Douglas could fill leadership void if re-signed
One of the big surprises of the season happened before the start of the regular season. Each position group voted on captains for the season. When the defensive linemen voted, they did not elect Bryant Young.
Instead, the linemen selected Marques Douglas. This was not seen as a slight of Young, but rather a huge compliment to Douglas.
Now that Young has announced his retirement, Douglas would appear to be even more important to the team because of the leadership he offers on the defensive line. The 49ers are expected to bring in more young linemen this offseason, and Douglas would like to have the opportunity to be a mentor.
(By the way, the first order of business for the "Shop Captains" was to include Bryant Young to the committee in something of an at-large role.)
As promised, here is Part II of today's Q&A with Douglas:
QUESTION: You had a very productive season in your contract year. Were you pleased with the way you performed?
DOUGLAS: I was pleased. The new blood in the room with (defensive coordinator) Greg Manusky and (line coach) Jim Tomsula really helped our defense tremendously. Those guys spent night after night, spending the night at the facility, just so we could have a fighting chance on Sunday. We were told very early that we were going to be an attacking-style defense and when I heard that I knew I was going to have chances to make tackles for losses and be a little more productive than I'd been. It reminded me of being in Baltimore, the no-holds-barred attitude we had there. And that coached us toward our strength. I mean, I'm not the biggest guy in the world. I'm not 6-5; I'm not 300 pounds. By them looking at me and giving me a chance, I appreciate that. I was able to put up some numbers this year, but I still feel I have a ways to go as a player. This is going on my 10th year in the NFL, but I spent two years on the practice squad and two years on injured reserve, so I still feel like I have a taste in my mouth to get better. I think I will get better. I think staying in the same system for consecutive years, I can enhance my numbers and the team's record, also.
QUESTION: Do you feel you're a "young" 30 years old for being in the league so long?
DOUGLAS: I know I'm young. I've watched a lot of games from the stands. I was on the Baltimore practice squad, and they don't let the practice squad guys get on the (sideline) on Sundays. So by me sitting in those stands for a year and a half, and also being on the practice squad in New Orleans, really taught me to appreciate being an NFL player. I still feel young. I know I'm 30 years old, but if you look at my snaps and how many games I've played in this league, it's not indicative of a 10-year veteran. I missed out on four years of football, and maybe that allowed me to play my best statistically at 30 years old.
QUESTION: Before season you were voted as a 'Shop Captain' by the other defensive linemen, even though Bryant Young was still on the team. What did that mean to you?
DOUGLAS: That meant a lot. Everybody to a man knows what B.Y. means to the team and what he has meant to the team for over 14 years. Many of those guys were in elementary school when he started playing. When they voted me defensive line captain, it meant a lot because they realize I do work at my craft. And I'm not one of those selfish veterans who won't teach a guy because he's scared that he might take a job from them. You can't fool the players. When the players voted, it made me happy. It kind of made me realize that people do look at what I do. So many years you get passed over because somebody else is in your position, but when they spoke it meant volumes for me personally. That's something I'll never forget.
QUESTION: Did you help B.Y. join the committee as a captain?
DOUGLAS: It wasn't me personally. The guys felt, as well as the coaches, that the presence of Bryant Young still needed to be there. Nobody stood in interference of that. When he was added, I didn't take it as a slap in my face because I still use him to this day. We text-message back and forth because I want to know what he's thinking. He's always been like that. That's one of his most prideful qualities; he's approachable and he wants you to succeed. When I was voted captain, he embraced it. He didn't say anything negative to me. Probably somebody else would have, but he didn't.
QUESTION: B.Y. won't be back, you're a free agent, Isaac Sopoaga is a free agent. How do you think the defensive line is going to look different next season?
DOUGLAS: I think it'll look different. I'm hoping I'll be back. Somebody has to step up in Bryant Young's role. Here's a guy in the three years I played with him, played hurt, played tired, gave of himself unselfishly, took the other guys and showed them how to watch film. For a guy to step into that role, he's going to have to be a man. I think we have some very good candidates in that role who can do it. But one of the hardest things to do in the NFL is to go from a backup player to a starter. I remember talking to Aubrayo Franklin and telling him that the hardest thing he's going to have to contend with is going to into that stadium and knowing when that ball is kicked off, you're going to go out there first. You're no longer getting five or 10 plays a half. Whoever steps into that role, it's no more joking around. There's no more coming to the locker room at 10:30. You have to get there and get your body ready. That's one thing I learned from Bryant Young. You have to take care of yourself. Get off feet at nighttime and live a good life. If Isaac doesn't come back, whoever steps into that role is going to have to contend with double-teams. When the second man goes onto the field, you can't have any drop-off. If there is a drop-off, you're no good to the team. I'm pretty sure that Greg Manusky and coach Tomsula won't have that.
QUESTION: You've already shown you're a leader, do you think that's part of the reason the team should bring you back?
DOUGLAS: I do, when I look at what I bring to the table and when I look at me possibly being re-signed there. When I came to San Francisco, I was a little - I wouldn't say arrogant - but I was a little more confident in myself than what others thought I should be. Being on the Baltimore Ravens defense, a top-five defense for the past couple years, teaches you something. The one thing I know, in order for me to realize what has gotten me to this point is that others have helped me. And I think the coaches know I'm willing to help others. I'm not that guy who will be a problem. You're never going to turn the news on at night and see my name flash across the screen because I'm out late at night and doing something I'm not supposed to be doing. I think in the past three years, I've started more than any other 49er on the football team. I take pride in that. That's something that's not often talked about. I've never missed a game as a 49er. I've played hurt. On Sundays, you can count on me. Early in my career, that was something I had to dispel after spending two years on injured reserve. I wanted to prove I could be there every Sunday and be efficient. By being on the practice squad, I wanted to prove that I could play against the better players in the league and still be productive.
QUESTION: Have you checked out the free-agent market and who else is going to be out there?
DOUGLAS: My agent and I have talked. We've talked about certain guys who might garner a lot of attention. Of course, everyone knows about (the Titans') Albert Haynesworth and Jared Allen, the guy from Kansas City. but I don't worry about that. I think if you know about football and you can watch film and understand what I do. I'd put my job up against everybody. I really would. I think I play first and second down better than anybody in the league. But I think the things I do on third down might not be noticed in a statistical department, but I'm trying to free up guys. Here I am, 285 pounds, playing nose tackle on third downs. When you roll the film, all I want you to do is give me a chance. And when you set aside where I'm from (Howard) and how big I am (listed at 6-2, 292), and when you look at my numbers, the respect has to come.
QUESTION: Have you spoken to Scot McCloughan much about your future?
DOUGLAS: I haven't talked to Scot since he got the job (general manager). I know that when he was around, I was always cordial to him and we'd have our little conversations. What I know is, once again, I want to be a 49er, and I hope in the next couple months we can make that happen.
