It may seem like there was nothing good to take away from last weekend's embarrassing 43-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, but that's not how head coach Kyle Shanahan sees it.
"There was so much stuff that we did bad that is fixable," Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area this week. "And surprisingly, there was a number of encouraging things. (I know) that would be hard to believe, and I know people don't totally want to hear that."
An embarrassing defeat like that is challenging for any fan to overlook. This week has seemingly been about placing blame via social media. The 49ers, however, are moving forward. Shanahan didn't review much of that loss with his team this week. He left that to his assistant coaches. But there were encouraging things upon which the team can build.
One of those encouraging things was Raheem Mostert's performance. The running back had missed two games with an MCL sprain and looked like his regular self against the Dolphins.
Once again, Mostert had an absurdly high average yards per carry. He averaged 8.18 yards per attempt on his way to 90 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Mostert also had three receptions for 29 yards, bringing his total yards up to 119. He has racked up over 100 total yards in each of his three game appearances this season.
"He was very impressive," Shanahan said of his featured running back. "He looked like he picked up right where he left off. I mean, he's got a chance to take it the distance every time when we give him a good lane, and he was going for that every time. And he was running physical too, breaking tackles and going. I'm sick that I didn't get him the ball more.
"But yeah, I was happy with our run game. I have our analytics people tell me stuff all the time. They give me a printout. They said, for whatever it's worth, that was the most efficient run stats in situations we've had since like 1980-something. I know we've ran the ball pretty well here in the last few years. So whatever that stands for, I don't know, but it felt that way."
Shanahan didn't have an opportunity to continue his ground assault. By halftime, the 49ers were down 30-7, and the coach had pulled quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who struggled with the ankle injury he sustained weeks earlier.
"I felt like we could run the ball pretty well, and I definitely got away from it for some obvious reasons," Shanahan continued. "I can't do that. We've got to make sure no matter what the score happens (to be), I balance it out, and give us a chance to do what we do best, and also take some of that pressure off the O-line and the quarterback."
49ers-Eagles: Kyle Shanahan says Brandon Aiyuk, Trey Sermon had a good week of practice
By David Bonilla
Sep 17
Earlier today, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media speculation that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk might be in his doghouse.
"No. It's not a doghouse," Shanahan said on KNBR before explaining that the second-year receiver's reduced playing time had more to do with him returning from an earlier injury and the emergence of Trent Sherfield.
Shanahan fully expects Aiyuk to earn more playing time as the season moves forward.
"I want Aiyuk to get that spot back, but Trent Sherfield doesn't make that easy," the coach added. "He has played at a high level. It's not personal. It's just about guys earning spots."
After
Kyle Shanahan: 'Doing things better,' not tweaks, will lead to an improved 49ers defense
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 13
The 49ers had their first game of the season Sunday against the Lions, and it was DeMeco Ryans' first game as the defensive coordinator for the 49ers.
Ryans, who was promoted after former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh became the head coach of the New York Jets, made the impression this offseason that he wanted the team to be ultra-aggressive, beginning with the defensive line.
And that was the case Sunday, as four different 49ers (DT Kentavious Street, DE Nick Bosa, DE Arik Armstead, and DE Dee Ford) racked up at least five pressures, with Armstead leading the way at 9 total for the game.
However, with the positives came some work to improve on, as the 49ers allowed 116 rushing yards, with most of the damage coming along the
Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates following 49ers-Lions, fears ACL injury for Jason Verrett
By David Bonilla
Sep 12
The San Francisco 49ers escaped with a 41-33 Week 1 victory over the Detroit Lions. However, the win came at a cost when it comes to the health of the team. Starting cornerback Jason Verrett reportedly suffered a torn ACL, ending his season. That's a devastating blow to the 49ers' pass defense.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the team is worried that Verrett indeed suffered a torn ACL.
"It's crushing," the coach said. "I'm hoping for the best, but it's crushing. You know the bad luck he's had, and putting together these last two years, staying healthy, how good of a camp he had. We've got a lot of love for J.V. and respect him as much
Kyle Shanahan talks 49ers' CB options with Jason Verrett injured; Richard Sherman 'always a possibility'
By David Bonilla
Sep 12
Could Richard Sherman return to the San Francisco 49ers? Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't eliminating the possibility following the likely loss of starting cornerback Jason Verrett for the season. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that he fears Verrett suffered a torn ACL, ending the season again for the often-injured veteran cornerback.
What are the 49ers' options moving forward? Recently-signed cornerback Josh Norman was inactive for the game.
"He was definitely ready to go," Shanahan said. "Josh actually told us if we tell him today that he's up, he'll be ready to go. So Josh has been a soldier all week, and I'm real excited to have him here, and I know he was ready this week, so I expect him to be ready next week also."
Shanahan
