1 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the forty nine Ers You've Got Mal podcast. 2 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Lindsay Polaris. Episode number three of the 3 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: pod is coming to you on a short week with 4 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: the forty nine Ers hosting the New York Giants for 5 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: Thursday Night football. All Pro safety Talanoa Hufunga joined us 6 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 1: in studio to discuss the big storylines headed into the 7 00:00:21,960 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: home opener, the team's approach to a condensed game week, 8 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 1: and a new forty nine Ers winning tradition you may 9 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: have seen on the field, Huff. From year two to 10 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: year three, what's the biggest change in your game? 11 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 2: Ooh, biggest change would probably just be the opportunity to 12 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 2: go out there and learn as much to be a leader. 13 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 3: I think. I think that's what my coaches expect from me. 14 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 2: Kind of that year two to year three jump has 15 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,279 Speaker 2: to be a little bit more maturity as well, really 16 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 2: understand the game and really expanding that knowledge to people 17 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 2: around you as well. So being a leader as much 18 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 2: as I can and absorbing that information and continue pass 19 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,080 Speaker 2: it on has probably been the biggest transition. 20 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: So two wins and two weeks now, the defense had 21 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: to dial up something different in that second half against 22 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,640 Speaker 1: the Rams after facing early adversity, would you learn about 23 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:08,119 Speaker 1: your unit? 24 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 2: You know, we're very tenacious. I think that's a key 25 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 2: word for us. I think that kind of described everybody 26 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 2: in the room, guys that are willing to fight through 27 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 2: adversity at than of the day, and we really wanted 28 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 2: the outcome to be what we expected and that's a win. 29 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 2: So for us to really put our foot forward and 30 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 2: continue to do our best in the second half to 31 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 2: flip the script with something that we really enjoyed. 32 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:34,120 Speaker 1: So you mentioned keep on fighting. That's something that cornerback 33 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 1: Isaiah Oliver also said in his postgame interview, and he 34 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:41,400 Speaker 1: had the momentum changing play of the game. As soon 35 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,880 Speaker 1: as it happened that interception of Matt Stafford, everybody swarmed 36 00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 1: in celebration. What was your initial reaction. 37 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 3: I was geeked up. 38 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 2: I was super excited, super ecstatic, really happy for him 39 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 2: in his progress that he's made. You know, Saiyah is 40 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 2: a guy that's really come along and really helped our 41 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 2: unit out as well. I think one of his more 42 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,200 Speaker 2: key plays to me was actually his fourth downstop that 43 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: he blitzed. And I think a lot of guys are 44 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: mental to make plays like that. But you know, he 45 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 2: had a knack for the ball and he really blistered 46 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:08,359 Speaker 2: and just ended up making a play that he was 47 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:10,680 Speaker 2: even in a position to make. And that's what's really 48 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 2: cool about seeing a guy like him and the way 49 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 2: he approaches the game. 50 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 3: He's tenacious, like I said, So. 51 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: That blitzing is one of the trademarks of defensive coordinator 52 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: Steve Wilks, along with scoring on defense. That's something he emphasizes. 53 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:26,679 Speaker 1: How is it that he's conditioning you guys to really 54 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 1: have a nose for the ball. 55 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 3: We practice it every day. 56 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 2: You know, when the ball's on the ground, you got 57 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:32,600 Speaker 2: to pick it up. Any ball that's in the air, 58 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,000 Speaker 2: you try to attack and make it come down with 59 00:02:34,040 --> 00:02:36,040 Speaker 2: ours at the end of the day. So when the 60 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:38,440 Speaker 2: ball is live and play in a game, you know 61 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:39,839 Speaker 2: you have your mind on it to get the ball 62 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,240 Speaker 2: back and either give it to the offense. But like 63 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: we said, score on d as our goal, and we 64 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 2: haven't had one yet, but you know that, like like 65 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 2: I said, they come in bunches, so we'll see him. 66 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: So you had your second career pick against the Rams 67 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,119 Speaker 1: in Week four of last season, and the same way 68 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,720 Speaker 1: that that helped build your confidence. What does a play 69 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 1: like that do for someone like Isaiah Oliver who is 70 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: finding his footing in this defense and establishing himself. 71 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 2: Well, he's played a lot of football, so I understand. 