Scheme Month: Prioritizing the pass with two-high defenses

Giants Recap: MOFO Mullens, Saleh manufacturing pressure, and those pesky QB runs: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers were undermanned but not overmatched as they roll in New York for a second straight week. Should there be a QB controversy after MOFO Mullens’ performance? How did San Francisco’s reinforcements hold up on defense? And what can the 49ers do to slow down the QB runs that have been giving them so much trouble? All that, plus Fred Warner continues to be excellent, Saleh tries to manufacture pressure, and quick thoughts on Carson Wentz and the Eagles. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

60 min listen

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2 min listen

NFC West Preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, real football is sneaking up on us and it’s (somehow) time to preview the NFC West. Will the Seahawks manage to continue 2019’s success in one-score games? Will Kyler Murray take a leap in his second season and raise the Cardinals to playoff contention? And is there anything the Rams can do to help set Jared Goff up for success? All that, plus manufactured crowd noise, injury updates, and Isaiah Simmons shade. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

67 min listen

Dolphins recap: The 49ers’ season is in jeopardy after getting embarrassed by Miami: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, things sure aren’t feeling great after the 49ers were embarrassed by the Dolphins. Where did things fall apart defensively against Fitzmagic & Co.? Why was the offensive performance even more concerning? And is there any hope that they’ll be able to turn things around and get back into the playoff hunt? All that, plus offensive line issues, Robert Saleh’s share of the blame, and a fantasy football update that no one cares about. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

63 min listen

Scheme Month: Shanahan's Base Passing Concepts: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we reach the moment Scheme Month has been training for: Shanahan’s favorite pass concepts. What concept provides the foundation for Shanahan’s play action attack on first down? Which West Coast classic does he go to on third-and-short? And how does he look to attack defenses on those critical third-and-longs? All that, plus players are reporting, John Lynch gets extended, and the 49ers have a new tight end. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

62 min listen

The HYPE Episode: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, IT’S TIME TO GET HYPE! Camp is full of hype and hope, but who should you really be buying into? Which rookie are we all in on? And will any of the players returning from injury manage to regain their pre-injury form? All that, plus Earl Thomas isn’t in the 49ers’ plans, center is a complete disaster, and no one cares about Oscar’s fantasy team. https://www.theragun.com/bluewire by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

59 min listen

Free Agency Preview: Finding fits for the 49ers from a deep DB class: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to kick off our free agency primers with a look at DB options in this year’s class. What type of players do we expect the 49ers to target? Will we see the team look to add multiple players at CB? And while there are a number of talented safeties set to hit the open market, do any of them make sense for San Francisco? All that, plus lessons from Shaq Barrett, the glut of available slot CBs, and surviving the Texas Hunger Games. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

62 min listen

Cardinals recap: Jimmy G’s struggles, death by a thousand defensive cuts, and why you shouldn’t panic. Yet.: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s the first whomp whomp Wednesday of the 2020 season as we dive deep into the issues that plagued the 49ers in their loss to the Cardinals. Where did Jimmy Garoppolo fall short in the season opener? What led to the 49ers’ struggles on third and fourth down? And why was DeAndre Hopkins able to find so much success against San Francisco’s pass coverage? All that, plus our panic level, impressive debuts from Javon Kinlaw and Trent Williams, and previewing a should-win game against the Jets. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

59 min listen

Scheme Month: Attacking coverages with the passing game: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month is matriculating the ball down the field with a look at how offenses attack different coverages. What are the weaknesses of each coverage type? What tricks does the offense have up its sleeve to attack man coverage? And what are the different ways they’ll look to stretch zone coverages? All that, plus geometry, banjoes, and pre-game Viagra. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

51 min listen

Scheme Month: Shanahan's Run Game: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month comes to a close with a look at Shanahan’s run game. What really drove the success of the 49ers’ run game last season? How can the 49ers adjust their base outside zone scheme to account for any potential defense they might face? And what was different about their run game in 2019? All that, plus George Kittle’s new contract, why the lack of depth at center is concerning, and John Lynch’s margaritas. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

