Eye on the Enemy check-in: the San Francisco 49ers

The final time we noticed the San Francisco 49ers, they had been trudging off the sector, dispirited and depressed, after a crushing 31-7 loss within the NFC Championship Recreation through which their third-string-turned-starting quarterback was knocked out of the sport within the 1st quarter and their fourth-string-turned-second-string QB was compelled out within the third quarter.

It’s straightforward to overlook it was solely a 7-0 recreation when Brock Purdy’s elbow bought tousled by Haason Reddick, or that it was 14-7 when Josh Johnson dedicated an terrible turnover simply earlier than halftime to present the Eagles a 21-7 halftime lead. In fact, arguments that the Niners misplaced that recreation as a result of they had been left with out a human being who might throw a soccer for the ultimate quarter-and-a-half rings hole, given Johnson’s abysmal play after coming into the sport for Purdy, however that hasn’t stopped many San Francisco gamers from whining incessantly all through the low season.

That being mentioned, head coach Kyle Shanahan nonetheless possesses one of many convention’s finest total rosters and the 49ers are doubtless probably the most important impediment to the Eagles repeating as convention champs.

On a current Eye on the Enemy podcast, I talked with Rob “Stats” Guerrera of The Gold Standard podcast to get his tackle the Niners’ low season and what could lie forward for them in 2023.

Off-Season Whining

On whether or not 49ers gamers have been whining an excessive amount of about what occurred within the NFC Championship Recreation or whether or not there’s a respectable beef.

“For me it’s each. I completely perceive why they mentioned, ‘We didn’t get an opportunity to see who was higher.’ I get that. Brock Purdy went down, then Josh Johnson, and also you actually ran out of quarterbacks. But in addition, like, shut up about it now. It’s over. You misplaced. The Eagles didn’t do something flawed, it wasn’t a unclean play that took out these quarterbacks. You misplaced, it’s over. If that they had gained the Super Bowl, they wouldn’t have needed to give the trophy again. It’s executed now, simply cease speaking about it.”

Are the 49ers gamers obsessing an excessive amount of with the Eagles and that recreation?

“What I’m fearful about is they’re too centered on the Eagles, that they’re going to be too involved about that Week 13 matchup, that’s one among 17 video games. You may lose that recreation 100-0 and nonetheless win the Tremendous Bowl. However the best way they’re all speaking about it and centered on it, it’s like they wish to show to everybody that they may have gained, or they need to have gained.”

Including Javon Hargrave

“I feel it could possibly be huge. What the 49ers try to do is recreate the protection that they had in 2019. DeForest Bucknor within the center, [Nick] Bosa on one edge and Dee Ford on the opposite. Bosa and Dee Ford had been so quick at getting again to the quarterback that they might pressure the quarterback to must step up. The issue was DeForest Bucknor was getting strain within the center and there was actually nowhere for QBs to go.

“They haven’t had that very same push up the center to recreate what they see is the most effective model of their protection. Now, with Javon Hargrave, they hope that they’ll get again to that, and that final 12 months’s second spherical decide, Drake Jackson, might be form of that Dee Ford pace rusher coming off the sting, to recreate what that they had in 2019.”

Lack of Additions in Free Company

“I feel they’re relying on an enchancment from the draft class in 2022, and likewise simply enchancment of the blokes they have already got. They didn’t have some huge cash to spend in free company. I’d like to see them exit and signal one among these veteran cross rushers which can be nonetheless in the marketplace. Yannick Ngakoue and even Justin Houston, as a result of relying on Drake Jackson is iffy.”

The 2023 Draft

Noting that San Francisco had no picks within the 1st or 2nd spherical of this 12 months’s NFL Draft, Guerrera famous the 49ers typically redshirt gamers of their rookie seasons and that they’ll be counting on the 2021 draft class to take a step ahead this 12 months.

Their first decide, third rounder security Ji’Ayir Brown out of Penn State, might begin for the 49ers this 12 months. Their second decide, one other third rounder, was Michigan kicker Jake Moody. They’d a 3rd decide within the third spherical, tight finish Cameron Latu out of Alabama, as nicely. Not too long ago, SB Nation requested Niners followers which rookie they thought would make the best affect in 2023.

What’s Going to Occur at QB?

In fact the large query is what’s going to occur at quarterback. Purdy reportedly had his first throwing session this week, with GM John Lynch saying he was “inspired” by what he noticed. The crew is hopeful he’ll be prepared for coaching camp or the common season. If not, the unproven Trey Lance stays with the crew, as does free agent signee Sam Darnold. Guerrera says if the crew should begin the season with Darnold, it could possibly be brutal information for Niners’ title hopes.

“They reached an settlement with [Darnold] on the very first day of free company. They love San Darnold and that’s terrifying!”

Niners followers, nonetheless, consider the roster round him is sweet sufficient for the tide to raise all boats.

Boy, I dunno, guys.

Niners followers undoubtedly would quite see Purdy be prepared for Week 1 however, it’s vital to recollect, the second-year participant has simply eight NFL video games underneath his belt and remains to be largely unproven. Though, he’s by far, the most suitable choice.

There’s tons extra low season to go and nobody’s roster is finalized but. The place issues stand proper now, regardless of some holes, San Francisco stays a tremendously gifted crew, actually able to knocking the Eagles out of the highest spot within the NFC.

Supplied they’ll cease speaking in regards to the NFC title recreation.