SANTA CLARA – Even with a fluid roster and a new regime from head to toe, the 49ers didn’t expect to be winless through the first four games of the season.
So why are the 49ers scuffling? First, the overhaul is more immense than originally anticipated with first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan still finding his foundation and coaches still tinkering with lineups and personnel evaluations.
However, while it is still early, some pieces haven’t fit yet, while others have snapped in seamlessly. With that in mind, we go over the team’s winners and losers through the quarter pole of this burgeoning season.
Winners
1. Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner – He slithers, he bursts, and his arm-over move (called the swim move) to get past guards and into the backfield is unstoppable. He also instinctively knows where the ball is, and he has the burst to get there. Buckner has Defensive MVP chops and now he’s beginning to show them. Unfortunately, other teams are noticing as well and that means more double-team blocks. It also means other players, like Arik Armstead, can now enjoy being blocked by one man.
2. Tackle Joe Staley – Could he be playing his best ball in his 11th year? Whether flying out of a three-point stance and cutting down a safety on a pitch to the outside, or power blocking a defensive end, or pass protecting Brian Hoyer’s blind side, Staley has done it all. His athleticism to pull and lead a run, or get low and drive a 300-pounder off the line provides the 49ers with rare versatility at the crucial left-tackle spot. His ability to mirror and blot out a pass rusher just seems to improve. He might be the quarter pole MVP, if there is such a silly notion.
3. Tackle Trent Brown – The man has matured, and he’s much watch TV when he gets his hulking frame out in the run game to smother defensive backs. Brown seems to be harnessing his 365 pounds and his dancing-bear feet to great effect. Consistent effort can be an issue, but he’s so good, taking a few plays off is allowed. There’s no better authority than Denver’s pass rusher Von Miller, and he reiterated this summer that Brown is the best right tackle in the NFL.
4. The run game – The 49ers have been able to run against elite defenses with consistency. It’s partly the offensive line, and partly the run design, both of which have been excellent. Carlos Hyde has benefitted, ranking fourth in yards per carry (4.9) among running backs with over 40 carries. Yet Hyde would admit he could do even more in breaking tackles and evading defenders. Nevertheless, this is one area of the team that’s proven to be elite.
5. Linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong – He looked like NaVorro Bowman in his prime last Sunday with eight tackles, a sack and a pick. He leads the team with 30 total tackles and he’s shedding his reputation as a freelancer, who doesn’t know how to play in a disciplined defense.
LOSERS
1. Quarterback Brian Hoyer. No one said the 49ers will be making any moves at quarterback, except one man – Hoyer. He had over 10 inaccurate throws last week in instances where he was well protected and the receiver was open. Hoyer is last in quarterback rating among NFL starters by nearly 10 points. Many will say his lack of production is partially due to his receivers, which is somewhat true. But mainly, it’s Hoyer. He has a strong run game and decent pass protection and should be much better.
2. Cornerback Rashard Robinson. He was supposed to be the team’s top cornerback. However, he’s struggling with penalties (he has five), tackling and in coverage. Fortunately, he has speed, a long frame and the fortitude to bounce back. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he turns it around at any point.
3. Tight-end production. Shanahan’s known for getting his tight ends fed. That hasn’t happened this year, with George Kittle and Logan Paulsen having a few key drops already. All the tight ends have combined for 12 receptions, which needs to improve.
4. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin dropped a long pass on the team’s opening drive of the season and hasn’t rebounded. He has just nine receptions in 19 targets, which is fine for a home run-hitting speedster. However, Goodwin only has one catch over 20 yards.
5. Arik Armstead. He has eight tackles in four games and one sack. If Buckner draws more double teams as anticipated, Armstead has to respond with more production.
