Kyle Shanahan, Eddy Piñeiro, 49ers sum up win vs. Raiders, preview season opener

Kyle Shanahan, Eddy Piñeiro, Mac Jones and Jordan Watkins speak to reporters after the 49ers' preseason win against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday.

Kyle Shanahan, Eddy Piñeiro, 49ers sum up win vs. Raiders, preview season opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

View More

Video Transcript

Price Ok went out with a AC sprain, with his shoulder.

Bray- Brayden Willis went out with a concussion.

Jalen Graham got evaluated for a concussion but was good.

They just checked The spotter checked him, but he was all right.

That's it.

All right.

You had Keon White out there.

Didn't get to see much of him in camp, but just how, how did he, think he came out today?

What's that- it seemed like he did pretty good.

You know, we I didn't wanna play him too long, but, you know, he's been so behind just getting a late start to camp.

I remember taking him out a series before, and he said, "Coach, I'm a little rusty.

Let me just get a little more time in."

And, he got one more drive in and got a sack, and, it's a very fine line.

You wanna get guys all the work, but you don't wanna get them hurt, so I was pretty successful with that today.

I know you haven't watched the film yet, but is Trevor Wilson making a push to be the starting left guard?

I think he is making a push.

I mean, it's still We still haven't decided yet.

Really wanna see how he did in the whole half of play he got today.

But we've been putting a lot into practice too, and we'll have to make that decision most likely, I don't wanna say by Monday.

I don't know if we'll say it then with our opening game, but I think we'll have a good idea by then as coaches.

What did you think of Jordan James tonight?

It was good to see him out there.

You know, he missed a ton of camp too with his injury.

And it had the same thing last year where he missed all training camp, so, you know, he only got to play in that one game for us.

And, you know, got a couple carries for Seattle at the end of the year last year.

So I was really excited to watch him tonight, and, from what I saw out there live, I thought he ran real hard and ran real well.

Where will that third back is on the depth chart?

Is it gonna be difficult to get 10 carries?

You mentioned last year, you know, in game only really having room for two, starter touches.

Yeah, most likely.

I mean, we're not, you know, there's gotta be a big reason to do a three-man rotation.

We don't just do that to do it, so, most likely that'll be tough.

Jordan Watkins has kind of been behind a little bit as well with injuries.

What did you see from him today?

I thought he played well.

You know, when he got He had a couple opportunities.

I thought he missed one earlier on the first third down on, gave him a shot on the wide and go that it looked like he never found, so that one was disappointing, but I thought he bounced back good after that.

Loved that big dig route he had, I think on the two-minute drive, I think it was.

Got us in at least down there on a scoring drive.

But from what I saw today, he had a good game.

What'd you see from his attitude this year?

I think he's stepped it up.

I mean, he's always had a good attitude, but it's, how much more consistent, how much more can you attack each day, and I thought he really, you know, you see how guys come back in year two.

And, I was real excited with how he came back all the way back to phase one, how he handled OTAs, and he's done the same here in training camp.

Were there questions or have there been questions you've been sort of struggling or frustrated in trying to get answers to that tonight may have, that you've been able to see or, or solve?

What, what do you mean?

Just in terms of any, any part of this you've been hoping to see something come to fruition that finally got resolved in- not totally.

I mean, I always like I mean, I hate, always, I hate when we have to make a real tough decision, where we're kind of on the fence about something, and you're trying to make your best educated guess how the future's gonna go.

I like when guys make it real obvious, when you have a position battle, when you go to the 53, who you wanna use for the 16 on practice squad, which r- and when you look at the big picture, is almost just as important as the 53.

So the more football we get to play, the more easy they make those decisions, and, I think guys did some stuff today to make that easier for us.

A lot of younger guys playing today.

Anyone in particular that made an impression for you that are trying to earn a roster spot?

I mean, yeah, there are a few guys.

I don't like to sit and, you know, I have no problem with praising people, but the people in this league get paid a lot of money to read everything we say and, evaluate decisions over these next three days based off of practice squads and depth charts and stuff.

So, I gotta be pretty careful with that.

