Mr. Laz
12-01-2004, 11:26 AM
Posted on Wed, Dec. 01, 2004
Peterson claims lack of leadership hurting 49ers
By Cam Inman
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Injured linebacker Julian Peterson isn't all that's missing during this lost 49ers season. A lack of overall veteran leadership, Peterson believes, is the root of the 49ers' evils.
"You don't have too many people like (11th-year veteran) Bryant Young, and I think that's the problem," Peterson said Monday in one of his few visits to the team's Santa Clara facility since tearing his left Achilles tendon Oct. 10. "We don't have a lot of veterans. You need some veterans.
"The vast perception in this league is that when you turn 30, you're done and over the hill. But those are the guys that teach the younger guys with potential how to get better. They help them develop to be great players, see how guys handle being professional and come to work that way."
Peterson's leadership reached a new level last season when he won the 49ers' prestigious Len Eshmont Award, given annually to the most inspirational and courageous player.
The 49ers (1-10) have lost all six games since his season-ending injury. He said being relegated to the sidelines has curtailed his ability to lead.
"Being on the field is a big difference, because they can see you performing and how you react," Peterson said. "Being on the sidelines is kind of rough."
Peterson said such veteran presence helped the 49ers rebound from a 6-10 season when he was a rookie in 2000. Among the key veterans on that team were Young, wide receiver Jerry Rice, defensive lineman Junior Bryant, guard Ray Brown and linebacker Ken Norton Jr.
The 49ers, who reached the playoffs in 2001 and 2002, are playing this year without the same veteran presence of those seasons, having lost 10 one-time starters during the offseason.
"Some people take it for granted and say, 'I'm being paid, regardless of every week, a nice paycheck,'" Peterson said. "Some people come to work and take it as a pride thing, saying, 'I'm coming to work, I'm coming to be the best, to get better and to try to help the franchise win the Super Bowl.' That's why you need veterans, to show younger guys the real idea of the NFL and how to become a real professional."
Said quarterback Tim Rattay: "Obviously there are leaders on this team, guys like (right tackle) Scott Gragg and guys that have been here, older guys. We lost some of our leaders to injuries, like (center) Jeremy (Newberry) and Julian. Ultimately, everybody's got to look at themselves and motivate themselves."
First-year defensive coordinator Willy Robinson praised linebackers Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich for their leadership, as well as Young, the team's longest-tenured player.
"He's shown stability, consistency, a tenacious love of the game," Robinson said of Young.
Peterson will turn in his crutches and his cast Thursday. His rehabilitation likely will stretch into June, and he'll split time in Santa Clara and back home near Washington, D.C.
"I'm not going to try to rush anything," Peterson said. "I don't need to. Once it heals completely, you can come back as your normal self."
It's uncertain whether he comes back in 2005 with the 49ers. He's unsigned for next season, but the 49ers could retain his rights by naming him their franchise player for the second straight year.
"We haven't talked about that," Peterson said. "Right now we're just trying to scratch more than one win out. We've got bigger issues to deal with other than that."
Note: The 49ers said they've released backup tight end Kevin Ware and worked out fourth-year defensive tackle Willie Blade.
Peterson claims lack of leadership hurting 49ers
By Cam Inman
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Injured linebacker Julian Peterson isn't all that's missing during this lost 49ers season. A lack of overall veteran leadership, Peterson believes, is the root of the 49ers' evils.
"You don't have too many people like (11th-year veteran) Bryant Young, and I think that's the problem," Peterson said Monday in one of his few visits to the team's Santa Clara facility since tearing his left Achilles tendon Oct. 10. "We don't have a lot of veterans. You need some veterans.
"The vast perception in this league is that when you turn 30, you're done and over the hill. But those are the guys that teach the younger guys with potential how to get better. They help them develop to be great players, see how guys handle being professional and come to work that way."
Peterson's leadership reached a new level last season when he won the 49ers' prestigious Len Eshmont Award, given annually to the most inspirational and courageous player.
The 49ers (1-10) have lost all six games since his season-ending injury. He said being relegated to the sidelines has curtailed his ability to lead.
"Being on the field is a big difference, because they can see you performing and how you react," Peterson said. "Being on the sidelines is kind of rough."
Peterson said such veteran presence helped the 49ers rebound from a 6-10 season when he was a rookie in 2000. Among the key veterans on that team were Young, wide receiver Jerry Rice, defensive lineman Junior Bryant, guard Ray Brown and linebacker Ken Norton Jr.
The 49ers, who reached the playoffs in 2001 and 2002, are playing this year without the same veteran presence of those seasons, having lost 10 one-time starters during the offseason.
"Some people take it for granted and say, 'I'm being paid, regardless of every week, a nice paycheck,'" Peterson said. "Some people come to work and take it as a pride thing, saying, 'I'm coming to work, I'm coming to be the best, to get better and to try to help the franchise win the Super Bowl.' That's why you need veterans, to show younger guys the real idea of the NFL and how to become a real professional."
Said quarterback Tim Rattay: "Obviously there are leaders on this team, guys like (right tackle) Scott Gragg and guys that have been here, older guys. We lost some of our leaders to injuries, like (center) Jeremy (Newberry) and Julian. Ultimately, everybody's got to look at themselves and motivate themselves."
First-year defensive coordinator Willy Robinson praised linebackers Derek Smith and Jeff Ulbrich for their leadership, as well as Young, the team's longest-tenured player.
"He's shown stability, consistency, a tenacious love of the game," Robinson said of Young.
Peterson will turn in his crutches and his cast Thursday. His rehabilitation likely will stretch into June, and he'll split time in Santa Clara and back home near Washington, D.C.
"I'm not going to try to rush anything," Peterson said. "I don't need to. Once it heals completely, you can come back as your normal self."
It's uncertain whether he comes back in 2005 with the 49ers. He's unsigned for next season, but the 49ers could retain his rights by naming him their franchise player for the second straight year.
"We haven't talked about that," Peterson said. "Right now we're just trying to scratch more than one win out. We've got bigger issues to deal with other than that."
Note: The 49ers said they've released backup tight end Kevin Ware and worked out fourth-year defensive tackle Willie Blade.