Kyle Shanahan has seen sufficient.
The 49ers particular groups models have ranked close to the underside of the league over the past two seasons. As opponents routinely picked up massive yardage on kickoff returns. In the meantime, seeing San Francisco return a kickoff out to the 25 was trigger for a standing ovation.
And who can neglect the errors from the San Francisco punt return unit? After their protection opened the sport by forcing Seattle to a 3 and out, this unit allowed Travis Homer to take a faux punt 73 yards for a landing. Early within the fourth quarter of their NFC Wildcard contest towards Dallas, this unit was at it once more, permitting the Cowboys to transform for a primary down on a faux punt which led to a subject aim.
Following the sport, Kyle Shanahan gave his ideas on the efficiency of his particular groups.
“My primary aim is to not lose on particular groups,” responded Shanahan. “It means I’m not simply going into video games attempting to dictate the circulate video games by way of fakes. I normally need to rely upon offense, however particular groups, the place to begin is to not lose it, to not flip the ball over, to verify we get the ball again. So, that’s not simply due to now. However yesterday with the particular groups, these two performs had been large.
“Our protection rebounded large on it, but it surely did price us three factors on one, on the faux punt.”
San Francisco has made bettering particular groups play a precedence early this offseason.
The staff began the method when it employed Brian Schneider to exchange Richard Hightower because the particular groups coordinator. From 2010 to 2020, Schneider was the particular groups coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout the early a part of his tenure in Seattle, the Seahawks’ particular groups had been among the many greatest within the league.
A coach is barely nearly as good as his gamers, and three of the 49ers first 5 free-agent signings have a particular staff’s focus. The primary transfer was signing linebacker Oren Burks from Inexperienced Bay.
San Francisco once more addressed particular groups, including former Steelers receiver Ray Ray McCloud late Thursday evening. The addition of McCloud addresses the 49ers want for an improve at kick returner. He averaged 9.7 yards per punt return and 22.2 yards per kickoff return final season.
The most recent transfer got here early Friday when San Francisco added former Indianapolis Colts security George Odum.
Odum has been a particular groups ace for Indianapolis, taking part in all 65 video games throughout his 4 years with the staff. In 2020, Odum earned All-Professional honors for his efforts on particular groups.
Along with his play on particular groups, Odum made a career-high seven begins final season. He racked up 55 tackles, one interception, compelled a fumble, and recovered one.
The 49ers give attention to particular groups has not solely been about including new gamers. The staff retained unique rights free agent linebacker Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles and security Tarvarius Moore returns after lacking the 2021 season.
Improved play from particular groups and the quarterback place might result in massive issues for San Francisco in 2022.
