Defensive Line Thread

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by thl408:
I was watching the "OL committee" podcast (Alex Boone) and he said that DET does not like to give their OL help with chip blocks. They understandably have a lot of confidence in their OL to pass block well without help. If this holds true, then Bosa will get to work 1 on 1 against a good OT, whether it's Decker or Sewell.

I think the real key in this game is pressure up the middle, right into Goff's face. Need AA and Hargrave to take turns winning their matchup. If/when Wilks chooses to blitz, let it be up the middle.

When Sewell was a rookie, Bosa beat him a few times, but damn, it was a very impressive debut for a rookie tackle. I think Bosa is going to want to switch sides and opt to against Decker. Poor Chase.

Probably going to see the 49ers dial up a few overload fronts(ie boss front) to get Bosa 1-on-1 with Decker and put Armstead over Ragnow to test that knee. Best way to stress a knee/ankle's flexion is with power.

In that case have Kinlaw give Ragnow a few bull rushes to soften him up early. Then come with some Hargrave quickness or AA technical hand swipes/power. Most likely Ragnow will have some help in pass pro so it's up to the guard that has the 1 on 1 to get beat by whichever 49er DT is on him. I think Ragnow's gimpy knee could be detrimental in their run game - I'll take it. If Chase can stalemate with Sewell in the run game, that's a win for the 49ers.

We've seen Bosa at DT this season, and Wilks can always loop Bosa around to hit the C/OG with a running start. If the 49ers dial up the stunts, I'd like to see Gregory in there to add some quickness and speed over Chase.

Originally posted by thl408:
I was watching the "OL committee" podcast (Alex Boone) and he said that DET does not like to give their OL help with chip blocks. They understandably have a lot of confidence in their OL to pass block well without help. If this holds true, then Bosa will get to work 1 on 1 against a good OT, whether it's Decker or Sewell.

I think the real key in this game is pressure up the middle, right into Goff's face. Need AA and Hargrave to take turns winning their matchup. If/when Wilks chooses to blitz, let it be up the middle.

Sounds like my mind of podcast.

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by thl408:

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:

Originally posted by braap49er:
This DL has been sadly overrated this year. Not one sack against the packers. Bosh hasn't had a sack since the Cardinals game. Who's to blame for this…

I don't think these guys suddenly forgot how to get sacks, so I'm leaning towards scheme

some plays i see them locked up with the OL and just watching the QB.. not really trying to move until the QB gets close to them

Goff has 3 rushing yards in the last 5 games.. this guy isn't going to move.. we need to attack instead of watching him

I was watching the "OL committee" podcast (Alex Boone) and he said that DET does not like to give their OL help with chip blocks. They understandably have a lot of confidence in their OL to pass block well without help. If this holds true, then Bosa will get to work 1 on 1 against a good OT, whether it's Decker or Sewell.

I think the real key in this game is pressure up the middle, right into Goff's face. Need AA and Hargrave to take turns winning their matchup. If/when Wilks chooses to blitz, let it be up the middle.

Go back to 5 DL, to truly get 1v1 on early downs and give AA the best oppt ?

It's an option. Haven't seen that 5DL front since week 7ish. Maybe it happened and I didn't notice. DET likes to use heavy personnel such as 2TE with one of the TE being an OLman, and I've read occasionally 3TE. I can see DET coming out and trying to exert dominance up front early in this game. To try and set a physical tone.
I know you're talking more about pass rushing. One reason I don't like that 5DL front is that it's very obvious what's about to happen, no element of a surprise 5th rusher postsnap.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Shanahan isn't worried about the lack of sacks from the 49ers' pass rushers 👀 pic.twitter.com/yHWF7Ugy8q

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 25, 2024

The more offenses ask their RB/TE to chip block, the easier it is for our zone defenders to cover. Less routes being sent out at the snap means less zone stretching ability. Then when the intermediate routes aren't open because Warner Dre DeMo get to gain depth and take away those routes, the QB throws the checkdown and the good open field tacklers get to work. This happened many times versus GB.

