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00:00There's Kevin Harlan and I don't even know if you know that you're the voice of the Niners now
00:03Let me think you've done you've done two Niner games
00:06You did last night's game and you handled the update desk on Sunday as well. We noticed so you're officially doing all the games Kevin
00:14It's my honor to do and believe me. They're a great organization. I always enjoy seeing
00:20That team play they're loaded. They got some injury issues clearly right now. They're
00:26They're coming off a game we're actually, you know, Minnesota is a lot better than advertised kind of like New Orleans the
00:34Pundits, I think underestimated those two teams pretty significantly, Minnesota. It's tough and
00:40They've bolstered their defense. They've made some changes
00:44They've got weapons on offense as we saw on Sunday, and they have a quarterback quite frankly
00:49he's playing with a lot of confidence and it didn't take long for him to kind of get in his lane and get going and
00:55It was just one of those days for the Niners they they miss McCaffrey clearly
01:01I mean, he's the he's the motor as you all know for that team and when he's not there and he's not a part of
01:07What's going on?
01:09Like all you know special elite great players
01:14you know, it's incumbent on somebody to pick up the pieces and try to bring things together and that's not easily done it may
01:22Have looked that way against the Jets
01:24But it's gonna be tough until he gets back and hopefully it's sooner than later and now Debo
01:29We get Debo back out there too with with his with his soft tissue injury. It's
01:35But when this team is whole I still believe they're the best team in the NFC. I really do
01:39Yeah, pretty impressive game by, Minnesota
01:41And you talked about picking up the pieces with no McCaffrey and you saw Jordan Mason do his thing now two straight weeks
01:48What do you make of the young running back and the way he goes about getting those yards?
01:52You know, I just he runs hard. He hits the hole. He has great vision. My goodness
01:57He cuts and and really knows when to cut to the timing of making the move
02:02With the you know lead block and how the angle is being set for him. He's a he's a master at it
02:08I I don't know how he went on drafted. I I would say this
02:12I think that the Niners kind of pride themselves on bringing in projects like this
02:17It's been very clear with the variety of players
02:20Not the least of which was your quarterback this kid was undrafted and and barely made a ripple coming out of Georgia Tech
02:27but the fact that he has been in that program is knows the offense well and
02:33Knows his time is now and the team needs him
02:36I mean, he's a third string back going into camp and Mitchell's injured. We know but
02:41Christian so I mean he's got to step up and
02:44Sure enough. He's done it now twice and I don't think there's any stopping him. I think he has a
02:49He has a great feel for what he needs to do
02:52I think you've read and heard out there that Fred Warner kind of took him under his wing this
02:58Past offseason and while he has worked out with the Niners and in their facility during these last
03:04Couple off seasons. He he worked with linebackers almost exclusively for a month
03:10this past offseason and and clearly it's added a little bit of grit a little bit of
03:16Toughness to him and it's showing right now and they need it. So
03:20Quarterbacks best friend is a good running game. They've got one and we saw that again pretty answer the bell with his efficient play
03:28But just not enough and home openers are always great
03:31You saw Monday night against the Jets and the Viking fans on Sunday against the Niners
03:35Kevin Harlan is with us here on Willard and dibs 95-7 the game Kevin
03:40I I wonder because there's there's been a lot right?
03:42There's the the IU cold out the Trent Williams holdout then the season starts. There's no Christian McCalfree now
03:48Debo to it
03:49You've had a chance I would imagine to visit a little bit with Kyle Shanahan through these first two weeks
03:53And I wonder what you kind of gathered in terms of the state of the team and how he plans to go about
03:59Attacking these challenges. Well, you know, he's had challenges before and he's always handled him
04:04Well, I really my admiration for Kyle and the organization is pretty limitless quite frankly
04:11And and they'll figure it out
04:13I think when new roles have got to be taken when bench guys now are getting more snaps or bench guys are becoming starters
04:20you know, there's a change that ripples right through the team and
04:26Everybody's got to make an adjustment
04:28To a different degree and I think that's kind of maybe the process they're they're going with you know
04:33right now they didn't have Trent all camp and he shows up a week out and
04:37Somehow some way this guy is superhuman man the way he we can come back
04:42And I know they he was working out on his own
04:44It's up that football workout and team workout like like, you know
04:48You see in camp and everything else
04:50but the fact that he can come in and only miss a couple of plays against the Jets and then do it again against the
04:56You know the Vikings and a pretty good defensive front is pretty startling to me quite frankly. I I
05:03My respect for him is is is off the chart as everybody's is he's he'll be in Canton one day
05:09It's gonna be a proud moment for the Niner organization when he gets in there and and and then I think is playing
05:16You know, first of all, he's not in he's not in that football
05:19shape and there is a difference you can come and work on your core and you can come after an offseason of working with
05:25yoga guys and weight guys and run guys and
05:28Beal guys and and whoever else the Dalai Lama and and you're gonna
05:33You're gonna
05:34Until you're in that camp and in the everyday grind of practice and preparation and coaching
05:41It's just not the same and he's kind of in that stage right now. So his camp is kind of I don't know
05:46How many looks he's getting?
