It's time for Kyle Shanahan to transform this 49ers offense into a bulldozer reminiscent of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
Crushing losses must haunt Kyle Shanahan's dreams of late. And I'm not just talking about the team's 1-2 record. I'm talking about Trey Lance (lost for season), Elijah Mitchell (eight-week MCL), Tyrion Davis-Price (multiple-week high-ankle sprain), Trent Williams (four-to-six weeks with high-ankle sprain).
That is a heck of a lot to process. "Next man up" doesn't come close. This is a Los Angeles Chargers-level crisis.
And to top it off, Jimmy Garoppolo
reminded everyone
real
quick why the 49ers wanted to move on in the first place. Granted, that implosion on Sunday night was truly legendary. But we all know he's good for at least a few interception-worthy throws each game. That's just going to happen.
The 49ers feature a championship-caliber defense, and now the special teams are more often than not holding up their end of the bargain, too. It's the 49ers' offense that isn't up to par right now.
The good news is that Shanahan still has the tools to turn it around. And it all starts with a return to the basics.
Let's get Deebo Samuel out wide or in the slot. I don't want to see him lining up in I-formation in an obvious running situation ever again. My heart would absolutely break if Deebo got taken out on a run up the middle.
Jimmy Garoppolo is limited. I think maybe he just doesn't trust what he sees sometimes. Then it's throw over the middle, and toss a coin in the air to see if it's a big gain for the 49ers or a back-breaking pick.
It's not all bad with Jimmy. He can execute tunnel screens to Deebo and Brandon Aiyuk, he can hit slants and posts on play-action, and when things are running smoothly on the offensive line he actually can cook a little bit.
But this offense really will only ever run smoothly when it is running the ball down the opposing team's throat. Garoppolo is essentially a mid-level guy who is good enough to not kill you if you can stay ahead. All the 49ers need him to be this season is Trent Dilfer.
The 2000 Baltimore Ravens ran the ball more often than they threw it during the regular season. Still, Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer threw 19 interceptions in 16 games. The way Garoppolo was slinging it around in Week 3 (it was a wild ride, folks), we're going to need to see vast improvement in judgement from our new QB1 if he can play to that standard.
Winning with a quarterback like this only works if you can dominate opposing defenses with a relentless rushing attack. Keep it going all game long. Let the running backs pound the rock. Let Deebo and Ayiuk and Kittle feast on play-action passes.
The best way I can say it is: Keep it simple, stupid.
Even without the best left tackle in the NFL. Even without Elijah Mitchell. Even without Trey Lance. The 49ers have the personnel to move bodies up front and control the flow of the game.
Rumor is, Daniel Brunskill is going to maybe practice this week. He's kind of good against the Rams, or so I've heard.
The K.I.S.S. theory works especially well when you have young offensive linemen. Which, the 49ers do at the guard spots. Both Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford have shown promise through three weeks. Banks is playing at a very high level. Burford was rough last week but he's been very good overall.
Now they have to rely on Colton McKivitz instead of Williams at left tackle. He's solid but obviously not the Silverback. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey kind of stinks in pass protection. But he's elite in the run game.
The big issue up front is that Jake Brendel just hasn't been the glue a young offensive line needs at the center position. Brendel is struggling both in the physical sense, and on the mental side of the game as well.
Perhaps this is why we keep hearing Shanahan mention Brunskill as someone who can help inside. He's been out since the first week of preseason ball with a hamstring injury. If he practices all week, maybe we'll see a chance on Monday night.
Personally I wouldn't be opposed. The interior needs stability. It needs an anchor. I'm not sure Brendel is that guy.
Regardless of who is on the line, the goal of the 49ers offense needs to be simple and clear: Physical domination up front and a rushing attack that will never be abandoned.
To do this, Shanahan needs to find his Jamal Lewis. So who is it going to be?
Jeff Wilson Jr. has been very good. He's a chain-mover. However he really lacks the home-run burst this offense needs to make teams respect the edges. So far he's gained 181 yards on 39 carries with no touchdowns, adding 58 yards on seven receptions.
David Lombardi of The Athletic mentioned Shanahan saying newly aquired Tevin Coleman
would have been the second back if the game weren't played at altitude (sickle cell). He's been a Shanahan guy forever. When healthy he's certainly capable of breaking big plays.
The player I think everyone is clamoring to see more of is undrafted rookie Jordan Mason. I understand that Shanahan is a coach who really makes his players earn his trust. I respect that. It seems to have worked wonders for the budding career of Brandon Aiyuk.
But right now, to my eyes Mason looks like the kid who has the wheels that can take the 49ers offense where it needs to go. At the very least, let's give him more than one carry in three games.
Even if Shanahan remains reluctant to start Mason, I don't even care. Maybe Marlon Mack takes over and becomes Shanahan's next Alfred Morris.
I just want to see the 49ers get back to a smashmouth offense. As much as my heart hoped Garappolo could maybe be just a little better than he's been in the past, my mind knows it's going the other way.
The way Shanahan abandoned the run game in Denver made my blood boil. Sure, Samuel couldn't gain any traction. But the actual running backs were doing great. They just didn't get the chance to carry the offense to victory.
That's got to change going forward.
It's time for bully ball.
It's time for San Francisco's offensive mentality to match what Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Talanoa Hufanga are putting out every single play on defense.
It's time for the 2022 49ers to commit to the bit. Let the defense, special teams and running game take us however far it can.
