So today the San Francisco 49ers fired strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright. If anyone was going to be fired, Robert Saleh, Joan from payroll, whoever, it’s Wright. In fact, it almost had to happen.
Let’s get one thing straight real quick: Jerick McKinnon’s knee injury was not Wright’s fault. Neither was Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury. I’ll even take a flyer and say nor was Raheem Mostert’s broken arm.
You know what was? The fact that players well into practice were, “too tight” as Kyle Shanahan would say. The fact that Matt Breida managed to sprain his ankle within a few games. The fact that each and every week players would enter and exit the injury report without warning.
That’s on him. And if it’s not, then he should have a direct answer as to why this happened. Whether we have an answer or not, this was the right call.
If it were Robert Saleh where they are letting him grow into the role, I could understand a retention. Coaching takes time. The 49ers are promoting stability and consistency after firing three coaches in just as many years. The thing is, this is not a rookie strength and conditioning coach. This is a guy who worked with the Houston Texans and Washington. He has done the job before. This isn’t his second year running things.
Also this speaks on Kyle Shanahan. Remember when Jim Harbaugh clung to Greg Roman as offensive coordinator when Roman’s offense overstayed its welcome? Shanahan didn’t do that. He looked at the problem and made changes. With a guy he has history with. It’s not a change out of desperation to save his job either. Firing someone you have some history with is always a tough decision. There’s no happiness or joy with anyone losing their job, but Wright works in a results-driven job and his results were unsatisfactory.
That’s my take. Onto your links.
49ers fire their strength and conditioning coach (Pro Football Talk)
Broncos, Giants, Dolphins go QB; Cardinals, 49ers go for D (Sporting News)
The 10 most notable defensive 2019 NFL free agents (Pro Football Focus)
49ers next strength coach has major task: Garoppolo’s health (Inman)
A weakness leads to firing of 49ers’ strength coach; ‘too big of a deal for two years’ (Biderman)
49ers Sign DL Kapron Lewis-Moore to a Reserve/Future Contract (49ers.com)
49ers tight end Kittle set NFL season record for yards; was it enough to make All-Pro? (Biderman)
Why 49ers envision heavy cornerback competition going into 2019 season (Maiocco)
Six potential 49ers targets to watch in 2019 National Championship (KNBR)
Top snubs of the AP’s 2018 NFL All-Pro selections (Pro Football Focus)