In his first comments since being traded from the 49ers to the Seahawks, defensive end Kentwan Balmer didn’t explain what led him to buy his way out of San Francisco, but he did say he thinks Seattle is the right place for him.
“What happened in San Francisco was in San Francisco,” Balmer said. “I think this is a first-class organization. I think I mesh well with the people here.”
Not that he’s saying the 49ers are a second-class organization. But the Associated Press reports that Balmer said “I’m just happy to be here” seven times in a five-minute span while avoiding any explanation of what, exactly made him unhappy about being in San Francisco.
“I would just like to thank the Seattle Seahawks for this chance. I would like to thank the 49ers for allowing me to move on,” Balmer said. “I’m just here, happy and ready to compete.”
Whatever the “personal reasons” were that led Balmer to leave 49ers camp, Balmer says they’re now resolved and “There’s no hard feelings.”
Considering that Balmer was a first-round draft pick who left San Francisco without ever starting a single game or recording a single sack, the 49ers might not feel the same way.