Originally posted by dtg_9er:I think a better NT will help Justin Smith on 1st and 2nd down so Justin is fresher for 3rd downs. I've noticed more this season than last season that Justin was double teamed more on run downs, while Sop was single blocked. Than on 3rd downs, Justin was again doubled using that stunt while Aldon was singled.
I do not disagree with this at all, but the NT generally does not sack the QB often or apply much pressure. The 3/4 is designed to allow the LBs to flow to the ball while the DL holds the LOS. If there is any oddity I have noticed over the past two years is that the niner DL is able to stack it up, leaving the team able to rush or blitz fewer people. Fangio said, when he first came to SF, that Willis' one weakness was blitzing and that he would need to learn this skill. They have blitzed the MLBs very seldom, though more in the play offs. It would be really interesting if someone kept a record of how many rush on any passing down. I would bet the niners rush the fewest in the league on average. This is a credit to the DL.
Could they put more pressure on the QB if they blitzed more? I think so. But Willis and Bowman are so good at all aspects of the game that they are often used in coverage.
Edit: But do they need to draft for the DL high this year? I would think so!
They need to get at least 2 DL through the draft or FA.