The 49ers rank #11 in overall pass EPA, but success rate (% of plays with positive EPA):
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Lions
4. Colts
5. Patriots
Bucs RT Charlie Heck has given up 22 pressures over 173 pass-blocking snaps, the second-most in the NFL. Huff needs to exploit him and force Baker into pressure decisions that could lead to their first interception. Heat and humidity mean the less the defense is on the field the better. TOP could be the tipping point in a close game at the end of the 4th quarter. Should be another nailbiter. Niners win 24-21!
49er Inactives today vs the Buccaneers:
would like to see Lenoir follow Egbuka to allow more blitzing w Bucs thin at WR.......
ReplyDeleteThat's the matchup I'm most looking forward to. What are your thoughts on Brown replacing Pinnock? I didn't see that coming!
DeleteI like it Rocket- last week I was hoping to see more Dime to get more speed out there against the spread formations as the front 7 has been successful against the run.
DeleteI believe today they said the tape showed the coaching staff that Pinnock was vulnerable against the pass- not surprising. Additionally, sure am happy to see Brown contributing. ...... question becomes, does Brown stay on w Mustapha? Good problem to have ...... If the secondary can hold up, hopefully they will look to blitz more, as able.
Brown is the better cover safety, while Pinnock is the better tackler. I suspect Otton might why Saleh prefers Brown.
DeleteRazor
DeleteFrom what I understand; As the 9ers reintegrate safety Malik Mustapha, the 9ers coaches believe Brown's skill set better complements Mustapha's. That Brown has better awareness in coverage and ability to avoid mental mistakes......
As you point out, Brown is the better cover safety, Pinnock is the better tackler.
I hear Woody Johnson, owner of the Jets is set to open a flea market.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Quinnen Williams might be available?
DeletePossible but likely cost prohibitive.
DeleteAfter last weeks horrible terrible prediction I probably should just keep my mouth shut but.....I have a very bad feeling about todays game. Our injury situation is going to catch up with us eventually and I think today just might be that day. Heat, humidity and a thin roster may catch up with us today.
ReplyDeleteIm in the same boat.
ReplyDeleteI was completely wrong last week as well but still don't like our odds and Im doubtful it will be particularly close.
That said I do think this team could have a massive uptick if they can get healthy.
Its goanna be another upset victory for the Niners. McCaffrey has big day.
ReplyDeleterunning?
DeleteJJ's active and he's a monster in the run game when healthy.
DeleteYes, running.
DeleteTB is banged up as well- contain Baker and shut down Egbuka...... problem for 49ers today may be getting the offense going today w the run game being an issue already and now going against TB's defense- dink-n-dunk and win TOP
ReplyDeleteThe keys to a 9er win VS TB:
ReplyDelete1) With TB receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out with injuries, the rookie WR Emeka Egbuka is the threat the 9ers' secondary must shut down to control the Bucks and QB Baker Mayfield's passing game.
2) The 9ers D ranks among the league's best in opponent third-down conversion percentage. Continuing to force 3rd and long situations is critical to a 9er win.
3) The TB O-line has struggled with injuries. Pressure by the 9er defense could force mistakes. A turnover would provide a momentum swing and be the difference in a win.
4) The special teams battle will be important. TB's ST have been prone to mistakes, having had a number of missed kicks and blocked punts this season.
MAC THROWS AN INT ON 1ST SERIES....NOT THE WAY I WANTED THE GAME TO START.....TB 7 49ERS 0
ReplyDeleteWarner being carted off the field....looks like his ankle....Will the injuries never end?
ReplyDeleteLooked bad. No Bosa. No Warner. Saleh has his work cut out now.
DeleteTough to watch that soft zone at the end of the half. And if we're looking to pressure, how about a 5-man line with man-to-man coverage, so the defense doesn't have to go through complicated adjustments with Warner out. Tampa's running free for check down chunks.
ReplyDelete9ers 16 VS TB 20 at halftime.....Not good, but all things considered,
ReplyDeleteit could be A LOT WORSE!
It’s hard to win a game when you can’t run the ball and you can’t stop the run.
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling about this loss. But the worse thing to happen is the loss Fred Warner. This one is going to hurt as much as Bosa's loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure nobody really wants to hear this right now, but there's a chance that losing Bosa and Warner this year to injury will pay long term dividends through opportunities to develop their young guys.
ReplyDelete+100
DeleteThe young defensive players will need to develop much faster. With Bosa and now Warner out these guys will want to prove that they can handle any adversity. This loss will only propel this team forward. And, the big offensive weapons will soon be on the field.
