NFC Notes: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports writes that 49ers third-round RB Trey Sermon is ahead of the curve.

With the team playing it safe by limiting starting RB Raheem Mostert‘s reps in OTA’s, and Jeff Wilson Jr. out four-to-six months with a meniscus injury, Sermon was able to handle the lion’s share of first-team reps.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan believes the extra experience will serve Sermon well when the team returns for training camp.

“Last year we didn’t get an offseason and you have a bunch of rookies show up for training camp and you have no idea what they’re into,” Shanahan said. “Some they think they’re in shape and they tweak stuff and it messes up their whole year.”

“To be able to get rookies here, see what it’s like to play to NFL speed, to learn the playbook, to go out there and understand how NFL practices are, how fast you go, how much better the people are across from you.”

Chan notes that Sermon studied 49ers film before transferring to Ohio State to help mentally prepare himself for the transition from Oklahoma to Ohio State’s outside zone scheme, so the mental reps should help prepare him for what’s to come in training camp.

Rams

Rams HC Sean McVay said CB David Long Jr. has been really impressive in OTAs so far.

“He’s done a great job,” McVay said, via Rams Wire. “I think he’s really done a nice job elevating his game at the outside location. He has been a guy with some position flex inside, but I think he’s really, really done a nice job of growing. He’s gotten a lot of really valuable, beneficial reps where you’ve seen him tangibly improve throughout the course of the offseason because the one thing that we have done full-speed is 7-on-7. He’s taken to Coach Evero, Coach Cooley and Coach Morris’ teaching progression, understanding concepts better and I’ve been really pleased with David and he’s a guy we’re going to count on and we’re expecting him to be a big-time contributor for us.”

Seahawks

• According to Brady Henderson, the Seahawks want to sign S Jamal Adams long-term, but there hasn’t been much extension talk lately.
• Henderson also reports the Seahawks want more of a pass rusher to replace LB K.J. Wright at the SAM linebacker, with Darrell Taylor being the front runner and DE Benson Mayowa a potential option.
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said RB Rashaad Penny underwent minor surgery on his knee but is expected to be ready in time for training camp. (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll added that RB Travis Homer sustained a calf strain, and WR D’Wayne Eskridge suffered an injury on his big toe.
• Regarding Adams’ contract situation, Carroll said they’ve had “good talks” but they are still working toward an agreement: “They’ve been good talks and just hasn’t been able to get settled at this point but it’s coming.” (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll mentioned that Adams had surgery on his fingers and shoulder this offseason but is expected to return for training camp. (Bob Condotta)
• Seahawks TE Will Dissly described OC Shane Waldron‘s offense as “systematic and up-temp” with some new concepts: “First word would probably be smart. Everything is fitting really, really well. It’s systematic and up-tempo. I’m really loving, you know, just being a part of the newness, the new energy, and new concepts.” (Curtis Crabtree)
• Dissly expects the Seahawks’ offense to have more “quick game” to their system: “Some quick game here or there that you might not have seen in the … past.” (Brady Henderson)