62 min listen

Scheme Month: Shanahan's Special Situation Passing Concepts: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month continues with a look at some Shanahan favorites in a few key, specialized situations. Which staple concept shows up often in the red zone? How does Shanahan exploit one-on-one matchups in the two-minute drill? And what’s one concept he looks to when needing to push the ball downfield if the 49ers find themselves trailing in the fourth quarter? All that, plus a George Kittle non-update update, Tavon Austin gets a workout, and Lil Bow Wow’s hypothetical status among 8 year olds. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

58 min listen

Week 9 reaction: 49ers lack the talent to overcome mistakes against Cardinals by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

41 min listen

What can the 49ers Learn from Super Bowl LV?: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, George Chahrouri, CXO at Pro Football Focus and fellow 49ers fan, joins to discuss the lessons learned from Super Bowl LV. Was the 49ers roster building strategy validated? And what moves should the 49ers make to get back to the mountain top? All that, plus rage eating an avocado, QB word association, and being besties with Richard Sherman. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

55 min listen

Patriots recap: Shanahan continues his brilliance, Cam falls apart: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers dominate the Patriots in a much needed win to keep their season on track. How did Shanahan attack New England’s defense with another excellent gameplan? Why wasn’t Cam Newton able to take advantage of a 49ers’ defense that has struggled against QB runs? And how did San Francisco’s makeshift secondary hold up in coverage? All that, plus Fred Warner for DPOY, checking in on the playoff picture, and what we’ll be looking for against the Seahawks. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

60 min listen

Scheme Month: Understanding Zone Coverage Responsibilities: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s officially time for Scheme Month! Kicking things off, we’re digging into the basics of how coverages work. What are the three basic types of coverage? How do teams divide up the field into zones? And what are players ultimately responsible for in those zones? All that, plus how to identify a defender’s role in coverage, the 49ers are opening up training camp, and an update on Raheem Mostert. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

57 min listen

Rams recap: Shanahan’s stellar game plan saves the 49ers season: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers keep their season alive with a win over the Rams. How did an excellent game plan from Kyle Shanahan get the 49ers out to a fast start? Was Jimmy G actually back? And where did the Rams miss some opportunities that could’ve made this a much different game? All that, plus it’s nice having multiple competent CBs, expectations for Jordan Willis, and a pulse check on the 49ers’ season entering this week’s game against the Patriots. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

59 min listen

Matt Barrows joins to talk DeMeco Ryans, Martin Mayhew, and other staff changes: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Matt Barrows of The Athletic joins to discuss all the recent coaching and front office moves. What kind of coach is DeMeco Ryans? What does Saleh’s promotion mean for the rest of the coaching staff? Why did Martin Mayhew get a GM role before Adam Peters? All that plus a Cowboy burning some furniture, Deshaun Watson trade packages, and Scangarello’s son vs Shanahan’s son. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

50 min listen

The antidote for Matt Stafford is... Kirk Cousins?: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Joe McAtee from Beyond the Horns joins to discuss what Matt Stafford shows about the Rams team building philosophy, and whether they will be able to sustain a winning roster. And Jeff Deeny, fellow 49ers fan and analyst at PFF, joins to discuss whether or not Kirk Cousins is actually any good. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

64 min listen

Jets recap: Jimmy was back… for a half, uneven OL play, and where the 49ers go from here: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers trounced the Jets and yet it still felt like a loss. What changed with Jimmy G during his much improved first-half performance? What’s going on with Mike McGlinchey? And how do the 49ers move forward after suffering a number of key injuries? All that, plus Robert Saleh mixing up coverages, the best player left on San Francisco’s defense, and someone please play The Happy Song for Nick Mullens. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

59 min listen

NFL Draft Preview: Mac Jones and Trey Lance: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we continue our deep dive on the top QBs in the 2021 draft class with a look at Mac Jones and Trey Lance. Do Jones and Lance share any similarities? What will the selection of either of these prospects say about what Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are looking for at the QB position? And how do these players stack up with Zach Wilson and Justin Fields? All that, plus what we value at QB, what we think Shanahan values, and which player we’d choose if we had to make the call at No. 3 overall. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

