Golden Nuggets: 49ers focus on character paying off

San Francisco 49ers links for Saturday July 13 2019

For most teams in the NFL, the three months after the draft and before training camp is a period of relative quiet. The national sports media and casual fans alike go into a general hibernation of sorts, shifting their attention to more exciting topics like NBA free agency or the USWNT and their World Cup Championship run.

Of course, there are stories to report in the NFL, and a lot of them are positive. Players volunteering their time and money to their respective team’s community and to other causes that are often personal to them. And those stories all deserve attention.

But, generally speaking, it’s not the positive headlines that get the attention in the offseason. It’s the negative ones.

Like Richie Incognito being suspended two games for threatening to “shoot up” a funeral home. Or Tyreek Hill and the twists and turns of his ongoing saga regarding child abuse allegations and possible looming suspension. The Jets TE Chris Herndon suspended four games for DWI. And the list goes on and on.

But one team has been conspicously absent in the news this offseason: The San Francisco 49ers.

A year removed from the Reuben Foster fiasco, and following several years of offseason arrests and suspensions (a total of 17 from 2012-2018) the 49ers have managed to keep quiet this offseason (save for a long snapper with an affinity for PED’s) and I don’t think it’s by accident.

Prior to the 2017 season, John Lynch, in reference to roster construction, was quoted as saying,”.. if you’re looking for a bunch of choir boys, that ain’t happening, you know?”

And while that sentiment may remain true to an extent, I think that the Reuben Foster situation ultimately forced Lynch to rethink that overall philosophy.

Both the 2018 and 2019 drafts were filled with players considered to be of high character, or at the very least not considered to be of questionable character. And the same goes for free agency in 2018 and 2019 as well.

Which means that this new commitment to character - at least for the time being - is paying off. And while we’re quick to heap criticism on Lynch when he makes a mistake - and rightfully so - I think that it’s only fair to offer praise when he gets something right.

So, Mr. Lynch, for delivering the first quiet, uneventful 49ers offseason in over 7 years, I’d like to say thank you, and keep up the good work.

And now onto the links:

Jerry Rice urges patience, believes 49ers will rally around Jimmy Garoppolo, talks Niner receivers (David Bonilla, 49ersWebZone)

49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo Says Dante Pettis ‘Something Else, a Tremendous Talent’ (Kyle Newport, Bleacher Report)

SN Q&A with Jimmy Garoppolo: ‘Anxious’ QB talks 49ers offense, Tom Brady influence and more (Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News)

49ers’ top 3 concerns heading into 2019 training camp (Peter Panacy, NinerNoise)

49ers’ Nick Bosa posts photos from workout session that show major progress in hamstring recovery (Jack Winter, ClutchPoints)

Broncos will host joint practices with 49ers (Travis Wakeman, Broncos Wire)

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Around the NFL:

Owners propose 18 game schedule with a twist (Sean Wagner-McGough, NFL.com)

Patriots’ Elandon Roberts Wants Investigation Into Police Harassment Incident (Jenna West, SI.com)

Rolando McClain seeks return after three-year absence (Kevin Patra, NFL.com)

Saints rookie defensive end sentenced to six months in jail (John Breech, CBS Sports)

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