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- Football Family Tree
The San Francsico 49ers have recently welcomed local players with direct ties to the team's proud history. In 2013, the 49ers invited Nate Montana, son of legendary quarterback Joe Montana, to the team's local pro day for Bay Area football players. The team later asked Montana to take part in rookie minicamps. The following year, the 49ers continued the family trend with the invitation of Jerry Rice Jr., the son of you know who.
"They're both great kids and it was a pleasure to have them," 49ers senior personnel assistant Ethan Waugh told 49ers Studios.
The continuation of recognized last names attending the local pro day could continue in 2014 when Nick Montana, a San Francisco native and senior quarterback at Tulane University, is eligible for the draft.
- More Connections to Rice
Jerry Rice Jr. isn't the only wide receiver prospect related to the most productive wideout in NFL history. Vanderbilt's Jordan Matthews is also part of the family. The SEC's all-time leading receiver's mother and Rice are first cousins.
"He's definitely the guy I've looked up to," Matthews said in a recent NFL Network interview "Just the way he approached the game on and off the field, his work ethic, running hills, making sure he did everything to be a complete receiver - those are the types of intangibles I like to have in my game."
>>ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Matthews being drafted by the 49ers in his latest mock draft.
- Around The League
After the Seattle Seahawks made Earl Thomas the NFL's highest paid safety, the team is now reportedly looking to lock up Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman with a new deal.
>>Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine is hopeful his team can find a franchise quarterback this year without using the No. 4 overall draft pick.
>>Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden has visioins of sprinking in read-option plays with a rejuvenated Robert Griffin III under center.