69 min listen

Bills recap: Josh Allen throws darts right through our heart: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Josh Allen and the Bills stomp both the 49ers’ playoff chances and our hearts. What on earth happened to San Francisco’s pass coverage? Does Sherman have anything left in the tank? And why wasn’t Nick Mullens & Co. able to keep pace? All that, plus a surprisingly good game from San Francisco’s barnacle, poor Tevin Coleman, and what to expect against the Football Team. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

57 min listen

Self-scouting the 49ers: Jimmy G, 4th downs, and team tendencies: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we take a look inward and do some self-scouting with the 49ers on bye. What should the 49ers do with Jimmy G after this season? Is Shanahan actually being too conservative on 4th down? And will the coming reinforcements be enough to help the 49ers push for a playoff spot? All that, plus defensive tendencies, quick thoughts on the Rams, and Jolly Jumpers. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

62 min listen

Eagles recap: Nick Mullens crumbles, Philadelphia’s defensive line tilts the game: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s an especially whompy Whomp Whomp Wednesday. Just how bad was Nick Mullens against the Eagles? Does CJ Beathard offer any semblance of hope? And how did Philly’s defensive line tilt the game in their favor? All that, plus George Kittle’s wasted performance, looking ahead to a brutal schedule, and Milkshake IPAs. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

52 min listen

2020 Season Preview: Fighting Regression: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, football is here! It’s time to preview the 2020 season and figure out where we expect the 49ers to land. How much regression will we see from a defense that made a worst-to-first leap last season? Will the offense be able to offset any drop in performance from the other side of the ball? And where will Jimmy Garoppolo need to improve to show that he can be a great (and not just good) QB? All that, plus thoughts on the much larger practice squad, the state of the DL post-Buckner, and the best- and worst-case scenarios for the 49ers this season. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

70 min listen

Saints recap: The underdog game plan worked until it didn’t: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers nearly followed the underdog game plan to an upset win in New Orleans but couldn’t hold on. What is the underdog game plan? Where did things start to fall apart? And what are the questions we’re starting to think about for 2021? All that, plus an over-performing defense, Jordan Willis wasn’t terrible, and breaking down the Sicilian defense. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

59 min listen

49ers draft scouting reports: Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore offer polar opposite options at guard: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, our scouting reports on the 49ers’ draftees continue with a look at Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore. Banks is a large human, but does he play that way on tape? What does a successful rookie season look like for the second rounder? And will Moore be the next 5th round success story for Lynchahan? All that, plus early thoughts on the schedule, answering Patreon questions, and vacation beers. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

60 min listen

Do Pro Days matter? A conversation with Dan Hatman: This week, we're joined by Dan Hatman, the Director of Scouting at The Scouting Academy. A veteran of three NFL front offices, Dan joins to discuss the inner workings of the draft process and helps answer the question on everyone's mind: Do Pro Days really matter? All that, plus wild workout tests, a burger pivot, and plants growing before flowers. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

38 min listen

Washington recap: WTF against WFT: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers lose to a team with no name. Is the 49ers’ offensive line actually bad? Why does Nick Mullens struggle so much under pressure? And what stood out from a defensive effort that was good enough to win? All that, plus pouring some out for the homies, Shanahan’s fourth down decision, and thoughts on a better matchup against the Cowboys. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

63 min listen

Week 1 reaction: 49ers survive late surge in Detroit, secure 1-0 start by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

42 min listen

Free Agency Wrap-Up: Run it back. But this time with an insurance policy.: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers close out the second wave of free agency by pairing some returning starters with a new insurance policy. Will Tavon Wilson challenge for a starting safety spot? Why is Zach Kerr our favorite newcomer? And what’s the state of the 49ers roster as we pivot into draft mode? All that, plus positions to watch in the draft, jean shorts, and screaming at Jared Goff. by Better Rivals: A San Francisco 49ers Podcast

51 min listen

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Scheme Month: Prioritizing the pass with two-high defenses

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