The San Francisco 49ers are on a two-game skid. And just in time, the New England Patriots come to Santa Clara, in what looks like a "get right" game for the 49ers. San Francisco is a double-digit favorite, but the 49ers can't afford to take the Patriots for granted, especially after losing a game they should have won handily in Los Angeles last week.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what you were thinking, and we found plenty of questions in need of being answered. So let's jump in and look at this week's mailbag.
Where's the defense that was supposed to take off since Steve Wilks? Guess they took off too. Sorensen, schemes, blitzes? - Jay B.
The 49ers defense is the biggest concern I have right now. The offense has been good despite missing Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. Not to mention Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams are still trying to round into shape. The special teams units are always bad, so that's nothing new. But defense is my biggest worry with the 49ers.
It wasn't too many seasons ago (2021) when DeMeco Ryans was a new defensive coordinator. Early in that season, the defense was not playing well, and fans were saying Ryans isn't the guy. That turned out to be untrue and now he's one of the most exciting young coaches in the league.
Nick Sorensen deserves time to turn this around. If he isn't able to, we may see him replaced by Brandon Staley, or perhaps someone from the outside. However, I doubt Kyle Shanahan would make a move during the season. But you never know.
Give Sorensen time. He's a rookie defensive coordinator and is still learning.
Where was Jacob Cowing (on offense), and why was Bell getting snaps over him? Seems Cowing could stretch the defense which might open up the middle for BA and JJ. It was the perfect game to get him some reps. - UptickShop
Everyone wants to know why Ronnie Bell is playing ahead of Jacob Cowing. And we haven't been given a good reason why. Last week, GM John Lynch spoke like Cowing would play on offense, but he didn't. When Shanahan was asked about it, he suggested that was never part of the gameplan, and that Cowing still needs to earn his playtime. But he didn't say exactly what Cowing needs to do.
I don't see how Cowing could be any worse than Bell. At least the rookie could improve by playing. Bell isn't. Hopefully, Bell's dropped passes last Sunday will prompt a change.
Give us your take on which 49ers were studs and who were duds against the Rams. Who are you liking for these categories? - Ed H.
Studs against the Rams: Jauan Jennings, Brock Purdy, Deommodore Lenoir
Duds: Bell, DeVondre Campbell, Isaac Yaidom, Colton McKivitz, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
We very rarely finish teams off when in full control of the game!! Why? The secondary gives up way too many big plays at critical stages and has done so for many seasons. When will Aiyuk start earning his money? Why is Bell still here? Why so many injuries is it the training/conditioning of our players? - Julian C.
I agree that the 49ers need to do better at finishing teams off. Is that a Shanahan thing? Or is it more on the players?
Aiyuk will get there. It's just taking longer than we had hoped, and when the team is down offensive stars and losing games, it magnifies Aiyuk's lack of productivity. He'll turn it around, though.
Why is Bell still playing? I have no clue. He shouldn't be.
And I don't know why there are so many injuries. The team is getting older, and that is likely part of it. But they've also played an extra three postseason games for the past three seasons. That's half a season's worth of games. It has to take a toll at some point.
Why didn't we punt the ball deep inside their territory? Yes, Bell dropped the game-winner, but Moody also missed a big kick again. This should have been an easy call. - Zach H.
Shanahan went with his gut. He called a good game, but his players didn't execute. Jake Moody should have made that kick. But I like the coach's decision to go for the win.
Haven't we seen enough of bad clock management from Kyle now? For instance, how could we leave the Rams that many seconds in the end? Call two runs, they only had one timeout. Then at least we go to overtime. - Stefan A.
Shanahan is a great play-caller, but sometimes there are game-management issues. It's been that way his entire time in San Francisco. He probably should have run the ball and used more clock, but to be fair, the plays he called would have worked if the players executed them.
The 49ers only had one wide receiver show up. Aiyuk was and has been a no-show this year. How does he sleep at night? - Jean B.
How does Aiyuk sleep at night? Probably lying down, with his eyes closed. Sorry, you led me right into that one, Jean.
Aiyuk hasn't been great so far in 2024. But he did run a route late in the game last Sunday that the Rams blew. Aiyuk likely would have scored, but Purdy didn't throw Aiyuk the ball. If he had, the 49ers would have won the game and fans would be speaking about Aiyuk differently.
When the Niners are really good, the defense is flowing and limits the big plays. There have been a ton of big plays given up, which usually would result in a punt, but now extends drives. How do you overcome this early season diversity/learning challenges?? - Geoff D.
Sorensen and the 49ers defense have to figure this out. They need to find a way to bring more pressure. Maybe they need to blitz more. So far, they've barely done so. Ryans was very good at calling blitzes at just the right time. Sorensen needs to figure that out.
And the players have to play better. Charvarius Ward, for example, isn't playing like the All-Pro player he was last season. Neither has Nick Bosa or Leonard Floyd. The team's star players need to be better.
Will the secondary be able to stop deep passes at all this season? - Brian S.
Ji'Ayir Brown has still only played a handful of games. He's still learning, so I expect him to get better. Talanao Hufanga is returning from injury. He should improve, although he's now dealing with a new injury. Lenoir has been exceptional. And I already mentioned Ward and Yaidom.
They need to stop letting guys get behind them. Anthony Robertson, my co-host on "The Red and Bold Show," said Ward has been playing with "dirty eyes," meaning he's sneaking too many peaks into the backfield. That has gotten him in trouble some this season. The secondary needs to play cleaner.
What's the main problem with special teams? The players or the coaching? Also, I still think using a 3rd round pick on a kicker is borderline negligence! - Andy G.