72 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 2: I think for him, he's gonna he's gonna feed off 73 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 2: of it and continue to fight every day and just 74 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 2: allow himself to build that confidence to go into every 75 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 2: game and understand that he's another football player like us 76 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:19,040 Speaker 2: that can contribute to this team. And like I think 77 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 2: Frres says it the best, if you just do your 78 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 2: one eleven. You know, players are gonna be made for you, 79 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 2: but you're gonna help other people make plays as well. 80 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: There's not much time to enjoy that Rams win because 81 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: you've got the home opener in just a matter of days. 82 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: What does the breakdown of this week look like for 83 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 1: you guys? 84 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 3: I think it would be a great matchup. 85 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: You know. 86 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 2: I think the Giants come in with a good talented 87 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 2: roster as well, guys that are able to work hard, 88 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 2: and they pulled out a really good. 89 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 3: Win against the Cardinals. 90 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 2: And I think for us, just allowing ourselves to be, 91 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 2: like I said earlier, just. 92 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 3: Kind of you know, have the standard being the standard. 93 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 2: We want to win at the end of the day, 94 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 2: So going against a great team like that would be 95 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 2: really fun for a Thursday in that matchup. 96 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: We were talking before the cameras started rolling, But what 97 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 1: does the week look like for you in terms of 98 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: practice and just getting your body right in time for Thursday. 99 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a short week. It's really weird playing from 100 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: Sunday to a Thursday. You know, the key thing is 101 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: is making sure your body feels good. So it's a 102 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 2: lot of bodywork, a lot of mental prep. You know, 103 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 2: you actually don't practice too much during the week because 104 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 2: you had to recover your body as much. So a 105 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: lot of walkthroughs, a lot of mental things, and allowing 106 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 2: yourself to get ready for the game on Thursday. 107 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 1: So I wanted to talk about the opponent, and you 108 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: talked a little bit about the Giants. They've had a 109 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 1: slow start offensively, a slow start in general. But what 110 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:29,719 Speaker 1: is the biggest threat that they opposed to your defense? 111 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:31,679 Speaker 3: I think the speed that they got on the outsides. 112 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 2: I think they have a really really good quarterback that's mobile, 113 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 2: allowing him to get out the pocket early on in 114 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,360 Speaker 2: those games. I think that's what a lot of their 115 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 2: success as well. For us, it's just eliminating those things 116 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,000 Speaker 2: disrupt the quarterback and hopefully we can win our one 117 00:04:44,040 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 2: on one matchups on the outside and continue to get 118 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:48,680 Speaker 2: up kind of attack up front. 119 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,599 Speaker 1: Daniel Jones is also known for his deep balls. What 120 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: aspect of your game becomes most important against a quarterback 121 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 1: that can make those plays down the field. 122 00:04:58,640 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 2: Having great eyes, I think and is going to help 123 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 2: it be a key. You know, thank guy that we 124 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,839 Speaker 2: have a great, great coordinator and Steve Wilkson and great 125 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 2: defensive players with Gibb and Fred and Bosa up front 126 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:11,680 Speaker 2: helping us out. So as long as they can help 127 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 2: get the pressure up run, I think it will help 128 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 2: our job in the back end do a little bit easier. 129 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:17,600 Speaker 1: Jones has a couple of new offensive weapons this year. 130 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: You've got tight end Darren Waller, then wide out Jalen Hyatt. 131 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,239 Speaker 1: Who are you zeroing in on this week? 132 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,680 Speaker 2: All of them first and foremost. I think that's that 133 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 2: you can never count somebody out. You know, at the 134 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 2: end of the day, somebody's gonna you know, step up and 135 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 2: make plays. Gone against Darren Waller before, and I understand 136 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 2: the threat that he builds, the speed that he has 137 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 2: a as a tight end is a match. He's really 138 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:38,120 Speaker 2: a receiver if you really think about the way he 139 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 2: can run. He's that fast and a guy like Jenna Hyatt, 140 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 2: he's you know, you saw his speed in the combine 141 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,279 Speaker 2: as well. So very blessed just to have the opportunity 142 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 2: to go against these guys and very grateful that we 143 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:49,480 Speaker 2: get to do this on a Thursday night. 144 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: Another playmaker that is in question is running back Saquon Barkley. 