San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt spoke with reporters on Wednesday and touched on several topics. The former second-round draft pick is entering his fifth NFL season and believes the team has the talent to boast a top-5 defense this year.
Below are just a few of the topics of discussion.
Interchangeable safeties
Adrian Colbert told reporters on Wednesday that, as a free safety, he is not really used to playing in the box. That could change this season, according to Tartt. He says one of the many new wrinkles being introduced to the defense this offseason is making the duties of the two safety spots interchangeable.
"Now, we pretty much kind of rotate safeties, so both safeties can kind of be in the box, and both safeties can be in the post," Tartt explained.
He loves the new wrinkle and wishes the 49ers did it more last year.
"For me, I take pride in trying to do everything, like cover receivers, cover tight ends, just try to do it all," Tartt said. "Trying to be as versatile as I can."
Ahkello Witherspoon's mindset
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is looking to prove that his sophomore slump was an aberration. He has looked good during the practices that reporters have been allowed to observe.
Tartt was asked if he has noticed a change in Witherspoon's mindset headed into his third NFL season.
"I feel like he's always had a dog mindset," Tartt responded. "To me, personally, a lot of the calls that he got last year were kind of unfair. Ahkello, he always comes on and practices hard. To me, he always had a good mindset."
Richard Sherman's health
Cornerback Richard Sherman played through injuries last season. Defensive backs coach Joe Woods told reporters on Wednesday that it was clear the veteran wasn't at 100 percent. He would often notice Sherman limping while reviewing the film from last season.
"I was kind of out there on one leg," Sherman recently told the Sacramento Bee.
Sherman was still the 49ers' best defensive back last season. He feels healthier than he has in years and is now two offseason removed from the Achilles injury he suffered in 2017.
"Uncle Sherm, he's been looking good," Tartt said. "He's been lifting a lot in the weight room too so he's looking pretty big. Sherm, he's been looking good."
You can watch Tartt speak to reporters below, courtesy of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Grant Cohn.