What'd you see from Jayden Dugger?

I thought it, it was good to get him out there playing all the way into the third quarter.

He's got a lot of playing time this training camp.

He's a guy who, as a rookie, has got an opportunity to be out there a bunch this year.

And, where he's benefited is he didn't have any setbacks with injuries, so he's got a lot of playing time, which has given him a chance to hopefully be ready going into the season.

I'm excited to watch the tape.

I thought he had some ups and downs throughout the game, and that's why I kept him in there a little bit longer, but, I thought he finished pretty strong.

What's the status of Garrett Wallace?

Just a night off or is he- yeah, just a night off.

He was having some back spasms, during the week, and he's had a hell of a camp so far, and, didn't wanna push him too much with what he's been going through.

Are, are any, any of your injuries stuff that's, like, gonna affect week one outside of, I mean, you looked at the overall roster.

Ricky's essentially the only main guy that you lost.

Yeah, I mean, you, you hope so.

I mean, those are things that, you know, we gotta evaluate sooner than later.

I mean, there's just guys that are gonna be close, guys like Mykel, I mean, guys like Kittle who's taking a step back.

Wanna see how Bosa does in these practices and stuff.

So, there are guys who are, are healthy and doing good, but are they ready to get back and play right away?

And, that's why, you know, we have these mandatory three days off right now.

But when we get back, we have those two and a half days before we get on the plane.

In those two and a half days, we'll see our practice schedule.

At least get two big ones in, maybe a possible third.

But I'm really curious to how it goes those three days before we go down there.

You've always had confidence in Eddie Pinero, but to see him go out there the way he did tonight, does that just make you more comfortable when you have to throw him out there, 60 yards, he can do it?

Yeah, it was good.

He redeemed himself.

I've never been more mad at him than when he chose to defer to the second half.

I guess definitely my fault, I forgot to tell him that we receive in the preseason, but I thought that was understood.

He s- I asked him what the hell he was doing, and he said he wanted to kick off, and then he kicked a touchback.

So I was kind of pissed at him in the beginning, but he redeemed himself.

Turning page to week one now in Australia, what's the mindset and what are you looking forward to the most?

I mean, I'm looking forward to figuring out exactly our final team here over these next three days.

We got a lot of tough decisions.

They're not easy ones.

I wanna see how the practice squad pans out and, really what our opening day roster's gonna be.

And then I just like when the season starts.

I mean, preseason gets a little bit old.

And I like when it gets real, and it's gonna get real real fast.

Well, you're facing the Rams down there as well, divisional rival.

What are the preparations going for that?

Same as always.

I mean, I wish we played them here for, what we usually look at as a home game, but, we'll see how it is in Australia.

So, play the Rams wherever.

You know, going there, it is what it is, but, it's gonna be a fun atmosphere.

And always when we play the Rams, it's a big, tough game, so looking forward to it.

You and John have any, John Marchie, had any communication- All of a sudden, like a game like this where they were dying and at the same time A little bit.

I mean, I'm, when I'm not calling plays and it's a little more relaxing down there, we can, I'm a little easier to talk to.

So it was good to have him down there, bounce some things off of him and him and vice versa.

But it's not usually like that in the season.

What have you seen from Maverick Collins this past month?

It was just good to get him back.

You know, he had a real late start, which is not his fault, you know.

He had some big surgeries to get over this off-season, so he's got a later start as anyone, and that's why I thought it was real important for him to play.

You know, he went there, I think, two drives into the third quarter, which is more than we'll probably have, what we'd usually do for him.

But, he's a little bit behind, which, again, wasn't his fault.

But I think today and getting these three days off to recover, having those two and a half practices before we go to Australia, I think he'll be ready by week one.

You still have lotion on your hands.

Eddie, Kyle said he was a little mad at you at the beginning of the game.

Yeah.

Tell us what happened there.

Actually, I don't remember.

I think, I think he said something like I was supposed to kick a ball a certain way or something, but- Well, he said, on the coin flip, you were supposed to say- Is that what it was?

Accept.

Yes, you were supposed to accept and not defer.

