Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
With the way the league is changing I'm starting to feel that the interior is more crucial than ever, on offense and defense. Having elite tackles on the OL is great, but you can just do like what KC does and hold the s**t out of elite edge rushers to neutralize them and the refs definitely aren't going to call it all the time, or even most of the time.
On the OL you focus on having a top center like Baltimore, KC and Detroit that can quarterback the line and two stout guards on either side of them. On defense you need guys inside that can produce pressure up the middle and also eat up blockers to force the run game outside.
For a QB like Purdy you can follow what Payton did for years to help protect Brees too, build up the interior OL to give your smaller QB space and time to throw, continue to invest in pass catching backs and quality receiving TE's.
Very perceptive post that I completely agree with - all the way to the last part about Purdy and setting him up w/ the OL and pass catchers going forward a la NO had with Brees. Hopefully, the Niners will see things similarly because they've got one of the most talented rosters already and just need to key on some areas on O & D as mentioned here.
Football is a game where winning in the trenches consistently along with having a talented QB + skill position players will always lead to a winning formula. The Niners have most of this - just need to win more in the trenches with more interior talent on both sides.
