SEATTLE – San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is known for keeping it real with his players. He doesn’t sugarcoat his criticisms, and he certainly doesn’t give up easily on a player he sees something in.
But back in January, in the first quarter of a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks, Shanahan let his affinity for real-time teaching spill onto the playing field – probably a little more than he would have liked. And the cameras picked it up for everyone to see.
As cornerback Renardo Green, then a second-year player, walked along the sideline, Shanahan approached him from behind, lifted his play call list over his mouth and began lighting into him. Shanahan looked Green in his eyes. Green looked straight into the distance, mouthing some words that weren’t easily lip-readable but did not appear to be pleasantries toward his head coach.
Fast forward nine months, and it appears Green has taken Shanahan’s coaching points to heart.
The 25-year-old former second-round pick, already much-improved during the 49ers’ first four games, broke out in the team’s 32-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Green recorded two interceptions, one of which set up the 49ers in prime field position for their first touchdown of the afternoon.
As quick as Shanahan is to call out a player’s flaws, he’s also the first to point out improvement. Here’s proof: Along with wide receiver Mike Evans, who completely took over the game in the fourth quarter and keyed San Francisco’s victory, Green was the only other player to earn a “game ball” from Shanahan.
“I think Renardo’s ceiling is very high,” Shanahan said. “He can be a very good corner in this league, and he’s showing it. It wasn’t just the two picks. … He’s been playing so smart. To get his hand on the ball today, it’s what we’ve seen every day from him since he got back in April and May.”
Added Green: “I ain’t really need nobody to tell me to believe in myself. … My confidence came from myself already. But when you got a mind like Kyle and his résumé and you just hear it, it just lets you know: ‘I ain’t trippin. I really am one of them ones.’
“I really know that, and I truly believe that.”
Samuel injured: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a strained hamstring when he lost a fumble on a sweep around left end in the third quarter.
Samuel walked slowly to the sideline and he was quickly ruled out of the game, which suggests his status will be in doubt for the 49ers’ meeting with the Commanders on Nov. 19. Shanahan did not provide an update on the severity of Samuel’s injury.
The 49ers already have wide receivers De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson on injured reserve with ankle injuries. Without Samuel, the 49ers played the final 20 minutes with four wideouts: Mike Evans, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Brandon Cooks.
Under the weather: Tight end George Kittle didn’t speak to reporters after the game. That’s unusual. But it was understandable.
The 49ers announced Sunday morning that Kittle had an illness, but he was expected to play. Kittle had five catches for 24 yards on six targets.
“He got sick last night and had some flu symptoms,” Shanahan said. “He was battling to get out there and go. He felt like s- today, but he did a hell of a job getting out there, getting ready for the game and helping us win.”
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This article originally published at 49ers’ Renardo Green once drew Shanahan’s ire. Two interceptions in Seattle changed that.