05:48But clearly that the production has been down from what we're used to seeing
05:51I think that's just a blip and and he'll we'll pick up especially now that
05:56Debo may be maybe on the side here for a bit and he's gonna have to I mean
06:01You know the the the the moments of him kind of being in the background and not prominent
06:07For the first two games are over. He's got to step up and he has got to be he's got to be you know
06:13He's got to kind of be like John Jennings. Quite frankly. He's got to be reliable. He's got to be there and
06:19And I think he'll meet the challenge and and I would never underestimate
06:23The fact of the the weight of that contract at the gigantic contract. He has
06:29Everybody's eyes are on him. The expectations have now grown and
06:34My guess is he'll handle it. But like with anything in life, that's a change and that's a change in so many ways
06:42You know, you've got to adapt and he will and this will be the team. We all thought they'd be
06:49Here in the next couple weeks, but right now they got they've got a they got together at least another three weeks without Christian
06:55And who knows how much longer without Debo but but they'll get back there and they'll be fine and they'll be the team
07:01We thought they were going to be heading into the season a little bit of survive in advance now for the Niners without Debo and Christian
07:07And the big guy who is still there and the guy making tiny money not the big money is Brock Purdy
07:13What have you made from Brock Purdy's having seen him twice now in this early season and where he is and is in his season
07:19I I love him. He's wired the same way. The great ones are we talked to him the other day
07:24And his answers are clear and efficient
07:28his his
07:30direction on answers is
07:33You know, you know where his compass is pointed and
07:37and I think you know all the
07:40quarterbacks with presence and he has gained it even more so than when he you know first got the job some
07:4726 27 28 games ago going back a couple years. He's
07:52he's a competent kid and
07:54he's got a lot going for him and
07:57You know
07:58Everybody is saying well, you know, he's got he's got his hands on the wheel of a Ferrari. Well good for him
08:04There are a lot of quarterbacks who'd have their real their hands on the wheels of a Friday and and and they start shifting gears, man
08:10they're all over the place their fishtailing and they're ramming into the
08:13Side rails and everything else. So listen, he's
08:17He is he has got the those elements
08:22Working for him what I think is interesting for Purdy right now
08:26beginning this week is
08:29He has no Christian
08:31No Debo
08:32He's got a left ankle still trying to get his feet under him. He's got you know, I am trying to get his you know paces and
08:40and people kind of looking at him and
08:43He's gonna have to do maybe a little bit more
08:45He's got this big contract like you talked about looming because they're basically getting him for free
08:50That's how they're able to sign Williams and sign Iook and get all these things done
08:56But but and you know when the clock is ticking they're gonna have to pay this guy is your quarterback
09:01He will solidify every positive thought
09:05That the organization has of him with what he does
09:09Without a lot of air in those tires and a lot of gas in that tank, right?
