Coach - Steve Wilks thread

Originally posted by thl408:
The thing with using Warner/Greenlaw to blitz is it takes them away from what I think they do best - cover. I'd rather blitz the slot CB or Huf, but I understand the need to change things up and be unpredictable with who the 5th rusher is. Wilks said he'd use the LBs more aggressively. Most likely it means they are used to blitz, it could also mean having them play more man.
"At times, do I want to be a little bit more aggressive with the talent and athleticism that we have at linebacker? Yes."
-SW

I'd be interested in seeing the actual percentage of LB blitzes DeMeco used last season because it felt like he mugged both A gaps on every single money down. I hope Wilks continues that. It seems like a total pain in the ass for the center having to constantly account for them.

It's so rare to have a LB like Fred that can mug the backside A and then drop to carry the #3 vertically down the seam.

Originally posted by Heroism:
I'd be interested in seeing the actual percentage of LB blitzes DeMeco used last season because it felt like he mugged both A gaps on every single money down. I hope Wilks continues that. It seems like a total pain in the ass for the center having to constantly account for them.

It's so rare to have a LB like Fred that can mug the backside A and then drop to carry the #3 vertically down the seam.

It's like the fans of him during the draft process knew what they were talking about or something.

I'm really looking forward to Wilks spin on an already great D.

I think our secondary should improve since that's his wheelhouse.

And being a little more aggressive w/blitzes will be exciting as can be.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Gotta look at the picks. There are some cases where you could argue for DB (Samuel over Banks maybe), but then O-line is neglected. Your argument aids building front to back IMO. There are no shut down corners. Guys getting 15 million + are still getting beat. If your Dline can't apply pressure, eventually a QB will carve you up. I'll take elite Dline + average or even below average secondary over an elite secondary + average or below average D-line. No secondary is going to hold these receivers forever..

And to add, we are the one team making multiple deep playoff runs without a top 5 QB. There was never a time where coverage was minimized. Ideally I think its front 4, back 4 (or 5) and then your linebackers.

While I agree with most of that the reality is the 49ers are the only team in the entire NFL that hasn't used a 1st or 2nd round pick on a DB during the Shanahan era (Commanders were the only other prior to this past draft). When you are the ONLY team doing something it suggests more than just the player we liked weren't available. It's a conscious decision.

I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by thl408:
The thing with using Warner/Greenlaw to blitz is it takes them away from what I think they do best - cover. I'd rather blitz the slot CB or Huf, but I understand the need to change things up and be unpredictable with who the 5th rusher is. Wilks said he'd use the LBs more aggressively. Most likely it means they are used to blitz, it could also mean having them play more man.
"At times, do I want to be a little bit more aggressive with the talent and athleticism that we have at linebacker? Yes."
-SW

I'd be interested in seeing the actual percentage of LB blitzes DeMeco used last season because it felt like he mugged both A gaps on every single money down. I hope Wilks continues that. It seems like a total pain in the ass for the center having to constantly account for them.

It's so rare to have a LB like Fred that can mug the backside A and then drop to carry the #3 vertically down the seam.

I can't wait to find out!

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by thl408:
The thing with using Warner/Greenlaw to blitz is it takes them away from what I think they do best - cover. I'd rather blitz the slot CB or Huf, but I understand the need to change things up and be unpredictable with who the 5th rusher is. Wilks said he'd use the LBs more aggressively. Most likely it means they are used to blitz, it could also mean having them play more man.
"At times, do I want to be a little bit more aggressive with the talent and athleticism that we have at linebacker? Yes."
-SW

I'd be interested in seeing the actual percentage of LB blitzes DeMeco used last season because it felt like he mugged both A gaps on every single money down. I hope Wilks continues that. It seems like a total pain in the ass for the center having to constantly account for them.

It's so rare to have a LB like Fred that can mug the backside A and then drop to carry the #3 vertically down the seam.

Wilks shows different fronts, with disguise, so I am positive that Warner/Greenlaw will continue to mug the A gaps, then postsnap continue to do Warner/Greenlaw things. Like you said, DeMeco always mugged the A gaps, but because his blitz rate was low, Warner/Greenlaw would normally back out and into coverage. Wilks is known to bring blitz pressure, so perhaps Warner/Greenlaw will see more downs where they are rushing the passer.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Gotta look at the picks. There are some cases where you could argue for DB (Samuel over Banks maybe), but then O-line is neglected. Your argument aids building front to back IMO. There are no shut down corners. Guys getting 15 million + are still getting beat. If your Dline can't apply pressure, eventually a QB will carve you up. I'll take elite Dline + average or even below average secondary over an elite secondary + average or below average D-line. No secondary is going to hold these receivers forever..

And to add, we are the one team making multiple deep playoff runs without a top 5 QB. There was never a time where coverage was minimized. Ideally I think its front 4, back 4 (or 5) and then your linebackers.

While I agree with most of that the reality is the 49ers are the only team in the entire NFL that hasn't used a 1st or 2nd round pick on a DB during the Shanahan era (Commanders were the only other prior to this past draft). When you are the ONLY team doing something it suggests more than just the player we liked weren't available. It's a conscious decision.

I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

The Brock Purdy effect might be an example of how ShanaLynch is going to change the defensive philosophy. I think one of the reasons they are prioritizing the DB's vs the LB's might be because they see Brock Prudy being a great ball control QB. Meaning he can operate the offense like Steve Young did and dominate the time of possession. (Even more so with Trey Lance being as physically gifted as Steve Young, just got to get those intangibles developed).

I mean why do you need linebackers to stop the run if your offense is dominating the time of possession and keeping the other team from scoring or running the ball. You'll focus on stopping the pass, if your offense is so dominant and stacked that most of the time the opposing team is trying to catch up to you by passing vs running.

