Sizing up 49ers’ linebacker unit ahead of Dre Greenlaw’s return with Broncos
SANTA CLARA — Linebackers coach Johnny Holland chuckled when asked about the 49ers’ incoming visitors for this week’s opening of the preseason.
It just so happens the Denver Broncos are coming to town with a marquee player the 49ers are trying to replace: Dre Greenlaw.
“Uh, yeah, I hope Dre takes the day off and doesn’t practice against us,” Holland said Sunday as the 49ers made assistant coaches available to the media. “But it’s always exciting to see him. I know he’ll be fired to come back here to practice and play.”
Because of a quadriceps issue in practice this past week, Greenlaw’s health is in question, something the 49ers’ experienced a lot in recent seasons. A joint practice is set for Thursday, with the exhibition opener Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
“We have guys with similar size and traits as Dre Greenlaw but we’re not really trying to measure those guys up to Dre Greenlaw. That’s a big measurement,” Holland said. “We want them to become better and better every day and see how far they can go.”
Reluctantly, the 49ers couldn’t re-sign Greenlaw and officially moved on to younger options to line up with All-Pro Fred Warner. Dee Winters is making impressive strides this training camp as the weak-side linebacker while rookie Nick Martin is being groomed on the second string.
Holland’s scouting report of his unit’s options around Warner:
— Winters has the speed and physical violence required to excel, and he’s used his two years of experience in this system that leads to a big jump. “I knew from the start Dee Winters had a chance to be a really good player and it just takes time to develop guys,” Holland said. “I look at our past, with Greenlaw and Azeez (Al-Shaiir), it just takes a year to develop. Fred started early. Dee Winters has the traits to become a really good linebacker and has stuff that’s hard to teach – physical violence and speed.”
— Martin hasn’t let a fractured thumb in the spring impact his daily work, though Holland wants him to master the weak-side spot before debuting a strong-side linebacker, where he could line up alongside Warner and Winters. Martin hasn’t tackled anyone since last September’s knee injury at Oklahoma State but his thudding in camp has impressed. “Nick has been what we thought he’d be: a physical, violent player,” Holland said. “He’s a young player in this system. Usually it takes a year or two to be comfortable with all the technique and fundamentals. He’s a fun guy to coach, he’s available every day, and he sits by Fred every day to pick his brain.”
— Tatum Bethune has been the second-string “Mike” linebacker who, Holland said, has made a “big jump” in terms of his quickness, adding: “He became a better pro, his body is a lot better, he’s a lot quicker. He’s always had the ability to thump and hit and be violent. And he’s instinctive. We’re excited to see how far he can go in the preseason and hopefully be one of our guys.”
— Luke Gifford is a seventh-year veteran whose 6-3 frame will be a mainstay on special teams. But he’s been the strong-side starting linebacker all camp. “He is a big body, physical and smart player. We ask Luke to set the edge and be violent on blocks,” Holland said.
A year ago, the 49ers failed to adequately replace Greenlaw as he rehabilitated from an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Veteran De’Vondre Campbell was a bust and eventually dismissed after his refusal to play Dec. 12 against the Rams. Winters flashed at times, and he’s shown much more consistency this camp.
Their pass rush and defensive front may have drawn the biggest headlines but improving the run defense is even more critical and Holland’s linebackers must deliver in that regard.
“We feel No. 1 we have to stop the run,” Holland said. “A lot of it came to we didn’t get takeaways. We have to take the ball away and get off the field. If not, teams will have a chance to run the ball on you or get yardage on you.”
The 49ers recorded six fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions. Holland expects improvement, with new personnel and the return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator. “We got bigger up front, and with Saleh coming in, it’s the same system but we’ll try to be more aggressive on defense.”
Unquestionably leading that defense is Warner, in his eighth season. Some of the spiciest matchups in camp are Warner going against Christian McCaffrey, both in one-on-one action and full-team run fits.
“For those guys to go against each other and make each other better is awesome. That’s what we look for,” Holland said. “Fred always has energy in practice and games. That’s our culture, we want every day to have fun, have energy and get better.”