49ers young linebackers learn on the fly This past Sunday versus

the Los Angeles Chargers we saw glimpses of what the San Francisco 49ers could be defensively. I noticed several adjustments since the Chiefs game that put our defensive talent in better position to be successful. I also saw better performance from our trio of linebackers http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-arik-armstead-jersey , Reuben Foster, Fred Warner, and Malcolm Smith. Against the Chiefs, Smith was a disaster, he was slow to the point of attack and often looked out of position. Against the Chargers, he played well at SAM. The combo of Foster and Warner are the focus for this article. We sometimes forget because of their incredible potential and flashes of what we’ve seen that these two players aren’t all-pros. They’re a rookie third round pick, in Warner, and a second year player, in Foster, who missed several games last season, and the first two games this season. The Chargers game plan was to attack these two and take advantage of their limited exposure to the NFL.Foster and Warner run well and they’re exceptionally instinctive. You will see plays every week, where you can see these guys are special. However Ken Whisenhunt, the Chargers OC, and Philip Rivers have seen more plays in their sleep then these two backers. Gus Bradley, the chargers defensive coordinator, runs the same defensive system as San Francisco. To add another layer Robert Saleh, our DC worked directly under Bradley in Seattle. I’m sure he was able to provide some insights into the strengths and weaknesses of this defensive system, and provide some insight into how Saleh thinks and adjusts. Let’s get into the film.Our first clip shows how the Chargers attacked our linebackers all game. They ran people through Warner and Foster’s middle zone and waited to see who would bite. Its hard to say either player reacted poorly, but this play outlines a fundamental flaw in the system. With no pass rush to really push the issue, Rivers had the time to wait for Melvin Gordon to leak out the backfield and make an easy catch and run. As the tape stops, you can see Keenan Allen, has the attention of three 49er defenders. From the end zone angle we can watch Foster and Warner react to the play action. Foster bites hard Jaquiski Tartt jersey , he’s almost at the line of scrimmage when Rivers fakes the hand off. Warner doesn’t bite at all, but I believe because of Foster’s over pursuit he turns and starts running with the WR sooner than he probably would have if Foster wasn’t so out of position. This prevents him from even seeing the RB Gordon leaking out of the backfield.Our next clip gives another good example of the Chargers scheme exploiting our defensive zone. I felt like the defense did better in man coverage, whenever we would switch to zone we would give up a big play or solid yards. Man coverage prevents our young players eyes from lying to them. They have limited responsibilities and can really focus on one player. We saw how the shifts and movements affected our defense in the Kansas City game, and we’re seeing the same results here.Before the play starts you can see Foster and Warner kind of switching back and forth trying to get in the right alignment. The two receivers at the bottom of the screen run the same route, but the first receiver Keenan Allen again runs through the zone attracting the attention of multiple defenders. As the play stops three zone defenders are just sort of watching Rivers without really being aware of the receiver running by them. The second receiver Tyrell Williams is left uncovered for a big gain. The end zone angle highlights a great move and rush by Cassius Marsh, sweet inside move just not quick enough to really effect the play. He wins a lot with that inside move, once he develops some more counters he will be effective.Chargers running back Melvin Gordon caught seven passes for 55 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per reception. His success was solely related to our linebackers inexperience with a versatile back like Gordon. This next play shows how the Chargers aligned him in a certain position to attract a certain coverage, only to run him on a route to exploit that initial read. From the high angle, we can see what appears to be a pretty standard swing pass and catch. The end zone angle tells a little more. As the Chargers set up Gordon lines up to the right of Rivers.As the tape stops, we see Foster pointing to Gordon “I got him.” He could just be saying watch him, but I believe he’s calling out his coverage. At the snap, however, Gordon runs behind Rivers into the flat on the opposite side of the field. Foster is sort of stuck, as the play stops again, he’s pointing to Gordon again as he realizes he’s out of position. Warner, by now is also out of position and takes a poor angle in coverage. To further prevent Foster from getting after Gordon in coverage, the Chargers run two slant routes right in front of him. He’s torn between what he saw during the pre snap, and what’s actually happening on the field. This next clip is an identical play we saw the Chiefs pull off several times during last week’s game. Some call it an RPO, it could be a standard play-action pass. Either way it’s made to confuse linebackers in coverage. The running back and offensive