Niners Get Pushed Around in St. Louis

Just a couple of seasons ago, the 49ers were among the NFL's most physical offenses.The front five blockers consistently knocked defenders off the ball and the Niners often controlled both the tempo of games, and the clock, with a solid running game.But the 49ers of 2015 aren't those 49ers. And one play in the first quarter of Sunday's 27-6 loss at St. Louis to the Rams epitomized what the 49ers have become.On third-and-12 from their own 1-yard line, the 49ers tried to hand the ball off to rookie running back Mike Davis on a straight-ahead dive. Instead, Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers tackled Davis in his own end zone for a safety after pushing second-year center Marcus Martin – once considered a potentially solid draft pick from USC – 3 yards straight back and then wrapping his arms around Davis.From being bullies, the 49ers have become the bullied. The once-proud offensive line of San Francisco is now just a punching bag for the front seven of the opposition. Every week, Martin, right guard Jordan Devey and right tackle Erik Pears have had trouble blocking. It's been a consistent problem.At the time of the play, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle...