2024 49ers Season

[Jikkle]

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Ouch. This is certainly plays into the red zone issues.

Its probably over simplifying it, but again I think a lot of this comes down to the O-line. Mason has solid vision, and is great after contact. Inside the 5 heavily relies on north to south power running, the O-line is going to struggle to open up running lanes when the boz is stacked in a condensed field. The O-line just isn't going to win many hat on hat type of situations.

I've watched a few film breakdowns where Mason gets excited and doesn't read his keys the way he should. That's Guerendo's problem, too. Right now, it seems like nothing is working. The run game is solid, but not inside the 20. Our playmakers aren't really making plays. Purdy is pressing. Kyle has got to find a way to settle the guys down and make it work. The game this week is a huge one for us.

We've had issues with short yardage for years though.

The offensive line is completely dependent on the scheme to give them favorable angles to block and to get 2nd level blocks. When the field gets condensed and defenses are less likely to bite on any cheese Shanahan throws out there it becomes more of a put your dirt and in the ground and man up and push guys out of the way the offensive line is completely underpowered in that regard.

In fact I believe our red-zone issues really boil down to Shanahan's offense being very dependent on space to operate at a high level because Shanahan's schemes thrive on taking advantage of space. When you look at a lot of our short yardage stuff we really don't run it at a high level. Screens never really seem to be in sync, we don't really seem to run pick plays all that well, and we really don't have many hot reads or quick-hitting passes.

Oddly as I type this I wonder why if it's one reason why our defense is so miserable at defending this kinda stuff because they never go against it in practice.

[Jikkle]

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Apparently Mitch has been struggling to locate his kicks.

When you look at that big punt return KC had you watch where the coverage is going and it's obvious Mitch was supposed to kick it more towards the sidelines but instead it went towards the middle.

That's why the returner was able to return it virtually untouched because Mitch sorta kicked it away from the coverage.

[CrimsonCrew]

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Ouch. This is certainly plays into the red zone issues.

Its probably over simplifying it, but again I think a lot of this comes down to the O-line. Mason has solid vision, and is great after contact. Inside the 5 heavily relies on north to south power running, the O-line is going to struggle to open up running lanes when the boz is stacked in a condensed field. The O-line just isn't going to win many hat on hat type of situations.

I've watched a few film breakdowns where Mason gets excited and doesn't read his keys the way he should. That's Guerendo's problem, too. Right now, it seems like nothing is working. The run game is solid, but not inside the 20. Our playmakers aren't really making plays. Purdy is pressing. Kyle has got to find a way to settle the guys down and make it work. The game this week is a huge one for us.

We've had issues with short yardage for years though.

The offensive line is completely dependent on the scheme to give them favorable angles to block and to get 2nd level blocks. When the field gets condensed and defenses are less likely to bite on any cheese Shanahan throws out there it becomes more of a put your dirt and in the ground and man up and push guys out of the way the offensive line is completely underpowered in that regard.

In fact I believe our red-zone issues really boil down to Shanahan's offense being very dependent on space to operate at a high level because Shanahan's schemes thrive on taking advantage of space. When you look at a lot of our short yardage stuff we really don't run it at a high level. Screens never really seem to be in sync, we don't really seem to run pick plays all that well, and we really don't have many hot reads or quick-hitting passes.

Oddly as I type this I wonder why if it's one reason why our defense is so miserable at defending this kinda stuff because they never go against it in practice.

That's fair. Though our red zone offense was one of if not the best in the league last year. But that was very likely a McCaffrey thing as much as anything. Turns out that might be the area where he really makes his money.

[CrimsonCrew]

Saleh is joining the Packers in what appears to be a somewhat undefined role. Bleh.

[CrimsonCrew]

I had commented during the game that I thought it was a fairly successful outing for Pearsall and Cowing. Having reviewed at least some of the film, I still feel that way.

In terms of Pearsall, the total results weren't great. He wasn't entirely on the same page with Purdy, and at least twice appeared to miss balls because he wasn't looking. That needs to improve, and I expect it will. But between injuries and the gun shot, he really didn't have an offseason or a regular season until last week. But in this game, he showed the movement skills, explosiveness, and route-running savvy to get open against very legit NFL competition. I'm confident that the rest of it will come, and assuming it does, he should at least be a solid NFL receiver.

Cowing also showed explosiveness and some wiliness in his route-running. We need him on the field instead of Bell.

There's been some talk of going out and trading for a WR, and I'm not fundamentally opposed to that, but I'd be shopping in the bargain bin instead of looking for a game-changer. We went into this draft thinking there was a chance Aiyuk would get traded. We drafted WRs in the first and fourth rounds. Those guys look viable. Obviously this past week was bad because Jennings and Samuel were also out, but going forward, I don't feel awful about the WR situation. Especially if we actually get CMC back after the bye. This team still has more than enough weapons.

[CrimsonCrew]

Hawks traded for Ernest Jones. Should be a decent upgrade at LB for them, which has been one of their problem spots. Don't love it for us.

[CrimsonCrew]

Evan Anderson elevated into Aiyuk's spot on the 53-man. That's good news. I was worried another team would try to snag him. Not sure if he was active this past week, but he played really well in limited snaps the week before. And we're just thin at DT these days.

[thesack12]

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This is kinda crazy, and doesn't seem at all fair. I mean somebody had to have the biggest rest discrepancy, but playing 4 different teams coming off a bye, while no other teams plays more than 2 is nuts.

If I recall correctly, last season SF had biggest rest disadvantage last season as well.

