SANTA CLARA — A cleverly named “Gold Digger Program” is meant to reward 49ers defenders for exceptional plays and effort.
For example, interceptions, in the rare instances they happen, would count. The daily prize is a gold-colored football emblazoned with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s mantras — “All Gas, No Brake” and “Extreme Violence.”
The 49ers defenders haven’t lacked effort a week into training camp. But interceptions remain scarce, a replay of last season’s takeaway trauma that set a NFL record with only two interceptions.
Saturday’s practice ended in similar, inglorious fashion. Safety Jaquiski Tartt made a perfect read, positioned himself for Gold Digger reward points and then dropped Jimmy Garoppolo’s pass.