Through two weeks, the 49ers rank 4th in rookie snap count percentage at 13.8%. Investing in your rookies early in the season will pay dividends late in the season. Winning along the way creates belief throughout the building and radiates across the fanbase. They gotta prove it this week by stopping James Connor. Do that and they'll win the football game.
Nick Bosa said Mykel Williams’ week of practice for the Saints had more intent and energy and it showed on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteNick Bosa said the team had a meeting based on how to stop Kyler Murray and the QB run game 👀
ReplyDeleteBosa added he’s “excited about the plan this week.”
Might that include CB/S blitz packages? I think it might!
Razor
DeleteGood Call! I agree with your assessment of including Saleh calling for CB/S blitz Packages.
* Saleh has also changed from a 3 deep zone system on all downs, to now calling 2 deep zone on 1st and 2nd downs and increased calling cover 4, with a 5 -man rush on 3rd down.
Going forward, I'll be interested to see if Saleh changes back
once Mustapha is off IR and healthy?
The 49ers have signed OL Brandon Parker to the Practice squad and promoted TE Brayden Willis to the active roster.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean Kittle might be out longer than we think/hope?
DeleteI don't think so. I think it has more to do with Juice's availability and Burford's knee injury.
DeleteRazor,
DeleteWith Juice out, Shanahan mentioned during his post game presser on Sunday that he had to make some adjustments. I believe that it's time for the 49ers to take a serious look at finding Juices' eventual replacement in the next off season.
Do you see anyone on the horizon that could be a possible replacement?
I think Willis is the guy they've been developing for that role. Not sure who else might be a possibility.
DeleteI agree on the idea that they are elevating the TE due to Juice's injury. Also, I think his eventual replacement should be an H-Back /TE type player. If you are going to have a FB on the field he needs to be threat in the passing game in addition to making blocks on the move. SF doesnt ask the FB to root players out of the hole so that is less important. To this end a shorter stockier TE might actually perform well in the roll and due to size characteristics be dinged in the draft.
DeleteI was excited about the Willis pick and have been disappointed he's remained just a special teamer on our roster. At Oklahoma he was considered exceptional in both pass-catching and run-blocking. Hopefully he'll be able to showcase that over the next few games. Here's a link to he college highlights:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXTSWAKKTZg
Niners offense owns the second-highest 3rd down conversion rate in the league at 53% through the first two weeks. Defensively, Robert Saleh’s squad ranks 13th, allowing opponents to convert at a 37.5% rate.
ReplyDeleteHeading to the big Muddy tomorrow. Going to miss 3 games.
ReplyDeleteUnder
DeleteSo now that you've got me interested in your adventures...Just curious if you'll put in at Fort Benton and kayak to James Kipp Recreation Area? ~149-miles of free-flowing, relatively calm water, sounds ideal for a multi-day run.
Upton Stout is one of 9 CBs in the NFL through 2 weeks to rush the passer at least five times.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest complaint about the D so far (and it seems to have been the same for a while now) is they don't know how to create blitz lanes. Their blitzes seem to run into a pile or get picked up. I watch other games and teams seem to manipulate the other teams front 6/7 to create blitz lanes to the QB. I will admit my experience is with DBs and WRs so I really don't know much about blitzing.
ReplyDeleteThey did in week one but were less successful in week 2. I dont think the blitz has to get there for it to be successful though it just needs the speed up the qb in addition to muddying the looks so he feels he needs to make a fast decision and not exactly understand what he is looking at.
DeleteNola was unique in that Spencer is quick and has pretty good ball placement so they were throwing a fair amount of go/fade routes as an answer. Perhaps a bit more man zone would help here. Then the qb wouldn't just think ok I can throw that ball there against pure man and its a 50/50 ball.
I understand that a rushed QB isn't as efficient as a QB with time. That was a good explanation of why the receivers were open. My question is why aren't we creating blitz lanes?
DeleteShoup,
ReplyDeleteI saw some highlights of Michigan's FB/TE Max Bredeson that seems to be a fit for the 49ers. He's 6'2 240 lbs that shows good blocking ability. But I believe that those were 2024 highlights?
Cardinals CB Depth Chart prior to #49ers game:
ReplyDelete•Sean Murphy-Bunting – Out (PUP)
•Garrett Williams – Out (IR)
•Max Melton – Limited (knee)
•Will Johnson – Groin injury, did not practice
•Starling Thomas – Out (IR)
•Denzel Burke – Rookie (5th round)
•Kei’Trel Clark
•Elijah Jones
We have a good chance to win this game, with a similar game plan to the Saints game.
I like our interior pressure against the Cardinals iOL. They've given up 10 pressures this year.