145 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 1: He hasn't been ruled out yet. How does that affect 146 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: the game planning on the defenses end? 147 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,239 Speaker 2: Honestly, you know one is one of the best running 148 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:03,240 Speaker 2: backs in the league. We all know that at the 149 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 2: end of the day, we're going to have to stop 150 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: the run, regardless of the situation, whether he's a running 151 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 2: back or if their second. 152 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 3: String is in. 153 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 2: And for us, it's just limit in the run game 154 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 2: to make them one dimensional. And so if he plays 155 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: it just as another flair for them as well. But 156 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 2: for us, we just got to hone in our details. 157 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: You're coming off a game at Sofi Stadium that had 158 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 1: a sea of red in the stands, but it isn't 159 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,680 Speaker 1: Levi Stadium. What is different about a game day here 160 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: at home. 161 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 3: It's the culture. 162 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,160 Speaker 2: You know, the Bay Area has its own unique culture 163 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 2: and for us just the opportunity to play in front 164 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 2: of these fans, it's going to be awesome. And seeing 165 00:06:36,160 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 2: all the red out there is gonna be cool. And 166 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 2: I think we're running our throwbacks as well. So I 167 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 2: think that's another aspect that we love about it. 168 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:45,040 Speaker 1: So you talk about culture, it is Latino Heritage Month. 169 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,080 Speaker 1: You are super proud of your tongue in heritage. How 170 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 1: cool is it to see the NFL incorporating representation of 171 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 1: different cultures and its activations. 172 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 2: I think it's special. I think for us just to 173 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 2: allow us to be ourselves and show a little bit 174 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 2: about you. You know, I think everybody has their culture. 175 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:04,080 Speaker 2: I know Fred and the way he shows his Hispanic culture, 176 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:05,920 Speaker 2: I think that's pretty cool being able to go to 177 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 2: Mexico City last year and then allowing himself just to 178 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 2: really represent it on his field and the way he plays. 179 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 2: I think for me, being a Polynesian descent tongue, the 180 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 2: tongue heritage and the tongue community here in the Bay 181 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: Area has been awesome, and so I think for me 182 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 2: to allow myself to really show it on the field 183 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: and have a celebration and have other guys do it 184 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 2: as well. It's really cool and allows us to really showcase, 185 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:28,840 Speaker 2: you know, our home back wherever you would say. 186 00:07:30,240 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: And one of the celebrations that has become popular on 187 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: the field or the victory lays. Can you tell us 188 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,160 Speaker 1: how that came about and just how much you've enjoyed 189 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 1: sharing that with the team. 190 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, the vig De lays came from one of our 191 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 2: team photographers, Kim. She came up to me and she's like, 192 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: we used to do this chain thing after games that 193 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 2: you know, you get a victory chain, and so you know, 194 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 2: obviously being a Polynesa, said, you know, we have these lays, 195 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 2: and lays are good representation of success, warriorship and different things. 196 00:07:55,840 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 2: So I think having her give it to me to 197 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 2: give to somebody and whoever was the player the game was. 198 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 3: One of the coolest things. 199 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 2: And I think that was just our tradition as we 200 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,920 Speaker 2: kept winning last year. So each win we have a 201 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 2: victory lay to give out and so hopefully it's usually 202 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 2: to the MVP of the game that we think early 203 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 2: on and so do you decide that it's kind of 204 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 2: a collective decision. I think last last week, you know, 205 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:18,240 Speaker 2: I was able to ask John Lynch right after the game. 206 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 3: I saw him on the sideline. 207 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 2: I said, who do you think was the best player 208 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 2: on the field today? And he said Christ McCaffrey. And 209 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: I think that was the reason why we went over 210 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 2: there and gave it someone that was all pro safety. 211 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 1: Telenoah hufunga big thank you to him for spending some 212 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: time in the studio with us on this short week. 213 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week. 214 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: Remember to be featured in our next episode, submit your 215 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,719 Speaker 1: questions to forty nine ers dot com slash mailbag, and 216 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:43,600 Speaker 1: don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on Spotify and 217 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts so you can be the first to listen 218 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: to our latest episodes.