NFC Notes: 49ers, Chandler Jones, Cardinals, Lions

49ers

49ers’ new DC DeMeco Ryans said they will have a fast and aggressive defense and wants his players to think quickly.

“Our defense will be a fast, attacking, aggressive defense,” Ryans, via Kirk Larrabee of 49ersWebZone.com. “I want guys to play fast. I want guys who are smart. I want guys who are going to play physical.”

Ryans mentioned that the 49ers’ defense will be focused around their “attacking” defensive line’s pressure.

“I want to be known as an attacking defensive line,” Ryans said. “Our D-Line is going to attack. Our linebackers and secondary, they’re going to play with base fundamentals. We’re going to play off our D-Line. We’re going to allow our D-Line to get off the ball and attack, we’re going to clean up things behind them, but we will be a more aggressive, attacking defense.”

As for how similar the 49ers’ defense will be to former DC Robert Saleh‘s system, Ryan plans to be his “own person” and will pull some aspects from Saleh’s scheme.  

“I am my own person,” Ryans said. “Saleh has taught me a lot — probably one of the coaches that’s taught me the most football that I’ve been around. He’s been very integral to my development as a coach, and I can’t thank him enough for all the things he’s instilled in me. So there will be some of the similar scheme things that we’ve done in the past. You will see some similarities there, but you will see some wrinkles. You will see my brand of football on it.”

• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports the 49ers are bringing in CFL WR/TE Jevon Cottoy for a workout next week. 

Cardinals

• Jason La Canfora writes that there appears to be a stalemate between the Cardinals and OLB Chandler Jones and he wonders if it’s something that could turn into a “chasm” in the future.
• La Canfora thinks the situation “is not rosy” between Arizona and Jones, who has no guaranteed money remaining in his contract. According to La Canfora, there hasn’t been any talk about an extension.
• Jones hasn’t been in attendance for the start of offseason practice and has deleted every reference to the Cardinals from his social media, according to La Canfora.
• La Canfora notes that the pass rusher market has seen a big increase in salary over the last few years and Jones is set to make $15.5 million for the 2021 season.
• La Canfora believes this is a situation to watch over the next few months and he anticipates teams making exploratory calls to the Cardinals about a potential deal for Jones.

Lions

Lions’ veteran LB Jamie Collins believes Detroit is due for a great season, and remains in contact with the team despite being away for the birth of his child.

“We talk all the time,” Collins said, via Albert Breer of SI.com. “That’s the thing, we just have to put a face with a name now. Being virtual, it’s FaceTime, it’s on the phone, we haven’t been face-to-face yet. And that’s why I’m so excited to get there, meet the guys, have a conversation with them. I’m eager to put a face with a name and get this thing rolling in Detroit. It’s past due, we’re due for a great season this year.”

Collins thinks that he personally needs one month in order to get his body ready for the regular season.

“At this point, I would say a month,” Collins said. “Give me a month of running around, running, cutting, getting my legs back under me. … I don’t think it takes much. After being in the league so long, it comes pretty naturally. Take Tom Brady—I’m pretty sure a guy like that doesn’t need the offseason. He’s been doing it for so long. Being in the league a long time, it just comes naturally. And all you need to do is get about a month up under you, and you’re pretty much acclimated and ready to go.”