Perhaps the most essential player missing from the defense of the San Francisco 49ers last season was NaVorro Bowman. After suffering a grotesque injury in the 2013 NFC Championship game, Bowman sat out an entire year.

Ready to bounce back and play, there are some concerns for Bowman heading into 2015 training camp.

The health of a player is their vitality in the game. The first priority of training staff and Bowman should be to test his limits carefully. While Bowman has stated he is ready to come back full force swinging, mini camps are a lot less physical than training camp, preseason, and of course the regular season.

If all turns out to be well with Bowman, his main focus in training camp should be polishing up on his skills. A year off work is a long time. It’s long overdue for him to put on his pads, work through drills, and line up opposite someone.

In addition to getting back to the physical side of football, it’s vital to the 49ers that Bowman develop strong relationships with the management, particularly Eric Mangini, who has made the transition from 49ers tight end coach to defensive coordinator.

With the retirement of Patrick Willis, one of Bowman’s teammates and best friends, Bowman will need to assume the role of a leading the defense and handling the pep talks.

An important part of training camp for him will be spending time with and mentoring the new 49ers rookies. His physicality and his experience are one of the best things the 49ers defense has going for them currently, and they should definitely focus on that in the upcoming camp.

The year of 2015 could be a lot more promising for the 49ers than critics and analysts have projected it to be, but the defense and Bowman will be a huge part in that success if it is to be.

 

Kelsey Kay is a San Francisco 49ers analyst for Rant Sports. Follow her on Twitter @kelseyykayyy, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.