Running game not priority?

2 things: they had a better OL... and a variety of run blocking schemes (not just inside and outside zone).

It all comes back to the OL. The run game is not going anywhere without it and the same goes for the passing game.

I think a huge part of it for SF is how stressful their passing attack is, and how defenses are forced to account for everything the 49ers can do. Their passing game rarely asks or needs Garappolo to make a bunch of down field throws from deep in the pocket. They have motions and quick strike stuff that quickly makes defenses go oh shit. They make defenses spread out as they start accounting for coverage and they get into their rhythm... They run through defenses as they try to figure out what the hell is going on. Garappolo went 6/8 for 77 yards on the day!

Ryan Tannehill will be a salty guy when he hears about that stat line.

Look at Tennessee and how their heavy run game fell apart without a passing attack that forced KC to respect it. They dominated their way to the AFCCG. Tannehill found magic with the passing calls they went with around some heavy running. Their offensive line was getting some pretty high praises prior to today. They tried forcing Henry against KC and it wasn't happening. They had nothing they could do as a passing offense to take advantage of KC selling out to stop Henry...

It's about rhythm. Green Bay didn't give a shit about how our offense lined up against them in regards to coverage presnap. Like us against SF, they were very concerned about covering/containing Kittle, Samuel, Sanders... all the weapons we hear about on SF's offense. But their passing game is far from a classic drop back and throw type... all of those weapons are weapons because their offense is smartly executed by the staff and QB.

For us, I don't disagree we need offensive lineman at all. It's a major priority. This team can't be like Tennessee was today. Dalvin Cook isn't Adrian Peterson - this line won't manhandle defenses for 4 quarters. If Kirk Cousins is up to it, this offense has a lot of pieces in place to spread defenses out enough for Cook to go wild in both areas of the offense. You have to be able to unstack the box as much as you need a great offensive line. The 49ers, Shanahan and the 6/8 Jimmy G had the Packers absolutely unwilling to commit to stopping the run. Dalvin destroys teams that are respecting Kirk Cousins and our passing attack's potential.

I think San Fran's offensive success starts with their D,  Without that attacking style that keeps opposing offenses from finding rhythm,  their passing game would likely have to be much more involved.  That D doesnt take half the field off,  they get out there and play like every play is 3 and goal from the 8, up by 4,  late in the 4th quarter.

They dont allow teams to flip field position all the time,  they get after the QB like savages,  and they give so many different looks pre and post snap that it really keeps opposing teams off balance and off the score boards.

Their O philosophy is impressive,  but their defensive success is what keeps the pressure and the game off jimmy GQs shoulders. 

@"BlackMagic7" said: I think a huge part of it for SF is how stressful their passing attack is, and how defenses are forced to account for everything the 49ers can do. Their passing game rarely asks or needs Garappolo to make a bunch of down field throws from deep in the pocket. They have motions and quick strike stuff that quickly makes defenses go oh shit. They make defenses spread out as they start accounting for coverage and they get into their rhythm... They run through defenses as they try to figure out what the hell is going on. Garappolo went 6/8 for 77 yards on the day!

Ryan Tannehill will be a salty guy when he hears about that stat line.

Look at Tennessee and how their heavy run game fell apart without a passing attack that forced KC to respect it. They dominated their way to the AFCCG. Tannehill found magic with the passing calls they went with around some heavy running. Their offensive line was getting some pretty high praises prior to today. They tried forcing Henry against KC and it wasn't happening. They had nothing they could do as a passing offense to take advantage of KC selling out to stop Henry...

It's about rhythm. Green Bay didn't give a shit about how our offense lined up against them in regards to coverage presnap. Like us against SF, they were very concerned about covering/containing Kittle, Samuel, Sanders... all the weapons we hear about on SF's offense. But their passing game is far from a classic drop back and throw type... all of those weapons are weapons because their offense is smartly executed by the staff and QB.

