The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their final practice before their preseason opener, and linebacker NaVorro Bowman chatted with the media after the session finished. You can watch video of it here, but I also transcribed it. Earlier in the day, Jim Tomsula said Bowman might play, but was not sure, and if he did, it would not be a large number of plays. This evening, Bowman said a decision had not been made, but if he did play, he did not want it to be for just two or three plays.
It seems safe to assume Bowman probably will not play on Saturday. He said he is still working to get himself where he needs to be, but he feels he is clearing the necessary hurdles. He seems confident he will get into some game action over the next few weeks in order to be ready for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. If you watch the interview, I think you can sense some measure of confidence in Bowman about his recovery.
At the end of the session, he was asked about Eric Mangini's scheme, and how he felt about his understanding. That brought my favorite answer of the session:
You never can know it all, but I'm doing a good job with it. It's a new scheme, requires you to do a lot of things. When one person moves, and that's just something different that we haven't been used to in years but we're putting the work in. The coach has been really patient with us in learning the scheme. We have a good mix here. I think he understands that it's a lot, but when we get it, we'll be a damn good defense.
On Tomsula's comments and if he'll play Saturday:
Yea, we've talked. Haven't really decided yet. I'm doing everything out there, we just want to be safe and smart. Just feeling it out. Haven't really decided yet. I feel good, I'm practicing with the guys. The main thing is to be ready for the Vikings on Monday night.
On clearing hurdle of playing:
I've kind of hit the hurdles out here in practice, but of course games are different, and you know, I've been pushing myself. I'll get out there when I'm ready and when I feel that it's time to go. I don't want to just go out there for two and three plays, I really want to get out there and do something. I'll decide which game that is and go from there.
On wanting to take a hit, and if he got one on the goal line drill:
Yea, I did a few hitting. Got a few hits in, and felt great. It's just, it's going well, it's responding well. I feel great. We're just trying to be smart with it.
On issues with Texans field:
I do understand, they take out the squares and things like that, so it is a little different. Turf is another thing, but they play on it, so I'll have to play on it possibly. That's not really my concern.
On satisfaction with return so far and if he sees the same guy:
Not yet. Not yet. But I'm satisfied with how much work I've put in, how far I've come, how fast I'm able to recover and cover guys. But there's still levels, hurdles that I need to cross, and I'm just going to keep working until I get there. But it's looking up for me.
On what he has left:
I just have high expectations, and when something doesn't go right, it's not an excuse for my knee, but it's what it is. And I know what caused me not to make that play or not get to that point, and I just gotta keep working.
On excitement about not having to deal with knee questions:
Yea and no. I mean, you guys ask these questions because you know what I've been through, you remember the injury, and it was a tough injury. To see me out there running around is a blessing, but for me to get back to that level that I was at, that would be even more a blessing. So, these questions should keep coming, because I'm watching my knee every day, and you guys are too, so it's fine.
Number of plays during scrimmage:
Umm, probably six each period. We had different situations, about five situations. The ones got about six plays each of those periods, so it's a good amount.
On any plays standing out:
Yea, I made three good plays when we first started, that showed good signs. Guys were saying I looked, when it's live, I come around because I was maybe a little time when we was just practicing, maybe trying to feel it out. But when coach said it was a scrimmage, I had a little bounce in my step. So, I must have looked good to my teammates, so, yea.
On the new scheme and his comfort level:
You never can know it all, but I'm doing a good job with it. It's a new scheme, requires you to do a lot of things. When one person moves, and that's just something different that we haven't been used to in years but we're putting the work in. The coach has been really patient with us in learning the scheme. We have a good mix here. I think he understands that it's a lot, but when we get it, we'll be a damn good defense.