As soon as Kyle Shanahan said he planned to play George Kittle in the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, fans lost him. Rob Guererra told us it was a bad idea in Stats and Eggs on Wednesday morning. Later, you’ll hear why Akash thinks he’s a “coach malpractice” on the verge of playing Kittle.
I do not agree with all this.
Before arguing about why Kittle should play, here’s Kyle’s quote from Tuesday:
“If he is healthy, I don’t see why he shouldn’t. He’s just like any other player on our roster. If you are healthy and you don’t risk anything, I mean I would never ask him to play injured or something, but last week he had a good week of training. Most of the pain was gone and we will definitely test it again this week. But when you have a guy, if he’s one hundred percent healthy and something like that, how do you sit a guy and then look everyone else in the eye?
Probably no one is playing there one hundred percent healthy right now. So when you are, there is a level of respect that players have for each other and everyone goes through all this. Players risk, every time they step on the field, no matter who you are, you risk your career. That’s hard in this sport and that’s why I don’t think the players are paid enough, even if a lot of people wouldn’t agree with me on that.
There aren’t many people in the world who can do what you do and risk your future every time you go out there, and that’s no different for George. It’s no different for all the other 52 guys on our list. So obviously I don’t want to hurt George or anything like that and that’s why we’re going to be too careful with that and that’s why we were, but if someone is one hundred percent healthy, I can ‘Don’t look the rest of the team in the eye and tell them they have to play, but George doesn’t. So this is just part of having a team and part of treating people the right way. ”
I understand the resistance to Kittle’s game and the argument that superstar players receive different treatment. Part of that conversation revolves around this being a professional sport. The highest paid raise in NFL history will not be treated as a sixth round of the Georgia Winger. In addition, as Shanahan mentioned, it is a struggle for the 49-year-old to form a complete team.
The example I used was the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA last season. Their superstar, Kawhi Leonard, allegedly received a treatment that no one else on the team offered him. Leonard showed up late for training sometimes, flew in and out of LA on game day or training, and was not part of the “team.” Players notice this and start asking questions.
What Shanahan said above is about team culture. Kittle is healthy. I saw him running. It looks like no. 85. We must assume that Kittle is healthy. Knowing that Kittle is healthy, you will have some funny looks when you address the team and they will see that Kittle is not playing. Shanahan mentioned that he will have to attract Fred Warner, Trent Williams and maybe one of his best players, if he would give Kittle the “superstar” treatment.
Treating every player the same goes a long way. A lot of analysis ignores the human element. He also gets over Kittle being isolated in Arizona from his family and football being the only activity he can do. From creating the right culture to responsibility. I think many fans would be surprised to know that Shanahan doesn’t stop when it comes to “punishment.” If Richard Sherman doesn’t do his job, Kyle will tell him about it. If Dontae Johnson doesn’t do her job, Kyle will tell her about it. The players said that everyone appreciates how open and “real” Shanahan is to them.
Not playing a healthy player is not in the cards of this team and that is not how Shanahan and the 49ers work. When we throw “there is a risk of injury” in a game in which the best athletes in the world meet at full speed at each game, do not add anything to the conversation. These players do not have the same mentality. This is their job and their livelihood. 49ers who have nothing to play does not change the fact that there is a risk of injury.
In Kittle’s case, if he’s healthy, he’ll play. Why? Because that’s what football players do. Do you think the tank or the damage went through Kittle’s head? I doubt it. He is connected in a way that he is thinking of entering the field. It’s not about money, because Kittle’s salary in 2020 is fully guaranteed. Healthy players play. Kittle is healthy, so he’ll play. Football players and coaches want to win. Kittle gives San Francisco the best chance to win when he’s on the field. No matter what we think, that’s what their team aims for and they do.