Ep. 184: Play-action, drive, four verticals, and Kyle Shanahan’s passing game

Ep. 160: Broncos review, Seahawks season preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we pull out the biggest takeaways from the 49ers’ preseason victory over the Broncos. How should we feel about the quarterback situation? How will the defensive backfield shake out? And is this going to be a blitz-happy defense under Jim O’Neil? All that, plus Brandan from the Seahawkers Podcast joins us to preview the Seahawks, thoughts on the recent offensive line changes, and GabDriPond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

93 min listen

Ep. 168: Bills present tough matchup in Kaepernick’s return: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are officially making a change at quarterback. What needs to happen for Colin Kaepernick & Co. to come away with a win in Buffalo? What challenges will the Bills defense present? And what makes Buffalo’s offense so good in the red zone? All that, plus some quick hits from around the NFL, game predictions, and a #fromance that will never die. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

54 min listen

Ep. 161: Packers recap, Cardinals season preview: It’s a jam-packed episode this week on the Better Rivals podcast. We recap the 49ers’ third, and most important, preseason game against the Packers, break down all you need to know about the roster cuts to 75, and preview the Cardinals with Blake Murphy from Revenge of the Birds. All that, plus Colin Kaepernick discussion, Anthony Davis at guard, and who’s trending up and down entering the final week of the preseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

99 min listen

Ep. 154: Gap control, Jim O’Neil, and how defenses stop the run: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the news is slow going but Scheme Month rolls on with Run Defense 101. What roles can defenders fill in run defense? What is gap control and why is it important? What techniques to defenses use to control those gaps? All that, plus the 49ers’ best and worst contracts, #colorinthehole, and slosh ball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

68 min listen

Ep. 153: Scheme Month is back! How to build an offensive game plan: Better Rivals back! After a month-long hiatus, we’re kicking off Scheme Month with a look at how teams build an offensive game plan. How do coaches determine what plays to put into a game plan? What elements make up a game plan? And how can we determine whether a game plan was successful or not? All that, plus David gets caught up on mini camp news, new intro music, and we play a game of Real Quote or Not: Mini Camp Edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

87 min listen

Ep. 164: Panthers recap, Seahawks preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s the first Whomp-Whomp Wednesday of the 2016 season. We look at the biggest takeaways from a weird game against the Panthers, put the spotlight on Jimmie Ward, and offer up three things to watch when the 49ers travel to Seattle this week. All that, plus no more Ray-Ray, the inaugural version of NFL Quick Hits, and #RichardWasHere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

92 min listen

Ep. 162: 2016 49ers Season Preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to get prepared for regular season football! We break down all you need to know about the 53-man roster cuts before laying out our preview for the 2016 season. Why could the 49ers be better this season? Why could they be worse? Were there any surprise cuts or keeps on the final roster? All that, plus Bruce Miller, Tank Carradine’s extension, and predictions for the coming season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

89 min listen

Ep. 191: Scouting reports on the 49ers’ 2017 draft class: On this post-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we evaluate all 10 selections in the first draft for John Lynch & Co, identifying where each player wins, where they could improve, and where they fit on the 49ers’ roster. Where does first-round pick Solomon Thomas fit in with the incumbent defensive linemen? Which players are primed to make an early impact? And what themes did we pull from San Francisco’s draft as a whole? All that, plus draft-trade values, Paarag’s role, and bad name puns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

113 min listen

Ep. 155: Defending Chip Kelly’s spread offense: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month keeps on keepin’ on as we explore some of the tactics used to defend the spread offense that Chip Kelly’s 49ers might see in 2016. What is the spread offense? What sort of problems does it create for the defense? And how can the defense solve those problems? All that, plus where does the Aaron Lynch suspension leave the 49ers at outside linebacker, some happy life news, and jelly or jam? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

69 min listen

Ep. 156: Bruce Ellington, player rankings, and the anatomy of a pass play: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we round out Scheme Month with a sort of Passing Game 101. What’s going through a quarterback’s mind before the snap? How does the quarterback determine where to go with the football? What is a passing concept and how do routes complement each other? All that, plus our first Player Spotlight, 90-man roster player rankings, and new intro music from Stephen Schreffler and Jarrod Taylor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

