00:00:00
Speaker 1: That is a great call by our friend Guy Haberman on the 49ers Radio Network as the 49ers get a win over the Broncos. And here to talk about it is our good friend Vic Taffer at Vic Taffer. Make sure you're following for all 49ers news. Known Vic for a very long time. Does a great job with the Athletic. And Vic joins us courtesy of the UMA guest line. What's happening, man?
00:00:22
Speaker 2: Hey, what's up, bud? How you doing? Good. How you doing, man? Doing good. Doing good. Good.
00:00:27
Speaker 1: It's good to talk to you again. You wrote a great piece about Dre Greenland. My question becomes, and we kind of know the history on this, and Dre was pissed about Sean McVay, or not Sean McVay, Sean Payton, not talking about being cut. And he goes over to the sideline and talks to him there. And then after the game, I think Fred Warner might have saved him some fine money, although he did get fined, I guess, for the interaction. So I take that back. But going after Sean and saying, basically, get off my beeping field. Is there a way to take that? and put that into some sort of thing and then get put it into the vial. So you can shoot that up for Dre Greenlaw for every single game, because he's been good, but that was probably the best game he's played since even before we, he got hurt as a 49 or maybe in the Superbowl when he went down in Las Vegas. I mean, that's the best game he's probably played in three years. Can we bottle that somehow?
00:01:18
Speaker 2: Good question. He's always fired up, but definitely especially fired up for this one. I think Trent Williams said he was a 98% blacked out and he hoped the 2% actually use some, some common sense, but, um, Clearly, he's been good overall, so I think him and Fred Warner, it's just a great combination, and one of the reasons why I have faith that the run defense will actually not be a liability going forward.
00:01:39
Speaker 1: Yeah, and you mentioned this too, because somebody asked you about it on your timeline. Mikel Williams could certainly help. They are going about 3-7 to carry, and I think it's going to be interesting this weekend against Seattle, because I don't know why Seattle let Ken Walker III go, but they did, and he's incredible in Kansas City, and they're trying to look for running backs, and Joe Mixon was going to sign there, but he's not, so In terms of the defensive line depth, getting Mikel Williams back at some point, Bosa maybe in the next couple of weeks, where are you in terms of where the defensive line is from an injury standpoint?
00:02:09
Speaker 2: I definitely am on the road back. I think you still could use a pass rusher. Even with Bosa coming back, I think you'll get the rookie. He's made some strides, but still not clearly an impact guy at this point. And I think going forward, you know, pass rushers are so important. In this game on Sunday, you saw where Bo Nix had chances. He just missed some throws. So I think you definitely need to get– For me, getting more pressure on the quarterback is a bigger deal than adding someone who's going to be the VAR, a big nose tackle type. But to me, getting a pass rusher is a more pressing need for them right now.
00:02:38
Speaker 1: Do you think, knowing how aggressive they've been in the past, and you certainly were covering the Raiders when Colomac was there, and it's not like baseball where you have to wait until August or something and you make all these trades. Teams are going to be open for business right now. The Chargers are 0-4. Like you said, there's a number of teams that are 0-4, 1-3. probably teams that are going to add to that. But edge rusher-wise, how would a guy like Kahlil Mack, knowing with your history with the Raiders and knowing Kahlil Mack and the way he is, how would he fit here, Mack, specifically?
00:03:06
Speaker 2: He'd be a great fit. It's funny because, like, you asked me a month ago, I'd say the plan would be to wait for the Raiders to go, like, you know, three and eight and get Max Crosby in here. And then now, all of a sudden, Kahlil Mack is a better option. Even T.J. Watt, if the two of us kind of fall apart. So there will be some veteran guys, veteran passers-by, who I think will be available, who I think could fit here. and want to chase a ring. So I think both Khalil or T.J. Watt would be great additions.
00:03:29
Speaker 1: It's great to talk to Vic Taffer of the Athletic Covers, the 49ers. Been covering the NFL for a very long time. By the way, just because you mentioned it, I've always been of the opinion that Mark Davis would never trade with the 49ers. And so every time Max's name would come up, I'd be like, and they're playing well right now anyway, but I was like, nah, they would never trade. Would Mark ever trade with the 49ers?