They seem undisciplined. They aren't staying in their lanes like they should, and they're missing too many tackles. For example, on the big punt return that put the Rams in a position to win the game last Sunday, Malik Mustapha missed the tackle when the return man fielded the punt. Then the returner was able to get to the edge because players weren't where they should have been.
The players have been the biggest issue, but it could be that coach Brian Schneider needs to be replaced. There's not much creativity or discipline on special teams. Shanahan even said they expected the fake punt in the first half but still weren't able to stop it. It's a lack of creativity, lack of preparation, and lack of execution.
How long has it been since the 49ers had a good special teams unit? 2011? That's the last one I remember being any good. They had a good kicker that season (David Akers), a great return man (Ted Ginn), and punt and kick coverage teams that could actually make plays.
Why didn't the D make proper adjustments and what's with the coach's play calling? Most importantly, why is Bell still on the roster? - Annette B.
I can't answer why the defense didn't make any adjustments. They were playing well for most of the first half but seemed to wear down as the game went on.
As for the coach's playcalling, if you're talking about Shanahan, I thought he called a very good game. But one of his bigger mistakes is having Bell on the field. That's my opinion, of course, and Shanahan doesn't believe Cowing is ready yet.
Why draft Ricky instead of an offensive or defensive lineman? Mcivitz stinks! Why not resign Ward or Al-Shaair instead of overpaying Hargrave? Campbell stinks! Why fire Wilks with no experienced defensive coordinator replacement? Wilks gave up 17 points a game. Sorensen is giving up 24 points a game! His schemes are getting exposed! - Damion W.
A lot is going on in this question. Hopefully, Ricky Pearsall returns soon and shows us why the 49ers drafted him. But, yes, McKivitz struggles sometimes.
I agree that having Jimmie Ward and Azeez Al-Shaair instead of Javon Hargrave would be an upgrade for the defense. But it's easy to say that now.
Steve Wilks had a difficult job, filling the shoes of Ryans. He wasn't bad, but the 49ers defense took a step back, and that's why he was let go. But now they've taken multiple steps back. Will Sorensen make it to year two?
Why don't you invest in defensive backs? Why do you use the same two players on offense until you wear them out? Try to get Wade Philips as the defensive coordinator! - Carl F.
They signed Ward in the offseason a few years ago, and have drafted multiple defensive backs. They may not be drafting them in the first round, but they are investing in the secondary.
I'm not sure who "the same two players on offense" are. McCaffrey? Samuel? Jordan Mason? Shanahan seems to only trust a couple of running backs, but they spread things around pretty well among the pass catchers.
When is Greenlaw playing? - Craig H.
Dre Greenlaw likely won't be back until November. If he returns sooner than that, I'd be surprised. He may push to get back sooner, but the team will be cautious with him. They'll need him down the stretch for a postseason run.
When will we get some decent DB's? Our competition now knows our weaknesses. - Denise S.
I like this secondary. They've made too many mistakes so far, but they're better than how they've been playing. I don't believe they've suddenly forgotten how to play football, nor do I believe the secondary is the team's weakness.
Who's the best OT coming out of college next year? I was pissed about the contracts being handed and this loss has checked me out till the draft. Unbelievable. - Leighton P.
The best offensive tackle in college football is LSU's Will Campbell. The 49ers will likely not have a shot at him, as he'll go early in the 2025 draft. His teammate, Emery Jones, Jr., is highly thought of, as well. Kelvin Banks, of Texas, and Earnest Greene, III, of Georgia, are considered two of the best in the country, too.
Don't check out yet, Leighton. There's plenty of the season remaining. The 49ers often start slow.
Why is Shanahan still coaching? Let him take a retirement seat with his non-coaching dad. - Herman H.
Shanahan is still one of the better coaches in football. If he were to be fired, there would be a line of teams ready to hire him. If Jed York doesn't have a better option already lined up to replace him, it would be stupid to get rid of Shanahan. That's how you end up with Jim Tomsula, Dennis Erickson, and Chip Kelly.
When will Moody be cut? - Lindsay W.
When will we move on from Jake Moody? He is not a clutch kicker. - Dominic L.
Moody isn't going anywhere. No one was complaining when he was seven for seven. Should he have made the game-winner last Sunday? Yes. He needs to be better in those big moments. But he's not going to be cut.
Can the 49ers get a refund on the big contracts signed by Trent, BA, and Deebo? I'd like to give Brock, Warner, and Jennings a raise. - William S.
Purdy is going to get a raise next year. Jauan Jennings just got one. Fred Warner deserves another raise. Unfortunately, there are no refunds. But the 49ers could trade any of the players (and contracts) that they don't want.
That's not going to happen anytime soon. WIlliams, Samuel, and Aiyuk will turn things around.
The D and special teams were horrendous! Do you think Campbell and Yiadom will be replaced and, if so, who will replace them? - Andy G.
Campbell was replaced by Dee Winters, but then he went down with an injury again. When he's healthy again, Winters may replace Campbell.
I'd like to see Yaidom replaced with Renardo Green. I know he's a rookie, but so far, Yaidom has been a disappointment.
Do the Niners make a play for DT? - Lowbridge
They promote from within, at least early on. If they're still having defensive issues, especially in stopping the run, maybe we'll see them make a trade before the trade deadline. If the Denver Broncos are out of contention, could we see the 49ers trade for our old friend, D.J. Jones? Most 49ers fans would love to see that happen, and Jones would certainly help with the run defense.
But first, they'll look at Evan Anderson, T.Y. McGill, and Kalia Davis, once he returns from injury.
That's all we have for this week. We'll open a brand-new mailbag on Monday, so watch for it. Your questions are always welcome.