NaVorro Bowman is back in the NFL, only this time he's a coach and not a player.
Bowman, a four-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, spent eight total seasons with the 49ers and Raiders from 2010 to 2017.
Bowman played for Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh for four of those seasons and was the lynchpin in the middle of numerous stout San Francisco defenses.
The 36-year-old joined Harbaugh's staff this offseason as the linebackers coach.
Here is our Coaches' Corner with Bowman:
As we look ahead to Week 1, how did training camp go for you being back in the NFL?
"It went good. I just enjoyed seeing guys get better. Looking back at Day 1 and how far we've come now, it's fun and I think we're on the right path."
What's the No. 1 thing you like about your linebacker group?
"I like their competitiveness. The eagerness and the hunger to get better. I like the athleticism we have in the room. Guys bring it every single day and really embraced me from Day 1 and showed me the respect that I was looking for because it's new to me also. Just being welcomed and give the information, that's a different aspect for me because I was on the receiving end of it. For me to be able to step in and the information be reciprocated by them, that's what I wanted to get out of this."
Let's dive into you as a coach. How have you adjusted to that life in the NFL?
"You know, when I'm out here I get the itch to show these guys a little more. I think they enjoy that I can hop in a drill and still show them exactly what I want. Just being on the coaching side, I see exactly how we game plan, how we strategize. It's been a good thing to learn football in a different way. I continue to learn and can learn something new every day. Just blessed and thankful for [Chargers Defensive Coordinator] Jesse [Minter] to think of me and getting me in here. I don't want to let him down so I'm giving this my best every day."
How much do you think players appreciate your playing days and that you can share that insight?
"It's a great situation. When I was a player, I would have loved to have a guy who played, too. And not just played but a guy who's not too far removed from the game. When I talk, I don't talk to them or at them. I talk like I'm with them and I think they feel that. I want the best for them and want them to do great and make plays. But within that, they have to make the plays within the scheme and always have good technique. We're always working on getting rid of bad habits and trying to make them excel and be better than they were the year before."
What made you want to get into coaching?
"I wanted to get back in the game. I was coaching at the University of Maryland and just seeing if I would like to do it. I went through my [playing] career in a good way and didn't burn any bridges and showed coaches I knew what I was talking about."
Looking at the veteran in your room, what does Denzel Perryman bring to your room?
"Denzel has been in the league for 10 years so my whole objective with him is to make sure his hunger and his 'why' is still there. You always want people to do better than you so the main part for me with DP is making sure he stays in it. The younger guys benefit from having him and he's the alpha in our room. I love his leadership and the way he approaches the game."
A lot of people are excited about Daiyan Henley in Year 2. What growth have you seen from him?
"Tremendous growth. Just locking in on the details. He played so many different positions on offense and defense [in high school and college], but the linebacker position takes so much detail and a little more pace. That's what we've been working on with him — where your eyes should be and the tempo you have to play with. He's athletic and can do anything in space. I'm just excited to coach him and teach him some things."
What's the long-term potential for rookie Junior Colson?
"It's huge. The sky is the limit for Junior. He knows ball, he's smart. He came out in this scheme and this is a guy who's confident. I love that about him. He's confident to the point where he feels like he belongs here and isn't taking a back seat to anyone. I look forward to seeing him rock out and do the things he did in college in the NFL."
It's time for kickoff on Sunday against the Raiders in Week 1. What do you want the mentality of your group to be?
"The mindset has to be to do my 1/11th first. Do my job. But we are linebackers and we should look different on the field, we should lead the defense and make the plays that come to us. That mentality starts with preparation and is created throughout the week of practice. From there, the mindset is to kick ass every single time we step out on the field."
