Cornerback Richard Sherman has been a significant influence for the young players on the San Francisco 49ers roster. The savvy veteran is always willing to share the knowledge gained from his eight NFL seasons.
It's not just the defensive backs room that benefits from Sherman's experience. Quarterback Nick Mullens told reporters this week that he has benefited from having the three-time first-team All-Pro as a teammate.
"I love taking advantage of picking his brain," Mullens said. "He's very specific in the coverage rules, the different looks, the way he sees a quarterback when he's playing corner, the way he sees the quarterback's feet, whether it's quick game, drop back, play pass. So, all of the things that you really don't know how a corner thinks when he's playing out there, you get to ask him those type of questions."
Another player who has benefited from having Sherman as a teammate is rookie linebacker Fred Warner, who joined 95.7 The Game on Friday night.
Warner has registered 109 tackles this season, which is tied for the fourth-most among NFL rookies. He is also one of three rookies this season to record at least 100 tackles, five passes defensed, and a forced fumble (LB Darius Leonard, Colts and LB Tremaine Edmunds, Bills).
Warner explained to Damon Bruce what Sherman has meant to him and the 49ers this season.
"He's been huge for this team, this organization," Warner said. "I know it's his first year. One of the first weeks I was here in the offseason, he just kind of came up to me and started talking to me, asking me what I expected of myself this season, where I saw myself. He just kind of gave me some tips and things to think about. He's been with me all the way through this season.
"Having a guy like Richard Sherman out there in the heat of battle, in the huddle with me, as a young guy, brings a lot of comfort for me being out there to be able to have confidence in what I'm telling the guys and getting the calls out.
"That guy has played at a high level for a really long time. When he speaks, we listen, and he always backs it up with his actions."
Warner has gained Sherman's respect as well. As he mentioned, the rookie linebacker is the one handling all of the communications for the defense, getting the play calls from the coaching staff to his teammates. Sherman has noticed a difference in how he is handling the duty compared to earlier in the season.
"He's a commander now," Sherman said. "I think early on -- and it's no knock on him; it's just (being) a rookie. You have to call every play. In this world, the football world, rookies are seen and not heard. So you're a rookie MIKE linebacker, and you're like, 'I've got to call the plays, but I don't want to overstep.'
"Now, he knows that you call the plays, you have full command of the defense. What you say is what we do.
"I think even moments where we don't necessarily get a play call in on time or the offense is hurrying up and kind of catching us off guard, he'll calmly give us a play and bang, we're playing good football.
"Those moments are very underrated."