Kyle Shanahan knows Nick Mullens and Tarvarius Moore have room to grow

Nick Mullens will make his eighth start of the season on Sunday when the Dallas Cowboys host the San Francisco 49ers. Some might question why. After all, the fourth-year quarterback has thrown at least one interception in each of his last six starts this season.

Mullens was asked this week about some of his miscues with his receivers on throws this season. The quarterback was able to identify what he feels might be the issue.

"I think probably has to do with the feet," Mullens told reporters. "I think that's the biggest thing. When my feet are at their best, my throws are at their best. So, just keep feet keep sound footwork, and just stay calm with your feet in the pocket, and your mechanics take care of themselves."

On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Mullens' response and why his quarterback may have taken a step back this season.

"That's the biggest part of playing that position," Shanahan said. "If you just sit in there and run around and stuff — that's how we all used to play in Pop Warner when O-linemen were usually the same size as the quarterback, and you were just the athlete running around. When you're in the pocket, and you've got to make decisions in the heat of battle, there's a rhythm to your game on making good decisions and having your feet under you, no matter what quarterback it is.

"You can watch some of these great ones who go through some good years and then have the MVP years and things like that. Just watch how their feet are in timing in their best years. They're on. And I think that's something Nick's done very well when he has played. I think he's gotten away from it a little bit, which happens when guys go through a little bit of adversity. It happens when you go through a pass rush like we had last week, and that's what you always want to come back to — the fundamentals of playing the position.

"It's not like you can just sit there and say, 'Hey, let me throw it better.' [It's], 'How do I get into position to throw it better?' And that usually starts from the ground up."

Shanahan was also asked about defensive back Tarvarius Moore, who has been targeted by quarterbacks this season. He had perhaps his worst game during Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen targeted Moore six times in the game. The result? Six completions for 126 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 158.3.

Shanahan hasn't completely given up on the possibility of Moore growing into a starter one day.

"I think Tarvarius has got a lot of playing time for us," Shanahan said. "It's not just this year. We started with him at safety last year when [Jimmie Ward] missed — I want to say the first three games of the year, from what I remember. He got in as rookie, as a corner, and I think at times, Tarvarius has played close to a Pro Bowl-type level on special teams.

"So, Tarvarius, regardless, is someone we want on our team. A lot of guys have gotten opportunities this year as backups, like our quarterbacks and stuff. They're always trying to prove they can be starters. None of them have fully done that, but Tarvarius has shown times where he can.

"He's got three more games here. I hope he continues to get better, and that's stuff that always helps guys. You go into the offseason, and you think of where your choices are to improve your team. I understand some are free agents and stuff, but I know I'm glad I have Tarvarius on our team. He always helps us on special teams, he's done some good stuff on defense, and I still think he can continue to get better."