The 49ers defense has a serious issue: mobile quarterbacks are absolutely gashing them. It feels like no matter who is calling the shots or who is on the field, running QBs just tear them up. That’s why the confidence level for the upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins is only “very confident” instead of “extremely confident.” Malik Willis might not be Josh Allen, but he can absolutely make plays if the defense isn’t super careful. What’s even scarier is that the Dolphins’ running backs and receivers are faster and more athletic than the Rams’ players they faced in Week 1. They are coming in with something to prove, too.
Rookies Are Getting Tested, And It’s Costly
Rookie Rodriguez, a linebacker, is a fun player with instincts some pundits are comparing to a certain 49ers linebacker, but man, he got tested hard. While he racked up 10 tops, he allowed both of his targets to be completed, and one of those went for a touchdown! He’s definitely better in zone where he can keep his eyes on the quarterback, and he’s a great athlete. But Christian McCaffrey on a choice route with a two-way go is an advantage for CMC against anybody, especially a rookie. Defender’s keys are getting messed with, just like in Week 1, and that puts the 49ers in tough spots. The touchdown Rodriguez allowed came on a play-action, with Jeanty leaking out of the backfield and past him for the score.
Johnson also had a rough go, targeted 9 times and while he limited the damage to five receptions for 48 yards, he gave up some crucial touchdowns. A couple of those came underneath against Michael Mayer, but the ones that hurt are the scores. One was a simple red-zone slant from the slot to Mike Evans. The other was when the Raiders used a pony set, with both Kaelon Black and Deebo Samuel in the backfield, and Jeanty crossed his face on an angle route for another touchdown. You can’t be giving up those kinds of plays!
O-Line Shuffle Creates Headaches
On the offensive side, starter Connor Colby is facing a massive challenge. His first goal is making left guard feel right, but it’s a huge flip. He’s played right guard since he was a teenager, and fired out of a right-handed stance like it was second nature. Now, it’s “kind of akin to going to a place like Australia, where you drive on the other side of the road, everything’s kind of flipped over,” according to Brendel. The mechanics are “100 percent the opposite direction.” Brendel noted some offensive linemen can switch sides instantly, but others, like Colby who’s played the same position for so long, find it incredibly difficult. This isn’t just a small tweak; it’s a complete re-wiring.
With the Dolphins game coming up, the team is hoping for a “decisive win” , not necessarily a “blow-out,” but a solid victory. They’ve got to figure out how to handle those mobile QBs and get these rookies tightened up fast. And for Colby, can he make that left guard spot his own quickly? The season depends on it!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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