Eric Mangini Thread

Originally posted by Stud:
This is insane:

"The 49ers, were allowing 464 yards per game on the road this season and on pace to finish with the highest average in NFL history"

-ESPN

Yeup. Today's performance wasn't that great either, but at least they looked like they belonged on the same field as the opponent. A million times better than what they were doing on the road prior to this game. Very odd, because they've performed well at home all season long.

He dialed up some decent blitz packages today

one "battle" does not win the war over the season.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by Stud:
This is insane:

"The 49ers, were allowing 464 yards per game on the road this season and on pace to finish with the highest average in NFL history"

-ESPN

Yeup. Today's performance wasn't that great either, but at least they looked like they belonged on the same field as the opponent. A million times better than what they were doing on the road prior to this game. Very odd, because they've performed well at home all season long.

Agreed. I think today was the first road game where we didn't go into halftime down by double digit points.

Originally posted by MFWIC:
one "battle" does not win the war over the season.

Being on pace for the NFL record for most yards per game on the road? You're right. This guy needs to go. He sucks. His schemes don't work one bit.

this^ and also the ST coach needs to go as well

49ers defense: Not damn good, but improving

By Eric Branch
Updated 3:25 pm, Tuesday, December 8, 2015

On Sunday, the 49ers made Bears erratic quarterback Jay Cutler revert to Bad Jay.

A week earlier, they'd made Arizona's Carson Palmer, an MVP candidate, look merely middling.

Cutler, who arrived with a 100.8 passer rating in his previous four starts, had a season-worst rating (64.2) in a 26-20 overtime loss to the 49ers. As for Palmer, he had a season-worst rating (80.4) and didn't throw a touchdown pass for the only time in 12 starts in a 19-13 win over the 49ers on Nov. 29.

The recent evidence suggests the 49ers no longer find the zone-coverage concepts in defensive coordinator Eric Mangini's system quite so confounding. On Monday, it was the first area head coach Jim Tomsula highlighted when asked about areas of improvement on his 4-8 team.

The 49ers have allowed two completions of 35-plus yards in their past four games after surrendering 13 such plays in their first eight games.

"Defensively, I will say that with the scheme, and the techniques, and playing together in some of the zone defenses -- where the guys are and understanding where the other guys fit around you," Tomsula said. "I think that's an area that we've really improved on."

The 49ers have noted Mangin's system was more complex than that of former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. A major difference: It featured far more blitzing and zone coverage, where players cover certain areas of the field, as opposed to covering a specific player.

In August, inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman insisted the 49ers would thrive in the scheme … eventually.

"It requires you to do a lot of things when one person moves," Bowman said. "That's just something different that we haven't been used to in years. But we're putting the work in and (Mangini) is being really patient with us in learning the scheme … But when we get it, we'll be a damn good defense."

Earlier in the season, the 49ers weren't moving in synch. The 13 pass plays of 35-plus yards they allowed in their first eight games matched their total from the 2014 season.

Their confusion was impossible to miss. In a 43-18 loss at Pittsburgh in Week 2, inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite raised his hands in who-messed-up frustration after he ended up covering wide receiver Markus Wheaton deep downfield. The result of the mismatch: a 48-yard completion.

The following week, in a 47-7 loss at Arizona, Bowman repeatedly mimicked Wilhoite's exasperated gesture as Cardinals receivers roamed free and Palmer threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns.

On Sunday, however, Bowman was clearly encouraged after another strong defensive performance. The 49ers, who haven't allowed a passing touchdown in their past two games, had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown from cornerback Jimmie Ward and limited the Bears to 20 points and 364 yards (they had allowed 35.2 points and 464 yards in their previous five road games).

The 49ers have allowed fewer than 365 yards in three of their past four games, a feat they managed twice in their first eight games.

"I really see that we can really have something special here," Bowman said. "Maybe it didn't come as fast as we wanted it, but we can definitely see the process. And it's looking good for us."

On Sunday, reasons for optimism included the performance of a host of young players in the secondary. Ward and cornerback Kenneth Acker, both 2014 draft picks, each received career-high grades from Pro Football Focus. In addition, promising rookie safety Jaquiski Tartt had a body-slam sack of Cutler.