Mac Jones played well -- having to overcome some drive-killing penalties like the ones by Jennings. Can't wait to see Piersall, Kittle, Watkins and Aiyuk. Just limp into the playoffs if we have to. Maybe we'll see a new defense. So much of the pass defense had relied upon Warner. Green and Lenoir are reputed to be good in press man, so maybe press man with increased blitzing. Anyway, I'm still optimistic.
ReplyDeleteNo Bosa, No Warner and no O line. Things could get ugly from here on out
ReplyDeleteThe continued poor OL play (particularly run game) is the most concerning to me. Without Bosa and Warner they'll need the offense to pick up the slack.
Delete9ers coach KS announced after the game that Warner dislocated and fractured his ankle. The injury will require season-ending surgery.
ReplyDeleteDang, that sucks. Not surprising as it looked bad, but was hoping for a miracle.
DeleteUpside/ silver lining - Nick Martin will likely get an opportunity, which should help his development.
I don't see Matin getting an opportunity, he's a WLB. Robinson is behind Bethune now at Mike.
DeleteSure, but Martin should now be active on game days, thereby getting an opportunity.
DeleteNot convinced he'll be active unless he's convinced them he can play special teams.
DeleteWhat other team can be 4-2 with all the major injuries they've suffered. I still expect the 49ers to play in the post season.
ReplyDelete"I ain't heard no stinking bell" Rocky
I am with Scooter, let the kids play and let the chips land where they land. AES, I too expect to see the Niners in the post season.
ReplyDeletePost season should definitely remain the goal. Let's get some of the offensive pieces back and see what they can do.
DeleteYes sir, UC.
ReplyDeleteJones against the blitz vs the Bucs
ReplyDelete5/10
47 yards
1 INT
He had to be good to win. He wasn't. Held the ball entirely too long. Moving forward I'm starting DRob over JJ.
JJ has been hampered by 5 injured ribs. I wouldn't be quick to dismiss him right now. I did not see the verbal shuffle he had with Shanahan at the end of the first half, but I'm sure it had something to do with his lack of opportunities. DRob does not have a proven history with the 49ers. Jennings does.
ReplyDeleteI'd trade JJ quicker than a hiccup and start DRob.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is entitled to their own opinion. DRob dropped an important pass. But I won't overreact it's football.
DeleteRazor
DeleteFYI: JJ played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with five broken ribs, as well as high and low ankle sprains.
Yea, I know. Every player has injuries. He also held out of camp and not gonna be around next year.
DeleteIf they don't see JJ being re-signed beyond this season, I'm fine with trading him.
DeleteNot because I'm giving up - but now, with the injuries, the way this team remains competitive and make the post season is through everyone staying hungry, pulling in the same direction and being on the same page. Can't have any bs selfish stuff creating friction. If JJ wants to make it about him, time to push him out the door.
Jauan Jennings today:
ReplyDelete• 0 catches
• 1 false start
• 1 sideline yelling match with Shanahan
* 1 personal foul in the red zone
Actually, he was targeted 3 times and had 1 catch for 7 yards.
DeleteThose actions by JJ (though not good), should not lead to his benching imho. Sports is very competitive and we see these reactions by players all the time. We'll see how this plays out going forward.
ReplyDelete'26 LB Class At A Glance:
ReplyDelete• Arvell Reese, Ohio State
• Sonny Styles, Ohio State
• CJ Allen, Georgia
• Anthony Hill Jr, Texas
• Whit Weeks, LSU
• Taurean York, Texas A&M
• Harold Perkins, LSU
• Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
• Jake Golday, Cincinnati
• Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
WR Class:
ReplyDelete• Jordyn Tyson, Arizona St
• Makai Lemon, USC
• Carnell Tate, Ohio St
• Denzel Boston, Washington
• Chris Bell, Louisville
• Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
• Germie Bernard, Alabama
• KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
• Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
2026 draft needs seeOlim to almost change weekly.
ReplyDelete1. Oline. Still top priority.
2. LB. Obviously this depends on Warner's full recovery.
3. Edge. Bosa, same as above.
4. TE. Kittle, same as above.
Hopefully QB Rourke can show that he can become #2 if and when Mac walks.
They have Jones signed through the 26 season. I believe they have to trade either Jones or Purdy before the end of 26 but a lot will depends on how Rourke or even Martinez develops
DeleteRazor,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the early heads-up on these players. I'll be checking them out throughout the season.
You're welcome.
