HENDERSON, Nev. — The 49ers’ final stages of Super Bowl preparation have them excited for the ultimate end game: Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thursday marked their most intense practice of the week, and after that full-padded session, coach Kyle Shanahan said of Brock Purdy: “He’s had a hell of a week. Brock’s pumped up.”
That indeed appeared the case, all the way through to Purdy’s final answer in the post-practice media session, with him putting an exclamation mark on his quest to win the 49ers’ first Lombardi Trophy in 29 seasons.
Asked what best describes his story, Purdy responded: “I’d say David and Goliath, the way the world has sort of viewed me, obviously being drafted last. But God takes something that doesn’t look so great in the world’s eyes and makes something pretty cool out of it for his glory.”
Thursday’s hour-long interviews marked the final time all players and coaches had to answer questions ranging from X’s and O’s to pop-culture references.
“I’m so glad this is over,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said with a smile as he fled the media session, which was held for the third straight day in the cramped basement of the defunct Casino Monte Lago, which is attached to the 49ers’ hotel at Lake Las Vegas.
No new injuries were reported after the 49ers’ second straight practice at UNLV. One player described the controversial, newly installed grass as “a little squishy, but we went full speed and beat the hell out of one field one day, and beat the hell out of the other field today, and we’re about out of here.”
The 49ers are expected to conduct a walk-through practice Friday and will then issue a final injury report for Sunday’s game.
As was the case Wednesday, all players practiced, and the only ones limited were tight end George Kittle (toe), defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, knee), cornerback Ambry Thomas (ankle) and linebacker Oren Burks (shoulder).
“Usually Super Bowl practices are great. Guys have natural energy because they’re excited for Sunday and they want every opportunity to get to Sunday,” Shanahan said. “Practices, meetings — everyone is a lot more alert. Once the game comes, it’s all about cutting it loose.
“During the week, it’s about details,” Shanahan added. “Once the game starts, it’s not about thinking; it’s about reacting.”
TRUSTING HIS GUT
If the Super Bowl comes down to a gut check for Shanahan, he won’t be simply winging it.
Said Shanahan: “Film study and analytics, that’s what affects your gut. You’re not just gambling on roulette or anything. You study, you prepare. You know your own team and the tendencies of what you’re going against from watching film. You get tons of analytic reports. Sometimes that helps or it’s really skewed. That’s what affects your gut.
“It’s not just, hey, I have a good gut. You’ve worked at it all week, which allows you to anticipate and do stuff. Every decision is based off that. Until we get robots doing this, there’s not just, ‘This’ plus ‘This’ equals ‘This.’ It’s all about that one play and only that one play.”
NFL IN SPAIN?
George Kittle offered a favorable reaction when told by a Spanish reporter that the NFL is expected to announce Friday the intention to play a 2025 game in Madrid. Which teams play is to be determined, but Kittle said of that prospect: “I would love to go to Spain. I had a great time in Mexico City (in 2022). My sister spent six weeks in Spain and had a great time. I’d love to get the opportunity to go there.”
Fred Warner said of a Madrid game: “That would be awesome. Playing last year in Mexico was super awesome and Madrid would be awesome. Anytime we can expand the fan base outside of the U.S., it’s a big deal.”
BOSA ON HARBAUGH
Nick Bosa said his brother, Joey, was with him at his Bay Area home when news broke that former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was leaving Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers, Joey’s team since 2016. “It’s cool. He’s been chatting with Jim, and I’ve heard great things from this organization about him, and the Chargers needed someone legit to come in and change the culture, so I’m really happy about it,” Nick Bosa said.
QUARTERBACK PITCH COUNT
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Both Purdy and Chiefs counterpart Patrick Mahomes can attribute some of their throwing talents — and adjustable arm slots — for being sons of former professional baseball pitchers, although Shawn Purdy never reached the majors like Pat Mahomes.
“The arm slots, the different movements, all of it can be sort of a baseball, whippy motion,” Purdy said. “Growing up if you’re just trying to be a quarterback, you can get too mechanical. The game now you have to be athletic and somewhat acrobatic, throwing at different angles around defensive linemen and guys blitzing off the edge. Baseball helps quarterbacks with that. That translated over to how we play football and the way we throw. You can see Mahomes with sidearm throws, and it looks really cool and it is. But I think that’s from baseball, big time.”