09:13he's gonna he's gonna have to maybe move a little bit and adjust and
09:18And and he can play the same way, but I mean he's gonna have to be lights out and
09:24Quarterbacks that make 40 50 million dollars a year
09:27That's the way they've got to play when they don't have every part at their disposal
09:32And he's not going to have the parts that make that team special. He doesn't have the engine and McCaffrey
09:38He doesn't have that that ubiquitous piece in Debo Samuel
09:43He's gonna have to you know
09:45The the offense is gonna have to adjust and he's gonna have to be right there leaving it that adjustment
09:50So these next weeks are incredibly revealing and I think it will just solidify his place
09:57Not just for this season, but for the rest of his career and how he handles
10:03This offense without having the main parts in the most headline-making guys at his disposal
10:10Devin Harlan with us Willard and dibs. That's an interesting statement. You just made there at the end Kevin
10:15You're you're confident that this is gonna go well for him. I am I
10:19Really am I have great faith. And first of all, I think Kyle will continue to
10:25Provide him with a call sheet and the game plan that will work
10:30As both see fit and he couldn't have a better voice in his ear
10:36And a guy in his head and then Kyle Shanahan and
10:40So I think he's got that going for him. He's got the confidence of playing in a Super Bowl
10:45He's got you know, 22 wins in 27 games started
10:49In regular season play. I mean this guy has done it with a lot of different players
10:55including a you know, a Hall of Fame tight end and
10:58and and other parts that that can emerge like Jawan Jennings and
11:03And he's proven he can do it
11:05and and and now he's gonna have to you know, really kind of I wouldn't say carry because the team is still even with
11:13McCaffrey and Samuel gone. I mean the team is still terrific
11:17but this is where he's going to be tested as much as any time because he doesn't have the things that make him and that
11:24offense special and if he can survive this and this team can can can get over that 500 mark and he
11:31Continues to play the way he is and maybe he does a little bit more
11:35I I think that you can see what could be a very historical another quarterback in that line
11:41I'm not saying that that that that even with those other guys that he wouldn't be that guy
11:46Anyway, I just think on the cusp of a big contract and it's coming
11:51That this this puts all worries aside
11:55That that he is the right guy in every form and fashion
12:00You want to try to craft that quarterback position? I I just think he possesses all you need
12:07I know that
12:10The the tangible things like speed and size and all that stuff made him a seventh round pick and I get all that
12:19But listen, and I know it's a tired worn-out phrase
12:22But you you can't help but still see that there have been quarterbacks in this league
12:28Like him that have gone on to to become the best at that position ever and
12:35And I just think that when I when I think of the great quarterbacks when I think of the guys
12:42that can look you in the eye when I think of the guys that have a command and a presence and
12:47And and have a tireless work ethic and know they've got to always be a working a little bit harder than anybody else in the league
12:55I see that in him
12:57He may not be the tallest he may not have the rocket arm, although it looks to me like it's stronger
13:03You know
13:04He had the elbow last year and he couldn't work out during the season because it was healing after the surgery
13:10This year was a completely different offseason with core work and elbow work and arm care and all the things
13:16That that these quarterbacks do so I think he's got I think he's got everything in his favor
13:23He's got great momentum and and this is I think a moment where if there are critics and everybody's got him even great
13:30Mahomes has him if he has critics, you know
13:33This is a way to really answer a lot of people and saying well
13:36The only reason why he survives and why he has this record is because he's got great talent and I agree
13:41He's got as many good parts if not the most of any quarterback in pro football
13:46But now he can kind of take all that he's learned all that he's accomplished and he can really you know
13:52Stand out on his own merit and do the things that that a lot of people project he can do
13:57So I'm I'm bullish on him. I think he's the right guy. He's got the right coach
14:02He still has a lot of weapons and they're all strong
14:07Importantly, he's got number 24 and back of them and at the quarterbacks best friend. Is that run game?
14:12So I think I think he's going to be fine
14:14and I think the team is going to be fine in in lieu of McCaffrey and
14:19Samuel not being there for
14:21Three weeks or longer
14:22it will be interesting to watch here over the next few weeks and you talked about weapons and I think about the Niners and the
14:28Number one weapon that they have might be on defense Fred Warner
14:32What do you make of Fred's first two games?
14:34And do you start to think about Fred in terms of the pantheon of great run of linebackers here in the modern game?
14:42Mike Singletary command vision hitting reading can play the run in the past
14:50Controls the defense
14:53Has the charisma to do it
14:56Durable he's only missed one game. I think in his pro career
15:00I mean he is he is everything you want in a middle linebacker. I I don't know
15:08Who would come close to him and pro football quite frankly, there are guys that are younger who are emerging right now
15:14He is at the very top of the list
15:16Kevin
15:17You know, you've said some really nice things about Kosh Anaheim in this conversation
15:22Having done the game last night as well. We've had some conversations today about Nick Sirianni
15:28I'm certainly not asking for you to take a shot
15:31But I would love your your reaction to what happened last night and maybe also a little compare contrast
15:37Like he's gotten under Niner fan skin a little bit the fiery
15:42Nature of the way he handles the sideline and then the call at the end of the game last night has a lot of us
15:48Scratching your head. How would you kind of compare and contrast?
