San Francisco 49ers Star Deebo Samuel on Brock Purdy's Development And Why The Media Picks On Him

5 min read
Sep 7, 2024, 11:51 PM
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

 

San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel has the utmost confidence in his quarterback Brock Purdy.

The two stars will enter the 2024 season with high expectations once again. Although the Niners have come up short twice in the past five years in Super Bowl matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, they return the most stacked team in the NFL, with nine of their players having been named to the Pro Bowl last season.

As the NFC's best team, the Niners will be expected to finish the job after coming up one score short of defeating the Chiefs in last year's Super Bowl. Purdy - who led the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance in his first full season starting - will be tasked with finishing the job this season. Samuel has nothing but glowing praise for his 24-year-old quarterback as he enters his third season.

"Overall, I think the man is just the most efficient that I've seen," says Samuel of Purdy in an interview with RG.org while speaking on behalf of his partnership with FedEx.

While his teammates have noticed his improvement in the offseason - including how he's more vocal and commanding in the huddle - the media doesn't seem to recognize Purdy's great play. Despite turning in a Pro Bowl season which saw him lead the NFL in passer rating, yards per attempt and completion, observers continue to downplay Purdy's success, arguing that he has a stacked offensive supporting cast. In a poll amongst general managers, coaches and executives, Purdy was ranked as the 10th-best quarterback in the NFL.

Samuel believes that the argument against Purdy is silly, bringing up how no one mentioned that Aaron Rodgers throws to Davante Adams when the two teamed up with the Green Bay Packers for many years.

"I think people look at the guys that he (Purdy) has around him - me, Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Juszczyk and Christian McCaffrey," says Samuel. "Look at other teams as well with Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. You're not going to say A-Rod is not a quarterback if you take Davante Adams from him. I think it's also because it's just the Niners. I don't think too many people want to give proper credit because of who he has around."

In a previous interview, Niners fullback Kyle Juszczyk brought up how he thinks people don't give Purdy the proper credit because he was the last pick in the draft at No. 262. When  brought up during the interview, Samuel agreed with that notion.

"Some people still don't think he's the guy because he's on the Niners, that he's (just) with us," says Samuel. "Overall, the numbers don't lie. He still has to throw the ball down the field, we still have to be in a position to catch the ball. He still has to make the right reads, he still has to do all the things a quarterback has to do.

I don't feed into (what the media says) it, he doesn't feed into it. We control the things that we can control and go out there and play."

The Niners will open the season with a big-time matchup against the Rodgers-led New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Although the Niners' final preseason game was on Aug. 23, Samuel made it clear that there's no "decompressing" or relaxing in between the preseason finale and the start of the regular season.

"Ain't no decompressing, we're in there," says Samuel of preparing for the season opener against the Jets.

The 28-year-old Samuel is well-known for being the most versatile wide receiver in the NFL. It was only three years prior that Samuel made NFL history by posting 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns as a receiver - the most in league history. In addition to his rushing prowess, Samuel also posted a 1,405-yard season on the receiving end.

There will be a major change to the FedEx Air & Ground awards structure this season. Since the weekly awards inception back in 2003, only quarterbacks and running backs have been eligible to win the award. Starting this season, wide receivers and tight ends will now be able to win the award in a much wider format. FedEx will work with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to donate $2,000 in the name of the winning players each week to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s).

When asked what his objective is for this season outside of winning a Super Bowl, Samuel says he wants to win the FedEx weekly award.

"Win the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week every week," says Samuel while laughing.

DJ Siddiqi is a sports reporter who focuses on football, basketball and pro wrestling. He has covered some of the biggest sporting events, including the NBA Finals and Wrestlemania and often interviews high-profile athletes on a weekly basis. Siddiqi has interviewed the likes of Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Hawk and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His previous experience includes working as a lead NBA writer at CBS Sports and 247 Sports in addition to working as a beat reporter covering the NFL and the Denver Broncos at Bleacher Report. Follow Siddiqi for exclusive one-on-one interviews and analysis on key topics in sports

Interests:
NFL
NBA
NCAAF
NCAAB
NHL
Travel
Interviews

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Next

Our Authors

Paruyr Shahbazyan began his business career in 2000 as a private entrepreneur. Over thirteen years, he developed a deep understanding for business and leadership, laying a solid foundation for his professional journey.

In 2013, Paruyr stepped into the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating. This online mass media platform, which he led until 2020, focused on providing in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting, earning a reputation for its quality content. 

Continuing his innovative approach in 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This venture showcases his dedication to integrating advanced technology in the evolving landscape of sports betting. Through these diverse experiences, Paruyr has continuously influenced and shaped the betting industry, driving new trends and setting high standards.

 ExperienceYear
Engaged in private entrepreneurship2000-2013
Founder and President at Bookmaker Rating, an online platform focused on sports and betting2013-2020
Co-founder at Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol2022

"Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports." 

- Paruyr Shahbazyan, Founder, RG

 

Principles and Ethics

Paruyr Shahbazyan's core beliefs lie in the power of informed decision-making and integrity in the betting industry. He understands that the foundation of successful betting is not just about odds and predictions, but also about the trust and reliability of the information provided. Paruyr advocates for a betting environment where transparency and knowledge are paramount, ensuring that bettors are well-equipped with accurate data and insights.

Strategic Vision

Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports betting industry through the integration of technology. He sees the future of betting as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. His aim is to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical betting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable betting culture.

