The San Francisco 49ers have started off the season hot, improving to 3-0 fresh off a Thursday Night victory over the New York Giants this week in their home opener.
It's been a two-sided effort for the 49ers, who have scored 30 points in each of the team's three games, while limiting opponents to 42 points overall.
A big portion of their defensive success? The talent on their defensive line, and this season, it has been headlined by star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who leads the team with 10 quarterback hurries.
Coming into the season, it was known that Hargrave was a premier pass-rushing talent for the 49ers, but he's been on a tear to start the season, arguably serving as the team's best player on that end, which is exactly what San Francisco was looking for to bolster its interior.
But, it's been an immediate payoff for both sides as Hargrave has made the seamless transition from the Philadelphia Eagles to the San Francisco 49ers.
Going back to his free agency decision, Hargrave told former 49er cornerback Richard Sherman last week that the choice was easy, as he was earning top-end money to play alongside a similar situation to his in Philadelphia.
"And I think it's just like, if you can get paid to go somewhere similar to where you was at, and it's knowing when everybody think you leaving for the money, like, I'm about to go somewhere, go get as much money as I can," Hargrave said. "And when San Fran came talking to me and they basically in the same ballpark as everybody else, I just felt like it was a no-brainer."
"I'm just like, yeah, it's pretty much done. I knew what it was quick. I'm getting paid to go to the number one [defense]. It's a no-brainer."
The 49ers have only bolstered that unit with the addition of Hargrave, as their starting group of him, Nick Bosa, Drake Jackson, and Arik Armstead have combined for 46 pressures and six sacks through three games.
It's safe to say, through three weeks, that the combination of Hargrave and San Francisco has seen immediate dividends on both ends.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
