Originally posted by dj43:
At some point the coaching staff has to accept some responsibility for 3rd down failures. As good as Harbaugh and company have been in many areas, the continued failure on 3rd down is troubling.
Coaching players away from penalties is a big one for me. The 49ers were 7th highest in the league last year in penalties (6th in 2011). 2nd in the league in defensive holding and led in unnecessary roughness for the 2nd year in a row (thank you Dashon Goldson). Also 2nd in the league in delay of game. (the last full year of Nolan they were 14th) I put a lot of the blame here on coaches, and a part of it, IMO, is Harbaugh's overly emotional demeanor on the sidelines. Bill Walsh PREACHED that a coach had to be calm in the midst of the storm if the team was to play well and under control. In this, Harbaugh is not following the advice of his mentor. Cleaning up the penalties is a goal that needs to be achieved.
3rd down efficiency and red zone efficiency are scheme issues for me. Harbaugh/Roman are too frenetic, IMO. One play will show some real creative genius, if you will, and the next will be so predictable that a HS defense could stop it. That needs to change if this team is to reach the goal.
I agree on the penalties. The excessive number of them falls on the coaching staff.
In particular, the coaches need to get Ahmad Brooks and Anthony Davis to be more disciplined. Goldson's departure helps us in this area.
I thought that our 3rd down efficiency improved last year, but even if I am correct, it stills needs improvement.
A reduction in the number of penalties would, or should, help us convert more third downs.