Future Perspectives

Looking towards the future, Paruyr envisions a betting landscape that is more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally connected. He anticipates a significant shift towards more decentralized and transparent betting systems, driven by blockchain technology. Paruyr is committed to being at the forefront of this change, continuously exploring new possibilities and innovations that can redefine what it means to engage in sports betting in a digital world. His focus is on building systems that prioritize user empowerment, fairness, and the global growth of the sports betting community.

 

Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief

Sol has over 20 years of experience in writing for diverse industries including sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups. As the Editor-in-Chief at RG, Sol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, focusing on delivering transparent, evidence-based content grounded in thorough research. Sol's mission is to empower readers to enjoy gambling responsibly and make informed decisions, enhancing their overall experience through insightful and engaging content. Under Sol's leadership, RG prioritizes the highest standards of integrity and reliability, ensuring that all information provided is accurate and trustworthy. Sol's dedication to transparency and research-based writing helps create a responsible gambling environment where readers can truly benefit from the content. This commitment to excellence has positioned RG as a leading source of information in the gambling industry.

Experience:

  • Over 20 years in writing and editing across multiple industries
  • Former head of regional innovation at BMO Financial Group
  • Senior Writer, Online Casino Reports
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina Varela Galan
Problem Gambling Expert

Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project 

 “Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.

Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game back in 1998, and he's written about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports, and his sports betting expertise has grown since its legalization in Ontario in 2022. 

Between 2022 and 2023 he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets, and in 2024 he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the Responsible Gambler team.

Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Head of News Department

Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.

Anna Kravtcova
Anna Kravtcova
Problem Gambling Expert

Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.

Mark Medina
Mark Medina
NBA Reporter

Mark Medina is a longtime NBA reporter that includes stints as a Lakers blogger with The Los Angeles Times (2010-12), Lakers beat writer with the Los Angeles Daily News (2012-17), Warriors beat writer with Bay Area News Group (2017-19) as well as an NBA reporter/columnist for USA Today (2019-21) and NBA.com (2021-23). Medina is also an NBA insider with Fox Sports Radio and frequent contributor to CBSLA's SportsCentralLA with Jim Hill and with Spectrum Sportsnet.

Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
Hockey Reporter

Daria went to St. Petersburg State University and earned a bachelor of international journalism. Working as a sports journalist from 2014, from 2016 as a hockey journalist. Covered 5 World Championships, 2022 Winter Olympics, 2020 World Juniors, 6 Gagarin Cup Finals. 

Owner of a telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth.

Integrative nutritionist specializing on sports nutritionology.

Paul M. Banks
Paul M. Banks
Sports Reporter

Paul M. Banks is a professional Content Creator whose career has seen bylines in numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, FOX Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Banks has made scores of guest appearances on live radio and television, featuring regularly on NTD News, WGN-TV, CCTV, ESPN Radio, the History Channel, SiriusXM and CBS Sports Radio.

He is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank.net, which has been featured and linked in hundreds of leading media outlets all across the world.

He has also authored two books, one of which, "No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in Sports Media," became an assigned textbook in journalism courses at State University New York-Oneonta.

Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Hockey Reporter

Marco D'Amico is a beat reporter covering the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL Draft, while also being a recurring guest on TSN690 and BPM Sports. His work primarily on NHL CBA breakdowns and prospect analysis, all while covering the Montreal Canadiens on a day-to-day basis.

Crissy Froyd
Crissy Froyd
Football Reporter

Crissy Froyd is a sports reporter of over 10 years who specializes in quarterback analysis at the high school, college and NFL level. She was mentored by Mike Leach and learned the Air Raid offense and quarterback evaluation largely under the legendary head coach. Froyd has appeared in and worked with multiple publications, including USA TODAY SMG, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and Saturday Down South. She also covers canine journalism for Showsight Magazine and resides in Wisconsin with her three dogs -- two German Shepherds named Faxon and Bo Nix, and one Siberian Husky named Stetson "Balto" Bennett.

Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.

Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.

Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.

Garrett Kerman
Garrett Kerman
MMA Analyst

Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He is a writer and analyst who covers the world of combat sports. He's covered some of the biggest events in combat sports with interviews from some of the biggest names in the sport. Garrett has a vast knowledge of MMA, boxing, and even bare-knuckle fighting that he brings to the table in his content. Whether you're looking for exclusive content, fighter interviews, breaking news, or expert analysis Garrett Kerman has got you covered!

Simon Head
Simon Head
MMA Reporter

Simon is a sports journalist and MMA reporter with 25+ years' experience covering sports and 15+ years covering mixed martial arts as one of the UK's longest-tenured MMA journalists. He also has more than a decade of experience working in the betting and gaming industry.

He has provided coverage for a plethora of major sports outlets, including BBC Sport, USA Today, Daily Mirror and BT Sport, and has covered Olympic Games, World Cups, FA Cup Finals and UFC title fights during his career.

DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Sports Reporter

DJ Siddiqi is a sports reporter who focuses on football, basketball and pro wrestling. He has covered some of the biggest sporting events, including the NBA Finals and Wrestlemania and often interviews high-profile athletes on a weekly basis. Siddiqi has interviewed the likes of Dan Marino, Emmitt Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Hawk and Giannis Antetokounmpo. His previous experience includes working as a lead NBA writer at CBS Sports and 247 Sports in addition to working as a beat reporter covering the NFL and the Denver Broncos at Bleacher Report. Follow Siddiqi for exclusive one-on-one interviews and analysis on key topics in sports

Show More