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SPORTS Tuesday 28 January 2020

Staley's patience pays off with 49ers trip to Super Bowl

By JOSH DUBOW to the Super Bowl.
AP Pro Football Writer "It really played out ex-
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) actly like they spelled it
— When the San Fran- out in 2017, so once they
cisco 49ers were mired in were here, I knew it was
a two-win season back a special, special group,"
in 2016 and headed to Staley said. "Kyle's a special
a third straight offseason coach and the staff that
with a coaching change, he's brought here has been
Joe Staley wondered if it unbelievable. Top to bot-
was still worth the sacrifices tom it's a special team."
needed to play offensive The feeling between
line in such a grueling sport. coach and player is mu-
He had gone from three tual, with Shanahan saying
straight trips to the NFC he's grateful for the praise
title game to a three-year from Staley. Shanahan also
stretch that featured only said he understood the frus-
15 wins and three coach- tration Staley felt with losing
ing changes. but never saw any on-field
That's when coach Kyle reasons why he should step
Shanahan and general away.
manager John Lynch ar- "I thought he looked as
rived and Staley's outlook good when we got here
changed as he ever had and I think
"I'd be lying to you if I said, he looks even better now,"
'No, I always believed,'" Shanahan said. "That al-
Staley said. "But there were ways surprised me, but I
some dark years here in the think Joe really loves foot-
franchise, it's been well writ- ball and I don't think he
ten about and reported wasn't having that much San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley speaks during a news conference at the team's
on. But once I met Kyle and fun. It's never fun when you NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020.
John and the vision they aren't winning and that's Associated Press
had for the franchise, I was what was hard for me. I
pretty confident we were thought he did buy in, and McGlinchey said. "He's game back in November, Ronnie Stanley.
going to get there. I was to start out 0-9 and watch been to one before with Staley is still performing at But his impact goes far be-
just happy I was still feeling his frustration with that. He this organization and there an elite level. yond just blocking as he is
the way I felt, still had years kept doing it the right way." were some dark years that He's a key part of a domi- one of the leaders of the
left to play, was going to be The 35-year-old Staley, a followed that and the dark nant line that has powered team.
able to see this through." first-round pick in 2007, has years started happening a ground game that has "It's huge to have him, es-
The turnaround was far been a big part of the turn- when he was in the latter rushed for 471 yards in two pecially just big moments,
from sudden as the Niners around as he finishes up his end of his career which is playoff games and has games like this," Garop-
lost their first nine games 13th season in San Fran- really hard on a player. But protected Jimmy Garop- polo said. "We've had them
under the new regime in cisco that has included six he stuck with it and we're polo well all season. throughout the entire end
2017 and then started 1-7 coaches and multiple ros- starting to reap the re- "He's returned to vintage of the season, it feels like,
the next year, winning a ter overhauls. wards. I'm super excited for Joe Staley," McGlinchey these big games. But, just
combined 10 games in two Through it all the constant him to be able to get this said. "That's been real- having a guy like that who
seasons. has been Staley, the only opportunity and hopefully ly helpful to this football could calm everything
But Staley never lost his player on the active ros- we can win it for him." team." down, put everything in
faith, signing a $28 million, ter left from the team that Despite being plagued by Staley has allowed pres- perspective, things like that.
two-year extension this off- went to the Super Bowl fol- injuries all season after miss- sure on just 2.8% of his pass Joe's done phenomenal on
season that keeps him un- lowing the 2012 season un- ing six games with a bro- blocks, according to Pro the field, and the things he
der contract through 2021. der Jim Harbaugh. ken leg suffered in Week 2 Football Focus, ranking sec- does off the field go very
That patience has been re- "He's seen the ups and and then three more after ond among all tackles this unnoticed, but it carries us
warded with his second trip downs," teammate Mike breaking his finger in his first season to Baltimore All-Pro a long way."q