[Pattersonca65]

I had commented during the game that I thought it was a fairly successful outing for Pearsall and Cowing. Having reviewed at least some of the film, I still feel that way.

In terms of Pearsall, the total results weren't great. He wasn't entirely on the same page with Purdy, and at least twice appeared to miss balls because he wasn't looking. That needs to improve, and I expect it will. But between injuries and the gun shot, he really didn't have an offseason or a regular season until last week. But in this game, he showed the movement skills, explosiveness, and route-running savvy to get open against very legit NFL competition. I'm confident that the rest of it will come, and assuming it does, he should at least be a solid NFL receiver.

Cowing also showed explosiveness and some wiliness in his route-running. We need him on the field instead of Bell.

There's been some talk of going out and trading for a WR, and I'm not fundamentally opposed to that, but I'd be shopping in the bargain bin instead of looking for a game-changer. We went into this draft thinking there was a chance Aiyuk would get traded. We drafted WRs in the first and fourth rounds. Those guys look viable. Obviously this past week was bad because Jennings and Samuel were also out, but going forward, I don't feel awful about the WR situation. Especially if we actually get CMC back after the bye. This team still has more than enough weapons.

Pearsall is a rookie who missed too much time. If there is anything good to come out of all the injuries at WR, is that Pearsall and Cowling are going to get some much needed experience. Hopefully they will be better for it next season.

[CrimsonCrew]

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This is kinda crazy, and doesn't seem at all fair. I mean somebody had to have the biggest rest discrepancy, but playing 4 different teams coming off a bye, while no other teams plays more than 2 is nuts.

If I recall correctly, last season SF had biggest rest disadvantage last season as well.

Yeah, two years in a row we've had the biggest negative rest by a wide margin. And we've only played one of those four games against opponents coming off a bye. We're in some serious trouble this year. Honestly, with Kupp and Nacua back, I don't know that we can beat the Rams.

[wco81]

I guess Jennings is definitely out this Sunday.

Tough for the team but also, he had been having the best stretch of games in his career in the early part of this season.

[Samurai]

Sure wish we had a special teams coordinator comparable to the one the Steelers have. Blocked punts, blocked FG's, TD's on punt returns - kinda the exact opposite of our special teams.

[arich35]

I am not sure we are appreciating how good Lenoir has been

[49er4life1979]

I am not sure we are appreciating how good Lenoir has been

Completely agree. He has improved every season since coming in 2021 as a 5th rounder. One of my faves on the team. I hope they find a way to keep him in the offseason. Surely they can't let a 25 year old stud corner that they drafted walk? Mooney Ward is definitely gone after the season. Losing Demo as well would be too much.

[Harry Palmer]

Ward’s daughter died. I cannot imagine his pain, my god.

Edit: details aren’t clear to me, she was 1 year old and suffered from Down Syndrome and that is being mentioned as involved in her death, though I have not heard anything explicit. My impression is that it wasn’t completely unexpected but still ~ sudden. A lot of photos of her in hospital.

[Samurai]

I am not sure we are appreciating how good Lenoir has been

Agree. Ward has been very solid for us but he could end up being a salary cap casualty after this season. If we can't keep him, having a CB duo of Lenoir and Green could be more affordable and effective. Didn't realize that Green has a PFF grade of 79.6 so far, ranking #9 out of 201 CB's and was our highest graded player (just ahead of Kittle) against the Cowboys. Lenoir was our 5th highest player in the Cowboys game at 76.6 and is at 67.6 for the season (higher than Ward's 58.0).

[CrimsonCrew]

I am not sure we are appreciating how good Lenoir has been

Agree. Ward has been very solid for us but he could end up being a salary cap casualty after this season. If we can't keep him, having a CB duo of Lenoir and Green could be more affordable and effective. Didn't realize that Green has a PFF grade of 79.6 so far, ranking #9 out of 201 CB's and was our highest graded player (just ahead of Kittle) against the Cowboys. Lenoir was our 5th highest player in the Cowboys game at 76.6 and is at 67.6 for the season (higher than Ward's 58.0).

Ward is a FA. Fair bit of dead cap, but it's hard to see us extending him.

As we're talking about him, heart goes out to him. I can't imagine losing a child. One of the worst things to go through. Maybe the worst.

[arich35]

Ward’s daughter died. I cannot imagine his pain, my god.

Edit: details aren’t clear to me, she was 1 year old and suffered from Down Syndrome and that is being mentioned as involved in her death, though I have not heard anything explicit. My impression is that it wasn’t completely unexpected but still ~ sudden. A lot of photos of her in hospital.

I thought I read she had heart issues and had surgeries for it in the past. Seems like they are pretty private with that information so hard to know exactly.

No matter what, it is devasting. As a father of two 5 and under this stuff hits way harder than it use to. I hope Ward and his family take the time they need and hopefully they are getting the support they need from the organization and his teammates.

[zman1]

So, half way through the season and Conley has one catch on 7 targets. Bell has 2 catches on 6 targets. And Bell likely caused one int by running the wrong route. I think he almost did the same the last game where Purdy rolled right and had his tipped pass almost intercepted. He showed serious frustration after the play which could have been about Bell screwing up again. And there was the big drop against the Rams.

Why in he'll does Kyle play these two over cowing? I mean does it matter if he doesn't know the full playbook when the other two don't get open and one screws up regularly?

Sent from my SM-X610 using Tapatalk

[wco81]

Maybe Cowing just doesn't know the playbook enough nor know how to read the option routes based on coverage that Purday would make.

Maybe he doesn't block enough or not run out routes at full speed if he's a decoy on a given route.

Maybe he doesn't practice well enough.