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With an impressive Sunday afternoon 27-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams, it seems like the 49ers are reaching the expectations fans had for the team before the season. Sitting at a 10-7 record with the 6th seed in the NFC, they now look to face the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.
With the 49ers being as dangerous as teams come in the NFL currently, it's hard to remember that, just prior to the season, San Francisco went through an overhaul in terms of organization on the coaching and leadership staff. Former pass-game coordinator Mike LaFleur and, most importantly, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh both departed for the Jets, leaving huge vacancies to fill during the offseason. Fortunately, the Niners elevated Mike McDaniel to fill an offensive coordinator role and former linebackers coach DeMeco Ryans to fill the DC role.
During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Robert Saleh established the foundation for the 49ers defense, a unit that ranked in the top 10 both years, leaving big shoes to fill in 2021. Warner told Rich Eisen on The Rich Eisen Show, "There was already a standard set here by Robert Saleh who I have a great amount of respect and admiration for".
However, the star linebacker believes that Ryans has stepped up to be a great defensive coordinator in his own right, "I think the fact that DeMeco is able to come in and put his own twist on it to uphold the standard, even raise the standard is amazing, and I think that's why we all love the way that he coaches and he teaches, and that's why we're able to play so hard on Sunday. Because we believe in everything that he preaches to us."
Warner believes that some of DeMeco Ryans' talent as a defensive mind stems from his own years as an NFL linebacker, "DeMeco is as first-class and just as great as they come. You talk about a guy who played the game at such a high level and now coaching at the highest level finishing in the top three as a defense in his first year. I think that's just a product of the standard that he set."
Ryans and Fred Warner have a history together that also seems to elevate the play of the 49ers defense from time to time.
"I think for obviously everybody that's been around the Niners, you know he came in as a linebacker coach the same time that I came in my first year as a linebacker for the defense," Warner continued. "We've grown in this thing together and [we] know each other really well and I think that's why we have such a great connection and we work so well throughout the week and on game days."
Ryans likely has his hardest test yet this week facing arguably the league's top offense in Dallas, and fans hope he'll be able to scheme up yet another great game plan against the plethora of offensive stars the Cowboys have.
With the 2024 NFL Draft in the near future, it seems the prevailing thought around the league is that the 49ers will need to address the offensive line. While the Niners do boast one of the league's elite players in LT Trent Williams, the rest of the unit has struggled in spots. In fact, San Francisco's right tackle and both guard positions allowed a pressure percentage of over 20% in 2023.
Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman and current NFL analyst Mark Schlereth joined the No Huddle podcast to discuss the current state of the o-line. He noted that when you force San Francisco out of its comfort zone, the weaknesses upfront tend to show up.
"When they're down, that's where
Brock Purdy sends clear message to Brandon Aiyuk amid contract talks with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Apr 15
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be present today as the team reports for the start of its offseason program. Purdy was a little early, as he hosted a youth football camp over the weekend.
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group spoke to the 49ers quarterback during the event and asked him about one of his teammates, Brandon Aiyuk. The star wide receiver is currently in contract extension negotiations with the 49ers, and the team has emphasized keeping him around for the foreseeable future as an offseason priority.
Purdy has
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
