Week 8 Tape Takeaways: Don’t make me watch this game ever again (paywall)
“For the most part, no one really got home. Mykel Williams had more success rushing from the inside, but he wasn’t very productive, though he was heavily doubled.
Will the additions of Keion White and Clelin Ferrell save this front? I think not. But will it be enough to get through the Giants game and maybe get Bryce Huff back to face the Rams? Perhaps…..It should be noted that Malik Mustapha’s not anywhere near where he was last year. He’s a step late at times, particularly in coverage, and that’s being taken advantage of.
There’s a lot being thrown on this young group, with particularly complex coverages involving man and zone matching that isn’t always being communicated well.
I’d probably prefer if the 49ers stuck with Marques Sigle over Ji’Ayir Brown, with Brown in as the big nickel. Brown filled excellently on a couple plays in the run game on Sunday. They were genuinely fantastic tackles (one of which is above).
But I’m not sure he’s additive in coverage…“
Why the 49ers traded for Keion White, and what’s next for a defense that needs more help (paywall)
“The Patriots picked him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and immediately plugged him into a versatile role that showcased this adaptability — White’s relative athletic score is elite compared to defensive tackles, giving him an advantage rushing against offensive guards….Like White, Omenihu brought a big frame to the 49ers — one that Kocurek could plug into multiple pass-rushing alignments. Once the 49ers return Bryce Huff from his hamstring injury (he’s expected to miss one more game), they’ll hope that White will make a good inside-out pass-rushing pairing together with Yetur Gross-Matos, who’s also currently out with a hamstring injury.”
Why Keion White has been surpassed on Patriots’ depth chart
“White welcomes violence in the trenches. He’s more than willing to try and run through an opponents’ face in an attempt to get to the quarterback. The problem, as Perry shared, is that it hasn’t proven to be a successful strategy for the 2023 second-round pick.
“When I watch him rush the passer, he’s just trying to go right down the middle of whoever is blocking him,” said Perry, who noted White primarily works one or two pass-rush moves. “Sometimes it works, but most times it doesn’t.
“For a guy who is that physically talented, working with a new staff that clearly wants to get as much out of him as they can, I’m surprised I haven’t seen more from him this summer,” Perry continued. “So, I’m not surprised he played as much as he did today. I’m not surprised that Chaisson has passed hm.”
49ers game review: Trent Williams bothered by age, an injury, or both? (paywall)
“To be clear, Anderson is elite. He was the No. 3 pick in 2023 and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Williams, 37, just doesn’t get bulldozed like that in pass protection, even by an ascending young star at his advanced age. In fact, Williams is a year removed from giving last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Rams pass rusher Jared Verse, his welcome-to-the-league moment. Verse recalled during the offseason that he expected to use a rip move to get free from Williams last year and … nothing.
“Usually, I can just lift their hands up no problem,” Verse said on “The Adam Schefter” podcast in June. “I’m just a lot stronger than everybody. I tried to lift Trent’s hands up and they didn’t budge. They didn’t move one bit. I’m trying to move them, I’m chopping them down. I’m like, ‘Bro, let go of me! ’”
So why did the He-Man look like a 37-year-old man feeling his age Sunday when he allowed one of the 49ers’ two sacks and matched a team-high by surrendering four pressures? It’s worth noting that Williams was likely playing hurt.“
How Brock Purdy’s college career prepared 49ers QB for national fame, criticism
“That’s just the nature of what comes with the sport,” Purdy told NBC Sports Bay Area. “You’re playing a professional sport in the NFL. There’s going to be people who have an opinion. If they didn’t have an opinion, they wouldn’t have a job. And so that’s OK.
“But, for me, all that matters is understanding who I am.”
Baldy weighs in on 49ers: What’s up with Mykel Williams?
“”He doesn’t look like he’s got the takeoff you need to win on the edge,” Baldinger said. “He almost looks like he would be better inside in a three-technique where he can use his size, and length, and his strength better than he does on the outside right now. That’s what it looks like to me….It’s a slow process. He’s got a good coach,” Baldinger continued. “But I don’t see the first-step quickness that you need in order to be a feared pass rusher at this point. Now, it’s early. The big thing is, honestly, for any of these pass rushers, especially if Mykel is on the outside, is two things. One, takeoff. Work on it every day. Takeoff.
“And then, two, get your hands on these guys, and then from there, figure out—because the ball can be gone in two seconds, and he could also be holding the ball. So, if they’re holding it because it’s play-action or because it’s third-and-13, have a plan to get to the edge and start collapsing the pocket. And I don’t really see a plan from these guys yet.”
49ers overreactions: San Francisco needs to make trade to save 2025 season
“If you look at the players who were available when the 49ers picked at No. 11, I’m not sure there were many options that would be doing much better through the first seven games.
None of the other defensive linemen taken after Williams have been lighting it up, either. Miami defensive tackle Kenneth Grant has not done much. Atlanta’s Jalon Walker has similar production to Williams. Arizona’s Walter Nolen has yet to play due to a calf injury. And Cincinnati has gotten next-to-nothing from defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.
And hindsight provides no real answer on the offensive linemen the 49ers could have selected. Dallas’ Tyler Booker is not considered a good fit for the 49ers’ zone system. Grey Zabel, whom the Seahawks took at No. 18, is a fit. He’s had his ups and downs but will probably end up being a very good player.“
Report: 49ers signing Clelin Ferrell to practice squad
“Across seven NFL seasons, Ferrell has recorded 160 total tackles (25 for loss), 54 quarterback hits, 17 sacks, 12 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.”
49ers practice and media schedule ahead of Week 9 matchup vs. Giants
“Wednesday, October 29
12:40 p.m. – Kyle Shanahan press conference
1:55 p.m. – Practice
Thursday, October 30
11:25 a.m. – Robert Saleh press conference
Following Saleh – Klay Kubiak press conference
1:15 p.m. – Practice
Friday, October 31
12:00 p.m. – Practice
After practice (approx. 1:15 p.m.) – Kyle Shanahan press conference”
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