Rams and the Niners in Bluey land!

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

Rookie DT James Thompson Jr., who is dealing with a hamstring strain, was the only 49er not taking part at the start of today's practice. George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, Renardo Green were all on hand.

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 8, 2026

Always a new injury popping up every practice with this team. I think it was Jonnydel that posted something about how the 49ers have had way more hamstring and other soft tissue injuries than any other franchise over the last several years. The curse of having a penny pinching owner.

What is way more? Ten per season? 20 per season? Way more means nothing. They spent over $9 million upgrading the faciities this year and hired 3 additional therapists. We'll see if it has any effect on the number of soft tissue injuries and game time lost.

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

#49ers DC Raheem Morris on DE Nick Bosa:

"He's going (to play). We are not hiding that."

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 8, 2026

Hmm, that worries me. A coach would only say something like that if he wasn't going to play.

You're right.... Raheem Morris must be speaking in some sort of secret code...

Originally posted by BP13:
You're right.... Raheem Morris must be speaking in some sort of secret code...

It's Big 10 clock operator code.

Game Plan -
So 9ers got smothered by SEA and were vulnerable to the Rams DL. To address this, 9ers got more vertical threat pieces with Evan and Stribling -- and even Cowing and Kirk if they can get healthy. And yet do they have the protection at the OL to threaten deep? I doubt it with the Rams and Seattle pressure abilities.

For this game, I almost feel like they need to run/pound Keolon Black early in the game for those 6-7 yard runs on inside zones to get the DL playing run and safeties and LBs coming downhill. Then play action to the receivers. And THEN mixing in CMC. Don't make CMC take the early pounding. MAYBE on early series get Evans and Stribling to take the corners deep while working some screens to CMC. I think they need to take the Rams out of their predicted defensive game plans as early as possible.

If KS comes out with the same old vanilla game plan on early series starting with CMC on wide zone to establish the defensive flow - I worry the 9ers are going to waste 2 series before they can put the deeper game plan to work. The Rams are going to be ready for that. They need those first drives to grind down the field with efficient runs and passes and slow the attack of Garrett and Donald.

Originally posted by HearstFan:
Game Plan -
So 9ers got smothered by SEA and were vulnerable to the Rams DL. To address this, 9ers got more vertical threat pieces with Evan and Stribling -- and even Cowing and Kirk if they can get healthy. And yet do they have the protection at the OL to threaten deep? I doubt it with the Rams and Seattle pressure abilities.

For this game, I almost feel like they need to run/pound Keolon Black early in the game for those 6-7 yard runs on inside zones to get the DL playing run and safeties and LBs coming downhill. Then play action to the receivers. And THEN mixing in CMC. Don't make CMC take the early pounding. MAYBE on early series get Evans and Stribling to take the corners deep while working some screens to CMC. I think they need to take the Rams out of their predicted defensive game plans as early as possible.

If KS comes out with the same old vanilla game plan on early series starting with CMC on wide zone to establish the defensive flow - I worry the 9ers are going to waste 2 series before they can put the deeper game plan to work. The Rams are going to be ready for that. They need those first drives to grind down the field with efficient runs and passes and slow the attack of Garrett and Donald.

While we don't know what the Rams defense will look like with all their star additions to an already solid unit...my bigger concern is their offense vs our defense.

We REALLY struggled vs their heavy TE sets and considering LA has 5!!! TEs on their roster I expect them to attack in a similar way in this game. Whether it's Dugger or someone else...they're going to be a key part of the defense and will need to really step their game up. Our linebackers were brutal in that 2nd game so hopefully having Dre and Fred back help whomever is out there.

I still think on offense as tough as it will be we'll find ways to move the ball on them with the added size at WR and hopefully an improved running game to soften up the looks.

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

The 49ers might rotate at LG, says OC Klay Kubiak. Wouldn't be the first time they took this approach

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 8, 2026

It's like they're making a virtue of necessity.

The arrival times of the two teams. Niners get a week to acclimate themselves and the Rams get one day. Read between the lines. The DeBartolo's go first class and the Rams are saving money on hotel rooms. Fewer vegemite sandwiches.

Originally posted by HearstFan:
Game Plan -
So 9ers got smothered by SEA and were vulnerable to the Rams DL. To address this, 9ers got more vertical threat pieces with Evan and Stribling -- and even Cowing and Kirk if they can get healthy. And yet do they have the protection at the OL to threaten deep? I doubt it with the Rams and Seattle pressure abilities.

For this game, I almost feel like they need to run/pound Keolon Black early in the game for those 6-7 yard runs on inside zones to get the DL playing run and safeties and LBs coming downhill. Then play action to the receivers. And THEN mixing in CMC. Don't make CMC take the early pounding. MAYBE on early series get Evans and Stribling to take the corners deep while working some screens to CMC. I think they need to take the Rams out of their predicted defensive game plans as early as possible.

If KS comes out with the same old vanilla game plan on early series starting with CMC on wide zone to establish the defensive flow - I worry the 9ers are going to waste 2 series before they can put the deeper game plan to work. The Rams are going to be ready for that. They need those first drives to grind down the field with efficient runs and passes and slow the attack of Garrett and Donald.

I think if Purdy can get going early and Warner and Dre keep Stafford in check we can win.

To the point about Rams 3 TE sets - I agree. I was also hoping Prysock could help vs TE routes as a big bodied DB.

