49ers' 2018 'Who Is?' series: Cornerback Richard Sherman

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SEATTLE, WA – JANUARY 19: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after he tips the ball leading to an intereption by outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 to clinch the victory for the Seahawks against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2014 NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field on January 19, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Niner Noise’s 2018 “Who Is?” series on San Francisco 49ers players this season takes a look at one of the bigger free-agent pickups, All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman and the role he’ll have with the Niners this year.

Imagine thinking a few years ago the San Francisco 49ers would eventually be the employer of their long-time nemesis, cornerback Richard Sherman.

Well, that’s what happened this offseason.

The Niners inked Sherman to a three-year, incentive-laden contract worth up to $39.15 million. Fans were shocked. Many were thrilled to call the former Seattle Seahawks All-Pro one of their own, while others weren’t particularly happy.

Sherman needs no introduction. The former fifth-round pick out of Stanford has four Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro selections to his name. Simply put, he’s been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this decade.

Richard Sherman Defense & Fumbles Table
				Game	Game	Def	Def	Def	Def	Def	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb	Fumb	Sack	Sack
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD	FF	Fmb	FR	TD	Tkl	Ast
2011	23	SEA	LCB	16	10	4	45	0	33	17	1	0	0	0	47	8
2012+	24	SEA	LCB	16	16	8	57	1	29	24	3	0	1	0	53	11
2013*+	25	SEA	LCB	16	16	8	125	1	58	18	0	2	2	0	38	10
2014*+	26	SEA	cb/LCB	16	16	4	81	0	53	11	1	0	0	0	52	15
2015*	27	SEA	cb/LCB	16	16	2	30	0	26	14					33	17
2016*	28	SEA	cb/LCB	16	16	4	37	0	31	13	0	0	1	0	38	20
2017	29	SEA	LCB	9	9	2	20	0	19	7	0	0	1	0	25	10
Care	Care			105	99	32	395	2	58	104	5	2	5	0	286	91

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/28/2018.

Yet Sherman joined the Niners coming off a serious Achilles injury last season that limited him to nine games. On top of that, he turned 30 years old this offseason.

There’s always the possibility these factors influence the inevitable regression players endure when they advance deeper into their careers.

The 49ers, though, hope it’s not going to be for a while.

At any rate, Sherman has already embraced a key mentorship role amid what is turning out to be a very young and inexperienced San Francisco secondary.

But Sherman is asked to be more than just a qualified teacher. The Niners will want his playmaking skills at full form this season.

How does he go about reaching that? Let’s take a look.

49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Cornerback Richard Sherman

By Peter Panacy | Jun 29, 2018

Niner Noise’s 2018 “Who Is?” series on San Francisco 49ers players this season takes a look at one of the bigger free-agent pickups, All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman and the role he’ll have with the Niners this year.