Bosa got his licks in against Sewell the last time they faced off, but it would be dishonest to say that Pewell didn't win his fair share of reps as well. I think it's going to be even tougher this Sunday as Sewell is way more seasoned and playing at his natural spot on the right. I expect Bosa to switch sides on money downs and go against Taylor Decker. I'm sure Nick has been picking Joey's brain on attacking Decker from their time at Ohio State.


Penei Sewell is impressive as hell. Dude moves like a young Trent Williams.

That's why boss gets paid the big bucks.

I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

Stop reading box scores.

I think it was Marcus Spears on ESPN. The question was how do the 49er DEs stop getting cracked by slot WRs like what happened in the GB game. He said one thing that would help is to put the DE into a standup position and widen out the alignment so that the DE is shaded just inside shoulder of the slot WR. As opposed to outside shade of the OT.

While the widening of the alignment would help not getting cracked, it does open up wider interior gaps. Will be interesting to see what, if any, adjustment the 49ers make. You'd think they'd be very prepared for this since the 49er WRs crack block DEs themselves.

Originally posted by thl408:
I think it was Marcus Spears on ESPN. The question was how do the 49er DEs stop getting cracked by slot WRs like what happened in the GB game. He said one thing that would help is to put the DE into a standup position and widen out the alignment so that the DE is shaded just inside shoulder of the slot WR. As opposed to outside shade of the OT.

While the widening of the alignment would help not getting cracked, it does open up wider interior gaps. Will be interesting to see what, if any, adjustment the 49ers make. You'd think they'd be very prepared for this since the 49er WRs crack block DEs themselves.

Widening the alignment is definitely not the solution, IMO. In regards to standing up, I think this is why you'll often see Bosa cheating with a tweener stance where he's like inbetween a 3-point and 2-point stance. One of the downsides to playing in an aggressive upfield hand-in-the-dirt stance with your ears pinned back and eyes on the ball is that it reduces peripheral awareness.

Additionally, if the DBs aren't screaming out any potential cracks or if it's hard to hear them due to the crowd, that also doesn't help. The communication needs to be an emphasised to make sure their ends are aware of any threat of cracks from a reduced split on their side.

I think it's ultimately going to be on the DBs and LBs to focus on overlapping gaps. I remember we were taught to stay cracked if we were cracked ie stay in the gap and let our help replace us. But sheeit, this was like 15 years ago. Maybe the coaching points have changed.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

QB pressure (as opposed to sacks) caused 2 ints vs packers. I don't disagree that the DL has been somewhat inconsistent sack finishers, but seeing the review of the game they did well vs a very good OL. If live doesn't make several really great/quick decisions, we'd have had 3-5 sacks

Originally posted by frenchmov:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

QB pressure (as opposed to sacks) caused 2 ints vs packers. I don't disagree that the DL has been somewhat inconsistent sack finishers, but seeing the review of the game they did well vs a very good OL. If live doesn't make several really great/quick decisions, we'd have had 3-5 sacks

Still 0 sacks. It doesn't have to be sacks, but $30mil line I just don't want "pressure", I'd like to see QB hits. Hits are better game changing plays.

Originally posted by titan:

Originally posted by frenchmov:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

QB pressure (as opposed to sacks) caused 2 ints vs packers. I don't disagree that the DL has been somewhat inconsistent sack finishers, but seeing the review of the game they did well vs a very good OL. If live doesn't make several really great/quick decisions, we'd have had 3-5 sacks

Still 0 sacks. It doesn't have to be sacks, but $30mil line I just don't want "pressure", I'd like to see QB hits. Hits are better game changing plays.

There is much more than that in the line.

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:

Originally posted by titan:

Originally posted by frenchmov:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
I have no idea how you have this defensive line and can't get to the QB. It's absolutely unbelievable. The best defensive line in the league. But can't do anything.

QB pressure (as opposed to sacks) caused 2 ints vs packers. I don't disagree that the DL has been somewhat inconsistent sack finishers, but seeing the review of the game they did well vs a very good OL. If live doesn't make several really great/quick decisions, we'd have had 3-5 sacks

Still 0 sacks. It doesn't have to be sacks, but $30mil line I just don't want "pressure", I'd like to see QB hits. Hits are better game changing plays.

There is much more than that in the line.

I understand that. Production has been subpar for the expectation. I think they'll be better the next 2 games.