feel here today, excited about what’s in store for us and what we can do as an offense and as a team.”
So what did we really learn at Thursday’s press conference. Here are the highlights:
1. McKinnon can (and must) block. Stats obviously reflect McKinnon as a dual-threat rusher and receiver. But an every-down back needs to block blitzing linebackers from your $137.5 million quarterback, and McKinnon is up to the task.
“I thinks it’s good, I think it’s more than good,” McKinnon said of his pass-protection skills. “It’s one of my strong points of my game. It’s something I’ve worked hard on since I came into the league.”
Shanahan confirmed that scouting report, adding: “This guy is violent. Doesn’t turn anything down. He’s one of the more physical backs I’ve seen.”
McKinnon is not a liability there, and Pro Football Focus graded his blocking last year eighth among qualified backs.
2. Changing centers. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch professed a lot of respect to Daniel Kilgore, who they traded to the Miami Dolphins a month after re-signing him to a three-year deal. Kilgore plays exclusively at center, and he became expendable because that’s also where Richburg excels.
The 49ers, Shanahan said, felt “obligated” to choose between the centers, and thus moved Kilgore to a Dolphins team which released Mike Pouncey while exchanged seventh-round draft picks in the process.
“We see Dan as a center. He does also. I don’t think it’d be fair to put him at guard,” Shanahan said. “This situation with Dan is one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through as a coach.”
Lynch and Shanahan both noted they felt Richburg was the top offensive lineman in free agency.
Richburg said of paring with Garoppolo: “The bond between a center and quarterback is crucial. It’s great we’re the same age (26). We met maybe in the Senior Bowl. I’m looking forward to working with him and getting something going.”
3. Sherman/Shanahan dynamic: Cornerback Richard Sherman’s combustible personality is no secret, and Shanahan does not anticipate that as an issue between the two.
Said Shanahan: “I have no problem with people questioning me or disagreeing with me. I just hope they do it in the right manner, and come in and talk to me face to face, and not do it always on the sidelines when you’re up 20 points on national TV. He understands that.
“We have two personalities that will go very well together. I have a lot of respect for him and I think he’ll have has a lot of respect for me. I like intelligent people who you can talk to. I think he’s that. I’d be very surprised if we have a situation like that.”
4. Reuben Foster’s status. Shanahan said the 49ers remain in “wait and see” mode concerning linebacker Reuben Foster, a month after his arrest in Los Gatos for suspicion of domestic violence, making threats and possession of an assault weapon.
“There is nothing new with that,” Shanahan said. “I wish I could talk more but we’re just waiting to see what happens with that. But Reuben’s working hard now and doing a lot of good things.” The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has yet to file formal charges.
5. New pass rusher. Jeremiah Attaochu, after four years with the Chargers, signed a one-year deal (after the press conference) as a “Leo” pass rusher. “I’m just relentless, and I’ve got great burst, great speed off the edge,” said Attaochu. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound linebacker played four games last year but recorded six sacks in 2015.
The 49ers play a similar defensive scheme as the Chargers, and while that attracted Attaochu, he also is aboard the Garoppolo bandwagon. “I was at the Senior Bowl with Jimmy Garoppolo, and at the time he wasn’t the highest rated QB, but I remember his leadership and how guys gravitated to him,” Attaochu, 25, said.
Former 49ers defensive end Aaron Lynch signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears while Tank Carradine is to visit the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Media.
5. Georgia Southern’s 2013 finale. McKinnon’s college finale at Georgia Southern is still embedded in Shanahan’s mind. Serving as Georgia Southern’s quarterback in a triple-option system, McKinnon ran for 125 yards and scored the winning touchdown on a 14-yard run in a 26-20 upset at Florida.
Said Shanahan: “When you’re the best player on the field at Georgia Southern playing against Florida in Gainsville, and they’re having a hard time tackling you, that says a lot about the guy.”
6. Eagles nest. Matt Breida was a Georgia Southern rookie returner on that 2013 team, and now he’ll relieve McKinnon on the 49ers. “I’m more excited to see how far he’s come since college,” McKinnon said. “I’m ready to work with him and the whole squad. I know he’s pumped.” Breida ran for 465 yards and had 180 receiving yards as Carlos Hyde’s rookie backup last year.
7. Not in pursuit of Mathieu. Now that they’ve acquired Sherman, could the 49ers do the same with Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. No, Shanahan said, the 49ers are not currently pursuing the “Honey Badger,” who made All-Pro in 2015. Mathieu said before the 2013 draft the 49ers were his dream team.
9. Crab Sequel?: Don’t look for the 49ers to reunite with wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Shanahan wouldn’t comment on it, but Crabtree’s checkered history with Sherman would make for an awkward locker room. Crabtree, upon his Raiders release, reportedly will visit John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens.
10. Jimmie Ward’s worth. The 49ers are not rattled now that Jimmie Ward’s $8.5 million salary is guaranteed. “His versatility is what allows us to be comfortable with that,” Lynch said of the oft-injured Ward who can play safety, outside cornerback and nickel back.
