49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by dj43:
Overall, here is where our OL ranks by PFF.

Brendel - 25 out of 33. He started at the same point last year and wound up #15, IIRC.

Banks - 57/68 - much lower than last year. He finished last season in the high teens.

Burford - 65/68 - roughly the same as last year. I don't see the progress. Perhaps not having the more experienced McG next to him hurt.

McKivitz - 52/70 - he is who we thought he was—better pass protector than a run blocker. We have a less effective opposite-skill-level of McGlinchey.

Williams - 3/70

Yes, all the blitzing may have knocked down the numbers somewhat, however, other teams will look at the tape and follow suit.

Tier 3 (Solid) OL right now.

I'm not sure how using PFF, we're top 5 ranking by YAC's formula but this is why I lean on SME's instead.

I'm not a fan of the OL grades but I do like when they show reference to where they stand next to their peers. That adds some context at least.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dj43:
Overall, here is where our OL ranks by PFF.

Brendel - 25 out of 33. He started at the same point last year and wound up #15, IIRC.

Banks - 57/68 - much lower than last year. He finished last season in the high teens.

Burford - 65/68 - roughly the same as last year. I don't see the progress. Perhaps not having the more experienced McG next to him hurt.

McKivitz - 52/70 - he is who we thought he was—better pass protector than a run blocker. We have a less effective opposite-skill-level of McGlinchey.

Williams - 3/70

Yes, all the blitzing may have knocked down the numbers somewhat, however, other teams will look at the tape and follow suit.

Tier 3 (Solid) OL right now.

I'm not sure how using PFF, we're top 5 ranking by YAC's formula but this is why I lean on SME's instead.

I'm not a fan of the OL grades but I do like when they show reference to where they stand next to their peers. That adds some context at least.

That's what I use it for.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dj43:
Overall, here is where our OL ranks by PFF.

Brendel - 25 out of 33. He started at the same point last year and wound up #15, IIRC.

Banks - 57/68 - much lower than last year. He finished last season in the high teens.

Burford - 65/68 - roughly the same as last year. I don't see the progress. Perhaps not having the more experienced McG next to him hurt.

McKivitz - 52/70 - he is who we thought he was—better pass protector than a run blocker. We have a less effective opposite-skill-level of McGlinchey.

Williams - 3/70

Yes, all the blitzing may have knocked down the numbers somewhat, however, other teams will look at the tape and follow suit.

Tier 3 (Solid) OL right now.

I'm not sure how using PFF, we're top 5 ranking by YAC's formula but this is why I lean on SME's instead.

I'm not a fan of the OL grades but I do like when they show reference to where they stand next to their peers. That adds some context at least.

I will say this, Colton is worth every penny in comparison to McG. He makes mistakes, but I think he has steadily improved the past three games overall and with that in mind there was zero reason to pay McG that kind of dough.

Burford has been underwhelming and Brendal is a good backup imo. We know they tried to find an upgrade at Center, but nothing worked out this offseason.

We would need AB here, but I believe Brendal's 4 year deal is really a 1 year deal we can back out of after each season with minimal dead money.

I smell us drafting a Center end of round 1. If not then def a tackle.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
I will say this, Colton is worth every penny in comparison to McG. He makes mistakes, but I think he has steadily improved the past three games overall and with that in mind there was zero reason to pay McG that kind of dough.

Burford has been underwhelming and Brendal is a good backup imo. We know they tried to find an upgrade at Center, but nothing worked out this offseason.

We would need AB here, but I believe Brendal's 4 year deal is really a 1 year deal we can back out of after each season with minimal dead money.

I smell us drafting a Center end of round 1. If not then def a tackle.

Personally don't love any of the centers in rd 1. Let someone else reach.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
I will say this, Colton is worth every penny in comparison to McG. He makes mistakes, but I think he has steadily improved the past three games overall and with that in mind there was zero reason to pay McG that kind of dough.

Burford has been underwhelming and Brendal is a good backup imo. We know they tried to find an upgrade at Center, but nothing worked out this offseason.

We would need AB here, but I believe Brendal's 4 year deal is really a 1 year deal we can back out of after each season with minimal dead money.

I smell us drafting a Center end of round 1. If not then def a tackle.

Personally don't love any of the centers in rd 1. Let someone else reach.

4eva You mentioned a tackle for BYU, which one left or right. Did not see BYU last weekend but want to watch this weekend.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by dj43:
Overall, here is where our OL ranks by PFF.

Brendel - 25 out of 33. He started at the same point last year and wound up #15, IIRC.