line roll right as if the play was a run sweep to the outside. However Rivers pulls the ball out and hits and easy slant to a wide open receiver. Foster and Warner bite hard and leave a huge gap behind them. That’s two teams running the same play against us. I’m not sure if there is really a successful defensive call against this type but, our linebackers being young and aggressive compounded the problem.Despite these breakdowns every so often, we still had a chance to win the game. The Chargers were down two points looking to drive down the field. We’re going to look at three key plays that lead to their game-winning field goal Authentic Alfred Morris jersey , and what we should be looking for in the upcoming weeks defensively. First key play. It’s the same play as above, Chargers found something that worked and went to it again. Easy 10 yards. Saleh needs to come up with a scheme or coverage to prevent this type of exploitation.Second key play. This reverse was a gutsy call, but still looked to take advantage of our linebackers over pursuing. In so many ways it worked, Warner is totally out of position, Foster gets hooked, even the back side players Antone Exum Jr. and Solomon Thomas nearly run themselves out of the play. However, both of them have a chance at the tackle. I’m usually not one to point to the referees as a reason why a play did or didn’t work, but if this isn’t a blatant block in the back, I don’t know football. What’s worse is that this official is standing right there as this illegal block takes out two 49ers and springs the runner for a long gain. It’s disheartening but we need to work on being sound, and not over pursuing.The third key play somewhat summarizes all that we’ve discussed around our defense. Poor alignment, poor tackling, and poor effort. This long run by Gordon was the “nail in the coffin.” The Chargers kicked a field goal after this play to go up two and win the game. Not a real dynamic play call here, standard running play to the right, alignment wise we’re out flanked from the snap. The Chargers guard does a great job of pushing Deforest Buckner inside, and then getting to the second level on Foster. The end Ronald Blair is lined up inside the offensive tackle and is easily pushed inside. There’s a wide open lane for the pulling guard with Gordon behind him. Once Gordon breaks through Greg Mabin is the first person to wrap him up, but then DJ Reed shows poor form by running up and throwing a shoulder at him and subsequently knocks Mabin off the runner.What I don’t like at all is the jogging on this play, as Gordon breaks the tackle I highlight several 49ers not engaged and loafing. If I was Kyle and Co. I’d show this play over and over again. It’s a key play, we need to get off the field, and these guys are jogging. After the end zone angle I show the high angle for one reason. I’m not trying to dump on Ahkello Witherspoon, but look at this guy jog, even after the broken tackle he’s jogging. I’m not sure what the problem is but this can’t happen. Show some urgency! Go Niners!C.J. Beathard talks turnovers, running back pass catchers Youth Mike Person jersey , George Kittle’s freakishness When you look back on the game Sunday and the turnovers, what do you do, what do you focus on moving forward to try to eliminate those?“Any way you can help, not having those turnovers happen, you work on and try to improve. Any little thing that can help, that’s what you try to work on.” Is it easy to do? Is it an easy fix?“Yeah, it’s not rocket science. It’s just little stuff. It’s a game of inches. One is when I step up in the pocket two inches more, the ball doesn’t get taken out of my hand. With the one interception off the end of [WR] Pierre’s [Gar莽on] hands, that’s a game of inches. Obviously the fourth-and-20, you’ve got to make a play. But, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. It’s just little stuff.” When you look at the Packers defense, I assume you go back to the last few games of the season. Do you go back over the past few years? How far back would you go?“We watch most of everything from this year and then in games in the past when Atlanta has played them when [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] was there. But, I mostly stick to stuff from this year.” You guys are a lot more efficient in your passes to the running back than you were last year, there were a lot of incompletions, drops. Can you account for that? Is it different personnel that’s more efficient in year two?“I think just obviously it’s the second year in the system, you’ll be more efficient in that sense of getting check downs, getting the balls to the backs. We’ve got a lot of trust in our running backs to put a lot of plays in their hands to where we expect them to get open and make plays and we trust those guys to do that. I think we’re just better there than we were last year at that position and I think it’s showing.” Does it require chemistry between you and those guys? RB Alfred Morris hasn’t even been here a month, but he’s caught every pass that’s gone his way so far.“Yeah, I think some of it is chemistry. When they’re number one in progression, definitely, around choice routes and such things. But, on those check downs http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-adrian-colbert-jersey , it’s kind of just being in the right spot and getting them the ball and turning a five-yard gain into a 10-yard gain.” From a quarterback’s perspective, what really stands out about Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ game to you?