Originally posted by NCommand:
I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

They do prioritize the OL in line with most teams. They certainly don't prioritize the secondary in line with anyone else. It's apples to oranges.

We've been much closer to a championship level OL then they have ever been at QB or secondary.

if our defense ranks out of top 5 we riot at dawn.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

They do prioritize the OL in line with most teams. They certainly don't prioritize the secondary in line with anyone else. It's apples to oranges.

We've been much closer to a championship level OL then they have ever been at QB or secondary.

Definitely not to a championship level (only a handful of teams 'really' try for that) but your case about the secondary is very legit.

I am excited about the secondary moves this year though.

Ward, Luter/Lenoir, Oliver, Brown/Gipson & Hufanga could be our best secondary yet (should be).

Do you feel it's good enough?

I'm still amped up for this coach. I love the fact that he is so respected as a man and coach. It's cool to get an older, established coach. He can bring all that wisdom and experience and incorporate it into our top defensive unit to make it even better.

i think our guys will grow a lot as men under him too. I think this year will be our best defensive performance in a while.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

They do prioritize the OL in line with most teams. They certainly don't prioritize the secondary in line with anyone else. It's apples to oranges.

We've been much closer to a championship level OL then they have ever been at QB or secondary.

Definitely not to a championship level (only a handful of teams 'really' try for that) but your case about the secondary is very legit.

I am excited about the secondary moves this year though.

Ward, Luter/Lenoir, Oliver, Brown/Gipson & Hufanga could be our best secondary yet (should be).

Do you feel it's good enough?

You think we've adequately replaced Jimmy Ward and EMan?

Originally posted by All22:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

They do prioritize the OL in line with most teams. They certainly don't prioritize the secondary in line with anyone else. It's apples to oranges.

We've been much closer to a championship level OL then they have ever been at QB or secondary.

Definitely not to a championship level (only a handful of teams 'really' try for that) but your case about the secondary is very legit.

I am excited about the secondary moves this year though.

Ward, Luter/Lenoir, Oliver, Brown/Gipson & Hufanga could be our best secondary yet (should be).

Do you feel it's good enough?

You think we've adequately replaced Jimmy Ward and EMan?

I do. Jimmie Ward is massively overrated in here and oft-injured. He eventually became a solid SCB but Oliver specializes at SCB and is much longer and refined there. Wilks thinks he's the best in the game right now.

Eman would have been perfect for this new scheme but again, he's oft injured himself. I think Luter beats out Lenoir (different skill sets).

I think we go to more 3 S looks too.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by All22:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by NCommand:
I fully agree. These are team building proven conscious decisions.

Quick release QB, short area winning weapons and scheme-around are reasons not to prioritize the OL to a championship level like they do with the DL. DL pass rush is why they deprioritize the back end.

And these are conscious decisions.

One could probably make an argument ShanaLynch believes they can win a Superbowl with an average QB too based off the scheme and strength of the roster top to bottom.

They do prioritize the OL in line with most teams. They certainly don't prioritize the secondary in line with anyone else. It's apples to oranges.

We've been much closer to a championship level OL then they have ever been at QB or secondary.

Definitely not to a championship level (only a handful of teams 'really' try for that) but your case about the secondary is very legit.

I am excited about the secondary moves this year though.

Ward, Luter/Lenoir, Oliver, Brown/Gipson & Hufanga could be our best secondary yet (should be).

Do you feel it's good enough?

You think we've adequately replaced Jimmy Ward and EMan?

I do. Jimmie Ward is massively overrated in here and oft-injured. He eventually became a solid SCB but Oliver specializes at SCB and is much longer and refined there. Wilks thinks he's the best in the game right now.

Eman would have been perfect for this new scheme but again, he's oft injured himself. I think Luter beats out Lenoir (different skill sets).

I think we go to more 3 S looks too.

.

This article is a year old and it touches on the trend of league defenses blitzing less.

(snippets from article below)
https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/analysis/defense-blitz-coverage-staley-fangio-2022-sharp-football-preview/
Last year in this foreword, we explored the concept of space and how offenses were getting increasingly better at manipulating it to set up big plays and create yards after the catch. What defenses are doing now is in reaction to that — limiting the space an offense has to work with.
The increase of two-high safety shells was in part to limit the explosive pass plays.

To fight against this, offenses have gotten the ball out quicker and shorter passes have increased. The average depth of target has dropped over the past three seasons from 8.18 in 2019 to 7.79 in 2020 to 7.75 in 2021, per TruMedia. The rate of passes thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage has risen each year since at least 2013 and in 2021, 71.4% of passes were thrown within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
With so many passes getting thrown to that area, the defensive adjustment has been to flood more defenders into throwing lanes. That has come at the expense of blitzing aggressively.

(In 2021), defenses blitzed just 25.3% of the time, the lowest rate over a full season since at least 2013, per TruMedia.
In 2021, defenses rushed four on 69.9% of plays. That would have been a top-10 rate for a singular defense in 2020. 18 teams were above 70% in 2021.
More defenses have used simulated pressures, which shows the threat of a blitz with multiple players around the line of scrimmage only to rush four, but disguising which four players is the point. This can give similar effects to a blitz by manipulating protection rules and potentially creating free rushers, but still getting seven defenders back in coverage.
-----------------------------------
I'm not a fan of blitzing just because it's a part of the DC's DNA. Blitz when it is the optimal way to combat the offense they are playing against on that Sunday, in that specific game time situation. The 49ers have two of the best pass rushers in Bosa and Hargrave. A benefit of having those two is not having to blitz so much and being able to put 7 in coverage. I hope Wilks finds that happy medium where he increases the 49ers blitz rate, when compared to Saleh/Ryans, but also doesn't feel the need to blitz just because that's a part of who he has been in the past.