DeleteI expect to see the 9ers first 3 draft picks to be O-line. And If their play, and the run game doesn't improve, the first 5 draft picks could all be O-line.
ReplyDeleteHighly doubt that. But at least one of their first 3 picks likely will be. Maybe 2, if the board falls that way.
DeleteThey'll likely also be looking to keep adding to the DL. And wouldn't surprise to see WR drafted high again.
Scooter
Delete"wouldn't surprise to see WR drafted high again."
* Maybe If they trade Aiyuk and KS doesn't think pearsall is a
#1 WR? They'll still need to sort out how Bourne, Watkins, Cowing and the others fit in. While I doubt it will happen, they
could decide to keep JJ?
* The 2026 Draft OT class is shaping up to be exceptionally strong> Analysts saying it has better pure OT prospects at the top than the heralded 2025 class.
* The 2026 NFL Draft is also solid for OG's. The strength of the IOL class is on Day 2 of the draft, where I'd expect the 9ers
to draft
I think people should start preparing themselves for the idea that maybe Aiyuk can't return to anywhere near the level he was pre-injury. That was a really bad knee injury.
DeleteScooter
DeleteI couldn't agree more...
You could very well be right, GEEP. The 49ers drafted heavy on defense last April and Oline could be the plan in 2026.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly the college OL isn't NFL ready. I believe that is why KS goes after NFL experienced OL men. Puni was the exception, but he is having problems this year. Connor Coby looks like he is having a tough time of it. So...
ReplyDeleteundercenter
ReplyDeleteThe NY Times specifically mentions 15 rookie linemen who have played at least 100 snaps as of October 1, 2025.
While the specific number of "rookie O-linemen" is not explicitly listed in the provided search results, the number of rookies playing is higher than just the 15 players mentioned in the article.
NFL rookie offensive lineman Connor Colby was a 2025 7th Rd draft pick, not a Rd #1, or #2 draft pick by Chicago.
ReplyDeleteMoody's troubles have followed him to Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI see the 49ers drafting an OT in the first round. Then moving him inside until TW retires. Then they pick a C in the 2nd round and a OG in the 3rd. If they trade one of their QBs for an extra 1st round pick I see them drafting a RB then moving CMC into Deebos old spot where he can be targeted 5 to 10 times a game while running the ball 5 to 7 times a game. No need for another WR with Pearsall, Bourne and CMC.
ReplyDeleteYeah, CMC to WR/ wide back is something I could see happening over time. But not sure they'll be able to convince CMC of the move as soon as next year.
DeleteCMC, will be in the HOF after he retires because he's a RB. I dont see that changing. I will wait to see what Jordan James can do before drafting a RB unless they can find a diamond on day three.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Oline will be high on the priority list.
But with so many key players seemingly getting serious injuries almost every week, the 49ers may have to alter their drafting plans.
What was it that they were calling Deebo a wide back? CMC would be a hybrid. It could lengthen his career. I like Jordan James a lot but he will never be a home run hitter. If the 49ers could get an extra 1st round pick they could use the pick later in the round to draft a potential home run hitter. I don't see CMC ever regaining that sort of explosivness.
DeleteThe Oline has been underachieving in both run and pass blocking.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Purdy's excapabiliy from the pocket has covered for the Oline the past couple of years and Mac's statue QB style is exposing what we've known about the Oline for a while now.
Honestly, imo, I can't put blame on CMC right now. Any RB would have a problem running behind the Oline. The silver-lining is that Purdy, Kittle, Aiyuk and Pearsall will return soon and the Oline still has time to get their groove back.
Yeah, agreed re CMC. I actually think he's looked fine in terms of burst etc. The problem is the blocking, not the RBs.
DeleteIf you want to make winning easier in todays NFL you need a qb that can win with his legs as well as the pocket.
ReplyDeleteIts much easier finding skill positions than offensive linemen in todays NFL.
Mickey Mantle was a great switch hitter. Steph Curry is ambidextrous. Otani can hit and pitch. Those former and current players could beat a team in more than one way.
ReplyDeleteI call them special athletes. Purdy is in that category.
Throughout preseason, the players commented on how Salah's defense now included novel blitzing and stunts. Haven't seen that yet. The boldness our defense needs, may be out of Salah's and Bradley's comfort zone. They might sprinkle in a few plays, but what if out best shot is to lead the league in blitz rate?
ReplyDeleteIt just got vanilla without Fred.
DeleteThe 49ers worked out veteran CB Tre Hawkins today, per Aaron Wilson.
ReplyDelete