Brock Purdy, De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers recap preseason win against Chargers

49ers' Brock Purdy, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jacob Cowing and Kaelon Black speak to reporters after San Francisco's win vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Brock Purdy, De'Zhaun Stribling, 49ers recap preseason win against Chargers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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And that, and getting us some third downs, and having to convert and stay on the field, and things like that.

Obviously they wanted to convert on that last third down, just down the field and go score points.

But I thought it was good just in terms of breaking the huddle, calling plays, feeling the pocket, getting hit, like throwing the ball.

So it's all good.

All three of your targets to Stribling were completions.

So what's, what's that like right now with him?

We've been talking about locking in.

Yeah.

I mean, you guys saw it.

You, you've seen it every day at camp.

Like, he's a guy that's consistent, smart, and shows that, you know, he's a guy that we can trust.

And, first drive to go out there and be able to connect with him felt really good.

And, him making some tough, you know, catches with guys on him and things like that.

And, so for me that's huge.

And, I know he's just gonna continue to get better and more confidence in this offense.

What, what's made him special in your mind?

Like, you know, in terms of his timing and, and, you know, target selection?

I think he's a he's smart obviously.

He's, he's a good route runner, and then I think he's just str- he's got strong hands.

Like, he I feel like he goes and gets the ball, and, and brings it in.

And, you know, like I said, those c- tight contested catches and stuff, like he did a good job with bringing it in and making sure that the ball didn't go to the ground.

And, it's, I think, pretty evident, like all the guys around here talk about how strong of hands he's got and whatnot.

So, for me on third down, when we gotta stay on the field, like that's definitely something that I think about when it comes to match-ups and making sure I'm going to the right guy and, and, and all that.

So, he showed that tonight.

Was it surprising that he didn't come down with the one from Mac down the left side?

Yeah.

We, we all were.

Honestly, a lot of us were like, "Dang, dude."

Like, we thought he was gonna, you know, score that touchdown and then go to the Niners Hall of Fame.

Is what it felt like.

But, it's all good.

He's, he's gonna bounce back and, you know, he's, he's a baller that's played, done to find him.

So he's got a bright year ahead of him, and career, so we all got his back.

What's the major focus of this camp over anything right now?

Yeah, I think just, you know, finding, finding ways to make every single day really important with practice, the fundamentals.

Not getting too caught up in, you know, what the season's gonna look like or anything.

But right now, right here, we gotta keep pushing each other.

There's new guys here, you know, with Mike Evans, Stribling for me on offense, and, you know, obviously trying to get, you know, George and, and all those guys back too.

So, it's just one day at a time trying to push yourself, and that goes for everybody.

Offense, defense, we're competing our butt off against each other.

So, yeah, that's what I would say.

Caelen Black missed some time, and he was out there.

It looked like you guys were in a good rhythm right away.

Yeah.

He looked great.

I thought the way he ran the ball, read all the gaps right, and then ran hard.

You know, especially in the NFL, like you're gonna have guys shooting their gaps and coming for you and stuff, but he gave it right back to the defense, which was really cool to see.

Smart kid.

Picked up some good blitz, looks too, in the pass game, so, really excited for him in, in his first showing.

Always the best- How did you feel, how did you feel rhythm-wise out there?

Was it enough for you to get into the flow of things?

Yeah, I think so.

You know, it was, you know, first, second, gotta convert on third down.

First, second, gotta convert on third down.

So it felt like a, a, a, a, obviously a regular season game, where it's hard and you gotta grind out a couple, first and second downs and third downs.

So that part felt good.

Obviously like, as the game goes on, you get into a more, you know, a better rhythm and stuff.

So, but we're being smart and, you know, it is what it is.

It's pre-season, so I gotta take this, learn from it, g- get better from it, and, go get better at practice.

Once again, as the Stribling show, if you could just take us through your night.

Yeah, you know, just trying to, do what I can just to help the offense keep moving out there.

Just trying to do my one 11 whether that's catching the ball or blocking.

To, to be out there and just have all of our drives keep going and keep our momentum on the field.

Last year there was number 15, Jauan Jennings.

They called for third and Jauan.

Seemed like in that first half, third down, you were the man.

15 again.

Yeah, you know, just trying to do my job.

Whenever my number's called, you know, just catch the ball, get up the field, you know, whatever that is.

You know, if it's blocking, running, you know, just do what I can to make the whole offense move.

Take us through your journey here, 'cause I know it's been a long one to get to this point.

Yeah, a long journey.

A lot of adversity.

You know, a lot of times kind of uncertainty, you know, but I just kept my head down, you know, always kind of had faith and seen my way through it.

How comfortable are you out there right now on the field?

Oh, I wouldn't say I'm comfortable.

I would just say that, I'm learning, you know, and just, all the reps and all the plays just gives me confidence every week.

How challenging is it to go from Brock Purdy in one series to a matchup in the second?

Quarterback's a quarterback.

You know, they throw the ball.

You know, I just gotta be there for them when they, when they, when they throw the ball.

