SANTA CLARA -- Coach Jim Tomsula on Monday identified young defensive backs Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt as players around whom the 49ers can build as leaders for the future.
And the former high-school teammates also know the man responsible for investing high draft picks in them is closely watching their every move. How do they know that? Ward and Tartt said they often have interaction with Baalke on the practice field.
“He comes down to practice a lot,” Ward said of Baalke. “He’s like another coach. Sometimes I make a mistake and be like, ‘Coach Trent?