Kyle Shanahan taking interesting approach with rookie after disappointing debut

Moody’s preseason debut was a far cry from how the rookie had looked in practice. He was seen consistently connecting on kicks from 60 yards out with relative ease, showing why he was selected with such a high draft pick.

On Monday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Moody’s poor performance Sunday and whether or not they had communicated since then. Shanahan stated that he gave his kicker space so as not to mess with Moody’s headspace.

“I didn’t talk to him,” Shanahan said to reporters, via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I don’t try to get involved in that head game. I feel like he missed a 58-yarder, which that’s I think the first time I’ve ever attempted a 58-yarder. So I’m not going to make too big a deal about that.”

Shanahan then emphasized how Moody had been stellar in practice and remained confident the kicker will be much better going forward. Kicking is very often a mental game. Shanahan knows that and would rather allow Moody to sort out his issues on his own.

Moody went 52-of-60 on field goal attempts in his last two seasons at Michigan. He was extremely reliable within 40 yards, connecting on 38-of-39 from within that range. Moody is the first kicker selected in the first three rounds of the NFL draft since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Roberto Aguayo in the second round in 2016.