ReplyDeleteSaleh's D through 2 games number 1 against YAC while Sorento was 28th last year.
ReplyDeleteSomething that hasn't been discussed much about the play of the defense this year is the secondary. The front 6/7 has deservedly gotten the praise, but the back end has also quietly been quite good. They've given up some plays here and there, and gotten lucky on occasion (that dropped TD by Olave when he cooked Green for instance), but they are doing a good job for the most part of forcing the QBs to make accurate throws into coverage.
Deleteand Harrison Jr hasn't shown much to date........and Warner can cover McBride. Contain Kyler and Conners/Benson....... I woulld entertain blitzing at a high rate, akin to playing Hurts- until they beat you in the air.
DeleteDang, Colby hurt at training Thursday. Questionable for Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMy money is on Nick Zakelj. Can he be the next McKivitz? Got cut and came back better. I think Moss might be a center only. We'll see.
DeleteWatch Utah's OT's today if possible guys. They're going up against David Bailey and Romello Height, 2 DE's expected to go top 100. Bailey's reportedly hit 22.16 MPH. Top 50 on the Freaks list.
ReplyDeleteThanks Razor.
DeleteUtah's DE Daley just made a big QB hit even after being held by a OLman
DeleteIf JJ doesn't play, we've got Piersall and a prayer. Whatever
ReplyDeletewide-receiver-like plays we have for Guerendo, now's the time.
Also, Brian Robinson who's shown nothing, never even finishes moving the pile??? I'd rather see Geurendo running, too. At least, he can take it to the house.
I agree about getting some plays for Guerrendo, but Juice is on track to play - I am not down on Robinson Jr, but he doesn need to show something. It will be interesting to see who steps out of the WR room - I anticipate it being Bourne........ getting D Rob back next week will be welcomed.
DeleteI'm thinking of flanking Guerendo -- replacing a wide receiver irrespective of whether Juice is in the backfield. Bourne et al. can't separate. For all I know, none of them can do anything.
DeleteHaha, sorry to be so pessimistic about this game's offense. For the season, if we can limp into the playoffs healthy, we'll be as good as anyone.
I have always felt they should win 11-ish this year and have a good chance for #1 seed........ I think Shanny and Saleh have called good games so far........ I would like to see some variation in the backfield, possibly more 12 formations and Guerrendo could possibly do well there w his size and speed..... if they stop the run and contain Kyler, while allowing Mac to ocmplete his favorite throws, they should be successful tomorrow-AZ secondary may b down 5 guys. Just gotta be careful blitzing when Green and Stout and still somewhat vulnerable and depending upon what Safeties are out there.
DeleteWhat must the 9ers do to beat Arizona:
ReplyDelete1) Establish the run with CMC, Robinson and Guerendo. Use CMC as a receiver.
2) Exploit Arizona CB's Garrett Williams and potentially Johnson.
* 9ers receivers should have opportunities for big plays against a depleted Cardinals secondary.
3) Contain Murray: 9er DE's must pressure him, shut down his running lanes and use Winters to spy in the middle
4) Limit Arizona WR's Harrison to 1 TD. Also, control WR's Benson, Wilson, Jones and TE Trey McBride.
5) 9er front 7 limit RB Conner's big plays. Hold to him to less than 100 yards and keep him out of the endzone.
GEEP,.
ReplyDeleteSInce the days of Russell Wilson, the 49ers have seemed to have issues with QBs with the ability to run. Now, I believe that Murray is the only QB that in our division has the potential to hurt teams when he goes off script and runs. I absolutely agree that Winters and Mykel will play a big role when Murray runs. It's going to be a big test for them tomorrow.
👍
ReplyDeleteAES
ReplyDeleteIf the 9er beat Arizona, they have a golden opportunity to lead the division. I expect the Eagles to beat the Rams.
The Rams v Eagles matchup will be the game of this weekend, IMHO. But although some may disagree with me, I believe that the Rams are still the best team in our division and at this time may be the team that could give the Eagles a fairly even run. I expect a good game between those two teams and would not be surprised if the Rams come out on top.
DeleteI have a feeling that JJ and Colby will play tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteRecent practice squad elevations were Martinez and Malik Turner. This tells me that Oline is fine, even though Burford was moved to IR.
Malik Turner time
DeleteMason Thomas (249 lbs) OK Sooners goes speed to power with the long arm rush and shot putted the 320 pound lineman into the qb.
ReplyDeleteIowa DE Max Llewellyn (6-5 263) another good looking prospect.
ReplyDeleteRueben Bain Jr. is looking like a top 5 pick.
ReplyDelete