I know you'd like to have a second shot at that deep one down the left side.

Yeah, for sure.

You know, dropped the ball, never a good thing.

You know, I'm just trying to build on it now and take the coaching points and learning points so it doesn't happen again.

You got your hand on it though.

It wasn't like someone was gonna bring it in.

You just lost track of it or- Yeah.

Just dropped it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What did you get out of the joint practices and then the game?

You know, just more reps in the offense, different looks that I haven't seen before, so kind of just building off of everything, taking all the coaching points so I can be better for next week.

I know they pulled you out after two series, but did you wanna go back in and play more?

For sure.

Want to get all the reps I can, just so I can get better in this offense and I can hear everything better, line up faster.

So the more reps, the better it is for me.

How is the playbook coming along for you in playing in all three positions?

It's going re- really well.

I think me learning, is, is being out there.

You know, the best way to, for me to learn is being out there and running through all the reps and kind of having like a visual on it.

So it's been going good.

All right, and you're gonna have family come in for the opener?

Yeah, probably, for sure.

I would think so.

You know, they try to support me when, when they can.

How did your vision open up there on that punt return?

Just take us back through it.

Yeah.

As soon as I seen the ball off the punter's foot, I'm like, "Oh, yeah, I definitely have some time."

before, as soon as the ball was hit, I looked outside to see the gunners, see if they had been released.

They didn't, so they were getting held up pretty well.

So I'm like, "All right, I definitely have some time."

As soon as I got the ball in my hands I'm like, "All right, make a beeline to the left sideline, use as much gas as I got, trust my guys with the blocks, and then try and do it in the end zone," is, is exactly what played out.

You've been through a lot with the hamstring last year.

Very frustrating to, you know, as you're running that ball down the sideline, does what, what you've been through kind of flash through your head?

I definitely, I felt like I was in a dream for a second, honestly.

Just hearing the crowd go crazy, and then just seeing my teammates run side by side with me, seeing how happy they were.

And then I'm like, "Ain't no way this is happening right now."

But at the same time it was a special moment for me, with everything that I battled last year, being able to come back healthy, feeling healthy, and it became healthy.

And, most importantly, you know, just b- battling with the guys, it was fun.

What does it mean to you to have all those guys go out there, meet you?

I mean, there was a penalty, but it had to have felt good.

Oh, amazing.

Amazing.

It was definitely, a long time coming, something I've dreamt about for o- over a year now, e- ever since last year.

So being able to, to make it come true was definitely a special moment.

You had a lot of recognition when you went back to the bench area, lots of congratulations.

I mean, that, was it a little overwhelming?

A little bit at first, for sure.

But I mean, just seeing everyone, how happy they were for me and everything that they knew that I went through last year, you know, it just felt, it felt great that, you know, all those guys had my back, they were rooting for me to see, see me go out there and, you know, make a touchdown come, come to life.

You have this job- Yeah on the punt pull as a returner, so- Yeah does it weird for you- Yeah like that this is your job again?

And how do you do with your mindset going, "I'm in a complete competition right now.

I got, this is mine.

Nobody's taking it from me"?

I mean, at the end of the day, we're still in training camp, and you know, there's still guys that are battling, at the end of the day.

But me personally, I'm, I'm gonna come in and, and battle, each and every day and, and try and make that job solidified by, by me.

But at the same time, we also have other guys that are very good at, at punt returning as well.

So, you know, just very excited to see what the rest of training camp has.

Did you have to give Deebo some tips for his first attempts at punt returning?

I said, "Bro, just try and catch it and try and make something happen, bro."

I mean, it's definitely tough, especially in that stadium, like when, how, how high the punter kicks it.

You can kinda lose it sometimes.

But, you know, just try and make something happen, dude.

Just most importantly catch the ball.

Shannon said you lost the first one in your nights.

I did.

I, I abso- I f- I saw it and then absolutely it just went dark.

I'm like, "Oh, crap."

Like, I was- That's always fun I don't know where it was at.

Yeah, absolutely.

Absolutely.

How supportive has Deebo been through this journey of this first year back for you?

Very supportive.

You know, he's been giving me tips.

You know, very, very He's a, he's a, he's like a big brother for me, for sure.

He brings energy, each and every day in the receiving room and, you know, make- makes guys, makes sure that, you know, we're up and ready, for the challenge at, at stake of the day.

And, you know, I look forward to working with Deebo.

He's a, he's a good player, he's a good dude, so, I enjoy his company.

Does he give you any advice on returns too?

Um- Or would you give him advice?

We haven't really talked about that- Okay for sure.

But he gives me advice about receiving and stuff like that, so that's what we mainly talk about.

So last year you tore your hamstring the first day of camp, right?

Yeah.

And then after that, how did it progress or didn't progress?

Wait, did you tear it again?

Yeah, I tore it four times last year, yeah.

How many?

Four.

Four.

Four times, yeah.

Yeah, so that was, that was a big mental worker on my end, so able to battle through it and, and come out strong.

