Typically, Kyle Shanahan comes in on a Monday and shows some film of the previous game to his players. On the Monday following the team’s 40-10 thumping by the Cowboys, Shanahan showed no film to his team and used part of the time to address sideline comportment.
Some frustrations bubbled over on defense, with veteran safety Eric Reid feeling the need to calm second-year cornerback Rashard Robinson after he threw his helmet. Safety Jaquiski Tarrt also allowed his anger on the field to carry over to the sidelines.
What Shanahan doesn’t want is his team to devolve into so much frustration that the players turn on each other.
Shanahan understands that football is an emotional game, and that the sidelines can be a volatile place during a blowout loss. But he also wants his players to maintain composure and deal productively with the adversity of a winless season.
“We’re trying to find out who we are,” Shanahan said. “We have high expectations. … We’ve had some adversity and you need that to find out who we really are.”
Shanahan also said he met with individual players.
Shanahan is also hoping this season will set the foundation for great future success. His dad, Mike, who was the 49ers offensive coordinator the last time the 49ers won a Super Bowl in 1994, reminded Kyle about Bill Walsh’s early years in San Francisco.
The 49ers went 2-14 under Walsh in 1979, then they improved to 6-10, before they won the organization’s first Super Bowl in 1981. The honoring of former 49ers’ wide receiver Dwight Clark at halftime on Sunday was the impetus for Kyle Shanahan to address his team about the 49ers’ pre-championship history.
“I would like to say we are further ahead than (the ’79 team),” Shanahan said of what he told his team on the Saturday night before the 49ers’ loss. Shanahan related the history lesson to make sure his team doesn’t lose perspective.
49ers’ injury update
Shanahan said right tackle Trent Brown is in the concussion protocol.
Additionally, expect the team to sign defensive back Leon Hall after nickel back K’waun Williams (thigh) was injured against the Cowboys.
Shanahan also expects linebacker Reuben Foster to ready for the Eagles on Sunday, despite his rib injury.