The 49ers defense posted their highest EPA of the season vs the Panthers +10.89. Good confidence builder heading into a very tough matchup with the Browns. They'll face the rookie Sanders at quarterback who will look to go down field early and often. Brock will have to play a much cleaner game to give them a chance on a short week. Matchup of the year: Trent Williams vs. Myles Garrett. 🍿
How could Bryce Young be a number 1 pick when Brock Purdy was selected one pick "earlier"?
ReplyDeleteI see what you did there :)
DeleteBrock was late with his throws, sign of rust. That game was the first hint of a team that could go a long way in the playoffs. See what happens next week. Nothing has come easy this year, that's good for mental makeup. Defense wins championships.
ReplyDeleteI'm more concerned with the way the balls are constantly coming out high or floating on him.
DeleteI think it's a mechanics issue from not following through and putting pressure on his front foot. It's clearly correctible but I hope he gets it right or this off-season will be unbearable.
Purdy is still a work in progress, imho.
ReplyDeletePositives:
Plays with confidence.
Knows Shanahan's system.
Quickly shakes off mistakes.
Owns the huddle.
Throws catchable passes.
Great attitude with coaches and players.
Concerns:
Forces passes into tight or double coverage.
Overconfident in his arm strength.
Not scanning the field for secondary receivers.
Locks onto a receiver too long.
When considering his missed playing time due to past and current injuries it seems to make sense that he is still a work in progress.
Highest-Graded Tackles, 2025, PFF:
ReplyDelete1. Penei Sewell, 95.9
2. Trent Williams, 87.9 (!)
3. Garrett Bolles, 87.1
4. Andrew Thomas, 84.8
5. Colton McKivitz, 83.2 (!)
Locking down McKivitz this offseason was huge.
DeleteYep and what's refreshing is he obviously wanted to be here unlike Aiyuk.
DeleteYeah true.
DeleteI think getting that deal done means OL is not their #1 priority this offseason. Still want to upgrade/ add depth, but DL and WR I think are now going to be bigger priorities.
Razor / Scooter
DeleteRE McKivitz: I've been a critic, but agree his pass protection has improved and extension justified.
Scooter: agree, OL is not the 9ers #1 priority. The question then is DT #1 or is WR #1 priority?
Highest-graded 49ers on defense against the Panthers (PFF):
ReplyDelete• Ji'Ayir Brown: 91.5
• Upton Stout: 82.4
• Malik Mustapha: 69.3
• Jordan Elliott: 66.1
• Kalia Davis: 64.3
• Sam Okuayinonu: 63.9
One underrated Defender that no one is talking about is Sam Okuayinonu. Sam O always plays with a relentless motor and gave the Sunday night speech which motivated J'Yir brown.
ReplyDeleteSam is a restricted free agent next season.
I hope we do a long term deal similar to McKivitz and lock him up for 2-3 years.
Yeah, agreed Mugeek. He's been a really good depth piece for a couple of years now.
DeleteI think a DE group of Bosa, Mykel, Huff, Sam O, White and a rookie next year would be good, with Mykel and White both able to play DT on passing downs.
At DT, Collins, West, Davis, a rookie and maybe see if they can bring Elliott back, though might be time to let him go. If they let him go, 5th DT can be a cheap vet or rookie. Plan should be for Collins to be the main DT next year anyway, with Davis, West and a reasonably high drafted rookie in a heavy rotation.
Yeah, Kalia Davis is a FA next year. So maybe one among Elliott and Davis is brought back....my preference is Davis who has blossomed this year.
DeleteAnd I hope we get to see Valdez get some snaps this year.
Mugeek9er 👍 I agree with you on Sam Okuayinonu.
DeleteStafford's first 61 starts 73 INT's.
ReplyDeleteTom Brady's first 78 starts 78 INT's.
In 46 starts Brock has 35 INT's and 78 TD's.
Improving from '24 when they were at 57%, in the last 3 games the 49ers have scored a TD on 77% of RZ trips.
ReplyDeleteNFL Special Teams EPA:
ReplyDelete1. SEA +44.6
2. SF +33.2
3. MIA +25.7
Boyer is the man!
Skyy Moore is 8th in the NFL in kick return average at 28.3.
DeletePurdy's depth of targets:
ReplyDeleteFirst Half: 7.8 yards
Second Half: 3.4 yards
I wonder if we currently have the WRs needed to play a "push the ball downfield" game. I'm beginning to think we would be better off with game manager Brock Purdy.
ReplyDeletePossibly. I think the problem as much as anything against the Panthers was Brock's ball placement, not necessarily an issue of the receivers not getting open. A bit of a combo of being a little late making the throws and not being that accurate, which allowed DBs to make plays.
DeleteMaybe the toe is bothering him, maybe he's just a bit rusty.
49ers' offense sitting at #7 DVOA despite facing the 2nd-toughest schedule defensively.
ReplyDelete