San Francisco 49ers

49ers players remaining positive despite rough offseason

Published Jun. 12, 2015 4:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers offseason has been well documented. Four retirements to key players, their starting running back Frank Gore leaving in free agency and their starting cornerbacks bolting as free agents as well.

While the 'experts' may not be picking the 49ers to make any noise this season, the players in the locker room are not giving up on the season quite yet.

“I’m optimistic about this season,” tight end Vernon Davis said, via ESPN.com. “I’m sure the rest of my teammates can attest to that. It’s a good thing. It’s cool. You guys want to say we’re going to lose? Then that’s cool. That means we have a lot to prove, right?

“A lot of pressure. That’s good, though. I think this team performs really well under pressure. The odds are against us but we will be prepared for whatever comes our way. I believe in this team.”

Joe Staley got right to the point when he was asked if all the people picking against the 49ers bothered him.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Staley said. “Harbaugh’s first year, people thought we were going to be crappy.”

Davis would rather not talk about predictions for the season, but just go out and prove it on the field.

“My thing is, actions speak louder than words,” Davis said.

“I think we have a lot of talent on this team with the addition of the coaching staff and the wonderful players we have coming in here like Darnell Dockett, Torrey Smith. I think that’s all going to help us at the end of the day. I think it’s going to be a concerted effort to make it all work. It has to be.”

(h/t ESPN)