Daily Madden: Already Back To Work For 49ers Coaches
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - There's no post-season holiday for San Francisco 49ers coaches following the loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship game. "They usually get right to work," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew.
"You have to decide what you're going to do in free agency, what you're going to do first of all with your own players... Then simultaneously you're working on the draft. The initial part of the off-season is about personnel -- yours, other pro teams, and then of course college and free agency."
One of the 49ers' biggest personnel concerns is star linebacker NaVorro Bowman, whose left knee ACL and MCL were torn in the fourth quarter in Sunday's game.
There's hope Bowman could be back for the start of next season, but Madden said his recovery shouldn't be rushed. "Everyone is different, every rehab is different, and you have to give it time. Because the worst thing you can do is bring someone back -- and especially a great players like Bowman -- bring him back before he's ready. Then he gets it again, or maybe as a result of favoring one thing you get the other. You can't come back after surgery and play like 70 percent. A great player like that, you have to let him get back to 100 percent."
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 am Mondays and Fridays on KCBS during the NFL season.