Still, the defense has deficiencies. They have become better at limiting big plays, but they still aren't making them. The 49ers rank 31st in the NFL in takeaways (9) and Ward's interception was their first forced turnover in 15 quarters. They also rank 20th in sacks (20) and have just six in their past five games.

Finally, despite their progress, they also aren't far removed from allowing 510 yards and their most rushing yards (255) in 37 years in a 29-13 loss at Seattle on Nov. 22.

In other words, they're still not damn good, but they're moving in the right direction.

"I talked to the defense (Saturday)," Bowman said. "… It was our job to get it right as quickly as possible and I explained it was a process. We've built this process up to this point."

^^Nice to read those comments. Mangini has completely overhauled the defensive scheme from what Fangio had in place. Fangio was a lot of pattern match, which is rooted in man coverage principles. Fangio rarely ever calls spot drop zone and that's what Manigni does. The players were basically learning something they have not done much of in a 49er uniform.

Mangini loves Cover3 when he plays zone, has ditched Tampa2, and recently (ARI) has mixed in much more man coverage compareed to early this season, which is what the team is accustomed to doing from previous years. There was a very nice playcall that forced CHI's first FG. It was typical Manigni - disguise 4th rusher, drop an OLB (Lycnh) into coverage to rob the hot reads, and basically dictate the QB's read.

Bow is a nice chess piece in the blitz packages, but this defense really is missing another pass rushing OLB so that Mangini can mix and match who drops into coverage and who rushes the passer. Looks great when it works. When it doesn't, "why are you dropping Lynch into coverage?!"

^^^ No doubt what we need now. Pass rushing WILL, maybe another DE crasher and a fast ass ILB who excels in coverage.

I wouldn't mind a wide-bodied NT for short yardage and goal line situations and facing power backs (Goldman was my crush). But that's just me.

Good post NC, very encouraging!!!

These growing pains are tough, especially considering what we are accustomed to. We'll see what the defense looks like at year's end.

I really think the players are finally getting comfortable in the system. While we have given up a lot of yards (not as many lately) we are still mid pack at 24.2 points per game yet we are second in time on the field for the defense and only 5 teams have played more defensive plays than the niners. My biggest concern is the lack of a pass rush followed by the d line against the run.

Great stuff NC and Thl--are you both more patient with Mangini now?

Bowman will be such an asset as a blitzer but agree they need an OLB to take some of the pressure. I'm wondering if Hodges and Harold might become the keys to the defense next year. Harold is extremely quick and Hodges looks much more athletic than Wilhoite.

Edit: just read that Acker is one of the top CBs in many aspect this year!

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Great stuff NC and Thl--are you both more patient with Mangini now?

Bowman will be such an asset as a blitzer but agree they need an OLB to take some of the pressure. I'm wondering if Hodges and Harold might become the keys to the defense next year. Harold is extremely quick and Hodges looks much more athletic than Wilhoite.

Edit: just read that Acker is one of the top CBs in many aspect this year!

After you talked me off the GG Bridge a while back, I took a big step back. Made me reassess the anti-Fangio scheme, get over Fangio and look into the personnel closer...what we have, what we're missing.

I like how we have personnel to play jam (Cromartie and Johnson) and off (Acker and Brock) in the secondary.

Keeping an open mind. Thanks bud.

Originally posted by NCommand:
After you talked me off the GG Bridge a while back, I took a big step back. Made me reassess the anti-Fangio scheme, get over Fangio and look into the personnel closer...what we have, what we're missing.

I like how we have personnel to play jam (Cromartie and Johnson) and off (Acker and Brock) in the secondary.

Keeping an open mind. Thanks bud.

Always appreciate your possitive nature...just trying to keep you heading in the right direction! LOL.

I know it's too early to crown Mangini with Fangio's crown but what I've read and recall about the guy is that he is an encyclopedia of defense, but not a HC type thinker. So I hoped/hope he can be the mad genius to elevate even beyond Fangio's D.

Agree totally about the DBs versatility! Love the fact that Acker and Reaser are young guys who can cover quicker guys...along with Ward. I imagine people might appreciate Ward more after his performance!

A long way to go though. They allowed 450+ yards in three of their first five games. Since then they have tightened it up. Boy do they need more pressure. Love Lynch but Aldon's combination of bull rush and closing speed was special. Now they have Lynch with bull power and Harold with closing speed.