Nick Bosa brings a swagger that hasn't been felt on the 49ers' defense since 2014
Ever since the final year of Jim Harbaugh's tenure as head coach in 2014, the San Francisco 49ers have been abysmal on defense. Each and every season they lacked an identity and hardly had any toughness to them. They really have been difficult to watch and enjoy over the last five years. What they needed was someone to come in and be the change of the defense.
To instill that aggressiveness and swagger that the 49ers had during Harbaugh's four seasons. Look no further than rookie defensive end Nick Bosa who has just been on an absolute tear since the 2019 regular season began. Monday night against the Cleveland Browns on primetime Bosa gave the 49ers' defense that aggressiveness and swagger that they have been missing.
In fact, he actually gave a performance that the franchise hasn't seen in decades. According to ESPN stats and info, Nick Bosa is the only player in the last 25 years with 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in a single game for the 49ers.
“What I love about Nick is, this is the baller in him and he said, ‘there is so much more to get better at’. I am proud of him. He knows there is a lot left in the tank. If everybody stays on the same page, we got something special going.” said Dee Ford on his thought of Bosa's performance.
All the defensive woes that fans have suffered from watching since 2014 now feel like they occurred such a long time ago. When you think of the players during the Harbaugh era that created the swagger of the defense we think of Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Justin Smith and so many more. These guys weren't just talented, they each had a clear shared picture of what they wanted the defense to be. Aggressiveness and having that swagger to create a pep in their step.
Watching Nick Bosa you can see that there are similarities from then to now. He has helped changed this defense dramatically along with the rest of the pass rushers like Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner. It makes for a perfect complimentary with Richard Sherman who is the intelligent and experienced player to help check the defense. This defense finally has an identity again on defense, which has just been real treat for us to watch.
When Nick Bosa did his celebration of planting the flag it was such a swagger move. Some may view it as immature or disrespectful, but it is these acts that create an attitude. An attitude that every defense needs in order to be successful. That swagger that Nick Bosa has brought is contagious. You can just see it in on and off the field from every player on that defense whether they are a major contributor or not.
It just adds more to the fantastic team chemistry that these players have. There truly is camaraderie among them that shouldn't be overlooked. You never want a team to just be a bunch of mercenaries who just have mutual interest. Tightly knitted teams is a necessity for long-term success and a rookie out of Ohio State is a big reason to the bond and dominance of this defense.
