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Behind Enemy Lines: 5 Questions with All 49ers Publisher Grant Cohn

All 49ers publisher Grant Cohn was kind enough to give us some insight on the San Francisco 49ers.
Patricia Traina|
Behind Enemy Lines: 5 Questions with All 49ers Publisher Grant Cohn
Behind Enemy Lines: 5 Questions with All 49ers Publisher Grant Cohn

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New York Giants

This week, we're checking in with All 49ers publisher Grant Cohn for more insight on the San Francisco 49ers, whom the Giants face on Thursday Night Football.

What’s been behind Nick Bosa’s sluggish start to the season, and how close do you think he is to getting on track

A couple of things: Bosa held out all the entire offseason program, including the preseason, and isn't in football shape yet -- it usually takes a player three weeks or so to get there. Also, new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has been calling extremely soft zone coverages the first two weeks, allowing opposing quarterbacks to release the ball quickly and negate the pass rush.

What is the biggest weakness you think the 49ers will look to exploit against the Giants?

It's probably Daniel Jones' tendency to hold the ball for a long time. Last week, Matthew Stafford had some success against the 49ers by checking down and taking what they gave him.

Jones tends to hold the ball longer and hunt the big play, allowing Bosa and the 49ers other pass rushers to make an impact. That being said, the 49ers defense always struggles defending mobile quarterbacks, so if Jones gets outside the pocket, the 49ers could be in trouble.

Last I checked, the 49ers slot cornerback spot was still in flux. How close are they to having figured that out?

Not close. The nickel currently is Isaiah Oliver, but he started the first two games on the bench after a horrendous preseason. And he intercepted a tipped pass against the Rams, but that might have been an aberration. He struggles in coverage. That's one reason the 49ers worked out free agent nickelback Bradley Roby on Tuesday.

Give me one thing on the Giants offense and one on the defense that concerns you about this game.

Jones' mobility. There's a reason Russell Wilson is 18-4 against the 49ers -- he can get outside the pocket and escape the 49ers pash, then he can push the ball down the field and attack the 49ers' suspect cornerbacks. Jones should have that ability as well. Can he connect on the deep passes?

On defense, the Giants have an extremely large and stout defensive line, which will be a tough matchup for the 49ers offensive line, particularly center Jake Brendel, right guard Spencer Burford and right tackle Colton McKivitz, all of whom are lighter players for their position.

The 49ers X-factor is _____ (and why?)

Home field advantage. It's a short week AND the Giants have to play a team with tons of talent. That's as close to a scheduled loss as there is in the NFL. In addition, the 49ers have Brock Purdy, whom the rest of the league still hasn't seemed to figure out yet. He has clear limitations -- he doesn't throw deep well, in particular -- but he does almost everything else well, and there isn't a big book on him.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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