NFL
As the 2018 San Francisco 49ers begin phase two of OTAs next week, members of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff are looking to both educate and evaluate potential pieces of this season’s roster. With expectations now high following a 5-0 finish to the 2017 campaign, Shanahan is looking to develop a balanced roster that’s ready to compete in a tough NFC West.
While players on both sides of the ball look to stake their claim on one of the 53-man roster spots with their on-field play, one of the newest 49ers looks to make an impact in another way. For newly signed 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, his biggest job is to mentor a young 49ers secondary on the rise.
Sherman’s History Of Dominance
Sherman has been one of the most dominant cornerbacks in the NFL over the last five seasons. The 4x All-Pro sports the lowest passer rating allowed since 2014 among cornerbacks (60.2).
A vital member of the vaunted Legion of Boom, Sherman was a driving force for the Seahawks victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. A stalwart on the Seahawks since 2011, Sherman and Seattle parted ways this off-season following a gruesome Achilles injury that ended Sherman’s 2017 season.
Choosing The 49ers Young Secondary Over Others
Met by many suitors in the off-season, Sherman ultimately decided to sign a highly incentivized three-year, $39 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers that would make him the leader of an up-and-coming secondary.
While his rehab is progressing slowly and activity for the cornerback won’t ramp up until mini-camp, Sherman is taking every opportunity to help the Niners by mentoring the secondary during OTAs.
Sherman’s Impact On A Young Secondary
As the de facto veteran of a young 49ers secondary, Sherman has been tasked with getting the most out of a raw defensive back class. Headlining this young corp are second-year corner Ahkello Witherspoon and safety Adrian Colbert. Both of these young players shined at times in 2017 but lacked consistency. These two budding stars will look to gain from Sherman’s veteran savvy and consistent excellence in training camp this offseason.
Alongside this duo, the defense also looks to feature young established talents in CB/S hybrid Jimmie Ward, slot-corner K’Waun Williams, and safety Jaquiski Tartt. To round out this unit, the Niners have also dedicated substantial draft stock in the form of a 3rd round pick in cornerback Tarvarius Moore of Southern Miss, a 5th round pick in cornerback DJ Reed of Kansas State and a 6th round pick in safety Marcell Harris of Florida.
For each of these eight players, all age 26 or younger, Sherman will act as a vital source of leadership. His dominance at the position will not only help the team when he returns later on in mini-camp, but currently in OTAs as an additional coach for Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
High Expectations For 2018
As the newest marquee player to join the ranks of this historic franchise, Richard Sherman looks to help this team beyond his on-field production. Now the veteran leader of this up-and-coming secondary, Sherman has a personal stake in the overall progress this young secondary makes over the course of the 2018 season.
With Sherman as the leader of this raw secondary, the Niners expect big things from this defensive unit in the upcoming season.
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This article was originally written by former TSJ101SPORTS NFL Department Head and writer William Zurcher. Due to systems modalities, the article has been assigned to the author tag designation “Former Writers”.