“He’s just a baller. That’s what he does. He’s got a crazy, crazy arm. He’s got the quickest release, craziest arm that I’ve ever seen. It just looks like he’s throwing a nerf ball out there. We all have a lot of respect for him.” One more question about the turnovers. You mentioned a couple of times that it’s a game of inches. Do you feel like it’s just bad luck that is happening or is it a product of a lack of carefulness or discipline?“I don’t know. I think a lot of it is luck. It’s just tough to say. Some of those things don’t happen, we’re not talking about it. I don’t think it’s discipline. I think we’re a disciplined team and stay on stuff like that. But, I would just say some of it is just unfortunate events that have happened.” Going into Lambeau field, such an historic venue, do you look forward to going in and playing a game at a place like that? What are some of the keys to have success going into a ruckus environment like that and maybe trying to keep the crowd not so much of a factor?“It’s definitely something to look forward to and a great opportunity for us. A Monday night game in Lambeau, historic stadium. We’re playing a great team. It’s everything you ask for. We’ve just got to go in and handle the noise, handle the crowd and go out and execute and try to take care of the ball and just do the little things right. I think if we do that and play well and our defense plays well, special teams, we can give ourselves a good chance.” Is there anything TE George Kittle has done this year as a pass catcher surprised you or did you know that when you guys were teammates back in Iowa?“That doesn’t surprise me. I always knew George had, he’s one of the most athletic dudes that I’ve known. He’s a freak athlete and I’ve always known that, even at Iowa. I think everyone that’s been around him knows that and so he hasn’t surprised me.” Is there anything that he did at Iowa that was particularly freakish?“We’d always test our vertical jumps and our 5-10-5 and our 10-yard sprints. He just blew everyone out of the water. He has the tight end records there. We’ve got a tight end in there now that’s pushing those records because he’s an athlete too, but George just blew everyone out of the water in those competitions and records for sure.” You’ve touched on how things are slower for you this year in terms of being able to go through and see things. I’m curious, when you were sitting and watching at the beginning of last year versus when you were sitting when QB Jimmy Garoppolo was playing, did the game look different to you, even then from the sideline after having that experience playing?“Yeah, I think so. I think just another offseason in the system, another camp in the system. Watching Jimmy’s first few games this year, even then, felt like it was slower and I could see things a little bit better. I would say definitely even then.” Are there any specific examples of something that you see and think Brock Coyle jersey , “Oh, this is way different than it was before?’“When you’re out there, I think even in the preseason, it just feels like things have slowed down. Your mind’s not going a thousand miles an hour like it was last year. You can feel defenses, feel rotations, feel pressures a lot easier. It’s just slowed down and you know where to get the ball and get it out of your hands.” A lot of quarterbacks say the difference from college to the NFL is that the windows are so much tighter. Is that the biggest thing to you or is there something else about transitioning in the quarterback role?“I think that’s a huge thing. The windows are a lot tighter. You’re playing a lot better players, but you’ve also got a lot better players on your team. So, that helps. But, I think more than anything it’s just learning a new offense as a new quarterback. That’s the toughest thing that any new quarterback is trying to deal with, learning a new offense and going out there and executing it and knowing where guys are going to be and what they’re going to be doing. I think that’s the biggest thing.” How challenging is it going out to practice today and you guys are going to be missing probably about seven, eight more would-be starters? What’s the harm in that in terms of setting up continuity?“Obviously it’s tough not having the guys that are going to be out there, out there with you practicing. But, it’s a great opportunity for the other guys to get in and get reps, like [WR] Richie James [Jr.] and guys like [WR Victor Bolden Jr.] Vic who haven’t been getting those reps, to get those reps and really get better chemistry with me and the team. So, it stinks, but at the same time, you take it as a positive and the guys that are getting the reps today will definitely get better from it.” How much does an X receiver benefit from having great speed and how much different is it when you have an X who isn’t WR Marquise Goodwin?“It’s different, for sure. Defenses definitely have to game plan for having a guy like Marquise in there. It changes your offense a little bit and what you want to do as a scheme, for sure. So, it’ll be nice to have him back this week.”