Mike McDaniel, the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, spoke to the media on Friday, October 22, 2023, ahead of the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. He discussed various topics related to the 49ers’ offense, including the performance of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the versatility of wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and the challenges posed by the Colts’ defense.
Garoppolo is ready to start after recovering from a calf injury
McDaniel confirmed that Garoppolo will start on Sunday night after missing the last two games due to a calf injury. He said that Garoppolo has looked good in practice and has shown no signs of discomfort or limitation.
“He’s been great. He’s been full-go. He’s been his normal self. He’s been very decisive. He’s been accurate. He’s been Jimmy,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel also praised Garoppolo’s leadership and professionalism, saying that he has handled the situation well despite the speculation about his future and the competition from rookie Trey Lance.
“He’s a pro. He’s a competitor. He wants to play. He wants to win. He wants to help his team. He doesn’t get caught up in all the noise. He just focuses on what he can control and what he can do to help us win games,” McDaniel said.
Samuel is a dynamic playmaker who can line up anywhere on the field
McDaniel also spoke highly of Samuel, who leads the NFL in receiving yards with 548 through six games. He said that Samuel is a unique talent who can do many things on the field, from running routes, to catching passes, to carrying the ball.
“He’s a very special player. He’s a very rare player. He has a skill set that is very diverse. He can run any route in the route tree. He can catch any ball that’s thrown his way. He can run with power and speed and elusiveness. He can line up anywhere on the field and be effective,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel added that Samuel is also a smart player who understands the game and can adjust to different situations and coverages.
“He’s very savvy. He knows how to read defenses and find openings. He knows how to set up his routes and create separation. He knows how to use his body and his hands to make tough catches. He knows how to make plays after the catch and break tackles,” McDaniel said.
Colts’ defense is a tough test for the 49ers’ offense
McDaniel acknowledged that the Colts’ defense will present a difficult challenge for the 49ers’ offense on Sunday night. He said that the Colts have a talented and disciplined unit that can create pressure, stop the run, and force turnovers.
“They’re a very good defense. They’re very well-coached. They’re very sound in their scheme. They’re very aggressive in their style. They have a lot of playmakers at every level of their defense. They have a great front four that can rush the passer and stuff the run. They have fast and physical linebackers that can cover and blitz. They have ball-hawking defensive backs that can make plays on the ball,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said that the 49ers’ offense will have to execute at a high level and avoid mistakes to have success against the Colts’ defense.
“We have to be on our game. We have to be sharp in our execution. We have to be consistent in our fundamentals. We have to be smart with our decisions. We have to protect the ball and avoid turnovers. We have to take advantage of our opportunities and score points,” McDaniel said.
