SFGate.com · Dec 17, 2016
49ers’ leaders are strong, silent types
In June 2015, just after the 49ers lost locker-room pillars such as Justin Smith, Frank Gore and Patrick Willis, left tackle Joe Staley acknowledged his change in status: He was suddenly one of the team’s most influential leaders.
Staley, 32, said his new title wouldn’t prompt a new approach. He would remain a hard-working, lead-by-example type.
“I think once you start changing who you are,” Staley said, “it becomes phony and people don’t respect you as much.”
There’s no problem with Staley’s style, but this could be a problem: The 49ers’ other mainstays also lack an outwardly passionate presence.
