The San Francisco 49ers secured defensive end Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason, and his quickness off the edge has already caught the attention of the team’s defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Huff’s ability to rapidly close the distance to tackles and win battles on the edge has been a standout aspect of his performance in practice sessions.
Kocurek praised Huff’s unique blend of speed and leverage, noting how he converts agility into power to overcome offensive linemen. This makes Huff a versatile threat, capable of attacking tackles from various angles when they try to adjust to his moves.
Having previously worked with Huff during his time as the Jets’ head coach, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s system kept Huff with a hand in the dirt, whereas Philadelphia had him playing upright in a stand-up linebacker role. This positional change required Huff to adjust his footwork and approach, but his talent remained apparent despite a midseason wrist injury.
His speed is always showing up. His ability to get off, to close space on tackles really quick, make air disappear and win on the edge. And then with his built-in leverage in his body, he has the ability to (convert) speed to power. When tackles overcompensate and over-set on him, he can beat people across his face, inside, as well,
Kris Kocurek, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach
It was hand in the ground versus playing the stand-up outside linebacker role. It’s different — the foot sequence. If you’re born into a hand-in-the-ground defense, it’s an adjustment period to turn yourself into a standup outside linebacker and vice versa. … I still saw a good player on tape (in Philadelphia). He had a wrist injury about midseason that I think kind of derailed his progression with him being a stand-up player. But I thought he was really coming along.
Davante Adams Finds Fresh Start and Positive Environment with Rams
Wide receiver Davante Adams has joined the Los Angeles Rams following a challenging stretch with the Raiders and Jets last season. Adams describes the atmosphere in Los Angeles as rejuvenating and a key factor in his decision to sign with the team.
The veteran player remarks on the noticeable difference in energy and morale among Rams players and staff, contrasting it with the negative environments he endured previously. He credits quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ youthful roster as important elements that influenced his move, highlighting the team’s hunger and potential to contend strongly this season.
Adams also spoke highly of head coach Sean McVay, emphasizing the respect and admiration McVay commands within the league and the positive impact his leadership has on the team culture.
I feel like this is what I needed just based off the vibe and the aura of the building,
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver
And everybody’s in a good mood. It’s not like a dark cloud over the building. And I’ve experienced that quite a bit over the last few years. So, it’s a glaring difference when you come into a building like this.
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver
And [they’ve] got a really good quarterback in here,
Davante Adams said.
Got a really good, young team that shows a lot of promise and was obviously really close to being able to have a chance at the whole thing last year. So, just knowing how hungry this team is and seeing the work that they’re still putting in after having a year last year just kind of confirms that I’m in the right place.
You can see why he’s had so much success and why everybody kind of looks at him and looks to him the way that they do in this building,
Davante Adams said.
And before I even got a chance to really get together with a lot of these guys, I’d heard some of the feelings and sentiments from different players about him, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen any uniformity toward any individual ever in the past before that. And getting to know him now, it just kind of backs it up footballwise and him as a person. So, when your leader is that way and it makes it easy to come to work, it just makes the whole thing a lot more fun.
Seahawks Shift Focus to Dominant Running Game Under Klint Kubiak
The Seattle Seahawks are preparing to adopt a drastically different offensive approach this season under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, prioritizing a strong running game to open up opportunities for the passing attack. Offensive lineman Abraham Lucas details this shift, emphasizing the team’s commitment to a more physical, ground-focused style of play.
Lucas acknowledged the criticism the Seahawks have faced regarding their running game and expressed eagerness for the new scheme, which incorporates old-school principles reinforced by modern tactics. This philosophy aims to simplify the offense by focusing on excelling in the basics and becoming elite in run blocking and execution.
It’s entirely new, so pretty much everything,
Abraham Lucas, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Lineman said.
Just downhill, running off the ball, establishing the run. I know we got a lot of criticism for that, so moving into this year, we’re looking to really get after it in the run game, specifically.
When you get a new staff in — I mean, everybody wants to run the ball — but when you come in and it’s a non-negotiable like, ‘We’re running the ball. We put a fullback in the backfield. We’re changing it up, we’re doing things differently.’ It’s like an old-school mentality with a new-school principle. Definitely looking forward to getting after that. I’ll put it like this, we’re trying to be elite at very few things, but those few things are what the offense is going to be based around, and that’s the run game. We’re going to be elite at the run game. That’s the philosophy with it. It’s not some hodgepodge of a bunch of different stuff we’re just throwing in. We’re going to be elite at the basics to make sure that they work so we can do it against anybody.
Upcoming Expectations and Implications for NFL Teams
As the 49ers integrate Bryce Huff’s edge speed into their defensive line rotation, his ability to translate speed into power could add valuable versatility to their pass rush. His transition from a hand-in-the-ground role to a stand-up linebacker is still in progress, but shows promise under San Francisco’s coaching staff.
Meanwhile, Davante Adams’ move to the Rams suggests a positive turning point in his career, as he looks to leverage the team’s strong quarterback-play and youthful roster to chase a championship. The supportive environment around Sean McVay adds further optimism to the Rams’ ambitions.
The Seahawks’ offensive transformation under Klint Kubiak indicates a return to a more traditional, run-first style aimed at maximizing efficiency and physicality. By focusing on becoming elite in the ground game, Seattle hopes to create a balanced offense that can compete at a high level going forward.
These developments across three teams reflect ongoing tactical and personnel shifts as the NFL season approaches, with each franchise positioning itself to improve and overcome challenges from prior years.