At what point in the recovery going into this year did you know you'd get, maybe on this run or what?

I would say definitely as soon as the, the season ended.

I mean, I stayed back in, in the Bay Area and, I just got my routine together.

I trusted the, the training staff, the, and the, the, the strength coaches, and we put together a plan for me that is obviously working.

It's keeping me healthy, so I appreciate them putting the time and effort into me and, and helping me execute on me being healthy.

Was there a point where you just had to shut it down for a while after the fourth tear?

It seems like it kept on, on, on coming back.

It was definitely after the fourth one, you know, me and the training staff, we, we kind of went back and started talking things over.

And, we just thought it would be best to kinda take it slow and to make sure that my hamstring was strong enough to where this doesn't happen again.

So that's what we mainly talked about.

And then just within the context of all that, there was a practice the other day where you were banged up a little bit on the, the sideline, then you came back and made an amazing catch.

I, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but it seemed to me that, that, that might have been big just considering the history of the past year.

100%.

You know, at the end of the day, like I got, I got some heart in me.

So even though I'm a little banged up, I'm still gonna try to go out there and, and perform at my best and, you know, give my all to this organization.

And I mean, they, they trusted me, they drafted me here, so the, the least I can do is, you know, give my 100% effort each and every time I'm on that field.

Who did you lean on emotionally while you were going through all these, the injury issues?

Definitely my family.

My mom was a big one.

She definitely helped me get through a lot.

You know, shout out to my mom.

I love you, Mom.

She, she was, she was my rock, and I love and appreciate everything she, she was doing for me during that time.

Over the guys that he know I have played against.

Especially for a back like you, you're so, you have such good numbers after contact, breaking tackles.

You can't really do that in practice.

How, how excited are you to get into a live tackle?

Man, it feel, I just feel great.

Finally getting into real contact, playing against another team, you know, and taking advantage of it.

Putting my shoulder down, grinding for those extra yards, doing what I can to help the team win.

How did you feel getting into the rhythm of a playing game again?

It felt great.

You know, it's been a while since we played, you know, back in January for this national championship.

But, you know, getting out here playing, you know, NFL football is just a blessing to be out there and doing it.

And then you had that one where you kind of, the second effort got you through the line a little bit more.

How did that feel?

You know, it's just one of those things where, you know, you're out there, you're just, you know, doing what you can and, you know, scratch out some extra yards.

Just always playing hard and just, you know, staying focused.

Do you keep the ball from something like this?

You sure do, I keep- Do you keep the ball?

I do.

Okay.

All right.

While, while you were out, I noticed you were out at practice, you had a sheet in your hand.

Is that a play sheet?

And, and what do you do w- while you're out to kind of make sure that you're still mentally plugged in?

Yeah, so it is a play sheet.

And, just making sure, you know, play by play, there's a little vision in the plays, and then also watching it and, you know, seeing where, you know, the guys could do better as well.

And then after that, you know, you just go promote to the next and making sure you're just getting a lot of things in practice, taking those mental reps that you're always gonna need.

Do you feel that that helped you when, when you did come back to where you, you didn't scatter?

Definitely, man.

Honestly, I have great coaches, man.

They help me out a lot.

Just always staying on me, making sure I'm in my playbook and, you know, be spending all the extra time in the playbook would definitely help.

How has it been working with Bobby Turner?

I know he can be pretty intense.

Man, it's, it's been great working with Coach T, man, and he's a, a really good coach and, you know, he's coached a lot of great backs as well, and, you know, I'm just looking forward to, you know, the future success as well.

He preaches that you have to know all 11.

Is this the first coach you've had where you've had to do that?

I would say yes and no.

I feel like in college we also had to know a lot of people's, you know, expectations and what they have to do as well, but here it's more of an emphasis on it for real.

And it's gonna help you play faster regardless, so.

Yeah, was it all the small details?

Was it surprising at first?

I would say yes and no again.

Honestly, like being detailed in college is, is not being detailed in, in the league, is you're playing with grown men, you're dealing with different systems, so everything is gonna be a little bit different, so, you know, just getting used to it and you finally get a flow of it.

Long after we're gone and you're on a plane, what will you, what will you replay in your mind?

Honestly, my last play being in there, 'cause I wanted some more.

I wanted to play some more, but honestly, my last play being in there, was, you know, thinking on, what I could do better next time.

Brock Purdy said, Brock Purdy said you had some pretty good blitz pickups as well.

Is it nice to hear that compliment from your quarterback?

It is, man.

You gotta protect the million-dollar man.

I'm gonna do the best that I can, you know, be aggressive, attack hard.

Thanks, Jalen.

Sure.

How are you feeling, sir?

You got- he's one of my favorites.

I just love his grittiness.

We're from the seven five seven area, so that's also why I decided to wear this shirt.

Great.

How would you define your running style?

I would just say aggressive.

But just, you know, I'm always on constant attack mode, just doing whatever I can to grind out extra first, and, you know, just being me at the end of the day.

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