00:03:50
Speaker 2: I think he would, and I also would say that I'm not sure Mark's calling all the shots anymore. I think there's more of a committee approach to that relationship there. So I would think he could be convinced if it was the best for the team. Because obviously he wanted to re-sign Josh Jacobs. That was a guy he really loved the most. So it's always possible. You never know. But at this point, with him winning, it probably isn't even a consideration right now. So we'll see. Yeah.
00:04:12
Speaker 1: All right, as far as the start is concerned, the 4-0 start, how impressed are you just by the job that Kyle's doing with all the injuries? Because you hear every single week, okay, this team's hurt, this team's hurt, but nobody's close to the injury, specifically on the defensive line and the receiver group of the 49ers. So how good of a job is Kyle doing, in your opinion?
00:04:29
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's doing a great job. Definitely, he's been very impressive as far as, and just him and Brock Purdy, you see the connection getting stronger and stronger as far as they know what each other's thinking about at all times and kind of read into his mind as far as, what to look for in each play to come. And just the connections are working. And George Kittle now is back to pretty much full health. He saw the burst on Sunday. So they have enough weapons, not all weapons they like to have, but enough to kind of get by. And obviously they're 4-0. Yeah.
00:04:56
Speaker 1: And you mentioned George. I mean, he didn't get to 20 miles per hour. He was darn close. I think it was like 19.8 or something like that. But how impressed are you that a 32-year-old guy off an Achilles is just outrunning everybody in the end zone on that clinching play?
00:05:09
Speaker 2: Yeah, it was crazy. I mean, obviously, the one block from Brendel, but he was gone and couldn't be caught. And you see the explosiveness. I think it's funny how all these older guys in this team are definitely showing. They still got the burst. Debo Samuel had a lot week before. And these guys who are over 30 is kind of showing they're in great shape and can make a difference in getting all the way to the house.
00:05:28
Speaker 1: How crazy is it that, like you said, all these 30-plus-year-old guys, they've scored the majority of the touchdowns. They're kind of turning back the clock. But I know how 49ers fans think, and so do you. It's like they're kind of just nervous, like, when is this going to stop? But how much confidence do you have that, you know, the Evans and Debo and Kittle and all these 30-plus-year-old guys can keep it going?
00:05:48
Speaker 2: Well, I think you have more confidence, if not for the history of injuries the last couple of years, because you keep waiting for, you know, every week there's only going to be drops, and you hope it's not one of the key, key players. But, again, they're about to get in for a reason. They're all, you know, experienced guys who have made plays in the past. They're motivated. They want to win a ring. They're in great shape. They love each other. There's a great team chemistry going on with this whole organization. So it's a good vibe. So I think they're hoping that those good vibes can keep going on and no one gets hurt.
00:06:15
Speaker 1: In regards to the game this weekend, I watched that Seattle game afterwards, and the thing was surprising. They got a good rushing day. Their defense is still really good. I think it's still got a level under Mike McDonald. But offensively, Sam Darnold is not going to carry your team, and I think that eventually, and that's why they brought in Mixon, but he must have failed the physical. They didn't like what they saw. But I do think they have a real opportunity because they are one-dimensional offensively. They're kind of still finding their way a little bit defensively, even though their DBs are really good. What do you think of the game this weekend, and what kind of chance do you give the 49ers to go up to Seattle and get that win?
00:06:48
Speaker 2: I think it's good timing for them. I think the Seahawks are still, like you mentioned, kind of working things out. There's still probably a little hangover going on. The defense is good so far, not great. They're not great in the red zone. You mentioned the running game is kind of in shambles, and Daryl is still kind of getting his feet wet after being gone for a while. So definitely not in sync. I'm sure it's probably a bigger game for the Niners than it is for the Seahawks. They're looking more long-term, I think, whereas the 49ers have revenge fresh in their minds, and they have guys who weren't there last year for that playoff loss, and Debo and Greenwald, guys who definitely can maybe give them the edge this time. So I like the timing of it for the 49ers to be able to get a shot here to get a win in Seattle. Awesome.
00:07:25
Speaker 1: Hey, Vic, it's always great to catch up, man. Thank you so much for some insight and your time, and I know we'll talk to you throughout the season, but have a good one, and we'll talk to you soon.
00:07:33
Speaker 2: All right, bud. Take care.
