Pride and exasperation more so than relief spilled from the 49ers’ mouths as they reviewed Sunday’s playoff-clinching, 27-24 win in overtime at the Los Angeles Rams.
Instead of belaboring the end of their season, the 49ers (10-7) are the NFC’s No. 6 seed and heading to play the NFC East-winning Dallas Cowboys (12-5; No. 3 seed) in the wild-card round on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. PT.
Here is what was said at the postgame podium:
COACH KYLE SHANAHAN
On the comeback from 17-0 down:
“I was so proud of everybody in that locker room. They never stopped fighting. They had to. THat’s a really good team. I was so proud of the guys.”
Did you think you still had a chance down 17?
“Yeah, you always do. It helped scoring at the end of the second quarter. It helped winning the (pregame) coin toss. Once that drive in the third quarter happened, it was, ‘Alright, back to normal.’ They came out really well. Our D was playing really well. Stafford was unbelievable, especially on third down. Offense, it took us a little to settle down. We hit them with some play-action. Their front is tough. our guys settled down and did a heck of a job.”
On Jimmy Garoppolo:
“Jimmy’s always been pretty good at bouncing back from picks. It’s tough when you try to run the ball a ton so you don’t get in too much of a rhythm. Gosh, he made some big plays. That pick in the red zone between him and George, that was real tough. But to come back and lead us down there over 80 yards to send us into overtime, he was unbelievable today.”
On the team’s resiliency:
“Our guys are real resilient. I’ve been very proud of them. I’m glad we get to go into the tournament and be a part of it. Regardless of what happened today, I was going to be very proud of them. Our goal every year is to get in the tournament, so you have a chance at the ultimate one. It’s real hard in a season where you lose four in a row. Most places when you lose four in a row, it’s tough to keep guys together. The character in our building and players, it makes it easy and you can focus on your job and keep fighting.
On Trent Williams’ elbow injury and starting Colton McKivitz in his place:
“It wasn’t an easy decision. Colton’s been doing real well inpractice the past month, nothing against Jaylon, at all. We planned on rotating him. We didn’t feel, the way the game was in first half, we didn’t give him a fair opportunity. Then in the opening drive in the third, he settled down and we weren’t going to put Jaylon (Moore) in late and we stuck with that.
“With Trent, he’s as much of a soldier as we have on our team, and he did everything he could to play today. He was heartbroken when he couldn’t. He got here early in the morning and couldn’t do it, wasn’t healthy enough. I’m just glad we give him another chance.”
On Garoppolo’s 55-yard completion to Samuel:
“Unbvileivable throw, and for Jimmy just not to get rattled in there. You never know when you’re going to have time with blocks. Sometimes you have to get rid of it quick, sometimes you can hold onto it and let it develop. That’s really tough with their front and coverages. The patience he had and the poise, and then Deebo being unbelievable as usual.”
On Garoppolo’s thumb and the possibility of subbing in Trey Lance?
“We had a pretty good idea. Jimmy had a good week. Just from my eyes, it didn’t affect him at all. If he was hurt in the game, I wouldn’t have hesitated (to put in Lance).”
On halftime speech:
“It was great and easier to come in after the field goal. I told the defense we were playing unbelievable and had to figure out a way to get off the field on third down, which is a big deal. On offense, we didn’t have to say much because we finished with a field goal and had like 15 plays, couldn’t get it going. But we finished with points and knew we were starting with the ball, so that allows you to focus if we do our job, it will be a one-score game right away.”
On 10 runs to set up Deebo TD pass:
“It’s going to be hard to set it up more than that, but that is a hard thing to do. You run it 10 times in a row and it’s set up, but there’s also the risk of why mess up a good thing, we’re running pretty good. You have to make that decision and if you wait too long, you end up with three points. You feel you have to get seven, somehow.
“Jauan was great in how he sold it, and for Deebo to have the poise to attack like that. That’s earned with what Deebo does all the time. When Deebo comes around the corner and is running very hard, those people don’t want to sit back there and wait to tackle him. So they have to come up fast. To make it look like a run and get hit while he threw was huge. Jauan made it a little scarry but eventually caught it.”
On McVay joining end zone celebration at 17-0, was that noticed?
“No, you don’t see that unless you’re watching TV.”
On how easy the decision was to start Garoppolo:
“It was real easy, just cause of how he felt through the week, how was talking, how he was doing. I felt very confident with him and I was real happy with what Trey did the week before. … He isn’t 100 percent. He isn’t hurting. But he was able to paly at 100 percent of his level and why the decision was easy for me.”
