49ers wide receiver Mike Evans, at 33, confident he hasn’t lost magic touch (paywall)
“Every night, Evans falls asleep to the sounds of the Harry Potter movies playing on the television.
Obsessed with the saga since his second grade teacher read the books to his class about 23 years ago, Evans has watched the films “at least 1,000 times,” he said.
“It comforts me,” Evans said. “It just puts me in a calm state.”
It’s not just before bed that Evans incorporates Harry Potter into his life. On his calf
is a tattoo of the main character with his best friends, Ron and Hermione. Near his elbow is one of the Deathly Hallows, a symbol key to the series finale. Evans’ 2016 wedding to his wife, Ashli, featured a five-tier cake decorated with all four Hogwarts houses and Hedwig the owl perched in his cage atop. Evans now is starting to get his four young children into the films and books.
Evans, 33, doesn’t love the series because of the magic. He loves Harry Potter because of Harry: A kid who loses his parents, grows up with little, discovers his extraordinary talent and is humble despite his status as the chosen one in the wizarding world.
“He’s living with his uncle and his cousin, and they treat him like s—. And he’s one of the greatest wizards ever. He’s super humble, competitive. … He’s never too big, even though he is f—ing Harry Potter, the chosen one,” Evans said. “So I’ve always tried to kind of mimic that.”
How does he emulate Harry?
“He’s just a chill dude, but then he has that fiery side. So I guess I’m kind of similar,” Evans said. “I’m not as great as Harry Potter, but I identify with him.”
He plans to watch all the movies on the 16-hour flight to Melbourne….
…He says there’s similarities in competitive fire between Brady and Purdy, but mostly he has noticed how different things are in San Francisco.
“This was one of the most competitive camps, if not the most competitive camp, I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “Everybody’s talking trash to everybody, and it’s good. It’s like, you know, iron sharpens iron. Everybody’s out there just going at each other, trying to make each other better and get each other ready for this long season that we’re about to have.”
49ers’ Raheem Morris shares updates ahead of Australia trip
“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris spoke with reporters following Tuesday’s practice as the team prepares to travel to Australia ahead of its Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s everything he had to say.”
Kawakami: After a long, weird summer, the 49ers are starting to look whole again (paywall)
“The 49ers’ roster is deeper, much more solid, and currently a lot healthier than it was last year, when Shanahan and Lynch decided not to make an all-in move at the trade deadline.
(So if this season starts out well — a victory over the Rams would be a big way to get going on that — might Shanahan and Lynch become very interested in pulling off a major trade before the Nov. 10 deadline if they feel they’re just one player away from a Super Bowl run?
(And with some depth questions at defensive end, whether or not Bosa is at his best, could that player be Maxx Crosby … if the Raiders’ season turns sour again and they want to trade him … again? Just a thought. That I might be repeating over the next several months.)
There are still a lot of question marks heading into Week 1, though. Normal question marks. Are-they-healthy-enough-to-beat-the-Rams question marks.
Kittle and Bosa obviously are the two biggest ones. And I think Shanahan and Lynch want them both with the team in Australia for the three practices and all the team meetings.”
De’Zhaun Stribling focused on details, changes 49ers jersey to infamous number
“I don’t really worry about all the outside noise or the opinions of where I was drafted,” Stribling said. “I’m just here to do my job: catch the ball, score touchdowns and be a great run blocker, also….Details make or break everything,” Stribling said. “Just being on top of the details, being on top of the alignments and assignments. All those kinds of things. It’s much different vs. college.”
49ers traveling to Australia ‘right way’ compared to Rams, per Bay Area coach
“I’m not even sure the Rams are going to know what part of the planet they’re on,” Warren told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’ve done that trip so many times. The first 24, 48, even 72 hours, you’re really struggling with the jet lag. So I’m really surprised to hear that. And, absolutely, the 49ers are doing this the right way.”
NBC Sports Bay Area asked McConnell to share his opinions about the differing philosophies based on his experiences of traveling to Australia to play or coach basketball.
“The first day is so long,” McConnell said. “If you don’t get good sleep on the plane, you’re just struggling to stay up on day one.”
Nick Bosa’s availability remains mystery ahead of 49ers’ trip to Australia (paywall)
“Defensive end Keion White doesn’t know whether it’s possible to overdose on melatonin, but he plans on taking five as soon as the plane takes off.
If he wakes up? Take five more. “Just keep rolling like that,” White said.
Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling said he’ll watch some TV before attempting to knock out for 10 to 12 hours. Once in Australia, the Hawaii native said he really wants to see a kangaroo. He’s curious how big they are.”
Week 2 or 3 debut for Aaron Donald is ‘more likely’ than Week 1 against the 49ers
“That’s good news for Carver Willis. The last thing the projected starter at left guard needs is to be made an example out of as Donald proves he’s “still got it” after two years off. Donald won’t be what he once was, but if there’s anybody capable of defying Father Time, he’d be the player to do it.”
