The San Francisco 49ers had both quarterbacks available to the media as they continue Week 10 preparations for the New York Giants. Normally the starter meets with the media, but this is a different situation. Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that he expects C.J. Beathard to be the 49ers starting quarterback this weekend. However, he left the door open for Jimmy Garoppolo to potentially claim the starting job sooner rather than later.
Here’s what the two quarterbacks had to say on Wednesday.
QB C.J. Beathard
You healthy?
“I am. As healthy as can be.”
Was Monday kind of tough?
“Yeah, I was sore as usual. Maybe a little bit more sore than normal Monday and Tuesday. But, I feel pretty good right now.”
Is it getting easier every start out there for you?
“Yeah, I think so. I think the experience has definitely helped me. Even though it’s only been three games, I definitely feel more comfortable out there.”
What’s it like losing all the players you lost during the game? How much juggling did you guys have to do in the offense?
“It definitely affects the way you call plays. Especially when you have your starting fullback go out and a few receivers go out. Obviously, the injuries we had at O-Line, that’s something you kind of have to change your game plan up a little bit. That’s no excuse. We’ve got to go out and deal with what we have and get a win.”
What kind of strides have you seen QB Jimmy Garoppolo making in the meeting room just in terms of his ability to retain information and all that?
“He’s definitely grasping the offense a lot better with the plays and the verbiage and everything like that. I think he’s definitely making improvements there.”
To your credit, you hang on to the ball because you’re not afraid of getting blasted. But, do you have to work on at times either throwing it away or just getting rid of it sooner, if nothing else to protect yourself a little?
“Yeah, I think anytime, obviously anything I can do to help. I’ll definitely try to do that better, get the ball out, not take some of those unnecessary hits that I don’t need to take.”
Coach said that you guys have been getting run-blitzed more than he’s ever seen in his life. Does that kind of go into that last question that you need to get rid of the ball faster?
“No, I think it’s just a rookie quarterback and they’re trying to put pressure on us. Especially since we’ve got a banged-up O-Line. These teams are seeing that and are trying to put more pressure on us than usual.”
How do you counter that?
“Protect. Get the ball out. Make plays when they’re there, and execute. It’s nothing that we don’t work on in practice. We’ve just got to be able to do it in games.”
What’s the mood of this locker room at 0-9? It gets tough to go out there and keep fighting every week, but this team doesn’t seem to have quit.
“No, we don’t. There’s guys in here, and you can use any and every excuse to call it quits, but these guys have a great attitude. Everyone in here is ready to go and get our first win. We’ve got one more game before the Bye and we’re trying to get this first win of the season. Everyone’s got a great attitude in here. We’re excited to get out to work and practice today. Yeah, we’re looking forward to getting back to work.”
I apologize for this question, but people have said half-jokingly that you’re out there to take hits so Garoppolo doesn’t have to. Does that rub you the wrong way?
“I just don’t listen to it. People can say this or that. I’ve heard worse things said about me. Whether it’s this or that, going back to the college days you just don’t listen to the outside stuff. All I know is I’m trying to do my best and get better. The coaches have the team’s best interest in mind. I trust them and trust my team to get back to work this week and work to get a win.”
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Is your knowledge of the playbook more detailed, more plays on it this week than it was last week?
“That’s the goal. Every week, just try to learn more, retain more and put it out on the practice field and then on the game field.”
Is there a way to gauge how many plays you would’ve known had you had to go into the game on Sunday?
“I had a pretty good feel for what I knew and what I didn’t. I’m trying to learn the whole thing as fast as possible. The faster we get there, the better.”
Coach had mentioned that you’re far ahead of where you were a week ago. How far do you feel, just comparing to where you were from where you started?
“A week ago today I was still signing logistical papers, medical papers, all that stuff. Now it’s just pure football. Got a car rental and everything. So yeah, we’re in the right direction.”
How eager are you to get out on the field, and be ready enough to be able to do that?
“I’m eager. Coach has a good plan set up though. Whatever he wants, I’ll be ready to perform.”
Can you take us through what a day has been like for you over the last week or so and how late you’re studying, all that kind of stuff?
“I try to get in here as early as possible. Getting the car rental helped out. They were giving me rides and everything in the first week. I stay here as late as I need to, try to get as much sleep, but sleep has been tough to get lately.”
Are you living out of the team hotel?
“Yep.”
You said on Sunday that you’re hearing the calls and that sometimes what happened on the field made sense to you and sometimes it didn’t. Is that getting better and starting to come together for you?
“Yeah. Every day you try to progress. What you learn the day before you try to just retain that and make it a habit. I think every day gets easier, but then there’s new stuff everyday also. It’s a constant learning process.”
Would the worst scenario be coming up to the line of scrimmage and knowing the play that’s called isn’t going to work and in your head you want to call something but you don’t know the language of how to call that when you get up there?
“That’s why you’ve got the timeouts I guess.”
Compare last game to this game in terms of confidence in what you’re doing, calling the plays?
“Well, we’ve still got a week of practice. So, I think that will always help. But, going out there today I’ll try to do the best I can, retain as much as I can.”
Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned even coaches, players and even his wife are excited for you to actually be able to play. Were you aware that Mrs. Shanahan has such a big fan?
“I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet. But, that’s always a good thing to hear.”