NFL Notes: 49ers, Dolphins, Texans

49ers

49ers WRs coach Mike LaFleur explained that their decision to waive priority undrafted free agent KD Cannon had nothing to do with him, and was more related to what fellow undrafted WR B.J. Johnson showed them.

“Nothing happened with KD Cannon,” LaFleur said, via CSN Bay Area. “It had nothing do with KD. It was more of a testament to what B.J. showed.”

According to LaFleur, they liked Johnson’s size, hands and the overall toughness he showed during his time at Georgia SSouthern

“When we brought him here, seeing that size, seeing his hands, we thought, ‘This is a guy we definitely want to work with,’” said LaFleur. “He’s done a really good job. He really loves it.”

 

Dolphins

Dolphins HC Adam Gase mentioned that first-round DE Charles Harris has consistently made plays during OTA practices.

“It is consistent,” Gase said, via ESPN.com. “He’s really done a good job of trying to implement the techniques we’re asking him to do and doing everything in the run game (and) passing game exactly what he’s coached to do.

“It’s hard to predict how far we can take and what’s going to happen when we get in pads. That’s going to be a different world just because we’ll be able to do some different things offensively as far as the run game goes and some of the trap game type things.”

Texans

Former Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips explained in his new book “Son of Bum” that they had their eyes on drafting pass rusher Aldon Smith back in 2011. However, they were forced to shift gears after the 49ers grabbed Smith with the No. 7 overall pick.

“We’re not going to be able to get an outside rusher, so we’re going to have to go another direction, maybe offense, or whatever,” Phillips writes, via Pro Football Talk.

According to Phillips, he and then HC Gary Kubiak felt it was best to target DL J.J. Watt and move Mario Williams to outside linebacker.

“When I heard that,” Phillips added. “I thought it was time to speak up.”

Phillips went to bat for taking Watt and didn’t even think it was close in terms of the other available options.

“The show of hands was about fifty-fifty, but in my mind it wasn’t close,” Phillips says. “Watt was the best player for us. I stood up and said, ‘I think we ought to take J.J. Watt. I think this guy can help us.‘”