For us, I don't disagree we need offensive lineman at all. It's a major priority. This team can't be like Tennessee was today. Dalvin Cook isn't Adrian Peterson - this line won't manhandle defenses for 4 quarters. If Kirk Cousins is up to it, this offense has a lot of pieces in place to spread defenses out enough for Cook to go wild in both areas of the offense. You have to be able to unstack the box as much as you need a great offensive line. The 49ers, Shanahan and the 6/8 Jimmy G had the Packers absolutely unwilling to commit to stopping the run. Dalvin destroys teams that are respecting Kirk Cousins and our passing attack's potential.

@"TBro" said:

@"BlackMagic7" said: I think a huge part of it for SF is how stressful their passing attack is, and how defenses are forced to account for everything the 49ers can do. Their passing game rarely asks or needs Garappolo to make a bunch of down field throws from deep in the pocket. They have motions and quick strike stuff that quickly makes defenses go oh shit. They make defenses spread out as they start accounting for coverage and they get into their rhythm... They run through defenses as they try to figure out what the hell is going on. Garappolo went 6/8 for 77 yards on the day!

Ryan Tannehill will be a salty guy when he hears about that stat line.

Look at Tennessee and how their heavy run game fell apart without a passing attack that forced KC to respect it. They dominated their way to the AFCCG. Tannehill found magic with the passing calls they went with around some heavy running. Their offensive line was getting some pretty high praises prior to today. They tried forcing Henry against KC and it wasn't happening. They had nothing they could do as a passing offense to take advantage of KC selling out to stop Henry...

It's about rhythm. Green Bay didn't give a shit about how our offense lined up against them in regards to coverage presnap. Like us against SF, they were very concerned about covering/containing Kittle, Samuel, Sanders... all the weapons we hear about on SF's offense. But their passing game is far from a classic drop back and throw type... all of those weapons are weapons because their offense is smartly executed by the staff and QB.

For us, I don't disagree we need offensive lineman at all. It's a major priority. This team can't be like Tennessee was today. Dalvin Cook isn't Adrian Peterson - this line won't manhandle defenses for 4 quarters. If Kirk Cousins is up to it, this offense has a lot of pieces in place to spread defenses out enough for Cook to go wild in both areas of the offense. You have to be able to unstack the box as much as you need a great offensive line. The 49ers, Shanahan and the 6/8 Jimmy G had the Packers absolutely unwilling to commit to stopping the run. Dalvin destroys teams that are respecting Kirk Cousins and our passing attack's potential.

Great post. The 49ers personnel with Shanahan as the mastermind is a nightmare to scheme against. It will be interesting to see what the Chiefs come up with to stop them. However, will the 49ers be able to run the ball as much as they have the past two weeks trying to keep up with Mahomes and Reid? KC's defense is playing much better. If they can take away the run or at least slow it down, they can get after Jimmy G with their pass rush. 

@"TBro" said:

@"BlackMagic7" said: I think a huge part of it for SF is how stressful their passing attack is, and how defenses are forced to account for everything the 49ers can do. Their passing game rarely asks or needs Garappolo to make a bunch of down field throws from deep in the pocket. They have motions and quick strike stuff that quickly makes defenses go oh shit. They make defenses spread out as they start accounting for coverage and they get into their rhythm... They run through defenses as they try to figure out what the hell is going on. Garappolo went 6/8 for 77 yards on the day!

Ryan Tannehill will be a salty guy when he hears about that stat line.

Look at Tennessee and how their heavy run game fell apart without a passing attack that forced KC to respect it. They dominated their way to the AFCCG. Tannehill found magic with the passing calls they went with around some heavy running. Their offensive line was getting some pretty high praises prior to today. They tried forcing Henry against KC and it wasn't happening. They had nothing they could do as a passing offense to take advantage of KC selling out to stop Henry...

It's about rhythm. Green Bay didn't give a shit about how our offense lined up against them in regards to coverage presnap. Like us against SF, they were very concerned about covering/containing Kittle, Samuel, Sanders... all the weapons we hear about on SF's offense. But their passing game is far from a classic drop back and throw type... all of those weapons are weapons because their offense is smartly executed by the staff and QB.

