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How Mason’s strong camp so far complicates 49ers’ RB hierarchy originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Christian McCaffrey unquestionably is the 49ers’ top running back, but could Jordan Mason be on the fast track toward claiming the No. 2 spot that typically has been held by Elijah Mitchell?
In speaking to reporters after Monday’s training camp practice, coach Kyle Shanahan detailed how Mason’s continued growth complicates San Francisco’s backfield hierarchy.
“I’d say nothing against Elijah, there’s been no fall off in Elijah at all, but JP [Mason] runs at a very high level,” Shanahan told reporters. “I see both of those guys that if Christian[McCaffrey is] not in there, not going, we always expect no matter who we’ve had in the past, that [the] No. 2, No. 3, sometimes our fourth guy comes in. If their number is called, we expect them to run like a starting back. How many reps did they get at it? How long did they last? Things like that.
JP wasn’t there right away, but he got there pretty quick. And he did a hell of a job for us last year, and we’ll see how camp plays out. I love both of those guys and got some depth behind them too.”
Shanahan isn’t the only one to take note of Mason’s rising stock, as McCaffrey recently lauded the third-year back for evolving into a “complete” player.
“Yeah, man, I think he looks way more complete than he has been,” McCaffrey said regarding Mason. “He’s always been able to do it, it’s just being consistent with it. And I think, you see now he’s making things happen in the pass game and the run game that are just consistent with it.”
McCaffrey also noted how the 49ers’ deep running back room has created a competitive atmosphere that’s drawing the best out of each member of San Francisco’s backfield.
“You know, we’re all pushing each other, making each other better, but also being there for each other and it’s a really fun room to be a part of, because you know, you want to talk about guys forcing you to be at your best, every single…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/masons-strong-camp-far-complicates-030153860.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-07-30 03:01:53
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