“Steve Wilks Returns to Face Former Team: No Emotional Attachments, Just Future Focus!”

Steve Wilks was blunt about the Cardinals’ return, focusing only on the present Arizona Cardinals GM Steven Wilks and San Francisco GM Kyle Shanahan … It’s been nearly five years since Steve Wilks led the Bluebirds, but if you ask him: It’s been even longer. like this one. The San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator didn’t mince words when asked about returning to Glendale, Arizona to face the Cardinals. In fact, he didn’t share much of his time there. “Nothing,” Steve Wilks said Thursday of all the excitement surrounding the game, interrupting the proceedings with a media representative. “None.” Wilks, 54, spent the 2018 season with Arizona. Well, most of the season, relived of his duties in the first year of hiss tenure after a 3-13 start. His first Cardinals’ win came in Week 5, against 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and the Red and Gold. Since then, the North Carolina native has spent time coaching other NFL, and collegiate, organizations. That includes the Carolina Panthers, named the interim head coach for the team’s final 12 contests last season. Now he leads a 49ers defense that is a devastating unit in the league heading into the postseason. So perhaps we should not be surprised that he is not emotionally attached to the return and is only focused on what lies ahead. “Yes, many times,” Wilks denied facing his former team. “So, we’re out of it.” Looking ahead is an Arizona Cardinals team that has struggled all year, going just 3-10. But the numbers don’t always tell the full picture, as Wilks and the 49ers’ coaching staff don’t take their division foes lightly. “I would tell you first off, do not look at their record. These guys are pretty good,” the coordinator stated. “I’ve told the guys all week, we’re going to have to go earn this one. It’s going to definitely be a tough game, and I know we’re going to be up for the challenge.” The players feel a similar way about Arizona, especially with All-Pro safety Budda Baker back in the fold for AZ. “The record is one thing; I don’t look at them as a 3-10 team at all,” running back Christian McCaffrey said Thursday. – They play hard, they are fast, they run the ball very well. Probably Baker and their biggest respect for him in a long time. They are a really good team and can hurt you in many different ways. One of those picks is former overall pick Kyler Murray. The versatile quarterback will make his fifth start of the season after fully recovering from a devastating ACL tear in the 12th season of the 2022 season. Since then, Murray has grown and taken more of a team approach while leading the Cardinals. And while that has translated into just a 2-2 record since his return, Steve Wilks knows what the former Hesima Cup winner can bring to the table. No. 1: We have to be smart about our zone reads with our defensive assignments and not let him get out of the pocket because he’s definitely going to pull it. And then also his ability to move and make the big play,” explained Wilks. “He looks like the same guy to me. I’m thinking about technique right now and how these guys are coming back from ACLs and the things he’s been playing well so far. Again, I see no weakness or flaw in his performance. So that’s always a concern when you have runners like that. We’ve got to do a great job by committee, you know, 11 guys getting to the football and making sure there’s no assumption that he’s failing.” The 49ers will also face Murray and the Cardinals without their entire lineup this weekend. San Francisco is dealing with injury this offseason, with several starters unable to practice the past two days. They include Defensive Tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave, who are both out of practice this week. But with that comes opportunities for others, as the 49ers’ biggest defensive strength is in the trenches. “Oh, a lot of confidence. You look at what [DL Javon] Kinlaw and [DL] Kevin [Givens] have been doing the last couple of weeks, I’m very confident in their performance and how they’re going to play,” Wilks said. “We’re not going to put the onus on them. It’s going to be critical that they do a great job inside penetrating and trying to play on their side of the line of scrimmage, but across the board, we’ve all got to step up.” Thankfully, they won’t be fully understaffed, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hip) expected to play in Week 15. Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule: Sunday, December 17 @ Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 PM PST Monday, December 25 vs. Baltimore Ravens – 5:15 p.m. PST Sunday, December 31st @ Washington Commanders – 10am PST Sunday, January 7th vs. Los Angeles Rams – TBD Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Newsletter Share