NFC Notes: 49ers, Giants, Panthers

49ers

New 49ers G Tom Compton said it was a “no-brainer” to sign with the 49ers instead of re-signing with the New York Jets and cited HC Kyle Shanahan and the coaching staff as one of the main reasons why.

“The coaching staff is a huge deal,” Compton said Wednesday, via Scott Bair. “I know just about everyone on the offensive staff here, and they’re just about the best coaches in the NFL. They all work together well. They’re all on the same page. They’re very cohesive. They’re very smart coming up with new things all the time. They’re innovative and it seems like you’d want to be a part of that. I had a chance with them in Atlanta for a year. I’ve always wanted to be part of this system, no matter how it comes about. When I had an opportunity, I tried to jump on it as fast as I can.”

Compton has his sights set on competing to earn the starting right guard position for the upcoming season. 

“The plan is to compete at the right guard position,” Compton said. “They’re obviously not just going to hand it to me. It’s something that has to be earned, so my mindset is that I’m competing for that spot. A nice thing about me is that I’ve played basically every position, so I’m versatile when it comes to that. During meetings, my focus is on right guard.”

Another member of his new team that Compton is familiar with is former Redskins LT Trent Williams, who was acquired by San Francisco in a draft-day trade.

“He’s one of the best players in the NFL,” Compton said. “He has a tremendous work ethic. He makes everyone in the offensive line room better and he’s a great dude. It makes it easier having some history and some inside joke with him.”

Giants

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY takes a look at the Giants’ possible options to replace CB DeAndre Baker after his recent arrest. 

• Sign a veteran free-agent CB such as Logan Ryan, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, or Eli Apple.
• Start third-year CB Sam Beal as an outside corner. 
• Start CB Grant Haley, fourth-round CB Darnay Holmes, or second-year CBs Julian Love or Corey Ballentine. 

Panthers

Panthers’ spokesperson Steven Drummond said the organization is hopeful to continue holding their training camp at Wofford College in South Carolina.

“We remain hopeful that we can hold training camp at Wofford College,” spokesman Steven Drummond, via Joseph Person of The Athletic. “We will follow the guidelines communicated by the government, medical professionals and public health officials and be prepared to adjust if necessary. The health and safety of our fans, players, coaches and staff will be our number one priority.”

Last month, Wofford president Nayef Samhat said they signed a contract with the Panthers regarding their return for training camp but they are now in a “holding pattern.” 

“Before the pandemic, the plan was for the Panthers to return to Wofford, and we have a signed contract saying that they will return,” Samhat said. “They, like the rest of us, are in a holding pattern now, and they have not made a decision yet about the fall season or summer training camp.”

Panthers’ owner David Tepper said there should “some amount of fans” for games depending on local regulations. 

“There should be some amount of fans in the stadiums, depending on what locale and where you are and what the local rules are. There could possibly be,” said Tepper.

Tepper believes enough tests will be available to ensure player safety and that fans with facemasks and social-distancing during games will be enough to prevent the spread of the virus. 

“You won’t be having full stadiums, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fans in the stadium, either,” Tepper said. “If you’re comfortable being in a closed airplane for a cross-country trip, 18 inches apart, maybe with two seats in between you and being 5 feet away from each other, you might be comfortable in an open-air stadium.”