NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

49ers’ DE Dee Ford has two centers of focus for the 2020 season, remaining healthy throughout the year and reacting quicker at the snap of the ball.

“You saw glimpses of me, but not to that full throttle,” Ford said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “This is a new year. This is a new team. It’s going to take, if not more, it’s going to take a lot for us to be better than we were last year or to even match that. We have a great coach that’s going to keep you honest and remind you that you may be very good, maybe great, but there’s still something you can get better at.”

Cardinals

New Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins had a phenomenal rapport with his previous quarterback, Deshaun Watson. Following his trade to Arizona, Hopkins’ top priority was building that chemistry with his new quarterback, Kyler Murray. Though the pandemic has made it harder than normal, Hopkins is maximizing every avenue available to him. 

“It starts off the field, communicating with each other, calling each other, texting each other,” Hopkins said via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic. “And just building a camaraderie — something that’s going to last for a long time, not just while we’re playing football. But after football. My expectation is us becoming best friends and doing everything together because I have to be on the same page with my quarterback, no matter, for us to be successful as a team, not just him and I. But Kyler’s done a great job of leading and helping me get up to speed with what’s going on with the playbook and everything and I think we’re off to a good start.”

Seahawks

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson says that he is only beginning to venture into the prime of his NFL career, noting he has ten or fifteen years left of playing and has large expectations placed on the future of the team.

“I think I’m definitely in the zone, and also too, from a play standpoint, every game I want to put on a performance,” Wilson said, via John Boyle of Seahawks.com. “Every play, every practice, I want to be great. I wake up thinking about being great today, it doesn’t leave your mind. Everything I do is purposeful. There are no wasted moments, no wasted energy. I feel great. I feel like I’m just hitting the beginning of the prime of my career, and I feel like I got a lot more ball to play, 10, 15 more years of play. I want my best years to be ahead of me. That’s what I’m excited about; the best years are ahead of me… For me personally, I feel like I’m the best I’ve ever been, but I feel like I’m only at 70 percent capacity. I feel like I’ve got a whole ‘nother 30 (percent) more in me. When I step on the field, I want the other team to know they’re in trouble. Doesn’t matter if it’s the first play the game or the 25th play the game, every time I want to feel my mentality is to make it tough on defense.”

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll’s response to Jets DC Gregg Williams saying S Jamal Adams “might get bored” playing in Seattle’s scheme: “We don’t make as many mistakes as he does.” (Field Yates)
• When asked what Adams brings to Seattle Carroll joked: “He’s not bringing Gregg Williams with him, that’s for sure.” (Michael-Shawn Dugar)
• Carroll said he’s confident TE Will Dissly will be ready for Week 1. When asked about a potential suspension for CB Quinton Dunbar he said: “I don’t know anything about that.” (Brady Henderson)
• Seahawks worked out DE Tim Bonner and RB Brian Herrien. (Albert Breer)