SANTA CLARA, Calif. — You just knew cornerback Richard Sherman could find a way to spice up Sunday’s return to Seattle, his home the previous seven seasons before defecting to the 49ers this year.
First off, Sherman didn’t berate Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson the way he famously did former 49ers Michael Crabtree and Colin Kaepernick five years ago. But Sherman sure wasn’t offering praise Thursday about Wilson’s play-making ability.
Reporter: “You’ve seen through the years what Russell Wilson is capable of doing … “
Sherman: “Yeah, I’ve also seen him throw five picks in a game. So you’ve seen what he’s capable of on both side of it. You understand that he can be defended, so you go out there and give your team your best shot.”
That was the most inflammatory of Sherman’s top quotes Wednesday (more below), and the five-interception flop he referred to was a December 2016 loss at Green Bay.
Just before this season began, a Sports Illustrated story brought up that game and how Sherman wanted to confront Wilson about his inferior play, also calling into question the quarterback’s preferential treatment by the Seahawks brass.
“Everything I’ve had to say about him and that whole situation, I’ve already said,” Sherman added Wednesday. “It was a good time for the team, a good time for the organization. They didn’t handle some things I felt like they should have, and other guys felt like they should have.”
An ESPN report last year stated that Sherman yelled at expletive at Wilson during a practice. To summarize, Sherman surely would like his first interception as a 49er on Sunday to come at Wilson’s expense.
“I don’t really have a relationship with Russell,” Sherman said. “We were teammates and played during a very special time for the franchise.”
Wilson has won all 11 meetings against the 49ers aside from his first two visits to Candlestick Park, and that includes seven games at CenturyLink Field where he’s produced 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions in those wins.
Wilson celebrated his 30th birthday Thursday, spending part of it praising Sherman to the Seattle media: “I have tons of respect for Sherm and how he plays. He’s going to be a Hall of Fame corner and meant so much to our team when he was here with how many plays he made.”