On K’Waun Williams:
“It was tough. Missing all those DBs this week. K’Waun, out all week and he didn’t feel comfortable not preparing as usual and going through the process. I can’t tell you how proud I am of Dontae (Johnson), what he’s been through the past month and to start against a slot receiver as good as there is in the league, then he had to play safety, and that brought in Denard. There’s lots of people like that this week. McKivitiz was first time being activated this year. Everybody was unbelievable and we needed everybody.”
On facing the Cowboys next:
“They haven’t been on our schedule and I wasn’t really looking at that stuff. I know they’ve had a hell of a year and they have really good players and really good coaches. We’ll enjoy tonight, get on film first thing in the morning. Hopefully we get two days to prepare and put in a good game plan on Wednesday.”
On Jauan Jennings:
“Jauan was a man today. I love Jauan. You see the passion he plays with. You don’t want to tame it but have to a little. The fire he brings to the game is unbelievable, the way he blocks is the same way he runs routes and catches. It was a big deal losing Mo this year. … Once (Jennings) got his opportunity, he never looked back, and he got better each week, and he was huge today.”
On kicker Robbie Gould punting in place of Mitch Wishnowsky (concussion):
“Losing Mitch is an issue. They have a good returner and good return team. Robbie hit that one, got a good roll. Robbie was huge today. He had that kickoff into the end zone. Hopefully things go well for Mitch and we get him back this week.”
On Ambry Thomas’ interception:
“He’s definitely made a believer out of me the second half of this season. I wouldn’t have believed it the way it started off. It sounds harsh. But it took time. When he got his opportunity, he was ready and showed what’s in him. He’s shown us he’s someone we can count on and he’ll get better.”
On 49ers fans’ widespread presence:
“It usually does here in LA, the way the Coliesum always was. It’s so cool to go to an opposing stadium and seeing half of it red. … When we came out at the beginning of game and saw the same (49ers fan presence) at the Coliseum, it helps. It was pretty cool.”
QUARTERBACK JIMMY GAROPPOLO
On testing out thumb last week:
“Tuesday we tested it out, turned into a game-type scenario. I was aware all week but had good feeling Tuesday I’d do it and it was a matter of pain tolerance.”
On how it feels.
“It feels great. It feels great right now. After a win, of course.”
On how it felt during the game:
“Honestly with injuries like that your body is learning and adapting. Early on, it was pretty numb and felt alright, then got better and better, and my arm learned to adapt.”
On emotions:
“Lot of emotions, the whole game, ups and downs. To come back like we did, it took everything. I felt it after the game, and a lot of guys in the locker room did, too. It was worth it, though. It was one of those games you won’t forget anytime soon.”
On pain management:
“I did. It helped.”
On what he did to thumb:
“This past week, on Tuesday we worked on the right tape job, initially tried a brace. Give trainers a lot of credit. They’ve done a lot this week to put up with me.”
On Jennings:
“Jauan’s one of those guys, the moment isn’t too big for him. He’s ready for it. You see in the huddle in his eyes when the guy is ready for it. Jauan doesn’t blink and you love having that for crucial situations.”
On his late 55-yard pass to Samuel:
“They played a shell, Ramsey was the cloud, and I played high-low game with him to get to bite on George. He took one step and I knew I had a window to Deebo. Run after the catch, he’s the best in the league at it. When guys like we have with B.A., George, Deebo, Juice, if you get them the ball in space, they can make plays for you. That’s what I tried to do today.”
On halftime:
“We just started making plays. Wasn’t crazy or scheme. Guys stepped up in big moments. Our defense gave us a shot. It was a full team effort. Defense holding them in crucial situations. (Fire alarm goes off.) And Ambry with the interception at the end, that was awesome.”
On resiliency:
“We’re fighting through a fire thing, right. Guys love each other in that locker room and that goes a long way in tough situations.”
On fans:
“First half, we didn’t give our fans enough to cheer about. Toward the end, that red got loud and the Faithful really came out.”
WIDE RECEIVER DEEBO SAMUEL
On his touchdown pass:
“We kind of set it up and knew he’d bite. When I made the throw, I made it happen. … We put it in this week. It’s the first time we put it in (to the game plan).”
On the slow start:
“It was frustrating being down 17-0, then to get three points. Kyle had a great message in the locker room: Go play the ball we know how to play. And we showed up in the second half.”
On his 55-yard catch:
“It was a corner route, Jalen bit on the guy to the flat, jimmy put a great ball, and if I had my shirt tucked in I would have scored.”
