"Kittle is so good."
We agree @jstaley74, we agree. @gkittle46 #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Bz8sNm3Zxa
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 12, 2018
The 49ers released a mic’d up video of their recent 20-14 win over Denver, and it’s awesome.
The behind-the-scenes sights and sounds gives the viewer an in-depth look at Kyle Shanahan’s interactions with players and reactions to plays. There are several entertaining parts, so let’s rank them.
- The George Kittle scenes. Last Sunday’s win was, after all, all about Kittle, who posted seven catches for 210 yards and a touchdown. He became the first 49ers tight end to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season. “That’s 1,000 for him!” Richard Sherman says when Kittle scampers for an 85-yard touchdown. Probably the best interaction of the video depicts Joe Staley approaching Kyle Shanahan. “Kittle is so good, dude,” Staley said. “Dude, so good,” Shanahan replied.
- The random jargon of Shanahan’s playcalls. It is no secret Shanahan’s playbook is filled with idiosyncratic language that often takes players multiple years to fully digest. Here are snippets of the playcalls shown in the video: Far right nasty, big fly, turbo, Zelda, 14 diablo, ex dragon, charger, chocolate door.
- Richard Sherman poking fun at Shanahan when he dialed up a fade on the 1-yard line to Dante Pettis. The play resulted in a touchdown. Said Sherman to Shanahan: “Fade from the 1? You’re feeling yourself today.” Earlier in the clip, Shanahan told Sherman “you’re two away from free safety,” which meant if the two healthy free safeties got hurt, Sherman would move to the spot.
- Perhaps the coolest part of the video is how Shanahan talked to his players, and vice versa. They sound like peers. “I like that new zip-up, man,” Shanahan said. And a few seconds later: “I play better when I look better,” he said.
- “Juice is a baller,” Shanahan said when fullback Kyle Juszczyk catches a pass.
- Shanahan apologized to Kittle for not getting the second-year tight end five more yards to break Shannon Sharpe’s single-game yardage record for a tight end. Kittle did not record a catch in the second half and was targeted once. “Good job, dude,” Shanahan told Kittle after the game. “I am so sick I didn’t get you five more yards, man.”
- Shanahan’s brief encounter with Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. “All right, Vance,” Shanahan said. “Good seeing you, buddy.” “Best of luck,” Joseph replied.