NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci is a former San Francisco 49ers Coach. So when I caught up to Mariucci at NFL Network Media Day, I couldn’t help but talk about the best division in football, the NFC West, and the Niners.
The podcast is below:
So what are the San Francisco 49ers getting this year in Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward? He became just the second Huskie ever to be drafted in the first round when he was chosen with the 30th overall pick. Ward made an impression during 2014 Reese’s Senior Bowl Week in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., and followed that with an impressive performance at the NIU Pro Day in March.
Ward measured in at 5-10 ½ inches and 197 pounds, ran the 40 yard dash in 4.45 seconds, had a 38-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 ½ feet.
In 2013, he ranked seventh in the country and led the Mid-American Conference with seven interceptions in 2013, and added 10 pass break-ups and 2.5 tackles for loss. He’s not an ideal size for a safety in today’s NFL. But he makes up for that with his coverage capabilities and nose for the football. He’s a ball-hawking defensive back, as the cliche goes.
So what are the 49ers getting?
“a versatile player, he can do anything from playing in zones, to man-to-man, tackling,” said Ward’s former teammate at NIU, current Huskies Safety Decahne Durante, who came in Ward and played alongside him.
“They’re going to get a player that can step in and do whatever they ask.”
Ward is the third Huskie player ever to be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, and the first since punter Tom Wittum in 1972. Wittum became a Pro Bowl punter for the 49ers in 1973 and 1974.
Niners fans, maybe you haven’t heard of Jimmie Ward, but you’ve heard of two high profile quarterbacks that he’s played with: AJ McCarron (in youth Pop Warner football) and Jordan Lynch, the NIU Heisman finalist. However Ward was the only one of the three to be a first round pick.
Antoine Bethea will be the starting strong safety on opening day, with Ward SS2 in their base 3-4. Pass defense wasn’t the team’s biggest need as S.F. finished seventh in the NFL in pass defense, but Ward just too good a value to pass up, especially after that monster pro day.
“He’s pretty physical, smart player, he almost knows what move you’re going to make before you make it. If he doesn’t, his reactions are like he already knew what’s coming around,” said Ward’s former teammate at NIU, current Huskies WR Da’Ron Brown.
“When you line up against him, you’re going to get his best rep every time. I enjoyed going against him.”
I also asked NIU Head Coach Rod Carey about Jimmie Ward. He said replacing him on defense will be just as crucial at replacing Jordan Lynch on offense. And Lynch was a Heisman finalist.
Go here for more on Jimmie Ward
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports and Yahoo! He’s been a guest on news talk shows all across the world. He’s also a special contributor to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Banks has been featured in numerous media outlets including NFL.com, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, ESPN, NBC, CBS, the History Channel and more. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)