NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

49ers WR Dante Pettis had moments of brilliance in his rookie season despite missing several games due to injury. In anticipation of a bigger role in San Francisco in 2019, Pettis added muscle, and HC Kyle Shanahan says that’s not the only improvement he sees in Pettis. 

“When I saw him the first week he got back to see the size that he had put on, not that he’s going to be real noticeably different to everyone, but he worked while he was gone,” Shanahan said via NBC Sports’ Jennifer Lee Chan. “He worked while he was away. He tried to get bigger. He worked more at his routes and he came here with the idea of ‘Hey, I’m not just coming here to get better back in shape, I’m coming here to get better.’”

Cardinals

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray received a lot of love during the pre-draft process for his speed and scrambling ability. But Cardinals RB David Johnson says the No. 1 overall pick can sling it, too. 

“People are really underestimating his ability to throw,” Johnson said on Mad Dog Sports Radio. “Coming into the draft, just hearing about him, a lot of people were talking about his scrambling but no one was really talking about his throwing. He can throw dimes and he can throw the ball down the field, he’s been throwing it deep to Christian [Kirk] and those guys in the OTAs.”

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll made it clear that he’s happy with what he’s seen from their offensive line unit this offseason. 

“I feel, after seeing Mike Iupati come in and fill a spot that was opened up [at left guard], I really feel great about that,” Carroll said, via Pro Football Talk. “And the way he mixed with [left tackle] Duane [Brown] and communicating with [center] Justin [Britt] and now on the left side just really gives us confidence, George Fant, too, and what he’s doing, how we’re playing him, moving him around.”

The Seahawks have former left tackle George Fant working at tight end.

“Last year at this time, George wasn’t doing anything on the edge; he was playing all tackle,” Carroll said. “Now we come back with a real clear idea of what he can do and how we can utilize him. And so we’re just so much farther ahead in that regard and taking advantage of the mismatch that he creates. And there’s not very many 329 pound tight ends in the NFL, you know, and it’s fun to be huge.”