Why the 49ers have a distinct advantage heading into 2020
The 49ers are a step ahead of the pack for the 2020 season as they return a significant portion of their starters.
NFL facilities have been shuttered due to state and league mandates related to COVID-19 regulations. Organized team activities (OTAs) and rookie minicamps were all held virtually. Not having any practice time on the field is a notable concern for coaching staffs across the league.
Unlike many other teams, however, the 49ers have consistency on their side. Not only are they heading into their fourth season with Kyle Shanahan as the head coach and play caller, and Robert Saleh as the defensive coordinator, there are very few new pieces on either side of the ball.
The 49ers will be missing a few players, like left tackle Joe Staley, defensive lineman DeForest Bucker and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but with the team returning 19 of their 22 starters, the 2020 49ers look very similar to the 2019 squad.
Defensive rookie of the year, Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner and defensive tackle Arik Armstead all spoke during the State of the Franchise event about how consistency on the team’s roster makes missing field work during minicamp almost a non-issue.
“For us in our situation, having so many guys coming back as returning starters at key roles in key positions, I feel like that is going to be a huge advantage for us,” Warner said. “And I think that we will for sure benefit from that, and we just gotta make sure we continue to work.”
Both Bosa and Armstead noted that they can tell defensive line coach Kris Kocurek is itching to get on the field with rookie Javon Kinlaw. The great thing for the South Carolina product is that he will be surrounded by teammates who have experience in the system.
“I think in the defensive line room, it’s going to help tremendously just with Kris’ scheme,” Bosa said. “It’s really just helpful to get a year under it, because there’s a learning curve. But once you get it, it’s unbelievable, but it takes a little bit of time.
“Now we’re just going to walk straight into knowing the technique and now, just improve it.”
Training camp is set to start in a few weeks but without concrete plans in place for testing, the schedule is fluid. Player and staff health is a priority and could change the timing significantly. No matter what happens, the 49ers are at least a few steps ahead of the pack.
Armstead may have summed it up the best.
“With all the adversity that all the teams are going to have to face, eliminating that one and being able to return a core, pretty much a complete core of our team, will be to our advantage.”