Oh, that makes sense.

Okay.

Yeah.

He's definitely right, for sure.

I definitely maybe should have done that.

I don't know.

And then kicked it off and it was a touchback, so.

Oh, that's what it was.

Okay.

Gotcha.

So those two things combined.

Yeah, yeah.

But then you said you redeemed yourself.

How did it feel out, out there with those, all those kicks?

It felt great.

You know, the good thing is it doesn't count, so, we just gotta do it again and, you know, but it feels good to step into the season knowing, you know, I'm hitting a good ball and feel confident and, you know, yeah.

I mean, you had the full range from 24 yards to 59 yards today.

Yeah.

Did it feel good to get the kinda all the, the whole s- full spectrum?

Yeah, it was weird.

You had 24, 48 yards, 54, 58, 52.

So like, yeah, just all around the field.

I mean, I felt like it was a great, you know, practice game 'cause I feel like that's what it was, a practice game.

And then, you know, now get ready for the real stuff, so.

You getting eggs for teas?

No.

Teasicks?

No, no, my leg feels great, you know.

If I'm not kicking in there, I'm kicking into the net, so it's just the same thing for me.

And everything's fine with Flores being your new holder?

Yeah, he's done such a great job since he's got here, you know.

Snaps have been great, holds have been amazing, and can't complain and, you know, we keep getting chemistry together, and that's the most important thing, so.

How are you feeling on kickoffs?

Great.

Yeah, you know, the kickoffs are a little different this year, you know.

Not too many touchbacks.

They want, us to place the ball and stuff and let these guys get some tackles.

So that's the goal.

Well, this is like the most difficult part about transitioning that way, where you're always conditioned to get touchbacks.

Yeah, it's- It is a pretty big switch.

Yeah, it's But I feel like it's definitely easier on the leg, you know.

You're not blasting the ball through the end zone.

You're kinda just chipping it down there kind of.

But you know, whatever the coaches want is what we're here to do.

We're here to serve them, so.

How do, how do you think this, everything came out through the preseason and training camp?

How, how's this offense looking right now?

Good.

Yeah.

I think we're in a good spot.

I think, I think a lot of things dependent on our first game.

I feel like we adjusted really well and- Mm-hmm I thought he really did a great job today and played well in the preseason.

Like, I'm just happy for my guys, you know?

Yeah.

And a lot of young guys got to play today and- Mm-hmm I don't know, it's my sixth year and, like, I'm glad I got out there and got some reps, but- Yeah I'm really looking forward to this season 'cause I feel like we got a good team.

Yeah.

What did you- So far.

What did you see from Jordan Watkins?

I know he had a slow start last year because- Yeah of the injury.

Jordan's great.

I always feel like I can be a little tougher on him, I guess, because we've built that relationship and, like, he takes hard coaching really well or whatever you wanna call it.

Like, in practice, I'll be like, "Hey, you gotta get to this spot," and he always does his job.

So, I feel like he's done a good job, improving each week and he shows the speed.

I'm always like, in the game, I'm like, "Just, just run fast," you know?

Like, don't Sometimes he maybe is a little slower, like, just getting going.

I'm like, "Just go, just go," and he finally did that today and felt like he looked better.

What was the miscommunication on that, that deep one?

It looked like he, he didn't see the ball.

Yeah.

Do you know what happened there?

I don't know.

You'd have to ask him.

I know the lights in Vegas are kinda- Mm-hmm like, at that, like, level or whatever, but we had the same play last year with Timber, in the preseason, so it was the same play, and just didn't connect this year on it.

When Jordan James is out there running hard, do you feel his, his speed and the pressure that he runs with?

Yeah, definitely.

He's definitely like a, a really good receiver and played well in college, and it's translating.

He's always out there practicing, trying to get better.

So I feel like we got multiple guys, young guys, old guys, that all have different attributes and, he's done a good job and he just gotta continue to work.

Feel like he, the two Jordans, have really kinda made a leap this year, 'cause last year they were kinda hampered by injuries?

Yeah, for sure.

I think any first-year player has some injuries and you're just trying to get your feet wet.

