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Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports


Kris Kocurek discusses 49ers defensive linemen DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, and Solomon Thomas

May 29, 2019 at 4:21 PM--


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The San Francisco 49ers brought in Kris Kocurek to improve a defensive line that ranked No. 22 in getting to opposing quarterbacks. The pressure has been there, but the unit hasn't been able to finish those crucial plays.

One exception is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who racked up a career-high and team-leading 12 sacks in 2018. Kocurek isn't expecting the Pro Bowl defender to take another giant leap this year and just wants to focus on the little things to improve his game.

"Obviously Buck had a really good year last year, and it's just a matter of fine-tuning little small details with him at this point and time," Kocurek said. "Just trying to get a little bit better. He's not going to take huge jumps (just like) you're not going to see like a guy going from his rookie year to his second year take this huge jump.

"Right now, it's just the little things with Buck. Just trying to sharpen that ax a little bit more every single day, and just get a little bit sharper with his technique and the things that he's trying to get done. Just maybe a little bit tighter with his hands, a little bit lower with his pad level. Just really small, small details that we're working on with him right now."

Buckner should see some of the focus move off him in 2019. The 49ers added two pass rushers this offseason. Before selecting Nick Bosa with the No. 2 overall draft pick, the team traded for former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford.

What does Kocurek like about Ford?

"Obviously his ability to rush the quarterback on third down," he responded. "His take off is one of the best in the game. He's really quick out of his stance, can get on tackles really fast, and he's really starting to come into his own here. Especially last year was a big year for him, and what he was able to do as a pass rusher.

"And his physicality on the edge as a run defender also. It kind of goes under-appreciated with a lot of pass rushers in the National Football League. Everybody just talks about their ability to rush, and that's the only thing they can do. He can also play the run too."

The 49ers are hoping Kocurek's presence, and the new scheme up front will mean a breakout season for third-year defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. Kocurek noted that what Thomas had to deal with last year following the death of his sister will only make him stronger.

"Since the day I arrived here, I've seen a player with a chip on his shoulder," Kocurek said of Thomas. "I've seen a player with a look in his eye that he's ready to take that next step. Everybody's got to realize Solomon is still a young player. He's going into his third year, and they say NFL players usually take the biggest jump going from their second to their third year.

"Based off the way he's been working from the day I got here, whether it be in the classroom, film study, in the weight room, and then on the practice field, he's got that look in his eye. He's ready to get better."

You can watch Kocurek answer questions below, courtesy of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Grant Cohn.




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