Speaker 1: That is a great call by our friend Guy Haberman on the 49ers Radio Network as the 49ers get a win over the Broncos. And here to talk about it is our good friend Vic Taffer at Vic Taffer. Make sure you're following for all 49ers news. Known Vic for a very long time. Does a great job with the Athletic. And Vic joins us courtesy of the UMA guest line. What's happening, man?
00:00:22
Speaker 2: Hey, what's up, bud? How you doing? Good. How you doing, man? Doing good. Doing good. Good.
00:00:27
Speaker 1: It's good to talk to you again. You wrote a great piece about Dre Greenland. My question becomes, and we kind of know the history on this, and Dre was pissed about Sean McVay, or not Sean McVay, Sean Payton, not talking about being cut. And he goes over to the sideline and talks to him there. And then after the game, I think Fred Warner might have saved him some fine money, although he did get fined, I guess, for the interaction. So I take that back. But going after Sean and saying, basically, get off my beeping field. Is there a way to take that? and put that into some sort of thing and then get put it into the vial. So you can shoot that up for Dre Greenlaw for every single game, because he's been good, but that was probably the best game he's played since even before we, he got hurt as a 49 or maybe in the Superbowl when he went down in Las Vegas. I mean, that's the best game he's probably played in three years. Can we bottle that somehow?
00:01:18
Speaker 2: Good question. He's always fired up, but definitely especially fired up for this one. I think Trent Williams said he was a 98% blacked out and he hoped the 2% actually use some, some common sense, but, um, Clearly, he's been good overall, so I think him and Fred Warner, it's just a great combination, and one of the reasons why I have faith that the run defense will actually not be a liability going forward.
00:01:39
Speaker 1: Yeah, and you mentioned this too, because somebody asked you about it on your timeline. Mikel Williams could certainly help. They are going about 3-7 to carry, and I think it's going to be interesting this weekend against Seattle, because I don't know why Seattle let Ken Walker III go, but they did, and he's incredible in Kansas City, and they're trying to look for running backs, and Joe Mixon was going to sign there, but he's not, so In terms of the defensive line depth, getting Mikel Williams back at some point, Bosa maybe in the next couple of weeks, where are you in terms of where the defensive line is from an injury standpoint?
00:02:09
Speaker 2: I definitely am on the road back. I think you still could use a pass rusher. Even with Bosa coming back, I think you'll get the rookie. He's made some strides, but still not clearly an impact guy at this point. And I think going forward, you know, pass rushers are so important. In this game on Sunday, you saw where Bo Nix had chances. He just missed some throws. So I think you definitely need to get– For me, getting more pressure on the quarterback is a bigger deal than adding someone who's going to be the VAR, a big nose tackle type. But to me, getting a pass rusher is a more pressing need for them right now.
00:02:38
Speaker 1: Do you think, knowing how aggressive they've been in the past, and you certainly were covering the Raiders when Colomac was there, and it's not like baseball where you have to wait until August or something and you make all these trades. Teams are going to be open for business right now. The Chargers are 0-4. Like you said, there's a number of teams that are 0-4, 1-3. probably teams that are going to add to that. But edge rusher-wise, how would a guy like Kahlil Mack, knowing with your history with the Raiders and knowing Kahlil Mack and the way he is, how would he fit here, Mack, specifically?
00:03:06
Speaker 2: He'd be a great fit. It's funny because, like, you asked me a month ago, I'd say the plan would be to wait for the Raiders to go, like, you know, three and eight and get Max Crosby in here. And then now, all of a sudden, Kahlil Mack is a better option. Even T.J. Watt, if the two of us kind of fall apart. So there will be some veteran guys, veteran passers-by, who I think will be available, who I think could fit here. and want to chase a ring. So I think both Khalil or T.J. Watt would be great additions.
00:03:29
Speaker 1: It's great to talk to Vic Taffer of the Athletic Covers, the 49ers. Been covering the NFL for a very long time. By the way, just because you mentioned it, I've always been of the opinion that Mark Davis would never trade with the 49ers. And so every time Max's name would come up, I'd be like, and they're playing well right now anyway, but I was like, nah, they would never trade. Would Mark ever trade with the 49ers?
