Q&A With Mike Nolan 8/16
http://www.sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detai...ction=PR%20News
RE: Do you think the strength at running back contributed to the Jets inquiring about Kevan Barlow?
“We were talking about a few different things with them, it wasn’t just that. That’s why I said I had spoken with them. But, we weren’t in any depth or detail about anything. That was one of the positions that they wanted to know what we felt, as far as our position goes and if we’d be willing to talk to them about a guy. That was kind of it. I’m sure that’s why they initiated the call, but we had other things to talk about too.”
RE: Could all of the running backs here make this team?
“They could. I feel very good about our running back situation. Just like offensive line, I think we have some depth and strength. I really don’t want to send anybody out of here. It’s nice to feel comfortable at a position for a little while. We didn’t have any depth last year at any position, and this year, we seem to have depth at running back and offensive line, and that’s a good start. Maybe at quarterback, I feel pretty good right now.”
RE: Did you feel it was necessary to preemptively talk to Kevan?
“Yes, I did. I don’t like them wandering around wondering what is going on. You know what my style is, I do want to talk with them. It does make me a little vulnerable at times, because you get a little closer to them. But at the same time, they’ll be better players if they understand what is going on. Kevan’s one of those guys. I didn’t want him out here wondering what was going on. So, I sat him down and told him exactly that. I think in his mind, at least he can say, ‘I got it right from the horse’s mouth, and I can deal with it.’ Now, he can go forward, instead of wondering, ‘Did they talk to them? Did they not? Was I involved in the conversation? Was I not? Are trying to get rid of me, or not?’ I just tried to let him know, ‘Look, this is the situation.’ There are times I sit down with guys and tell them, ‘We’re trying to move you.’ But most of the time, we can say, ‘We talked about this the other day, so you already knew.’ That wasn’t the case though.”
RE: Did you reassure Kevan that he would be with this team this year?
“No, I just reassured him that we haven’t had any communication. I wouldn’t reassure anybody that they’d be with this team right now. I’d like to keep strong at a number of positions, but I’m not going to assure anybody that. Heck, I’m day-to-day.”
RE: Was he aware of the rumor?
“He was aware of it. He didn’t make a big deal of it. He did the right thing. He just sat there and listened. He was aware of it, because I think his agent made him aware. And it hit the TV. That’s why I said something, because it hit the airwaves. I just wanted to let him know.”
RE: Is tight end another position with some depth?
“Yep.”
RE: Might teams inquire about some of them?
“Teams have inquired about all of the offensive positions, with the exception of wide receiver thus far.”
RE: Is running back a particular position where you want depth, because of the physical nature of it?
“I don’t want to make it sound like any more than anyplace else. I just would like to have some depth. Right now, we have a good situation, I think, at running back. I feel good about our backs, the line, and our tight ends, like you said.”
Sounds like calling to ask about players availabiltity is a lot more common that I originally thought. If the lowly 49ers are fielding calls about all their offensive positions except WR imagine how much other teams phones must ringing.