Banks - 57/68 - much lower than last year. He finished last season in the high teens.

Burford - 65/68 - roughly the same as last year. I don't see the progress. Perhaps not having the more experienced McG next to him hurt.

McKivitz - 52/70 - he is who we thought he was—better pass protector than a run blocker. We have a less effective opposite-skill-level of McGlinchey.

Williams - 3/70

Yes, all the blitzing may have knocked down the numbers somewhat, however, other teams will look at the tape and follow suit.

Tier 3 (Solid) OL right now.

I'm not sure how using PFF, we're top 5 ranking by YAC's formula but this is why I lean on SME's instead.

I'm not a fan of the OL grades but I do like when they show reference to where they stand next to their peers. That adds some context at least.

Agree, they are a solid, I hope they get to above average (or outstanding) in the next couple of games.

I Was pleasantly surprised with McKivitz and Burford in the Giants game. McKivits isn't going to drive block DTs on a consistent basis, but he's definitely good at the reach double teams. The McCaffrey TD was ran right behind him. He's very quick and agile and did a good job on the screen blocks to his side. Burford and McKivitz still have some coordination problems but a ton better than the Rams game. McKivitz is Definitely a better pass blocker than McGlinchey. I didn't see either one get overpowered in this game unlike the Rams game. Arrow up and good progress since even just the Rams game.

If the 49ers want to run consistently behind McKivitz and Burford, they are going to have to put a TE to that side to help either Burford or McKivitz to help them drive block or reach block the DLinemen on that side.

Contrast that to the left side where the OLinemen are physically dominating the DLinemen on that side.

FWIW we'll have to wait until week 5 until we have a real idea about this line. Good thing is it gives them more time to gell.

Originally posted by bassmanr:
4eva You mentioned a tackle for BYU, which one left or right. Did not see BYU last weekend but want to watch this weekend.

Kingsley Sumataia LT.

Originally posted by 9ers4eva:

Originally posted by bassmanr:
4eva You mentioned a tackle for BYU, which one left or right. Did not see BYU last weekend but want to watch this weekend.

Kingsley Sumataia LT.

Again, I'd love to start focusing on O line in the draft, but little chance of them playing, or even making any impact their rookie year.

Good pod with the dude, Brandon Thorn for those who want to listen to a SME.

http://castbox.fm/app/castbox/feed/1b9a19b64b634bceeef8108aef8ce112fb34c7b5/track/61fcac31df91ea725dde5afe13c18593a7d4610a

I love how they note OL play is still so underrated because you have 5-6+ players of the total 11 players on the field responsible for the entire offense.

Originally posted by SLCNiner:
FWIW we'll have to wait until week 5 until we have a real idea about this line. Good thing is it gives them more time to gell.

I'll give it week 8 but yes, we'll certainly know a lot from that Cowboys game.

Originally posted by SLCNiner:
FWIW we'll have to wait until week 5 until we have a real idea about this line. Good thing is it gives them more time to gell.

In addition to the all important gel time, there are a lot fewer unknowns in your game planning once you've got a month's worth of tape on your opponents. It makes life a little easier.

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by SLCNiner:
FWIW we'll have to wait until week 5 until we have a real idea about this line. Good thing is it gives them more time to gell.

I'll give it week 8 but yes, we'll certainly know a lot from that Cowboys game.

We may know more after the Cardinal game. I'd like to see Burford and McKivitz wall off the Cardinal DLine on those outside zones and screens better. It's probably not in the cards for Burford or McKivitz to physically dominate the way the left side does their blocking, but just being able to create the creases and gaps in the defense is good enough for McCaffrey on the run. As for the Pass protections, they were better in the Giants game. True test, as both of you have said is the Cowboy's game. If they can hold up against that pass rush, it will be 🏹up for the playoffs.

Originally posted by Giedi:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by SLCNiner:
FWIW we'll have to wait until week 5 until we have a real idea about this line. Good thing is it gives them more time to gell.

I'll give it week 8 but yes, we'll certainly know a lot from that Cowboys game.

We may know more after the Cardinal game. I'd like to see Burford and McKivitz wall off the Cardinal DLine on those outside zones and screens better. It's probably not in the cards for Burford or McKivitz to physically dominate the way the left side does their blocking, but just being able to create the creases and gaps in the defense is good enough for McCaffrey on the run. As for the Pass protections, they were better in the Giants game. True test, as both of you have said is the Cowboy's game. If they can hold up against that pass rush, it will be 🏹up for the playoffs.

This is the entire point! Even if they take a step back here and there, as long as they're playing at a very high level going into the playoffs, it's game on.