No long term committment for Eric Reid

San Francisco 49ers converted safety Eric Reid spoke candidly with the media after his move to linebacker was announced as more of a long term change than a short one. While he appeared visibly unenthusiastic about the move after the team’s loss against the Cowboys on Sunday, he stated that he is now embracing the new challenge. He mentioned the disappointing loss as the reason for not being positive in the locker room.

While Reid was more diplomatic about his position change, he was very blunt when he discussed talks about his future with the team. He is clearly disappointed that while he continues to do everything he can for the team, the organization is not sure what it will do for him in return. When asked if it was frustrating to have an uncertain future Reid replied:

It is. Honestly, it is. I asked them explicitly, ‘Can you at least tell me if I’m going to be here next year to play this position?’ They told me no. Coach Saleh said he doesn’t make those decisions. Right now, I just trust that the film I have at safety is good enough for me to enter free agency with and just get some film at linebacker as well.

Honestly, who can blame Reid for his frustration when he has done everything that has been asked of him over his five years with the team.

Reid weighs anywhere between 217 and 220 which is a little light for a linebacker but not by much. Malcolm Smith weighs in at about 230. While Jaquiski Tartt is listed at 221 on the roster, Reid does appear bigger and hence more appropriate to be a candidate for the switch.

Reid also touched on enjoying the mental challenge of learning a new position, which will not allow him to become complacent in meeting rooms.

I think the coaches know that I love the challenge. So they kind of challenged me by moving me to linebacker. And I just like the mental aspect of it. I have to learn. Because sometimes I’ve gotten bored in meetings, because it’s the same thing over and over again. This is giving me a new energy, a new juice, just learning a new position. Just going to try to embrace and do the best I can.

Here’s a full transcript of Reid’s media availability courtesy of Chris Biderman of Niners Wire.

You’re a linebacker now…

I had some questions at first about it, but now I think I’m really embracing it. I’ve been at the position for a week. I think I’m starting to pick it up. I’m looking forward to learning and getting better.

What is the biggest difference in your responsibilities now?

The biggest difference for me is being closer to the line of scrimmage. I’m used to having a little more space to read the play and come down hill and analyze things. But when you’re closer to the line, things happen quicker, so it’s more like see and react and read on the fly. I think that’s the biggest adjustment. I think the more I play, the more I’ll get it.

Is this new switch exciting for you?

I think the coaches know that I love the challenge. So they kind of challenged me by moving me to linebacker. And I just like the mental aspect of it. I have to learn. Because sometimes I’ve gotten bored in meetings, because it’s the same thing over and over again. This is giving me a new energy, a new juice, just learning a new position. Just going to try to embrace and do the best I can.

What’s the difference between this and the dime package?

In those packages it was more of passing situations. Third-and-long, where you anticipate it’s going to be a pass down. Really, it’s just being an extra DB on the field. But when you’re a linebacker, now you’re talking about engaging guards and reading the run game. So that’s a little bit different, being even more involved in the run game, even more than the strong safety in the box. So that’s the biggest adjustment.

Are you working toward being the full-time WILL linebacker?

Right now, we’re just taking it week by week. I’ve been doing it in nickel. And so I’m going to continue to do it in nickel. And if we get to that point, then I think maybe I’ll get in the rotation in base too. And that’s a question for the coaches.

Would you want to put on some weight?

I don’t know. That question is for the future. I’m just doing what I can right now for this season and I’ll address that in the offseason.

You said you had a couple questions at first, what were they?

I don’t take any of you to be naive, this is my contract year. And so when they broke the news to me, I was kind of wondering what was the reason behind the position move? They were open and honest with me and told me that they really believed it’s what’s best for the team and they think I can excel at the position. Like I said, I’m embracing my role, doing what’s best for the team and whatever happens, happens.

Did they mention this being a long-term thing, having you around for longer at this position?

They did not. They told me that they cannot tell me if I’m in their long-term plans. I guess I just take it week by week.

(Inaudible)

I’ve watched some film on a couple guys, Telvin Smith in Jacksonville. Mark Barron a safety converted to linebacker. Deone Bucannon in Arizona has done it. So there’s a couple guys that have done it. So I think I can make the transition.

Does it frustrate you that you didn’t get an answer about being part of the long-term plan?

It is. Honestly, it is. I asked them explicitly, ‘Can you at least tell me if I’m going to be here next year to play this position?’ They told me no. Coach Saleh said he doesn’t make those decisions. Right now, I just trust that the film I have at safety is good enough for me to enter free agency with and just get some film at linebacker as well.

Have you talked to John and Kyle about it?

I’ve talked to them about it. Again, they just reiterated that it’s what’s best for the team.

Did they explain to you why they think you’ll excel at this new position?

Yeah, they think just with my athleticism, with my physicality, and just being able to run past linemen, that I should do okay.

Are you encouraged by the fact Telvin Smith just signed a new contract?

I don’t think I’m seeing any of his contract (laughs) so it doesn’t really matter to me.

Just the fact the template was out there…

He was drafted at linebacker. So it’s a little different. I think, I have confidence in myself. I believe I’m a good football player, so I’ll learn and play the position.

Sunday we were talking to you right after a 30-point loss and you didn’t seem overjoyed about this. You seem a little more optimistic and accepting now. Has that come over the last couple of days, ‘I better embrace this?’

Like I said, we just got our butts handed to us by 30 points. So (there wasn’t) an ounce of optimism in me. I look forward to playing the position.

Saleh said that one of the things he sees in the league is that running backs and tight ends have evolved athletically and are ahead of linebackers and that’s why a reason why he wanted to make this move. Do you see this same thing?

Yeah, I think that’s what they plan to use me for, the matchup with tight ends and running backs. I covered Ezekiel last week man to man a couple plays. He didn’t have a catch, by the way. I think that’ll be the plan moving forward.

Do you think they’re asking you to make this switch instead of Jaquiski Tartt because you’re future is more uncertain than his?

I don’t think that’s the reason. I think I’m bigger than ‘Quiski, so it’s a better position for the linebacker.

They still list you at your combine at 213. Is that your old weight and what are you now?

I’m usually between 217 and 220. So I’m really not that far off. I think Malcolm (Smith)’s like 230, so I’m not that far behind him. I might have to squat a little more.

Coaches say they want to get the best 11 on the field, have you ever seen a coaching staff go this far to do that?

I can’t say that I have. But I don’t think they would do it if they didn’t think I could handle it. So I think that’s encouraging that they believe in me, they believe in my ability. So now I just need to do it. I got one game under my belt and I look forward to getting a second one this weekend.