15:51contrast Kyle and Nick
15:53well, I I did that game last night and in Philadelphia, so I got to see it, you know firsthand and
16:03It's rare the word collapse is a very strong word and I almost think of it in terms of losing a 20 or
16:12You know a 30 point lead and and that would look like a collapse
16:18but they have Kirk Cousins coming off a kill each tear and
16:22And and still not really mobile and doing what he did in that frame with that defense
16:29You know now listen, he's got a new defensive coordinator
16:32There's still a lot of newness about what they're trying to do. They made the change there in the offseason
16:38Who's not a blitz guy and he really sticks to his principles and sometimes they can come back and get you and they did last night
16:47But Suri Ani has been on the on the hot seat here for a while
16:50And I don't know if it was coincidence or not. The Belichick was in the building last night and
16:58Yes, he was doing the Manning cast and he was I saw him walking on the sideline before the game
17:04So, I don't know why he was in the building, but he was and
17:10I'm not saying anything about that. That means anything yet. They won by 40. I would still mention that he was there
17:17Because you know people are after after Nick right now and you know, listen, he's been to a Super Bowl
17:25They they've had great starts
17:27I'm not sure where him and the quarterback are on the page
17:31They've got a new caller and Kellen Moore who's come from the Chargers and before that Dallas. I still think that's a work in progress
17:39Quarterback played well last night, but he turned it over again. He's had more turnovers than any other player in the league over the last
17:45Year plus since the beginning of the 2023 season
17:49So that's the problem you you can at that position when you're an elite quarterback and paid like one
17:55With that kind of team you cannot turn the ball over and he did again and it hurt him
18:01and
18:02I don't know, you know, I
18:05From afar you can sit there and think a lot of things
18:10But but you know
18:11There's no denying that there is a lot of turmoil in Philadelphia right now after last night
18:16Because they had that game and they they were not able to close the door and great teams always finish and I kind of thought
18:23Philadelphia
18:24coming into the season was maybe that kind of team and
18:27I guess when I think about John and Kyle, I think more in terms of
18:35long-term
18:37Attention to detail
18:39constantly evolving
18:42looking for new ways innovative
18:46Listen in anybody's town
18:48The least appreciated guy is the head coach
18:52But outside that market
18:55When you take a look at the other 31 head coaches in the league and you mentioned Kyle Shanahan
19:01I don't know if there's another person in the in the league that would say he is not a top three
19:07NFL head coach his record says it the quality the team says it
19:11I still think they're the best team in the NFC and and I I would say that that
19:18and I don't like comparing these guys because the job is immense and
19:22It's very difficult
19:23Everybody's got a different set of circumstances and injuries and an owner that might metal or not metal or or just things going on that
19:30You never know about
19:32And and we're only two weeks into the season
19:34You don't know what your team is like until you get to about week five or six and there's more growth or the reverse
19:42Between weeks one and two
19:44So we've got two teams here the Eagles and the Niners who have lost in week two after winning in week one
19:52And I don't think that is a telltale for any way. They may be going or may not be going
19:57I'm just saying that after you've seen that first week after you've broken camp and the
20:04Starters haven't played, you know, and you get them on the field and kind of see what you've got
20:07I still think there's a fact-finding mission going into week two, but there's no doubt you learn more about your team week from week
20:13one to two
20:15Now maybe you do it the any other part of the team and then you finally kind of put a period on that
20:20By week six
20:21I think by week six
20:22you know exactly what you have what you can and cannot do where you need to grow as you go down that road and
20:29And both those coaches Suri Ani with the Eagles and certainly Kyle with the Niners
20:34I think both those coaches have a pretty good command of what they have the question in Philadelphia is will they be patient?
20:42So they can kind of get off the block here and see what they've got until week six
20:47Or does the impatient owner and but there were rumblings in the offseason. Yeah about Philadelphia, right?
20:53I mean there there was a lot of talk with Suri Ani survive
20:55You know
20:56I made a change at the coordinator on the offensive and the defense is right and one more thing
21:00They lost their offensive and defensive coordinator to head coaching jobs in the NFL. That's a lot of brain drain
21:07Belichick went through it certainly at New England, but they lost one guy to the Colts and one guy to the Cardinals
21:12That's hard to replace two coordinators like the Eagles had to do
21:15So I I almost give them a little pass here because I think they're still even at this stage
21:20Trying to collect themselves and and get the back where they were a couple years ago
21:25And that was a Super Bowl team that just lost to the Kansas City Chiefs very very late
21:31In the Super Bowl a couple years ago
21:34Kevin you're the absolute best man. Thank you so much for making some time for us. Okay?
21:39My privilege. Thanks guys great being on. Thank you so much
21:42And I hope I get to see the the Niners for another week coming up
21:45They they were fun on Monday and even on Sunday quite frankly that was a terrific game
21:50It didn't end up the way that you wanted it out there, but it was enjoyable. That was a loud building man
21:55I'm telling you what my my ears are still ringing and even Philadelphia last night
21:59We're doing the game there Kurt Warner
22:01And I were and and it was loud but nothing like the twins like that that downtown
22:05Minneapolis Stadium that that indoor stadium was
22:08Loud and very tough to communicate
22:11I'm sure both offensively and and defensively for the 49ers guy Kevin
22:15We're always rooting for you to have the Niner games as well, man. Thanks so much. We'll talk to you soon. Take care guys
22:21Thank you so much. Bye. Bye