DeMeco Ryans Explains Darqueze Dennard Release; Focusing on Youth Movement in the Secondary

Following Thursday’s practice, 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans spoke to the media regarding his unit’s performance over the past two days. The San Francisco 49ers traveled to Minnesota earlier this week to join the Vikings for joint practices Wednesday and Thursday, prior to Saturday afternoon’s preseason game.

The former linebacker came away pleased with his defense, looking to set their own standard each and every day.

“I think it’s a different style from what their defense goes against,” Ryans said post-practice Thursday. “Our guys we attack, we’re an attack first mentality, so it’s a different style I know for their scheme, for their offense and our defense going against them. We’re gonna practice hard, our guys [are] gonna be physical and you know that’s how we practice each and every day. We have a standard at which we work every day and that’s what you saw today, we’re just playing to our standard.”

Samuel Womack working through his block to get the stop on the screen. #49ers #Vikings pic.twitter.com/LRPI1nhd5i

— Steph Sanchez (@Steph49K) August 18, 2022

The Red & Gold made their first round of cuts earlier this week, trimming the roster down to 85 men heading into week 2 of the preseason. The biggest surprise was veteran nickel back Darqueze Dennard, who was listed as the starter on the first unofficial depth chart of the season for the 49ers.

Ryans explained the move Thursday, appreciating Dennard and his leadership but wanting to give young guys opportunities during the preseason.

“With that move, we felt like we had some younger guys who can definitely step in and grow and really become the guys that we want to see at that spot,” Ryans said. “And Darqueze was great for us, he’s a great pro, handled everything with class and he did a great job of actually mentoring and helping the young guys behind him. And that’s what the NFL is all about for the veteran guys, you pass the game on to the younger guys coming along and Darqueze did a great job of helping, you know, [Samuel] Womack and [Qwuantrezz Knight] and [Demmodore Lenoir], he’s helped all those guys so we’re thankful for what he did for us.”

The defensive line has been the heartbeat of the 49ers’ defense, again wreaking havoc against the Vikings in practice. Ryans was very positive discussing them Thursday, thanking the position coaches for all the work they’ve done in the trenches.

Three play sequence where #49ers Nick Bosa had 2 sacks & TFL against #Vikings 👀 pic.twitter.com/IZ0oiQSPmw

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) August 18, 2022

“Our guys up front have been doing an outstanding job. Again, I can’t thank coach Darryl Tapp and Kris Kocurek enough, those guys have done a great job of working with our D-line. We have a lot of depth in those positions so all those guys, they come in waves and they do a really nice job of working together, running our stunts and games. Those guys do an excellent job of working off of each other and that’s what’s allowed them to be effective,” Ryans explained.

Click here to watch Ryan’s full press conference.

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