NFL Films producer and ESPN analyst Greg Cosell is making it very clear that he is a fan of the San Francisco 49ers defense, and feels this season's unit could be special. As it stands, the defense ranks ninth in the league in points allowed, seventh against both the pass and run, and second in total yards allowed.
The defense has also been a significant reason why the 49ers are 3-0.
Cosell joined KNBR on Thursday and was asked a question about the 49ers offense but, with time during the interview running out, wanted to quickly note how impressive the defense has been so far.
"I know everybody wants to talk about this the offense and Jimmy G," Cosell said on the "Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks" show, "but I think this defense has a chance to be really good. They are fast, they are active, they've got really good players at almost all levels.
"I was really sorry to see that Witherspoon will be out about a month because he is playing really good football."
Cosell explained that he knows Witherspoon had dramatically improved because the coaches were letting him play man coverage without much help before the third-year cornerback suffered a foot sprain during Week 3.
"[Kwon Alexander] has raised the speed level of this defense dramatically," Cosell excitedly continued. "And now that they have (Tarvarius) Moore essentially playing free safety — although, there are snaps in the box as well — he's got great speed. You see that on tape all the time. They've got a great D-line rotation.
"This defense, to me, and I'm not going to sit here and tell you they're going to be the '85 Bears, but with all the focus on Jimmy G, and Kyle (Shanahan), and the offense, and deservedly so, Jimmy G played his best game by far this past weekend, but I think this defense has a chance to be pretty darn good."
Tom Tolbert told Cosell that he believes the 49ers are trending in the right direction. Speed seems to be a theme this season. The San Francisco defense looks faster than it has in years.
"When I turn on their defensive tape, now, it's actually fun to watch because they fly around the football," Cosell said. "They've got team speed, and you can't coach team speed. Obviously, that's one reason you sign a Kwon Alexander. That's why a Moore, who's back playing the position he played in college, which was safety after he got the shot at corner last year, he's got great speed.
"... This could be a good team. I mean, again, it's early, but I clearly agree with Tom, this team is trending in the right direction."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Cosell below.