00:03:50
Speaker 2: I think he would, and I also would say that I'm not sure Mark's calling all the shots anymore. I think there's more of a committee approach to that relationship there. So I would think he could be convinced if it was the best for the team. Because obviously he wanted to re-sign Josh Jacobs. That was a guy he really loved the most. So it's always possible. You never know. But at this point, with him winning, it probably isn't even a consideration right now. So we'll see. Yeah.
00:04:12
Speaker 1: All right, as far as the start is concerned, the 4-0 start, how impressed are you just by the job that Kyle's doing with all the injuries? Because you hear every single week, okay, this team's hurt, this team's hurt, but nobody's close to the injury, specifically on the defensive line and the receiver group of the 49ers. So how good of a job is Kyle doing, in your opinion?
00:04:29
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's doing a great job. Definitely, he's been very impressive as far as, and just him and Brock Purdy, you see the connection getting stronger and stronger as far as they know what each other's thinking about at all times and kind of read into his mind as far as, what to look for in each play to come. And just the connections are working. And George Kittle now is back to pretty much full health. He saw the burst on Sunday. So they have enough weapons, not all weapons they like to have, but enough to kind of get by. And obviously they're 4-0. Yeah.
00:04:56
Speaker 1: And you mentioned George. I mean, he didn't get to 20 miles per hour. He was darn close. I think it was like 19.8 or something like that. But how impressed are you that a 32-year-old guy off an Achilles is just outrunning everybody in the end zone on that clinching play?
00:05:09
Speaker 2: Yeah, it was crazy. I mean, obviously, the one block from Brendel, but he was gone and couldn't be caught. And you see the explosiveness. I think it's funny how all these older guys in this team are definitely showing. They still got the burst. Debo Samuel had a lot week before. And these guys who are over 30 is kind of showing they're in great shape and can make a difference in getting all the way to the house.
00:05:28
Speaker 1: How crazy is it that, like you said, all these 30-plus-year-old guys, they've scored the majority of the touchdowns. They're kind of turning back the clock. But I know how 49ers fans think, and so do you. It's like they're kind of just nervous, like, when is this going to stop? But how much confidence do you have that, you know, the Evans and Debo and Kittle and all these 30-plus-year-old guys can keep it going?
00:05:48
Speaker 2: Well, I think you have more confidence, if not for the history of injuries the last couple of years, because you keep waiting for, you know, every week there's only going to be drops, and you hope it's not one of the key, key players. But, again, they're about to get in for a reason. They're all, you know, experienced guys who have made plays in the past. They're motivated. They want to win a ring. They're in great shape. They love each other. There's a great team chemistry going on with this whole organization. So it's a good vibe. So I think they're hoping that those good vibes can keep going on and no one gets hurt.
00:06:15
Speaker 1: In regards to the game this weekend, I watched that Seattle game afterwards, and the thing was surprising. They got a good rushing day. Their defense is still really good. I think it's still got a level under Mike McDonald. But offensively, Sam Darnold is not going to carry your team, and I think that eventually, and that's why they brought in Mixon, but he must have failed the physical. They didn't like what they saw. But I do think they have a real opportunity because they are one-dimensional offensively. They're kind of still finding their way a little bit defensively, even though their DBs are really good. What do you think of the game this weekend, and what kind of chance do you give the 49ers to go up to Seattle and get that win?
00:06:48
Speaker 2: I think it's good timing for them. I think the Seahawks are still, like you mentioned, kind of working things out. There's still probably a little hangover going on. The defense is good so far, not great. They're not great in the red zone. You mentioned the running game is kind of in shambles, and Daryl is still kind of getting his feet wet after being gone for a while. So definitely not in sync. I'm sure it's probably a bigger game for the Niners than it is for the Seahawks. They're looking more long-term, I think, whereas the 49ers have revenge fresh in their minds, and they have guys who weren't there last year for that playoff loss, and Debo and Greenwald, guys who definitely can maybe give them the edge this time. So I like the timing of it for the 49ers to be able to get a shot here to get a win in Seattle. Awesome.
00:07:25
Speaker 1: Hey, Vic, it's always great to catch up, man. Thank you so much for some insight and your time, and I know we'll talk to you throughout the season, but have a good one, and we'll talk to you soon.
00:07:33
Speaker 2: All right, bud. Take care.
