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49 in 5: Weeks 1-2

by JAMoney14 | 1 year ago | 0 Comments

Welcome to '49 in 5'! 

 

In this segment, we break down bite-sized pieces of the 49er journey for the faithful to get a closer look into the world that houses the Good Guys in Red Zone. Let's get to it! 

 

 

1. The Committee (Better than the trade one)

After the departure of bellcow Christian McCaffrey to the Bengals in free agency, untested 3rd year running back Darrell Cox was thrust into the starting role for season 86. Many around the faithful were uncertain of the once-undrafted Washington State product, as he netted just 458 yards and 4 TDs in reserve duty over the last 2 seasons behind McCaffrey. However, DC has looked fantastic as the main back through 2 weeks.

Joining DC in the backfield is veteran back Alvin Kamara and rookie UDFA Nate Finney out of Buffalo. The biggest question mark with a new offensive coordinator and all new tools behind George Curran has shifted to a hearty exclamation point. Cox and Kamara have shouldered much of the load, with Finney and the returning Kyle Juszczyk getting spot touches late in the first two games.

While not the 1-man wrecking crew it was with CMC, The Committee of Cox and Kamara has accounted for 256 yards from scrimmage, which accounts for 26.8% of all yardage in the league's top offense throught two games.  

2. Coley Moley!

After suffering through one of the worst defenses in football in season 85, the 49ers retooled and reorganized. One of those moves included signing veteran linebacker Cole Holcomb in free agency to help lighten the load on starting linebackers Josh Sander, Dee Winters, and All-Pro Fred Warner. This decision to spell has worked wonders for the defense, which has allowed just 27 points in two games after averaging close to that amount per game in Season 85. 

Holcomb, who spent the last two years in Washington, has provided a huge spark of energy for the defense in his first two games. Despite playing shared snaps with Josh Sander on the outside, Holcolmb is 2nd on the team in total tackles and has added a TFL, a sack, an interception, a deflection, and even a key forced fumbled against Seattle. 

The lightened load of the talented defenders will hopefully continue as we move further into the season.

3. That's gotta Sting-ley

Just 3 months before the legendary Sting wrestles his final match in his career, another Sting has emerged as a star in the Bay. 

Derek Stingley Jr. was acquired in the Nick Bosa trade two years ago, but hasn't quite lived up to expectations in seasons prior. However, as the lead lockdown corner on this 49ers defense, Stingley has proven he is as advertised, as the 25 year old LSU product has played incredibly in pass defense, notching 4 interceptions combined against Dallas and Seattle. 

Stingley does not stand alone, as his play has elevated the play of 2nd year CB Kendrick Harris, who has found a way to make plays in run support as well as make life easier for Hufanga and Brown in the deep secondary. It is true, last season a similar remarkable turnaround happened in the early going and ended up puttering out worse than anyone could have expected. Here's to the faithful believing in this secondary to continue their gritty work.

4. Tunsil-itis

An inflamation of the Laremy Tunsil, is the medical definition.

Pundits around the league questioned the decision for coach Chapstick to forfeit yet another 1st round pick for the services of 32-year old Laremy Tunsil, but so far through two weeks, George Curran isn't questioning anything of the sort. 

Curran has been sacked a grand total of 0 times through two games, against some scary pass rushers. Partially due to the new quick-read offense, but largely due to the incredible protection of the front 5, which was a huge cause of concern in Season 85. The addition of LT Tunsil and RT Trent Brown have been game changers along side the continued development of young interior lineman Pat Duffy, Brett Nugent, and Norman Swinney - all picks selected in the season 84 draft who helped propel the 49ers to a super bowl. 

Though Curran's willingness to check down quickly is helpful, allowing the strongest arm in the league to go deep the way he wants to is a huge improvement over last year's struggle to stay upright.

5. Brandon Aiyuk - No pun, that's the tweet.

By far the MVP of the first two games has been Brandon Aiyuk. The aforementioned blocking improvements and threatening backfield opened up the 7th year WR in a big way in week one, allowing him to catch deep ball after deep ball, totalling 5 TD receptions on just 5 catches against Dallas.

Aiyuk continued his production in week two, albeit not quite as absurd as the outlier in week 1, picking up another touchdown and a healthy 136 yards against Seattle. 

Once considered the 4th best option amongst an incredibly talented receiving core, Aiyuk has emerged as one of the most dangerous deep weapons in football. With the Curran Canon firing Mortars on a regular basis, expect defenses to key in on Aiyuk more going forward (which should open opportunities for Deebo Samuel, who has unfortunately not caught a single pass yet this season.)

 

There you have it! 

 

Quick and dirty! STAY FAITHFUL! SEE YOU IN A COUPLE WEEKS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS, REDZONE!