Here's an example of how both Martin and our TE's got beat in the run game. 7:30 2nd QTR

We're in a 3 TE set with Boldin set wide and VD on the weakside of the formation.

We're going to run our stretch tackle play - it's what was our staple against the Vikings.

Boone gives a slight nudge on the 0 tech and moves the 2nd level. Staley helps on the DE, then moves to the 2nd level while #89(McD??) picks up the DE.

Martin gets beat across his face and pushed upfield. McD also gets pushed back - they both have to play with better leverage. Notice how the DT was able to get his hands under Martin's pads and his head is lower than Martin's. He's playing with better leverage.

I've gone to the All-22 to show how far back both Martin and McD have been pushed. The ball was on the 22 yrd line and Martin has been pushed over a yard a half back. On a running play, he should be pushing his guy a yard and a half off the ball. You can also see McD beat from leverage too. They both have to get lower on their blocks.

The forceful movement backwards from the blockers causes Hyde to hesitate for just a step - it's what blows the play up, it gives the defense enough time to get to the hole. Celek's block then gets defeated by Shazier(to his credit, Shazier really showed up in this game, dude's a ball player). If Martin and McD don't get pushed back, Hyde never hesitates and takes this ball straight to the hole and probably gains, at minimum, 5 yards. Or, if Celek could've held his block a little longer, we make a good gain. Either way, both Martin and our TE's poorly execute this play. It's a -1 yard run.