Arik Armstead really knows how to kill the mood.
According to 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the defensive end picked the worst time to text him with a football question.
Earlier this week, a reporter asked Saleh to discuss Armstead's ability to diagnosis an opponent's play-call in real-time and if that comes from his film study habits.
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Saleh then dropped this great story about Armstead.
“To answer your question, it comes from both, experience and film study," Saleh told local reporters in his virtual press conference. "He studies film more than anybody, at least on the D-line, that I've ever been across. I'm being completely honest, it was Friday night, quick story on it. It was Friday night and I'm watching a movie with my wife, it’s normally date night, and I get a text from Arik Armstead talking about play No. 1, (No.) 2, from different games.
"I won't call what games they were and what plays they were, but talking about a tendency that he was picking up. So, here I am texting what Arik Armstead and my wife was like, ‘Can we watch a movie?’ So, he studies film. He's been through the ringer. He's got a lot of experience on him. He does a great job leading the group and bringing pointers for those guys and really talking at all three levels with linebackers and DBs. So, having him and his knowledge and his need for more knowledge, rather than just what the coaches give him, is a testament to him and why he’s deserving of the success he's had.”
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Saleh went on to explain how Armstead's habits can rub off on young players, particularly 2019 first-round pick Nick Bosa and 2020 first-round pick Javon Kinlaw.
“You always love your best players to be film junkies," Saleh said. "In the D-line room, the fact that when Bosa’s in there, and you've got Armstead, those two are your war daddies, even with [Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner] a year ago. I know it doesn’t really apply to Kinlaw now, but whenever your star players or your best players are film junkies, it only helps those younger guys.
"They learn how to do it the right way, because not everyone is capable of just going to the football field and playing great football, but everyone is capable of being great film study habits and maximizing their personal ability. So, the linebacker room's got Fred [Warner] and [linebacker] Kwon [Alexander] and they’ve pulled along [linebacker Dre] Greenlaw. Then you go to the DB room with [Richard Sherman] and [safety Jaquiski] Tartt and [safety] Jimmie Ward and those guys all just study film, [cornerback] K’Waun Williams. So, they've had great leadership ahead of when they came in young and they've taken that step and really kind of built something as players on the defensive side of the ball, where they’ve kind of taken it over and that's kind of what you want. To answer your question, it’s awesome. It is awesome.”
RELATED: Armstead, Kinlaw forging bond during 2020 season
With Buckner gone, Armstead now is the elder statesman of the 49ers' defensive line, so it's good to see he's having a positive influence on the younger members of the group.
Now, hopefully, Armstead has learned not to text Saleh on Friday nights.