Turf Show Times
It’s another week with the opponent of the Los Angeles Rams having some uncertainty at the quarterback position. Through the first eight games of the season, the Rams have had the benefit of facing two backup quarterbacks and two rookies. In three of those games, the player under center wasn’t the same player who was the Week 1 starter.
After facing Mac Jones and the 49ers back in Week 5, it seems as if that will be the case once again on Sunday. However, for the first time in over a month, it seems as if Brock Purdy could have an opportunity to play. Said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Thursday,
“I think we’re definitely being more aggressive with him as we go this week, more aggressive than that last week. He’s definitely getting better each week, headed in the right direction…We’ll probably do that tomorrow after practice, but Brock’s definitely getting closer…We’re trying to ease Brock out there in the practice stuff, but anytime you’re dealing with this turf toe, it’s something that probably won’t fully go away all year.”
Both Mac Jones and Brock Purdy have shown up on the 49ers’ injury report this week. Jones has been a full participant with a knee injury designation while Purdy has been a limited participant as the 49ers work to bring him back.
It seems as if the Rams are going to get Jones for a second time this season, but there seems to be a chance that they could get Purdy. However, who the Rams get at quarterback is different than the question of which quarterback they should want.
There are certainly pros and cons to either quarterback. If the Rams were to get Purdy, they would be getting a player who would likely be much less mobile than he typically is. Purdy may not be Lamar Jackson, but his ability to escape the pocket and extend plays is part of his game. Limiting Purdy to the pocket takes away the aspect of his game that allows him to create out of structure. Additionally, the Rams would be getting a quarterback that hasn’t played since Week 2 and may be slightly rusty.
With that said, Purdy’s skillset perfectly fits the Shanahan offense. Despite only playing two games, Purdy was fourth in EPA per play among quarterbacks. The 49ers offense is always going to be efficient with Purdy under center. He’s one of the best at playing on time and distributing the ball in that offense.
Ever since the 49ers passed on Mac Jones in the draft and opted for Trey Lance, there has been an assumption that he was built for Shanahan. Multiple things can be true. Jones is a fit for Shanahan’s offense, but Purdy executes the offense at a higher level. It makes Jones the perfect backup.
Still Jones is 16th in EPA per play since Week 2 and 18th on the season. Purdy’s EPA per dropback is nearly twice as good as Jones’. Additionally...
