Programming note: The American Century Championship will air Friday, July 11, from 1-3 p.m. PT on Peacock, and again from 5-7 p.m. PT on GOLF Channel. Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, the tournament will air locally on NBC Bay Area (KNTV) from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.
Star 49ers tight end George Kittle thrives in coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone scheme as a blocker, and first-round draft pick Mykel Williams might have to learn that the hard way in practice this season.
Kittle detailed his early interactions with Williams during San Francisco’s offseason so far, and it’s clear things could get interesting between the two teammates during training camp later this month — all in good fun, of course.
“I get to run outside zone against Mykel Williams, and so that’s going to be really fun because he was telling me how he thinks it’s disrespectful for tight ends to block him,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco at the American Century Championship on Thursday in South Lake Tahoe.
“And I was like, welcome to the NFL baby. You’re going to see something different on these practices, I promise you that.”
Kittle’s PFF run block grade of 84.5 is the best for NFL tight ends over the last seven seasons, and the All-Pro could put together a feature-length film of his viral pancake blocks over the years. Kittle even has admitted to laughing after tossing an opponent onto their back.
“Whether you’re taking their soul, they just made a highlight reel clip, and you never want to be on a highlight reel clip,” Kittle told reporters in 2021. “So I kind of laugh about the fact that they just made a highlight reel clip. So thanks.”
Kittle is an all-around talent as a blocker and pass-catcher, and Williams certainly will learn quickly that the 49ers do things differently when it comes to outside zone.
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