Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner had some harsh words for Ji’Ayir Brown

If you play like sh*t and I analyze it, I’m going to continue to analyze it that way. When you play well, I’m not going to be biased. I’m going to give you all the praise in the world. When you play like sh*t, I’m going to tell you that you played like sh\*t. And guess what? I made three Pro Bowls at your position. I’m considered an expert. I have the right to criticize and analyze your game, buddy. So when you don’t perform up to standard, I’m going to speak on it. But if you listen to Hitner, who’s an expert at your position, you will be better. Now we’re at the point where Whitner is talking down to Brown. That’s where the line should be drawn. Again, several Pro Bowlers on TV share their opinions, and we see how those turn out. That’s not to say Whitner is incorrect. He told Ji’Ayir where he can improve: “You have to get better in the deep half, in the middle of the field. You have to get better at pre-snap communication and reading formations. In Cover 2, you have to read your No. 1s. You have to keep a proximity of 15 yards deep, 2 yards inside the inside shoulder of the No. 1 wide receiver [and] you have to keep pace and pedal with urgency.

“You have to have knee bend [and] you have to read out of your peripheral vision what the quarterback is doing; you have to be ready to break efficiently at certain angles. That makes you a professional. That makes you an expert at your position.” That’s just coachspeak. Nothing really specific. He’s just telling Brown where and how to line up and where his eyes/keys are. That’s why most of this feels empty. Whitner wants Brown to improve, but isn’t highlighting anything from the 2025 season. Instead, it’s empty platitudes that don’t help the player.