49ers coach makes encouraging statement about revamped position group that will be crucial to success
It has been an offseason of great change on the defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers. They have new starters on the edge and on the interior line, with Leonard Floyd coming over as a veteran free agent outside pass rusher and Maliek Collins replacing Arik Armstead at defensive tackle. Collins seemingly has the […]
It has been an offseason of great change on the defensive line for the San Francisco 49ers.
They have new starters on the edge and on the interior line, with Leonard Floyd coming over as a veteran free agent outside pass rusher and Maliek Collins replacing Arik Armstead at defensive tackle.
Collins seemingly has the bigger challenge on his hands in replacing a mainstay in the form of Armstead, who had been the 49ers’ longest-tenured player and, when healthy, produced significant interior disruption last season paired with Javon Hargrave.
Floyd, meanwhile, will hope to form a devastating edge tandem with Nick Bosa, the former Defensive Player of the Year for whom the Niners have struggled to find an effective partner.
With injuries thinning the depth up front somewhat, the 49ers may start the season only eight deep on the defensive line.
That would place a heavier burden on the starting quartet but, asked if he believes the starters can handle it, defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen offered an encouraging assessment of their performance together during training camp.
"Yeah, they’re fun because they do have such good movement and power. I think they really work well together," Sorensen said.
"I think they enjoy working together on the stunts, but also taking pride in the run game that you’ve got to earn your pass rushes by being good in the run game. I’m just excited, excited to see those guys play together."
Sorensen may not have directly answered the question as to whether the 49ers have the appropriate depth on the defensive front, but his remarks indicate that their revamped starting D-Line already has the understanding to create the kind of disruption that the lack of a third string will not be an issue.
An infusion of depth in the secondary should lessen the impetus on the D-Line to be the focal point of the defense. However, if the San Francisco defense is to enjoy a bounce-back year after a slight step back under Steve Wilks, the 49ers need Sorensen's comments to prove accurate.
San Francisco 49ers make late move that could have significant impact on makeup of their 53-man roster
A plot twist in a position battle.
