FanPost

First time poster, long time fan: What's the deal with the defense?



As a fan of the 49ers since the Montana years, an perennial Madden player and all-time, slightly above average fantasy football player I am completely unqualified to question the hard work of the new regime. Alas, I want other faithful to corroborate my observations or set the record straight. Here's what I'm seeing:

Love: Kyle Shanahan, Robert Saleh and John Lynch. Intelligent, hard-nosed man's men.

Like: Solid salary management, improved draft pedigree.

Here's where ill lose some of you.. Don't like: Complete disregard for established, top-tier talent. I can appreciate the desire to bring in the "right" guys (good people, smart, charismatic) and the affinity for "home-grown talent". The problem I'm seeing is the 49ers upper brass is also devoted to a fault to these players, even when they prove to be average NFL players and better options remain available. Below is how I view our current starting defense and I just have to scratch my head at a few.

-Established Pro Bowl Caliber Starters:

R. Sherman

D. Buckner

-Potential future Stars:

R. Foster

-Young, exciting raw talent:

S. Thomas

F. Warner

J. Taylor

-Average starters or rotational:

A. Armstead

J. Tartt

S. Day

M. Smith

C. Marsh

-Not playmakers, bench depth at best:

A. Witherspoon

A. Colbert

E. Mitchell

K. Williams

B. Coyle

E. Lee

M. Nzeocha

-Unevaluated talent:

T. Moore

D.J. Reed

M. Harris

At most, I see six players that I feel comfortable with given most match ups. Three-quarters of the secondary scare me to death... Solomon Thomas is incredibly underutilized, deciding instead to use lesser talent with "fresh legs". Witherspoon and Colbert can run, but they both lack quick twitch and instincts to create turnovers or consistently defense passes. With the likes of Earl Thomas, Kalil Mack and others available at one point, I'm more than a little disappointed enough wasn't done to help this squad out. Outside of Sherman, the secondary lacks any playmakers save perhaps D.J. Reed. He needs to get on the field, likewise Jullian Taylor needs to be active on game days.

I truly believe this defense is going to bleed to death all year if they don't put bodies out there that can create turnovers.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.