Originally posted by Oilcan:
Originally posted by dj43:
Originally posted by RiceOwensStokes:
Originally posted by dj43:
Originally posted by RiceOwensStokes:That is not entirely accurate. They replaced Banks with Burford, a good prospect who has not yet stayed healthy long enough to really perform up to expectations. Puni was a major win. They've developed McKivitz into a top 10 RT. Signed Bartch. Unfortunately, he has been injured. Brendel, the "zone's" favorite whipping boy, has improved and now in the top half of centers. PFF rates all players and teams by the same metric, and love them or hate them, they rank our line #5. That's not bad. Could be better but...
Funny how every reason the Niners fall short, it's always because the offensive line performance was poor, but outside of the 2021 offseason, little to no improvement.
It isn't like quality offensive linemen are just hanging from the lower branches waiting to be picked. As a group, it is the weak link on just about every team. Bo Nix, playing behind the Denver line ranked #1 overall, was sacked 22 times. Purdy and Jones combined were sacked 27 times, the same amount as Sam Darnold. Of QBs that played a full season, only Stafford and Caleb Williams were sacked less.
Right now we are all down as a result of the Seattle game but that was due in large part to Trent not being available. We still have a well-above average OL when everyone is healthy,
Having said that, restocking for depth and a future LT is a high priority.
"There aren't quality lineman just hanging waiting to be picked"
True, but could've easily drafted Zach Frazier over Ricky Pearsall in 2024.
...and we see how absolutely impotent the passing game is when there is no down-field threat to the defense,
…And it doesn't matter if you have a down-field threat, if the quarterback doesn't have time to get it to them. It kind of works both ways.
MacDonald's scheme is to commit 8 in the box to both stop the run and confuse the blocking assignments. It also puts 2-3 people in the path of the under routes that are so effective in Kyle's scheme. It is a double hammer. The threat of a deep threat forces the D to hold defenders deeper in the area which makes the job of the OL much easier.
Another thing that was glaringly apparent in the Seattle game was the lack of any man-beaters among the wideouts. Pearsall is the only WR on the team that can win quickly in a man scheme. JJ is good at contested catches but is a poor route-runner. That reality alone changes the defensive approach significantly.
