Antoine Bethea was voted team MVP by his San Francisco 49ers brethren last season, so yeah, the strong safety had a few thoughts on the recent defections and developments within the Niners defense, especially the unforeseen retirements of linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Bethea said. “But, like Vernon [Davis] said, it put everything into perspective. This game is short-lived and you’ve got to put everything into it while you’re playing this game.

“Two great players. Chris Borland came on strong for us towards the end of the year, but we’ve got to keep it rolling. I’m pretty sure we’re going to have guys that are going to step in and play some great football for us.”

Bethea mentioned inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman’s potential return from a devastating knee injury that kept him out all of last season, Bethea’s first with the Niners.

“Like I said, we’re going to get some guys to come in and step in and make some plays,” Bethea said. “We’re going to be a family out there and we’re going to do what we need to do.”

via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com