For us, I don't disagree we need offensive lineman at all. It's a major priority. This team can't be like Tennessee was today. Dalvin Cook isn't Adrian Peterson - this line won't manhandle defenses for 4 quarters. If Kirk Cousins is up to it, this offense has a lot of pieces in place to spread defenses out enough for Cook to go wild in both areas of the offense. You have to be able to unstack the box as much as you need a great offensive line. The 49ers, Shanahan and the 6/8 Jimmy G had the Packers absolutely unwilling to commit to stopping the run. Dalvin destroys teams that are respecting Kirk Cousins and our passing attack's potential.

Great post. The 49ers personnel with Shanahan as the mastermind is a nightmare to scheme against. It will be interesting to see what the Chiefs come up with to stop them. However, will the 49ers be able to run the ball as much as they have the past two weeks trying to keep up with Mahomes and Reid? KC's defense is playing much better. If they can take away the run or at least slow it down, they can get after Jimmy G with their pass rush. 

Of the top 10 Highest Paid Running Backs in 2019, only 3 made the playoffs:
#7 Jerick Mckinnon - 49ers - hurt all year
#9 Lamar Miller - Texans - hurt all year
#10 Dion Lewis - Titans - backup all year

Guys like Henry, Dalvin, Kamara will get paid soon, but once they do, will those still be playoff teams? Zeke, Gurley, Devonte Freeman, David Johnson all played for contenders in the past few years on cheap deals. Now they got paid, and their teams sat at home. Clearly it's not all their fault, but in a salary cap league, the 2019 playoffs are evidence that paying a top RB might not be the best plan.

@"pattersaur" said:

Of the top 10 Highest Paid Running Backs in 2019, only 3 made the playoffs: #7 Jerick Mckinnon - 49ers - hurt all year #9 Lamar Miller - Texans - hurt all year #10 Dion Lewis - Titans - backup all year

Guys like Henry, Dalvin, Kamara will get paid soon, but once they do, will those still be playoff teams? Zeke, Gurley, Devonte Freeman, David Johnson all played for contenders in the past few years on cheap deals. Now they got paid, and their teams sat at home. Clearly it's not all their fault, but in a salary cap league, the 2019 playoffs are evidence that paying a top RB might not be the best plan.

Question for the Vikings is how much of the cap will they give to Cook?  Which is so inter-connected with their plans for aging D players and Cousins too. 

Will be a fascinating off-season for our beloved purple....

@purplefaithful

Yes, I should've been more clear. I absolutely believe running the ball effectively is critical to success. I'm even fine with a run-first approach. I'm just not sure that paying ONE guy to do it, is the right approach. Even if that guy is one of our favorite players.

For the Vikings, the offensive scheme is adequate. The play calling and blocking personnel need improvement, and the defense needs a bit of an overhaul. Zimmer's defense won't work unless the corners have the ability to cover one on one.
It's crucial to get improved run stopping ability to get more third and long situations on defense. Can't do that without the combination of a stout defensive line and good coverage. Seems like using the tackles to eat up blockers, allowing the linebackers to make tackles in the gaps, results in a lot of 4 to 6 yard gains on first down,or more, and rarely results in tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
And the cornerback's lack of ability in man coverage has produced a zone coverage that reminds me of the Denny Green defenses. Too passive.
The Vikings aren't that far away from becoming competitive providing they can make some good choices in player acquisition in both free agency and the draft.
Some veterans will have to leave or restructure to upgrade talent. Let's hope the front office can bring in talented players and not just cheap place holders!

@"jargomcfargo" said: For the Vikings, the offensive scheme is adequate. The play calling and blocking personnel need improvement, and the defense needs a bit of an overhaul. Zimmer's defense won't work unless the corners have the ability to cover one on one. It's crucial to get improved run stopping ability to get more third and long situations on defense. Can't do that without the combination of a stout defensive line and good coverage. Seems like using the tackles to eat up blockers, allowing the linebackers to make tackles in the gaps, results in a lot of 4 to 6 yard gains on first down,or more, and rarely results in tackles behind the line of scrimmage. And the cornerback's lack of ability in man coverage has produced a zone coverage that reminds me of the Denny Green defenses. Too passive. The Vikings aren't that far away from becoming competitive providing they can make some good choices in player acquisition in both free agency and the draft. Some veterans will have to leave or restructure to upgrade talent. Let's hope the front office can bring in talented players and not just cheap place holders!