In my understanding (which is limited), the 3 TE set causes issues because it increase the line of scrimmage running gaps for the defense to account for - essentially dictating defensive personnel alignment to cover the gaps. With Warner, Greenlaw, and Bosa back, those end of the LOS gaps are easier to defend/disrupt. BUT, the Rams actually pass more out of that personnel group if I remember correctly - so you have to have a cover a TE threatening the seam, a TE on a crosser, and a TE to the flat. If you fast flow down and wide to the run action the TE's get you in their pass releases - if you slow the run flow to account for TE releases on an actual run, then Williams can gash a gap.

It's going to be crazy seeing the game plans unfold. I think Raheem will show some new 5 DL fronts, some new pressures, and new things with Dugger to try and keep the Rams off balance. (I think we need to get hits on Stafford early). But I worry that KS will be too conservative - like Walsh said, it's key to hit them first and get a team off balance - especially when they are as talented as Rams personnel.

Be nice if they can establish the run. Shoukd be the theme all season

Originally posted by jakedogg:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

The 49ers might rotate at LG, says OC Klay Kubiak. Wouldn't be the first time they took this approach

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 8, 2026

It's like they're making a virtue of necessity.

The arrival times of the two teams. Niners get a week to acclimate themselves and the Rams get one day. Read between the lines. The DeBartolo's go first class and the Rams are saving money on hotel rooms. Fewer vegemite sandwiches.

Lombardi says that as if it's something they don't mind doing all that much. No way in hell they wouldn't rather just have a guy make it obvious to the coaches he won the starting LG spot. I enjoy some of Dave's commentary and reporting but he doesn't have to put a stupid BS spin on every f**king thing about the team.

the reality is we are more physical and all hopped up on australian coffee to boot

SF 24
LAR 20

Originally posted by ninerjok:

Originally posted by jakedogg:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

The 49ers might rotate at LG, says OC Klay Kubiak. Wouldn't be the first time they took this approach

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 8, 2026

It's like they're making a virtue of necessity.

The arrival times of the two teams. Niners get a week to acclimate themselves and the Rams get one day. Read between the lines. The DeBartolo's go first class and the Rams are saving money on hotel rooms. Fewer vegemite sandwiches.

Lombardi says that as if it's something they don't mind doing all that much. No way in hell they wouldn't rather just have a guy make it obvious to the coaches he won the starting LG spot. I enjoy some of Dave's commentary and reporting but he doesn't have to put a stupid BS spin on every f**king thing about the team.

I feel the same way about Lombardi. As for the 9ers, they had a whole offseason to figure out the LG spot and be done with it. But nope, it's like they need more time. F**k it go out and sign Laken Tomlinson or Daniel Brunskill already.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by ninerjok:

Originally posted by jakedogg:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

The 49ers might rotate at LG, says OC Klay Kubiak. Wouldn't be the first time they took this approach

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 8, 2026

It's like they're making a virtue of necessity.

The arrival times of the two teams. Niners get a week to acclimate themselves and the Rams get one day. Read between the lines. The DeBartolo's go first class and the Rams are saving money on hotel rooms. Fewer vegemite sandwiches.

Lombardi says that as if it's something they don't mind doing all that much. No way in hell they wouldn't rather just have a guy make it obvious to the coaches he won the starting LG spot. I enjoy some of Dave's commentary and reporting but he doesn't have to put a stupid BS spin on every f**king thing about the team.

I feel the same way about Lombardi. As for the 9ers, they had a whole offseason to figure out the LG spot and be done with it. But nope, it's like they need more time. F**k it go out and sign Laken Tomlinson or Daniel Brunskill already.

That and a pass rusher, I don't get it, they have the money but don't wanna do s**t, it's like they ok with it being a mediocre season this year

Originally posted by PRIMETIME21:

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by ninerjok:

Originally posted by jakedogg:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

The 49ers might rotate at LG, says OC Klay Kubiak. Wouldn't be the first time they took this approach

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 8, 2026

It's like they're making a virtue of necessity.

The arrival times of the two teams. Niners get a week to acclimate themselves and the Rams get one day. Read between the lines. The DeBartolo's go first class and the Rams are saving money on hotel rooms. Fewer vegemite sandwiches.

Lombardi says that as if it's something they don't mind doing all that much. No way in hell they wouldn't rather just have a guy make it obvious to the coaches he won the starting LG spot. I enjoy some of Dave's commentary and reporting but he doesn't have to put a stupid BS spin on every f**king thing about the team.

I feel the same way about Lombardi. As for the 9ers, they had a whole offseason to figure out the LG spot and be done with it. But nope, it's like they need more time. F**k it go out and sign Laken Tomlinson or Daniel Brunskill already.

That and a pass rusher, I don't get it, they have the money but don't wanna do s**t, it's like they ok with it being a mediocre season this year

Does the FO have the money? They have the cap space, but they were given a directive by Jed to cut cash spending. That combined with the penny pinching in the strength and conditioning and medical side of the house means our FO is operating at a significant disadvantage compared to the rest of the league. It won't be fixed until the Yorks sell the team.

I don't know how they will stop Stafford with no pass rush. Even with our terrible LG spot I don't worry about the offense nearly as much. The D was pretty terrible last season and didn't do anything to really improve their weaknesses. No edge and no coverage safety.