San Francisco 49ers’ general manager John Lynch found himself stepping up to defend head coach Kyle Shanahan during their end-of-season press conference. It all began when Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard raised a question that struck a nerve. The reporter referenced past comments Shanahan made about his approach to special teams, sparking a lively exchange between the two. The tension in the room was palpable as Lynch intervened to support his coach, making it clear just how much Shanahan invests in every aspect of the team.
A Season Plagued by Special Teams Woes
This past 6-11 season was rough for the Niners in the special teams department. Each week seemed to bring a new misstep: blocked punts, muffed returns, or missed field goals. These issues didn’t go unnoticed, and they became a recurring topic among fans and analysts. Kawakami’s question cut straight to the heart of the matter: “First year that special teams have struggled here,” he began, standing out amidst a flurry of reporters. “Widely noted you don’t take a real detailed interest in special teams. Does that need to change a little, Kyle? Can you get more involved — do you need to get more involved?”
Shanahan’s reaction was immediate and sharp. “What do you mean by, ‘Don’t take interest in special teams?” he shot back. The reporter clarified, pointing to Shanahan’s past “offhand comments” about not watching kicker tryouts. The coach didn’t seem satisfied with the explanation, but Lynch quickly jumped in to defend him.
Lynch Sets the Record Straight
“Let me help Kyle there,” Lynch interjected. “I would tell you: Kyle spends an inordinate amount of time with all phases of our team. Special teams is extremely important in the way we construct our rosters. The time is there. Neither of us are kicking specialists, so we don’t sit here and profess to know everything about kicking, things of that nature. But the time issue — I’m sorry to interrupt Kyle — but he spends plenty of time there.”
Shanahan, clearly appreciative of the support, added with a laugh, “I don’t BS you guys.” He went on to elaborate, highlighting the team’s efforts to strengthen special teams. For example, they drafted Jake Moody and signed standout special teamer George Odum. Shanahan acknowledged, however, that the struggles weren’t entirely on recently fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider. “Things weren’t good enough this year,” he admitted candidly.
Contrasting Philosophies on Special Teams
The discussion took an interesting turn when Shanahan’s comments were compared to statements he made earlier in the season. Back in October, Shanahan had described his special teams philosophy as a “do-no-harm approach.” At the time, he said, “You’d like to build a team to where you don’t feel you have to return a kick, a punt or have a fake kick or a fake punt, or you don’t have to rely on something like that to get a win.”
Shanahan’s reasoning was that since there are significantly fewer special teams plays compared to offensive and defensive ones, the focus should be on not losing games through special teams errors. While this philosophy has merit, it’s far more conservative than the proactive approach he discussed at the press conference. The discrepancy raises an intriguing question: Could this cautious approach inadvertently leave room for the very mistakes it’s trying to avoid?
A Pivotal Moment for Change
Special teams changes are inevitable for the 49ers with Schneider’s departure. But how far-reaching those changes will be ultimately rests with Shanahan. Will he stick to the more conservative stance he articulated in October, or will he lean into the proactive, performance-focused mindset he’s now discussing? Niners fans will have to wait until the first kickoff of the new season to find out.
One thing is clear: the 49ers are at a crossroads. The team’s approach to special teams needs to evolve if they hope to avoid the pitfalls that plagued them this season. With Lynch’s staunch defense of Shanahan and the coach’s renewed emphasis on improving all facets of the game, there’s reason for optimism. However, it’s the execution that will ultimately determine whether these efforts translate to success on the field.
Key Takeaways
-
Recurring Mistakes: Blocked punts, muffed returns, and missed field goals highlighted a difficult season for the Niners’ special teams.
-
Public Defense: John Lynch’s vocal support for Shanahan underscored the coach’s dedication to every phase of the game.
-
Philosophical Shift?: Shanahan’s recent comments hint at a possible change in approach, moving from “do-no-harm” to a more performance-driven strategy.
-
Uncertain Future: Special teams changes are guaranteed, but the extent of those adjustments remains to be seen.
What’s Next?
The upcoming season presents a fresh opportunity for the 49ers to redefine their special teams identity. Whether Shanahan’s philosophy aligns with his October remarks or his January statements, the spotlight will be on him to ensure the team’s preparation translates into performance. As fans eagerly await the new season, one thing remains certain: special teams will no longer be an afterthought in San Francisco.
Login