CrimsonCrew wrote:So one thing I wanted to focus on after this game. It's something I've raised previously, but something that became even more glaring this week as there's a stark contrast with the Chiefs.
All this year, as their OTs have struggled and they have been hurting for WRs, the Chiefs have relied on shorter passes and really designed things to maximize YAC, minimize Mahomes' time with the ball in his hands, but still give him the option to get out of the pocket and make big plays with his arm or legs. Mahomes can make (some) plays with Noah Gray as his leading target because the offense and playcalling are helping him out.
I know the Niners can maximize a short-passing game as they did it under Jimmy, but we haven't been doing it at all with Brock. I'm not entirely sure if that's him or the coaching, though clearly the design of the offense has changed since Brock has been QB. We are running much less play-action, a lot more drop-back game, which typically is not a strength. It seems like we're putting our QB in a tough situation.
Contributing to this is the fact that our WRs aren't really diverse. I think several of them could be, other than Deebo (and Bell, who I'm not counting), who is limited as a true WR. But Aiyuk has the tools to play any WR spot. Jennings can play any spot. I think Pearsall can, and probably Cowing. But it seems like instead of doing that, we just put Aiyuk at split end, Deebo at flanker, and Jennings in the slot, and then each of those guys has a backup. We don't use these guys creatively, we don't move them around the formation. And when we lose someone like Deebo, we don't really have anyone else who can do the things he does and the offense can stagnate.
I love Deebo, what he has done for this team, and how he plays with the ball in his hands (though I hate how he plays without it in his hands most of the time). But I think he's the easiest thing to pinpoint in terms of holding the team's offensive development back. We're too easy to defend. Man Deebo. Double Aiyuk. Get pressure up the middle against Brendel and Banks. I could design an effective defense. Kyle has to find a way to adjust and quickly.
Well said.
To compound these issues you are talking about, even with defense consistently dropping 7-8 into coverage the O-line still can't give Purdy much time in the pocket. Only Trent can consistently win 1on1 matchups, and outside of Puni the other 3 struggle to sustain blocks even with double teams. And that's even im the rare event they pick everybody up that is coming at the QB.
As you elaborate here, there are several issues with the offense (well team overall) but for me the most biggest issues can be tied back to the poor O-line. So, so many times Brock gets pressured before he even finishes his drop and he has nowhere to throw ball because nobody is open, a lot of times that is because the pressure came so quickly guys aren't even out of their breaks yet. You are absolutely right that the receivers struggle to beat man coverage, and that certainly needs to be fixed. But I do think that if the O-line could hold their protections for a modicum of time, we would see Brock be able to find somebody opening up, instead of having to constantly scramble around.
Trent Williams has been on retirement watch for the last couple seasons, but if they don't pull this season out of the gutter and they flame out, I can easily see Trent hanging em up. Which would exponentially elevate the O-line concerns. Unless they think they can move Puni to the outside, without Trent this team has 0 promising OT's.
All that said, its much more likely for the receivers to step up their game and/or Kyle come up with better more creative scheming, than it is that the Oline will be able to elevate their play. Hopefully Feliciano will be able to provide a little boost when he comes back, but that is pretty much about all we can realistically hope for.