On Garoppolo’s thumb:
“I didn’t hear Jimmy complain all game or all week, so I knew he’d ball.”
On RB/WR reps:
“Kyle felt the energy I was having and was trying to get me the ball. I didn’t know the workload would be that much but I tried to capitalize on my opportunity.”
On if the Rams taunted him about Kittle saying it would be a ‘body-bag game’:
“Jimmy said on the sideline: ‘Deebo, (it’s) going to be body-bag game.’ Me: ‘No.’ In the fourth quarter, Jimmy said, ‘ Believe me now?’ Yeah, my body is hurting.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ARIK ARMSTEAD
On run game:
“Man, we’ve been doing a great job stopping the run for some time. That was a point of emphasis to not let the run game get going, because it opens so much of their offense with play action and boot game. It was another week of the guys up front, we penetrated, then the backers and guys in secondary filled their gaps.”
On subs filling in and resiliency:
“The culture of our team is never quit. We’ve been in good situations, bad situations over the years. One thing I can say is, even before Kyle and John got here, there was never any quit in us. When they got here, they implemented their culture. We don’t quit, no matter the situation, and we worry about the next snap.
On Garoppolo:
“Leadership, toughness, everything you want out of your quarterback to put yourself in position to get to the playoffs. He easily could have stepped out or made excuses. He stepped up and got the job done.”
CORNERBACK AMBRY THOMAS
On his win-clinching interception:
“We were in cover 3 and I just played my responsibility. I just did my job: See the ball, go get the ball.”
On the comeback:
“It felt great. I’m happy we’re fortunate enough to go to the palyoffs. We were down bad in the first half and fought back.”
On deep passes:
“It was a big emphasis. After the Green Bay game, we noticed guys throw the ball up and hope for PI or for the guy to come down with the ball. We always work in practice on getting the ball.”
On Kyle saying the interception was surprising:
“I knew I had to get back in football mode. I was out for a year, and once I got back in football mode, it was going to be over, that it would be an ‘I’ve arrived’ moment. … I had two picks in back-to-back periods in practice. Lynch nodded at me to keep on going. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m here, I’m here.’
“It was challenging to be inactive all those guys and keep my mind on football. That made me work ahrder in pracitrde. I’m grateful, honestly. That brought me up.”
On playing cornerback:
“People don’t know cornerback is a very tough position. You have a good play, bad play, next play, no matter what it is. You need a short memory. Everybody wants to talk corners, but when the ball is in the air, that’s the only man you see. My hat’s off to cornerbacks that play at a high level.”
On ball hawking:
“If the ball is in the air, the ball is yours. I look at the tuff I got beat on and believe the ball is mine. It’s more reps, honestly. The more I get, the better I get. I feel I got stronger mentally.”
On halftime:
“I walked in at half pissed. We were all hot during halftime but we knew we had to clear our mind and restart.”
WIDE RECEIVER JAUAN JENNINGS
On rating Deebo Samuel as a quarterback after catching his pass for a touchdown:
“Today, 10 out of 10.”
On bobbling the pass:
“I’m just happy I caught it, honestly. It could have been bad.”
On clutch catches:
“Just thinking abou the team, putting the team first. If I don’t catch it, I’m letting the team down. Guys are making plays everythwerew else and when my number is called, I put it on myself to make a play.”
On fourth-quarter TD:
“I was going to run my route to the best ability. If the coverage allowed me to be open, and it did. Jimmy found me. Jimmy threw a dime and I walked in untouched.”
On maturity:
“I’ve grown up a lot. This game of football will make you grow up. This team believes in me and encourages me, and I’m grateful to be here.”
On halftime mood:
“Understanding we’ve got our backs against the wall and to come out the way we did, it shows the character on this team — an unbelievable amount of resiliency across the board, top down.”
On humbling:
“It’s humbling to get drafted 7th round, to get cut, to go on practice squad, to get hurt and not play. All that humbles you. It’s how you bounce back. This team makes it easy to bounce back. No matter how great or bad the play is, somebody is in your corner to pick you up.”
On team resiliency:
“Started in July in OTAs and learning each other. George Is going to make a play to save the day. Deebo is going to make a play to save the day. Jimmy is going to make a play to save the day. Who’s it going to be? Elijah? Nobody knows. That’s how we brand ourselves: it doesn’t matter who it is, next man up.”
On high stakes:
“To come out with the win the way we did, it means everything. Shed a few tears. Think of how far we came. We still have a long way to go.”
