Raheem Morris, Defensive Coordinator, SF 49ers

In reading through this thread, there is a lot of talk about what we need in order to run a 3-4 front.

We would need a lot. Right now we are built for a wide-9 4-3. It would take a couple of good drafts plus some FA signings to commit to a 3-4. Kittle and his friends can't wait for that. We need to fix the pass rush and switching to a 3-4 with what we have now and a couple of other players isn't going to get it done. I think Morris and Shanahan recognize that. If a move is made, it will be gradual and used as a change-up, not the main thing.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Since07:
Maybe, I just don't see Winters or Martin as a 3-4 ILB yeah nickel is primary in most defenses but we will probably run some 3-4 on base downs and we have no meat at the LB position outside of Warner

I don't think scheme is playing a factor for either of those guys. Tatum is JAG, and Winters started off the season on fire but cooled off fast. He'll probably be competing for the same spot, but I hope they add some more talent because this group is definitely bad.

I don't get what you mean by "meat." Do you mean good players? If so, I agree, they need to find another quality player at LB. But it kind of seems like you're implying size, which makes no sense. The Falcons' weak stack LB, Divine Deablo, weighed 225 pounds. Hell, Seattle's weak stack LB in their 3-4, Drake Thomas, is only 5-11, 223 pounds--Nick Martin size. Defenses want the fastest and most explosive athletes out there. There's no difference in size requirements or whatever as a stack LB for a 34 or 43 in the modern NFL. They all are chasing after the same players.

Then what was all the kerfuffle about Gifford and his role vs Martin? Assume it was around 3 stack LB ?

Originally posted by dj43:

In reading through this thread, there is a lot of talk about what we need in order to run a 3-4 front.

We would need a lot. Right now we are built for a wide-9 4-3. It would take a couple of good drafts plus some FA signings to commit to a 3-4. Kittle and his friends can't wait for that. We need to fix the pass rush and switching to a 3-4 with what we have now and a couple of other players isn't going to get it done. I think Morris and Shanahan recognize that. If a move is made, it will be gradual and used as a change-up, not the main thing.

Base packages are played 25% of the time. I think we'll have some more diverse looks and run some hybrid schemes, but we won't transition to a full 3-4 setup.

Some targets that could be good additions:

1) John Franklin-Myers - DL - Broncos | He's lined up at 7 tech, 5 tech, and 3 tech throughout his career and played in 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. Effective against the run and an upgrade to our pass rush. Plug n play and creates scheme versatility.

Budget alternatives: Levi Onwuzurike (DET), Foley Fatukasi (HOU), Logan Hall (TB), Calaias Campbell (ARI)

2) Sabastian Joseph Day - DL - Titans | Direct connections with Morris. Day is a 0/1T that has also played 3 and 5 tech. Spent time under Staley and Sorensen in SF, but he could be a fine budget addition to supplement West as a one gapping NT in our scheme.

Budget alternatives: Just sign a cap casuality - rumored folks are Dalvin Tomlinson (ARI) or Davon Hamilton (JAX)

3) Leo Chenel - LB - Chiefs | Underrated LB that can play SAM, MIKE, WILL, and blitz as an EDGE or at the interior LB spots. Vast upgrade to Gifford on base downs and special teams.

Budget alternatives: Kaden Ellis (ATL), Germaine Pratt (IND)

4) Boye Mafe - EDGE - Seahawks | He'd be more of a 7 tech or 9 tech, but he's more stout against the run vs. Huff with similar pass rush upside.

Budget alternatives: Joey Bosa (BUF), Samson Ebukam (IND)

--


I'd say you sign #2, #3, and #4, and get a budget #1, and then go EDGE in the draft.

Base Downs: Chenel can be a joker type player with more freedom given Williams/Day/Collins will eat blockers




Pass Downs:



And then you have West, White, Onwuzurike, and Day for interior rotation and then Huff + rookies for EDGE rotation.

Originally posted by Since07:

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
There's definitely going to be some guys there in FA (can't wait)...

BTW, did you get what Hitner was on about? Seems like Donte is absolutely not stoked about Raheem Morris hire for us

I didn't I like Whitner seems like he really follows what's going on with the 9ers. I expect some growing pains from the scheme change. I'm pretty sure Morris is here for two years

I absorbed HEAVILY what Whitner said. He's not wrong. Of course, we'll all look through the rose colored glasses and find reasons why it's a good hire just like we did with Wilks but I'm definitely in a wait and see mode.

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Then what was all the kerfuffle about Gifford and his role vs Martin? Assume it was around 3 stack LB ?

Gifford wasn't used as a stack LB during those discussions. He was on the line of scrimmage like a 34 OLB.

Saleh eventually changed things up and used a bit of both(ie 3 stack LBs and 2 stack+1 EMOL).

Originally posted by GEEK:

Originally posted by dj43:
In reading through this thread, there is a lot of talk about what we need in order to run a 3-4 front.

We would need a lot. Right now we are built for a wide-9 4-3. It would take a couple of good drafts plus some FA signings to commit to a 3-4. Kittle and his friends can't wait for that. We need to fix the pass rush and switching to a 3-4 with what we have now and a couple of other players isn't going to get it done. I think Morris and Shanahan recognize that. If a move is made, it will be gradual and used as a change-up, not the main thing.

