Coleman joined 95.7 The Game on Thursday and discussed his new quarterback.
"Just talking with him and speaking with him, he's a great guy," Coleman told Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto, and Matt Kolsky. "Just ready to catch some passes from him."
Garoppolo won't begin throwing to his teammates until organized team activities kick off later this month. The 49ers hope to have the quarterback medically cleared to fully participate in practices by training camp.
Coleman knows great quarterback play when he sees it. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was named the league's Most Valuable Player during the running back's second NFL season and Kyle Shanahan's last in Atlanta. Coleman was asked what similarities he sees between Garoppolo and Ryan.
"Just being a leader, and just taking over," Coleman responded. "Just getting guys in the right spots, and getting guys the ball while they're open. Those are good traits by them, and they're good role-model guys."
That MVP season in 2016 also happened to be Kyle Shanahan's last in Atlanta, when he served as the team's offensive coordinator. He left following the Falcons' Super Bowl run to become the head coach of the 49ers and took running backs coach Bobby Turner with him.
Coleman said he could not wait to reunite with Shanahan and Turner. Their presence in San Francisco was one of the reasons he was eager to sign there. That and the $10 million he could make over the next two seasons.
"He's a very smart guy," Coleman said of Shanahan. "He knows defenses. It's just amazing to be back with him."
There is no doubt that Shanahan is salivating at the prospect of once again having multiple versatile running backs on offense. The 49ers also have Jerick McKinnon, who is returning from an ACL injury, and Matt Breida in the running backs room.
"I'm just real excited to play with those guys," Coleman said. "Those guys are great guys, good competitors. I'm just ready to add to their speed, and ready to play with them and compete with them."
In addition to lining up in the backfield, Coleman expects to see some snaps split out at receiver. Is that aspect of his game something he enjoys?
"Oh yeah, definitely," Coleman answered. "Splitting out in the backfield, it just adds more to my game, and just getting different looks and things out wide, and catching the ball instead of just running the ball."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Coleman, which begins at about the 11:40 mark, below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
PFF's best and worst 49ers signings from 2024 highlight free agency missteps
Pro Football Focus (PFF) contributor Dalton Wasserman recently analyzed the analytics site's extensive data to pinpoint each NFL team's best and worst signings from the 2024 free agency cycle. The San Francisco 49ers, aiming to bolster their defensive line, made several... -
Championship Sunday predictions: Fans expect Eagles and Bills to meet in Super Bowl LIX
Each week, 49ers Webzone fans participate in our annual NFL Pick 'Em contest, predicting game-winners across the league. On Sunday, four teams will battle in their respective conference championship games, vying for a spot in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana. The... -
ESPN predicts a disastrous offseason scenario for the 49ers and Brock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy are hoping for smooth contract extension negotiations this offseason, aiming to avoid the kind of drama that has disrupted the team in recent years. However, ESPN predicts that things might not go as planned. Purdy has... -
Star player's wife 'a tad salty' about 49ers missing the playoffs
Kristin Juszczyk had different plans for January. She expected to spend the month watching football—but not from her couch. Instead, she anticipated cheering on her husband, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, from NFL stadiums as the team made another postseason...