Nick Bosa would like multiple sacks against Baker Mayfield like their 2019 meeting but the 49ers’ star no longer holds a grudge from their college days
Though his remarks on Wednesday were more charming than they were four years ago, Nick Bosa continued to speak about Baker Mayfield in front of his locker while standing in the same location.
In the pocket, Bosa observed, “He’s definitely scrappy and tougher than he looks with escapability and athleticism.”
I apologise to everyone, but Bosa no longer feels the need to make fun of Mayfield over a rivalry they had in college, which occurred at Oklahoma and Ohio State, respectively.
“I’ve never harboured animosity towards him. Regarding his theatrics during a win over Mayfield and the visiting Cleveland Browns in October 2019, Bosa noted, “It was just a joke as a rookie.” “I enjoyed it.” My first-year celebrations went really well.
Bosa would now not mind performing his shoulders-shrug sack dance several times on Sunday when Mayfield leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) in their cross-country game against the 49ers (6-3) at Levi’s Stadium.
During Super Bowl week in February, Bosa stated he had a good time meeting Mayfield off the pitch at the Phoenix Open golf tournament. Meanwhile, Mayfield expressed no resentment about Bosa’s impressive rookie season.
Fun is had. He’s a fantastic guy, a fierce competitor, and a stud, Mayfield told Tampa reporters. “He’s one of those opponents you eagerly anticipate facing off against.”
Bosa’s performance in Sunday’s 34-3 victory over Jacksonville, which included 1 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble that he recovered, and a hit on Trevor Lawrence as he threw an interception to Talanoa Hufanga, earned him the title of NFC Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Due to his outstanding effort against Mayfield in 2019, Bosa was also named the NFC Player of the Week. With just four NFL games under his belt and a Super Bowl and rookie-of-the-year trophy in his sights, Bosa relished that 31-3 Monday night victory. He was the first 49ers player in 25 years to record two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Following one sack, Bosa mimicked and mocked Mayfield’s celebrations by waving and planting an imaginary flag following an Oklahoma victory at Ohio State two years prior. After the game, Bosa said in his locker that although he doesn’t generally talk trash, “this game he had it coming.” But he gave no response at all. All I could do was yell his name, “Ba-ker! Ba-ker!” You okay? Please take it up. We’re up for a challenge.
Chase Young, who was reunited with Bosa following the trade last month, was admiring that performance back at Ohio State.
“You know, we might chirp back if you start doing so. That’s all,” Young declared. “.. Great quarterback. acted out his college role. We must exert every effort to focus on the little things and simply do our work.
Kyle Shanahan, the coach, expressed his admiration for Mayfield’s style of play. This season, Mayfield has a 64.6 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, five interceptions, and 16 sacks. Originally selected by the Browns with the first overall choice in 2018, Mayfield was traded to Carolina during the previous season in order to oust 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold. He later signed with the Rams, where he started the team’s last four games.
Linebacker Fred Warner stated, “I think people weren’t expecting him to play as well as he has been playing when he was going to the Bucs.” “He’s distributing the ball to his playmakers with great skill.”
When Mayfield was with Carolina last October, the 49ers defeated him. With a groyne injury, Bosa left the game in the first half against Mayfield without recording a hit or sack.
BEST ATHLETE EVER?
Running behind left tackle Trent Williams was enjoyable for a good reason, according to NFL rushing leader Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey remarked, “He’s clearly the best player I’ve ever seen—he may even be the best.” Everyone gets a little lift in confidence when he’s around.
After missing two games, Williams and wide receiver Deebo Samuel made their way back to the field on Sunday. Williams, 35, rested his body on Wednesday by skipping practise as normal in order to heal from his ankle injury sustained on October 15.
“He is superior to several of the players. He’s excellent,” McCaffrey remarked. He is capable of anything. He doesn’t only play Xs and Os. He is capable of things that others are not. He has also been doing it for a while.
TOUCHDOWN RECORD REVIEW
After three days, McCaffrey did not appear to be upset by his Sunday’s lack of a touchdown, which kept him tied with Lenny Moore for the NFL record of 17 straight games with a touchdown.
“I had looked at the film and not just his statistics, so that was a huge honour for me,” McCaffrey remarked. “He’s a unique player, a unique back, and a multi-talented individual off the pitch. It means a lot to me just to have my name acknowledged beside his.
With six minutes left, McCaffrey returned to try to break the touchdown record, but to no avail as the 49ers led by 31 points. They moved to the 3-yard line after his 19-yard run put them in the 10-yard line. However, he was unable to reach the end zone after another carry and a fourth-down incompletion.
Shanahan made the efforts, and McCaffrey appreciated them.
He stated, “He didn’t have to do that.” “A lot of people probably would have told him not to, but I find it really meaningful that he did.”
PURDY FILM ANALYSIS
While Shanahan was pleased with the outcome, he remained adamant that Brock Purdy erred when he chose to pass to Brandon Aiyuk for his first touchdown of the game on Sunday, which put the team ahead 7-0, across the field and over traffic.
Shanahan remarked, “He’s easy to talk to about bad decisions and to coach when he recognises them.”
Shanahan commented, “I see Kittle’s release, I look back to the pocket and can’t see anybody, and it looks like somebody is throwing a grenade out of a bunker,” in reference to Purdy’s second touchdown, a 66-yard pass to George Kittle from a collapsing pocket.
Kittle continued towards the end zone as Shanahan turned his back on the play and left in relief.
“I’m not trying to be stylish. It was a response characterised by stress. sighed. Shanahan remarked, “I knew no (defender) was behind him.” “He didn’t trip over the goal line, so I didn’t have to check.” I assumed he wouldn’t.
OFFENSIVE LINE ISSUES
Due to a hyperextended toe, left guard Aaron Banks has already been ruled out of two straight games. The 49ers lost a backup option when Nick Zakelj had to undergo season-ending surgery to fix a biceps rupture sustained during Sunday’s special teams duties, even though Jon Feliciano, who was Banks’ replacement, proved innocent.
Due to his knee and ankle injuries sustained on Sunday, right tackle Colton McKivitz was restricted. As a result, Matt Pryor and Jaylon Moore are anticipated to see more reps there this week in case McKivitz is unable to make his season debut.
Henry Byrd, Jesse Davis, Ilm Manning, and Spencer Waege—who re-signed on Wednesday—are available as backup lineman for the 49ers practise squad. In a related move, defensive end Austin Bryant was cut.
