Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner came up with back-to-back would-be sacks of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during team drills on Tuesday. Solomon Thomas had what, in a game, would have been a sack as well. That is good news for the San Francisco 49ers pass rush, which is the biggest question mark on the team as it heads into the 2018 season.
The pass rush has noticeably improved during training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if Tuesday's session was the best that it has looked since camp kicked off.
"It did feel like it," he told reporters. "And it felt like it two days ago also. We've had three days in pads. Our first day (Saturday), I was disappointed with it. The next day (Sunday) I was extremely excited. Today it felt the same, if not better, as our last practice."
Shanahan called it a step in the right direction. The 49ers defense managed just 30 sacks as a unit last year, which was good enough to tie for 26th in the league.
"I've been real happy with that group," he continued, "some of the new guys we brought in, bringing in [pass-rush specialist coach Chris Kiffin] and adding him to that room. Just watching him and [defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina] work together, I think the guys have really bought into what both of them are preaching.
"I can see our guys getting better each day. I think all our guys, their technique and their craft, they've really honed in on it. It's showing to me, and they are becoming harder to block."
Shanahan went into a little more detail about Buckner and his impressive offseason.
"I think he is taking huge steps forward this year," the head coach said. "Just watching how he moves, some of his different pass rushes, having a little more tools to use, and he always has what he was born with – size and power. That's where it starts."
Buckner did not make NFL Network's Top-100 list. Does the young defensive lineman get the respect he deserves?
"He's in my top 100," Shanahan answered.
