How the 49ers can overcome the loss of their starting offensive tackles vs. Rams
Losing both starting offensive tackles puts the San Francisco 49ers in a very difficult situation. It was one thing when it was just Joe Staley out, but now that Mike McGlinchey will be missing time it puts the offense in a real bind.
Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Rams could potentially be an ugly one if Kyle Shanahan is not able to devise something. Just imagine how the Rams defense is feeling know that both offensive tackles and even Kyle Juszczyk are out for this game. So many key blockers will be missing on Sunday, but that is why head coaches get paid the big bucks in the NFL.
Kyle Shanahan can overcome the loss of his starting offensive tackles and it starts with Jimmy Garoppolo. Now I’m not saying that they need to start going to the air more, which wouldn't make sense. But he is going to need to shoulder more of the burden for the success of the offense. Every game so far this season Garoppolo has not been needed to have a big game. Well that is going to have to change if the 49ers want to keep up their offensive momentum.
One of the ways that the 49ers have already implemented to overcome the loss is by utilizing quick passes. Jimmy Garoppolo has been getting the ball out of his hands in 2.45 seconds, fastest among 28 quarterbacks to attempt at least 100 passes via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. It is an effective way to nullify a pass rush, unless an offensive tackle doesn't even touch the pass rusher.
That is why Garoppolo has hardly been sacked this season. It has been a combination of both strong offensive pass protection and quick releases, which disrupts the flow of the pass rushers. Just look at what the Oakland Raiders did against the Chicago Bears' vaunted defensive line. They had Derek Carr get the ball out of his hands quickly when they weren't doubling Khalil Mack and it worked out stupendously.
That is where the wide receivers come in. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be able to get the ball out quickly if the receivers are not winning their matchups. So far they have been successful enough in doing so, but things are different now the both of their starting offensive tackles are out.
I fully expect defenses to start jamming the receivers of the 49ers a lot more to hold them up so that their pass rush can reach Garoppolo. The cornerbacks of the Rams have the clear cut advantage from a talent standpoint over the 49ers’ receivers and I have little faith that these receivers will be able to get open consistently. We are four games into the season for the 49ers and not a single receiver has stepped up to the occasion.
It’s just another thing that Kyle Shanahan is going to need to scheme up. Once again, this is why he gets paid the big bucks. I know it may seem like a long shot for the 49ers to overcome the loss of so many key players, but if any coach can do it it'll be Shanahan. A win on Sunday against the Rams will mean much more than a 5-0 record.
People will fully acknowledge that Kyle Shanahan is one of the top coaches in this league and will even gain coach of the year hopes. But the only way that can happen is if they continue to emphasize quick game in the offense. It is a major way to overcome the loss of their starting offensive tackles.
