The San Francisco 49ers didn't sign Richard Sherman to anger the rival Seattle Seahawks fanbase. Although, that may have been a bonus. General manager John Lynch worked to bring in the veteran cornerback because he fit into the defensive scheme they were trying to establish.
The 49ers, who run a similar defensive scheme to Seattle, were trying to bring in cornerbacks with similar heights and wingspans to Sherman's. When Seattle released the three-time first-team All-Pro, rather than continuing to try to find guys who fit the mold, they just decided to pursue the blueprint itself.
Lynch, who joined KNBR on Friday morning, already knew a lot about what coaches thought about Sherman. The second-year general manager still has close ties to Stanford, where Sherman played college football. Lynch also spent years speaking with Seahawks coaches during his time as a broadcaster. He knew the 49ers weren't just getting a great football player, but also a mentor for the young defensive backs on the squad.
"Richard has just been tremendous," Lynch said on the "Murph & Mac" show.
Lynch has a lot of time on game days to observe his young squad and the dynamic it has with one another. He also notices how the younger players benefit from having a savvy veteran like Sherman on the same field with them.
One of the young players benefiting is rookie safety Marcell Harris, a sixth-round draft pick who was activated off injured reserve in November.
"There was a play where Marcell Harris made a tremendous play on a screen, where he kind of was out there all alone," Lynch continued. "Richard just has such a great sense for the game, and it looked like it was going to be a 30- (or) 40-yard gain. Marcell alluded two blockers and made a play for like six yards. Kind of a subtle play, but Sherm came from the other side of the field, put his hands on [Harris'] head, and brought him in.
"I don't know what he was saying, but I'm sure he was saying, 'You have no idea what an important play that was.'
"He just understands it, and for these young guys to have the opportunity to soak up information; I will tell you he's one of the highest football IQs I've ever been around at any position."
Lynch also sees Sherman getting a little bit healthier each week. The veteran cornerback dealt with a calf injury earlier this year, something that can have a lasting effect on a long season.
Sherman spent seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before signing with San Francisco in March. Lynch believes Sunday's victory over Sherman's former team was a turning point for the long-time Seahawk defender.
"I've been where Richard's been," Lynch said. "For me, it was 11 years in Tampa. You go to a new team, and it's tough to really feel like, 'Hey, I'm a Niner,' when you've been Seahawk all your life. You feel more like an independent contractor, and it takes a moment.
"I think for us, [that moment] was Richard coming back into that locker room and his teammates just welcoming him the way they did and him getting a game ball. To me, that was like, 'OK, Sherm's a Niner now.' I'm sure if you ask Sherm, he feels like that as well."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.
