The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a big win over the Dallas Cowboys, and now their attention turns to the Cleveland Browns. The team still has not lost a game and should be able to improve to 6-0 on Sunday, as long as they don't shoot themselves in the foot.
We opened up the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what questions were swimming around in your mind. Let's jump in and see what you asked.
The Seahawks, Eagles, and Seahawks seem to be the most significant and most crucial part of their schedule now. My gut says they walk out of that 2-1. What do you think? - DoctorWDS
The 49ers have a stretch of games where they play at Seattle, at Philadelphia, and then host Seattle. It's a challenging trio of games and is possibly the most crucial part of the schedule for San Francisco.
The way the 49ers are playing right now, they could win them all. But with two of those games being on the road, that's unlikely. I will be happy if they emerge with a 2-1 record. As long as they have a winning record from those three games, I think we would all be feeling good about that.
So which two would we want the 49ers to win, if they only win two of those three? Well, it depends on what the Seahawks and Eagles do between now and then, so we'll have to wait and decide which two we'd prefer they win. I would say winning one against each team would be the best, but the standings could determine how we see this game in another month. You always want to win your division first, so if the Seahawks are close to the 49ers, those two may be the ones you prefer to win.
But then if the Eagles are right there with the 49ers, and you're playing for the number one seed, you might want to win one against both teams. The best thing, obviously, is if they just win all three.
Is Elijah Mitchell an injury away from being cut? - Sasha R.
No, I don't think so. And there are a few reasons for this.
- Elijah Mitchell is a talented running back. He's a great reliever for Christian McCaffrey, and he's valuable in tight games because he has never fumbled in his NFL career. I think that's huge in Kyle Shanahan's mind.
- Mitchell seems to be injured most of the time, and he's still on the team.
- They won't move on from him during the season, even with the way Jordan Mason has been playing. The running back position needs depth. Remember in 2021 when Deebo Samuel had to start playing running back more than any of us were comfortable with? I'd rather not see that happen again.
I really don't think they'd move off of Mitchell during the offseason either. He's too good when he's on the field. But when his rookie contract is up, the 49ers could choose not to re-sign him. It's a shame he's missed so many games because he gives the offense some valuable snaps.
Marc, on the television cast, they spoke about Griese liking Purdy in draft for late round. Who was the scout in that area that recommended? Honorary GM. - Jaime
I reached out to Matt Maiocco, of NBC Sports Bay Area, to find out the answer to this question, regarding the scout who was credited with finding Brock Purdy. Maiocco said, "Steve Slowik was the area scout who initially brought Purdy to the attention of the team. (He's now a pro scout.) Griese and assistant QB coach, Klay Kubiak, were given the assignments of evaluating the late-round quarterbacks, and both of them identified Purdy."
That's great work by a scout who clearly understands what his head coach is looking for in a quarterback. Also, excellent work by a couple of assistant coaches who were given the responsibility of evaluating the players. Brian Greise and Klay Kubiak were charged with poring over the late-round QBs brought to them. Both saw something in Purdy.
This is one of the reasons the 49ers have been so successful in recent years, especially with mid-to-late-round picks. As an organization, they are in lock-step about what kind of players they want. That should make you really excited. Your coach knows what he's looking for, and he has a team of people who understand what he wants and are able to go find those players.
Why in the world is Purdy's family sitting in the stands? Lynch should be hooking them up with a suite every home game! C'mon Lynch! - Lester C.
Maybe Purdy's parents enjoy being in the stands. Or maybe the 49ers just don't make it a habit of giving family members a suite. I really don't know the answer to that. But I'll call John Lynch and ask. Maybe he'll pick up the phone this time.
This is totally new ground for Kyle - "Great team that people expected to be great, with a great record." What do you think he will be like as a front-runner? - Doc
I think he'll handle it fine. This team is laser-focused. They know what it's like to make it so far and lose a heartbreaker. To me, they look like a different team from last year. For one thing, they didn't get off to a slow start like they had the previous three seasons. That says a lot about where the team is and where the coaching staff is, in preparation, talent, and focus.
Plus, Shanahan has a lot of confidence in his quarterback and offense right now. And he's calling plays like his life depends on it. Will they lose a game to a team they should beat? Probably. Even the 1994 49ers did. They were blown out by the Eagles one week. And the great 1984 team, that lost only one game, dropped one to Pittsburgh that they never should have lost. So it happens.
But I like what I see so far from Shanahan and his team. I think they'll handle being the front-runner just fine.
The D is loaded with talent, but Wilks is doing an amazing job with playcalling and putting them in excellent positions. What are the odds the Niners are looking for a new DC again this off-season? - Scott B.
It's possible Steve Wilks, who is doing an excellent job as defensive coordinator, will get a head coaching position after this season. But I think it's more likely to happen the season after. I have no inside knowledge, nor do I have any other reason for believing this, other than the fact that even DeMeco Ryans wasn't hired after his initial season as defensive coordinator. And though Ryans was less experienced than Wilks, he was a hotter commodity than Wilks would be.
But if the 49ers keep playing like they are, and advance far into the postseason again, Wilks may get plucked, along with a few more offensive coaches.
Nickname: Brock Star? Brock Party? Mr. Relevant? Berman style "Brock, you sure got a Purdy mouth"? - DoctorWDS
How can you go wrong with "Brock Star?" And I've always been a fan of Chris Berman's nicknames. I also heard someone call him "Brock Steady," as a throwback to the song 1987 hit, "Rock Steady," by the Whispers.
As an old Def Lepard fan, I might go with "Brock of Ages." Or how about a tribute to Queen: "We Will Brock You." Or the Scorpions: "Brock You Like A Hurricane."
Even the 49ers social media team is getting in on the action: "Can you smell what the Brock is cookin?"
Can you smell what the Brock is cookin' 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fSuLMYMNuK
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 11, 2023
I guess it comes down to whatever your preference is. And your ability to rhyme. That's all we have. See you back here next week.