49ers mailbag: Why was the defensive line so much better against New England? How will SF fix special teams? Why not use Trent Taylor to return punts?

The next four games are big ones for the San Francisco 49ers. They have two divisional games with the Arizona Cardinals (in Santa Clara) and Seattle Seahawks (in Seattle). After that, they face the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys (both at home). All four games will not only be difficult but could go a long way in determining how the rest of the season plays out for the 49ers.

San Francisco continues to deal with injuries but hopes to get some players back soon. DT Kalia Davis had his practice window opened this week. The team is hoping to get rookie WR Ricky Pearsall back soon, as well. And, of course, all eyes are on RB Christian McCaffrey, to see how his Achilles injury is doing. The 49ers need to be healthy for a postseason run.

We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week and did our best to answer your questions. So let's take a look and see what is on your mind.

The D line did a lot better this weekend, especially vs the run. Do you think it has to do with a philosophical switch to wide-body DT's? - Andy G.

I believe it helped to add some players, like Evan Anderson at defensive tackle and Sam Okuayinonu on the edge. With Davis perhaps returning soon, the run defense has a chance to continue to improve. Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen may have made some philosophical changes, as well. The defense appeared more aggressive against the New England Patriots.

But perhaps the biggest change was the players performing better. This is a talented group that has not been playing well. Nick Bosa told his teammates they needed to be better, and they were. That's why I didn't see any reason to panic after two straight losses. The 49ers possess the talent but had not been playing to the level they are accustomed to playing. If they're healthy and focused, they can continue having games like they had last Sunday.

How surprising is it to find the 49ers with a 2-2 record after the first month of the season? - Ed H.

I thought the 49ers would be 3-1 at worst, especially considering how banged up the Los Angeles Rams were. They should not have lost that game, and I hope it doesn't come back to bite them late in the season. You'd prefer to be 3-1 heading into a stretch of four tough games. But this team tends to start slow, except for 2019 and 2023.


And now they'll have to work their way out of the hole they've dug for themselves if they're going to make a Super Bowl run.

Why not use Trent Taylor to return punts? It's not like the 5th or 6th receiver active on game days will see a lot of action anyway. - Niner Jim

Jacob Cowing is more explosive and has a better chance of making a big play than Trent Taylor. But Taylor is reliable, as far as protecting the ball. He's not as likely, though, to do something with the ball in his hands. Taylor is no threat to take a punt return back for a touchdown, for example.

If Ronnie Bell was the only other option at punt returner, I'd be in favor of Taylor being the punt returner because I don't trust Bell. But he's not the only other option. Cowing is an option, as long as he's healthy. He hasn't had a chance to show whether or not he can be trusted to protect the ball. So right now, I'd go with the young guy who is capable of making big plays. He hasn't made any big plays yet, but he can do it.

Taylor never will. It will interesting to see if Pearsall gets any shot to return punts once he comes back. I'd be surprised if they put him back there, considering all he's dealt with, but you never know.

Will we keep up the deep passes? Other teams often get 3rd downs against us with them. - Sy R.

It depends on how defenses play them. When other teams are stacking the box, trying to take away the run or take away the short, over-the-middle passes, then Purdy is going to go up top. He already attempts plenty of downfield passes, as much as just about any quarterback in football. So yes, I believe the 49ers will continue to push the ball down the field until teams start taking that away and giving up the underneath stuff. That's one of the things that makes Shanahan and Purdy so dangerous. They can go up top, underneath, go outside the numbers, you name it.

What can be done to fix special teams? - Robert W.

We know Shanahan is unlikely to fire special teams coordinator Brian Schneider during the season. So all they can do right now is watch film, coach up the players, and learn from their mistakes. If they can stay in their lanes, stop missing tackles, and stop making silly mistakes, then we should see the NFL's worst special teams unit improve.

One thing to consider, too, is that we have discussed how the 49ers aren't as deep as they've been in years past. When your depth takes a hit, it will mostly affect injuries (because the backups aren't as good) and special teams (because the players who play on those units aren't as talented). And depth is affected by having so many stars, All-Pros, and highly-priced players. So if you're going to pay as many stars as the 49ers are paying, you have to expect the depth to suffer.


And when the depth suffers, so will your special teams.

Once players like CMC, Greenlaw, and others who are key contributors return, does Shanahan plan to continue rotating players like Jordan Mason, who has shown his abilities to start a game, to ease the workload on the starters being a long season and aiming for their health during the postseason? Also, can Shanahan be a little more aggressive in the 2nd half especially when having a lead? - Pernell L.

Shanahan and Bobby Turner (49ers running backs coach) will have to continue to use Jordan Mason when McCaffrey returns. With an injury like the reigning Offensive Player of the Year is dealing with, you can't use him as much as you have in the past. Plus, Mason has earned the right to get plenty of touches.

Dre Greenlaw has the same injury, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him eased in, too. And with young players, like Dee Winters, showing some good things, you want to get him in there.

As for the question about Shanahan being more aggressive with a second-half lead, he's going to continue doing what he does. Some fans say he needs to be more aggressive with a fourth-quarter lead, while most believe he should run the ball more with a late lead. Regardless, he's going to do what he believes is best for the 49ers in those situations. He does appear more aggressive early this season.

I read somewhere that they've been tinkering with Spencer Burford at RT. Do you think that's something that might happen this season? He might actually be better than Banks too. - Andy G.

Aaron Banks didn't have his best game last Sunday, but he's been mostly consistent. Spencer Burford hasn't been as consistent when he's played, though he hasn't been bad. They have indeed been working Burford at tackle some, but whether or not he'll play tackle in any games this season remains to be seen. If there are injuries to Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz, then Burford would likely play some right tackle. But as long as Williams and McKivitz are healthy, I doubt we see him at tackle this season.

That's all we have for this week. We'll be back next week with a shiny, brand-new 49ers Webzone Mailbag.

More San Francisco 49ers News

• Kyle Shanahan: 49ers need to be 'more prepared' on special teams
• Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers rookie Jacob Cowing hasn't played much
• 49ers mailbag: Why is Ronnie Bell playing instead of Jacob Cowing? What's wrong with the SF defense? Studs and duds?
• Why Brandon Aiyuk's numbers aren't better despite 49ers WR leading NFL in separation