Base packages are played 25% of the time. I think we'll have some more diverse looks and run some hybrid schemes, but we won't transition to a full 3-4 setup.

Some targets that could be good additions:

1) John Franklin-Myers - DL - Broncos | He's lined up at 7 tech, 5 tech, and 3 tech throughout his career and played in 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. Effective against the run and an upgrade to our pass rush. Plug n play and creates scheme versatility.

Budget alternatives: Levi Onwuzurike (DET), Foley Fatukasi (HOU), Logan Hall (TB), Calaias Campbell (ARI)

2) Sabastian Joseph Day - DL - Titans | Direct connections with Morris. Day is a 0/1T that has also played 3 and 5 tech. Spent time under Staley and Sorensen in SF, but he could be a fine budget addition to supplement West as a one gapping NT in our scheme.

Budget alternatives: Just sign a cap casuality - rumored folks are Dalvin Tomlinson (ARI) or Davon Hamilton (JAX)

3) Leo Chenel - LB - Chiefs | Underrated LB that can play SAM, MIKE, WILL, and blitz as an EDGE or at the interior LB spots. Vast upgrade to Gifford on base downs and special teams.

Budget alternatives: Kaden Ellis (ATL), Germaine Pratt (IND)

4) Boye Mafe - EDGE - Seahawks | He'd be more of a 7 tech or 9 tech, but he's more stout against the run vs. Huff with similar pass rush upside.

Budget alternatives: Joey Bosa (BUF), Samson Ebukam (IND)

--

I'd say you sign #2, #3, and #4, and get a budget #1, and then go EDGE in the draft.

Base Downs: Chenel can be a joker type player with more freedom given Williams/Day/Collins will eat blockers

Chenel - Warner - Winters

Williams - Day - Collins - Bosa

Pass Downs:

Warner - Winters

Mafe-Williams-Collins-Bosa

And then you have West, White, Onwuzurike, and Day for interior rotation and then Huff + rookies for EDGE rotation.

Solid post man!!

Originally posted by dj43:
In reading through this thread, there is a lot of talk about what we need in order to run a 3-4 front.

We would need a lot. Right now we are built for a wide-9 4-3. It would take a couple of good drafts plus some FA signings to commit to a 3-4. Kittle and his friends can't wait for that. We need to fix the pass rush and switching to a 3-4 with what we have now and a couple of other players isn't going to get it done. I think Morris and Shanahan recognize that. If a move is made, it will be gradual and used as a change-up, not the main thing.

I'd be surprised if we make some drastic 180 change to our current scheme. Who we sign in FA will tell us a lot but I anticipate it's a more gradual change.

kyle isn't dumb and Raheem has the respect from players and coaches for a reason. - understands adapting to his players and doing what's best for them.

I think we will see Raheem and Kyle work closely together to do what's best for our guys and the future. Raheem has been in these situations and knows what to do.

Meh. I'm lukewarm on the hire to be honest. Raheem Morris seems to receive a lot of accolades, but has he ever had a top 10 defense? This is a guy who is not in the tier of McDonald, Ryans, Saleh, or Fangio, that's for sure. A decidedly mid hire.

I noticed that Zach Harrison had a pretty good season with Morris. Same size as Mykel Williams, looks like he'll fill that role?

Originally posted by dj43:
In reading through this thread, there is a lot of talk about what we need in order to run a 3-4 front.

We would need a lot. Right now we are built for a wide-9 4-3. It would take a couple of good drafts plus some FA signings to commit to a 3-4. Kittle and his friends can't wait for that. We need to fix the pass rush and switching to a 3-4 with what we have now and a couple of other players isn't going to get it done. I think Morris and Shanahan recognize that. If a move is made, it will be gradual and used as a change-up, not the main thing.

I feel like with the lack of LB depth we are better built for a 4-2 front and playing more of our nickel package.

Originally posted by raywm3:

Originally posted by Since07:

Originally posted by pillageDatazz:
There's definitely going to be some guys there in FA (can't wait)...

BTW, did you get what Hitner was on about? Seems like Donte is absolutely not stoked about Raheem Morris hire for us

I didn't I like Whitner seems like he really follows what's going on with the 9ers. I expect some growing pains from the scheme change. I'm pretty sure Morris is here for two years

I absorbed HEAVILY what Whitner said. He's not wrong. Of course, we'll all look through the rose colored glasses and find reasons why it's a good hire just like we did with Wilks but I'm definitely in a wait and see mode.

Whitner cares and wants the Niners to succeed. Is Morris a buddy hire or can he really coach defense? He has never been top 10 in yards or points.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

I noticed that Zach Harrison had a pretty good season with Morris. Same size as Mykel Williams, looks like he'll fill that role?

He'd be a replacement for Ferrell if we wanted to get younger in our depth. Dude has 36 inch arm length. Crazy.

Dante Whitner not happy at all with this hire. Basically said he was hired because he is Kyle's friend rather than on merit. He was a safe bet hire…

Wonder how he will work with the Dline coach since I believe hes more of a Wide 9, 4-3 guy.

Originally posted by DrEll:
Dante Whitner not happy at all with this hire. Basically said he was hired because he is Kyle's friend rather than on merit. He was a safe bet hire…

He was good enough for your guy mcvay