So now it's like, all right, let me make a name for myself.

But they did a good job just playing their role, and that's the challenge as a young player.

You, like, try and do too much and it never works out.

So just playing within the scheme and those guys will be hopefully good players for a long time in the league.

What'd you think of Eddie, Eddie Pieiro?

What'd you say?

What'd you think of Eddie Pieiro today?

Oh, he's the man.

He's so good.

He's chill.

He just goes out there and rips it.

I don't know.

He's got a special, like, he doesn't care trait- where he's just gonna go rip it, and I, I respect that about him.

Does, at what point do you and Brock start looking at Rams film together or have you- Um- or have, has it already started or?

No, I was all eyes on this game for me personally.

There were some, you know, whether I was gonna play or not and just trying to focus on today.

But I definitely am looking forward to it and, our team is, is ready to go and we got It's quick, right?

It's like next week it seems like we're gonna be there, but playing an international game to me is so cool, where you get to play against a different, a team from the United States.

Obviously, people get confused about that.

I'm like, "Yeah, we're playing in Australia, but we're playing the Rams."

So it'll be fun just to get football in, in front of a different country.

Have you ever been out there?

No.

So this year- I played in Germany, London, hopefully Mexico City, and then- Wow Australia, so that'll be four countries.

Will this be your longest flight?

Yeah.

I don't like to fly, so- we'll see what happens.

I'm not a big fan.

Really?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh.

Yeah.

Anxiety?

I'll be fine.

Or just like- No, it's just like- Restlessness?

Yeah, I'm just like, you know, I am- You need to run around the plane.

Yeah, exactly.

I understand.

Uh-huh.

Do some high knees in the hallway or something.

Yeah.

You're gonna be running up and down the center aisle?

Yeah, there you go.

Jordan, after last year and dealing with some injuries, how does it feel to be back in, like, the full swing of it?

Oh, it feels good.

It feels good to come out the preseason healthy, you know, just going out there and putting my best foot forward and, you know, just putting, you know, what I feel like is my best ball on tape.

Obviously there's gonna be some things to clean up and stuff like that, but I feel like I did a really good job going out there, staying healthy, playing a lot of plays and, you know, just showcasing what I got.

Do you enjoy being in the pass game and the run game equally?

Yeah.

You know, that's something that I've had to adapt to.

You know, Kyle challenged me last season to really be more physical.

And that's, you know, that's something I really worked on and that that had to do with bulking up a little bit and, you know, putting on some muscle and, you know, I feel like I really did a good job in the run game and especially after that first preseason game.

Going into the second one, I felt like, you know, Wade had some really good blocking plays and, you know, I, I carried over to this week as well.

This is a pretty veteran offense.

So how hard is it for a young guy to crack or get a job in this offense?

You know, like, like you said, it's very veteran.

A lot of guys have been here for a very long time.

But, you know, I feel like you just gotta get in where you fit in.

I feel like Kyle and John drafted me here for a reason, and that's because they see that I can make plays in this offense and that I fit in this offense.

So I just gotta figure out what that reason is, and, and, you know, embrace it to the best of my ability, and that's just happened to do with embracing my role.

How did it feel out there with Adrian as quarterback?

It felt good.

You know, I feel like me and Adrian have a really good connection.

Just, you know, obviously we've connected on some plays, and, you know, obviously we're not, but that's just wide receiver-quarterback play, you know?

He's got a lot going on in his head whenever he's, you know, taking the ball from the center and, you know, I got a lot to think about as well.

He's looking at the coverage and, you know, just so it's been fun.

Been fun.

Mack said he has a really good relationship with you, just telling you, kind of coaching you up and that you take coaching really well.

Yeah.

Me and Mack, you know, I feel like that bond's been built over last camp.

You know, last year I was running with the twos a lot and obviously, he was, he was in whenever I was in and, you know, going back from the Broncos, whenever we hit that first big play in the first drive, like did some yards, I feel like that's carried over to this camp as well.

And then in Nashville, whenever we were in Nashville, he was there as well, so just building that connection's been great with Mack.

Close