The 49ers recorded just two interceptions last season, the worst single-season mark in NFL history.
But the team’s new position coach in the defensive backfield does not believe talent at the safety positions is the issue with Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt, Adrian Colbert, Marcell Harris and Tavarius Moore, who was moved full-time from cornerback to safety last week.
This season, the 49ers are switching to a new philosophy of having interchangeable safeties, instead of players who line up solely at strong safety or free safety.
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“I think we have a very talented group in the secondary,” said Joe Woods, who joined the 49ers’ staff this season as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator.
Woods’ assessment comes from being familiar with the players as they were entering the NFL, as well as what he has seen on film from previous seasons and what he has witnessed during the 49ers’ organized team activities. Ward and Tartt were lining up with the first-team defense before Ward sustained a fractured collarbone in practice on May 23.
“It was a ball over the middle,” 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “I don’t know if he necessarily dove as much as maybe getting a little bit tangled up. . . . It was a very unfortunate thing. If he had pads on, it probably wouldn’t have happened.”
Wood said he wanted to draft Tartt in 2015 when he was defensive backs coach with Denver. In 2017, Wood had Colbert rated as his steal of the draft in the final round.
San Francisco 49ers
“I remember sitting there in the seventh round, we had a pick later on, and San Francisco picked him,” Woods said.
Woods knew a couple of coaches on the 49ers’ staff and he called to tell them, “Man, you got my guy,” he said.
Colbert has replaced Ward with the first-team defense for the remainder of the offseason program.
There have been two constants throughout Ward’s time with 49ers: He has failed to remain healthy and his coaches have unwavering support for him as a player and person.
Four of Ward’s first five NFL seasons have ended with fractured bones. Woods, who is new to the organization, is already in line as a coach who envisions big things ahead for Ward, if he can stay healthy.
“He is a very instinctual football player,” Woods said. “He is exactly the type of guy you want on your team for what he does on the field to what he does off the field.
“He just hasn’t been able to stay healthy. As a coach, you can’t worry about that.”
Woods said Ward is one of the only players he has been around who is capable of playing every position in the defensive backfield. That versatility has not always been a blessing, as the 49ers have not kept him at any one position for an extended period of time.
In 2017, Ward was the team’s free safety. Last year, he was moved to cornerback before going back to free safety. Now, he’s again at free safety. Ward is expected to be out eight to 12 weeks. He should be ready to compete near the start of training camp for the starting job.
[RELATED: 49ers' safety positions undergo transformation heading into 2019 season]
“The first thing I like about him is his character,” said 49ers safeties coach Daniel Bullocks. “I like who he is as a person, his work ethic. He’s a team player. He played multiple positions. He can play safety. He can play nickel. He can play corner. He can blitz. He’s one of our best tacklers on the field. He’s very instinctive. He just needs to play one position.
“If we can keep him at free safety, we can get the most out of him.”