TIGHT END GEORGE KITTLE
On Jennings:
“Jauan’s incredible. I’ve loved having him on the roster. When he comes in, he lines up next to me in the huddle, a little electrocution, shock each other, and head butts me, gives me a burst of energy for third downs. He always brings it 100 percent.”
On when he knew Jimmy would play:
“Last week. We knew he was ready to do all week. He had a really good day throwing Monday or Tuesday and he looked very excited. We knew he was going to play on Wednesday.”
On winning under pressure:
“It wasn’t stressful at all. Our gamplan was to go down 17-0, 17-3 at half. That was our goal. (Joking.) It’s a testament to this team: you never know who’s going to make a play. We have a defense full of superstars. … Jimmy G came out and threw for 300-plus yards. Deebo. Aiyuk. Jauan. Elijah. All running backs were amazing.
“Everyone made plays today. … We came back and played through it.”
On 10 straight runs on second TD drive:
“It was definitely different. The first quarter they came out hot and made plays. We were in bad shape. We went to what we’re good at: running the ball and getting the ball to our best players. The fans, it was 70 percent of our fans and you could feel there energy. Shout out to Juszyzk for holding. He handled that well. Definitely the momentum shifted.”
On halftime:
“Fred broke us down. He’s very inspirational. He said, we have 30 minutes, empty the tank, there’s no guarantees next week. Might as well empty the tank and have fun with it.”
On Jimmy Garoppolo:
“He’s a really good football player and have to be to come back from bad plays. Every interception not the quarterback’s fault. He knows how to bounce back, doesn’t snowball,he’s got the quick release, a nice jawline and knows how to make plays.
On last-minute drive.
“Last game of the season, can’t hold anything back now.”
On 55-yard completion to Deebo:
“I have no idea what talking about. I was blocking or something. When Deebo has the ball in his hands, it has a chance to be an incredible football play. It’s fun whenever I hear a play is for deebo and I get to block, I’m excited, because he can take it all 40 yards.”
On the Rams taunting him about saying Thursday how this would be “like a body-bag game” because of both teams’ physicality:
“My favorite thing was, apparently I used a ‘body bag’ quote that they used in their locker room the entire week. I was saying it was for both sides of the ball. Whoever it is, Rams or Niners, someone is leaving in a body bag. We go down 17-0 and I had five guys chirping me in the ear, ‘Hey, guys are putting you in a body bag, Kittle.’ I was like, ‘There’s a lot of time left up on that clock, boys.’ Hopefully I can see them again, because that was a fun ‘body-bag game.’ ”
LINEBACKER FRED WARNER
On the ending:
“Can’t draw it up better than that. Storybook ending. To make that in the biggest moment. … That game was wild.”
On resiliency:
“You want it to go well and you want to be up early and have momentum, but that shows the resiliency of this team. That’s the perfect type of win we needed headed into this tournament, because it’s not going to be easy. The NFC is loaded with talent and we have to take it one game at a time, dial in and we’re going to need everyone, first at Dallas.”
On Denard:
“We had conversations early in the week. We said we’d need to communicate a lot. He jumped in from wedensday’s practice and was on it. Just the amount of people that stepped up: Dontae playing nickel and moving to safety after Tartt got his groin strained. It’s incredible.”
On third-quarter shift:
“The momentum was for sure swinging. Anytime on the sideline, I don’t get too high or too low. I try to keep the defense even keel and let them know it doesn’t matter what’s going on out there with the offense, we have to play our style and brand on defense, and we knew we had to take the ball away. We got one early and the one at the end to seal it.”
On late in game:
“If we give up a first down, the game is over. We used our timeouts to get them off the field. Dontae on that third down made a big-time tackle. He was getting goutside and slipped some tackles. I don’t think we win unless we get off there.”
On Rams ending regulation by not going deep:
“That’s just what they had to do. Hindsight is 20/20. They had a choice to make on third down to go for first down throwing or running. That was a pivotal moment.”
On Garoppolo:
“I’m not surprised. We all have complete belief in Jimmy, and Trey. With Jimmy coming back, I’m not surprised at all.”
On pass rush:
“Pass and run game, they were having a heck of a game. We knew we had to stop the run and were doing that. We were giving up third and long. They kept at it, chipping away (with the pass rush). Once everything married up, you saw big plays up front. Those third-down stops showed exactly who they’ve been all year.”
On OT coin toss (winning with “heads” call on opening kickoff of regulation and OT):
“I take them serious. I guess heads never fails.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com