SANTA CLARA – Enormous. Colossal. Mountainous. Brobdingnagian.
There are an endless number of words that describe how 6 foot 8, 355-pound Trent Brown stands out even among a group of unusually large men like the 49ers offensive line.
But nobody could have guessed the three words offensive line coach Pat Flaherty blurted out in practice that would become the right tackle’s nickname: Big Soup Bone.
It’s unusual, for sure, but the linemen have fun with it. At least one of them foresees a time when Brown is called three other words: greatest lineman ever.
“I don’t throw this around lightly, he can be as good as anyone in the NFL that’s ever been,” left tackle Joe Staley said from in front of his locker this week. “You see him and you think Jonathan Ogden, the plays that he would make when he was playing. He’s got a ways to go before he’s there, but he has all the talent to be Jonathan Ogden-esque.”
It is high praise, comparing a second-year player with only two NFL starts to a Hall of Famer, especially coming from a five-time Pro Bowler. Brown spent the offseason enhancing his natural talents of big body power and speed with improved conditioning, footwork and technique. Staley is just one of many in Santa Clara who noticed the results.
“For being that big and being able to run the way he can, it’s impressive,” quarterback Blaine Gabbert said. "The way he’s approached the summer program, coming into training camp, the first two preseason games have been tremendous. He’s been playing his tail off, and he’s such a young player, he’s only going to continue to get better.”
“I think Trent is realizing his abilities and understanding how successful he can be at this game,” said head coach Chip Kelly. “From a coach standpoint, it’s awesome to see.”
Anthony Davis’ move to right guard in practices suggests Brown has secured the starting right tackle position heading into the third preseason game. Davis has said he suggested the switch even though his 71 career starts have all come at right tackle.
“He gives me pointers all the time. I just listen,” Brown said. “This is the same guy a year ago I was looking forward to playing behind and getting tips from, so he’s here now, and he sees something in me, so I’m just trying to get better everyday and listen to him.”
Staley remembers a practice last week against Denver where on a backside play, Brown took the linebacker 10 yards downfield and then threw him. Staley cannot remember a play where Brown has been beaten one-on-one in pass rush. For Brown to take that next step in becoming one of the game’s top linemen, Staley says he must learn how to do those things consistently.
“[It] can’t just be when he feels like it, when he’s feeling good. It’s got to be third quarter when we’re on a 10-play drive. He’s got to be able to go the same on that 10-play drive as he did on the second play of the game,” Staley said.
“If he doesn’t take that step he has no one to blame but himself. He’s incredibly talented. Pretty excited to see where his career goes.”
As for Brown, the 23-year-old is pretty excited about where his young career is at the moment.
“I’m having as much fun right now as I’ve ever had playing football,” Brown said. “I haven’t really had fun playing football since I left junior college.”
Big Soup Bone. Maybe that nickname does make sense for Brown. They both need to simmer awhile in order to release their full flavor.
