Kassim Osgood re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers to little fanfare on March 24. We caught up with the specialist/wide receiver in the hallways of the 49ers Santa Clara facility, and this is what we came away with.
1. He will be his old self on special teams.
After blocking a punt and scoring two touchdowns in 2013, Osgood's primary role will again be leading the team's third unit.
"Special teams is like recess," Osgood told us. "You can't but help go out there and have fun. There are a set of rules, and then I go out there, improvise and make stuff happen. And some of the craziest guys on the team are out there with me."
2. He will still be a part of a special group.
Count gunners C.J. Spillman and Darryl Morris, plus Bubba Ventrone, Dan Skuta and Michael Wilhoite as members.
"I've never seen so many (special teams) guys that can be on a Pro Bowl ballot on one team," he said. "It's amazing."
3. He goes way back with new teammate Antoine Bethea.
Osgood was 100 percent on board with the team's decision to sign the free agent safety away from the Indianapolis Colts on March 12.
"When I was with the Chargers and he was on Indy, we played against them all the time, and there were a lot of battles, a lot of heated battles," he said of the 2006-'09 seasons. "We would trash-talk back and forth. He's a competitor, he plays hard and he plays with a lot of heart. After our games, he was all about respect."
4. He probably won't be catching too many balls in 2014.
The 10-year veteran recorded one reception last season, and he's all for expanding his role, but he also said he understands where he fits behind the likes of Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.
"If they need a break to get some water, I'll jump in there and catch some balls," he said, showing his modesty. "It's great to have them two back."
So, no, the 49ers bringing back Osgood won't drastically alter their attempts to add depth to the position via free agency and the May 8-10 NFL Draft. Perhaps another player will be added to complement Crabtree and Boldin, plus upstarts Quinton Patton and Jon Baldwin.
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