The 49ers Don't Want to Talk about the Eagles' "Tush Push"
I have a theory about the appeal of the "tush push."
It's merely a glorified quarterback sneak, which is nothing exciting. But "tush push" is fun to say, and so the media talks about it non stop.
On Wednesday in the 49ers locker room, reporters repeatedly asked players about the best way to stop the tush push, which currently seems unstoppable. Their answers were hilariously short. Here's what they said.
Q: The Tush Push has been a huge phenomenon in the NFL as the Eagles use it seemingly every week. Have you looked at tape on that? Have you looked into how to stop that?
NICK BOSA: "Not much yet, no."
Q: Has Javon Hargrave been able to give insight into defending the Tush Push? I'm not sure how much he would have faced it in practice over there. Has that been something to lean on?
NICK BOSA: "No, we haven't talked about that yet."
Q: Sorry if you've been asked this already, but how do you defend against that play?
NICK BOSA: "I haven't looked at it yet. We'll look at it for sure."
Q: What is the secret to defending the Tush Push?
FRED WARNER: "No secret sauce. I can't give away my game plan right now. Don't want to give too much away, but we'll try to have a plan for when they do run it."
Q: Sorry if you've been asked this already, but how do you defend the Tush Push?
FRED WARNER: "I'm not quite sure yet. I've got to do some more film study and figure that one out, but they do it better than anybody. Kudos to them."
Q: Is there any insight you can glean from being in the building with them that you can help your teammates out against that play?
JAVON HARGRAVE: "Uh, not really, not really."
Q: How much do they actually practice that Tush Push in Philadelphia?
JAVON HARGRAVE: "I don't remember us ever practicing it. I don't think they ever practice it. I think they just detail it."
Q: Do you have in your mind your own idea of how to defend it?
JAVON HARGRAVE: "No. I wish."
