Originally posted by thl408:
Originally posted by NinerGM:
Originally posted by thl408:
I think the TV broadcast mentioned that the 49ers did give Martin some help by lining up a TE beside Martin. The TV broadcast mentioned that by lining up a TE next to Martin, that it would force the edge rusher to hesitate or widen his rush, helping Martin. I did not see the little chip block from the TE prior to the TE releasing into his route although I was not watching for that. Maybe NC or WRATH can give some thoughts on this. Like you said, this is what other teams do to Aldon with the chip block. They will take the trade off of a slow release off the line in order to give the LT help. Perhaps the 49ers should have done this versus CHI (if they didn't) when Martin started to get overmatched. The thumbnails show that the TE did line up beside Martin many times versus CHI.

Agreed that when developing a running QB, his best friend is good pass protection, so that he doesn't have to fight the urge of taking off to scramble. He's comfortable in the pocket. The drawback to providing good pass protection via keeping in an additional blocker is that there are less route runners while there are the same amount of pass defenders in coverage. Less route runners leads to less elaborate route combinations and less routes that can be used to influence defenders around the field. On some plays, we see Gore immediately swing out on a route with no check-release duty. When he quickly flares out like that, it draws a reaction from the LBs that could open up passing lanes. On most plays, he is performing check-release where he makes certain there's no immediate pressure up the middle, then he releases. He rarely gets the ball in this situation and is more likely to end up being a lead blocker on a Kap scramble.

Instead of screens, which I see the 49ers fail at repeatedly, I'd like to see the 49ers run a few draw plays. If the speed rusher is trying to get upfield on Martin/ADavis, run a draw play to that side where space opened up. Even if it nets just 4 yards, it gets the edge rusher thinking and perhaps tapers his aggressiveness.

I want to say that Walsh was a believer in beating pressure with quick passes, not max protection, but I'm not certain. Those little swing passes in the 80s were a lot more effective back then then they are now. LBs nowadays are just as fast as a RB and limit RAC.

Two really good points to make here - and I saw San Diego KILL Seattle with very well-timed draw plays because their edge rushers were so aggressive. However does this work for us well without the threat of a pass? Team are always looking for us to run given our offensive identity. I'd like to see more WR buble screens which I thought were awesome in Dallas - there was one play I remember Johnson being wide open - and if this pass is thrown while the WR is in stride, it goes for a long gain.

That's a good point about how draws aren't complimentary to a run first team. That's the same reason why screens aren't as effective for the 49ers. So for a run first team, the best way to slow down a pass rush is to go play action. Since the topic we are discussing is methods to slow a pass rush, particularly on the edge, I feel draw plays can work to get that edge rusher thinking about more than just trying to get around the tackle (JMart/ADavis) when he reads 'pass'. If the edge rusher feels he is constantly winning versus the offensive tackle, allow that edge rusher to read 'pass' then run the draw play right past him. The next time around, he'll think twice about just pinning his ears back to rush upfield when he sees JMart step back in a pass blocking stance. The bad news is JMart wasn't just getting beat around the edge. He got beat inside as well versus CHI.

Bubble screens are a good play for Boldin/Crabs because they are good with RAC, but I feel that has more to do with CBs that are playing off coverage. The 49ers ran a few WR screens versus ARI last season in week 17. Perhaps we'll see some this Sunday.
To piggy back off this as well: this is where the play action out of the piston isn't as effective. It gives the OLB a great line read for run/pass since the DE is left unblocked on a run and blocked on a pass. So, that intermediate zone isn't as open against the read-option play fake as it is from under center.