Niners Nation
Week 8 Tape Takeaways: Don’t make me watch this game ever again (paywall)
“For the most part, no one really got home. Mykel Williams had more success rushing from the inside, but he wasn’t very productive, though he was heavily doubled.
Will the additions of Keion White and Clelin Ferrell save this front? I think not. But will it be enough to get through the Giants game and maybe get Bryce Huff back to face the Rams? Perhaps…..It should be noted that Malik Mustapha’s not anywhere near where he was last year. He’s a step late at times, particularly in coverage, and that’s being taken advantage of.
There’s a lot being thrown on this young group, with particularly complex coverages involving man and zone matching that isn’t always being communicated well.
I’d probably prefer if the 49ers stuck with Marques Sigle over Ji’Ayir Brown, with Brown in as the big nickel. Brown filled excellently on a couple plays in the run game on Sunday. They were genuinely fantastic tackles (one of which is above).
But I’m not sure he’s additive in coverage…“
Why the 49ers traded for Keion White, and what’s next for a defense that needs more help (paywall)
“The Patriots picked him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and immediately plugged him into a versatile role that showcased this adaptability — White’s relative athletic score is elite compared to defensive tackles, giving him an advantage rushing against offensive guards….Like White, Omenihu brought a big frame to the 49ers — one that Kocurek could plug into multiple pass-rushing alignments. Once the 49ers return Bryce Huff from his hamstring injury (he’s expected to miss one more game), they’ll hope that White will make a good inside-out pass-rushing pairing together with Yetur Gross-Matos, who’s also currently out with a hamstring injury.”
Why Keion White has been surpassed on Patriots’ depth chart
“White welcomes violence in the trenches. He’s more than willing to try and run through an opponents’ face in an attempt to get to the quarterback. The problem, as Perry shared, is that it hasn’t proven to be a successful strategy for the 2023 second-round pick.
“When I watch him rush the passer, he’s just trying to go right down the middle of whoever is blocking him,” said Perry, who noted White primarily works one or two pass-rush moves. “Sometimes it works, but most times it doesn’t.
“For a guy who is that physically talented, working with a new staff that clearly wants to get as much out of him as they can, I’m surprised I haven’t seen more from him this summer,” Perry continued. “So, I’m not surprised he played as much as he did today. I’m not surprised that Chaisson has passed hm.”
49ers game review: Trent Williams bothered by age, an injury, or both? (paywall)
“To be clear, Anderson is elite. He was the No. 3 pick in 2023 and was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Williams, 37, just doesn’t get...