82 min listen

Ep. 157: Mailbag! Bowman extended, QB battle, Baalke’s hot seat, and more: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we celebrate the start of training camp (and some real news) with a mailbag! What should we make of the surprising NaVorro Bowman extension? How are the positional battles shaking out on offense? What can we glean from training camp reports? And is Trent Baalke entering a make-or-break season? All that, plus Anthony Davis is for reals back, some Game of Thrones talk, and a winter jacket update. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

85 min listen

Ep. 163: Rams recap, Panthers preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the regular season has finally arrived and it’s time to start breaking down real football! What did we take away from our first look at Chip Kelly’s offense in San Francisco? Did the offensive line really shut down Aaron Donald? How good can the 49ers’ defense be this season? All that from the 49ers’ season-opening shutout over the Rams, plus Eric Reid and the three-safety package, Glaine Babbert, and three things to watch when the 49ers take on the Panthers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

85 min listen

Ep. 159: Texans recap, Rams season preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we have real football to talk about! Who’s trending up and trending down following the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Texans? Then, Joe McAtee from Turf Show Times joins us as we begin our NFC West opponent preview with the Rams. All that, plus injury updates, QB competition talk, and Longacre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

89 min listen

Ep. 167: Kaepernick’s redemption story? QB thoughts, Cardinals recap: It’s a special Sunday-morning edition of the Better Rivals podcast! San Francisco fell to 1–4 on the season following a Thursday night defeat at the hands of Drew Stanton and the Cardinals. What happened to the 49ers’ pass protection? Why is their run defense so bad? And what ultimately proved to be the difference in the outcome? All that, plus Jeremy Kerley in the spotlight, Sunday morning recording, and oh yeah, about this quarterback situation… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

57 min listen

Ep. 158: What does a 49ers playoff season look like? by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

64 min listen

Ep. 171: What's with the second-half collapses? Saints review, Cardinals preview by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

67 min listen

Ep. 166: Troubling run defense failures - Cowboys recap, Cardinals preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are reeling after a disappointing home loss to the Cowboys. We offer up the biggest takeaways from that performance, put the spotlight on Rashard Robinson, and give you three things to watch against the Cardinals on Thursday night. All that, plus reaction to Bowman’s injury, Chip Kelly’s continued support of Glaine Babbert, and the first opponent-adjusted DVOA rankings of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

72 min listen

Ep. 173: Well that was surprising. Patriots recap, Dolphins preview by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

83 min listen

Ep. 183: Breaking down Kyle Shanahan’s run game: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals episode, it’s time to take a deep dive into Kyle Shanahan’s run game. How did the outside zone evolve in the NFL? What exactly is zone blocking? And what are the key assignments that make it all work? All that, plus Tom Gamble is out, thoughts on the coaching staff, and how the current offensive line fits in the new scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

84 min listen

Ep. 169: Teardrops keep fallin’ on my fro. Bills recap, Bucs preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are 1–5 and looking like one of the worst teams in football for a second straight season. Why is San Francisco’s run defense so awful? And how did Colin Kaepernick look in his first start in nearly a year? All that, plus three things to watch against the Bucs, Trent Baalke’s future, and Old Cohn providing the lulz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

85 min listen

Ep. 192: Key UDFAs and post-draft roster thoughts: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to put a bow on draft season. We highlight a few UDFAs with a legitimate opportunity to crack the 53-man roster, and take a look at where things stand on the 90-man roster with all of the major offseason transactions in the books. Can Matt Breida become the next undrafted running back to find success in the Shanahan system? Which position will be the most intriguing throughout training camp and the preseason? And what does the TE group potentially tell us about what the 49ers want to do on offense? All that, plus cuts at running back, a safety who was in the top 100 players on Mike Mayock’s board, and NaVorro Bowman trade rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

85 min listen

Ep. 206: “Sacks kill drives, but pressure also affects games.”: Disclaimer: We apologize for the audio quality in this episode. Technical difficulties caused a bad stutter throughout this episode, and we understand if that makes it too difficult to listen to. Thank you to those who power through. On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we have many things on our mind after the most exciting 49ers game in several years. Is the front seven generating enough pressure? (3:09) Is the Rams offense legit or are the 49ers just back to the same old crap defensively? (24:02) And what finally clicked with Brian Hoyer and the passing game? (36:03) All that, plus Joe Staley owns Robert Quinn, how Tank Carradine’s absence impacts the defensive line, and what to watch against the Cardinals (47:28). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

75 min listen

Ep. 181: Dan Hatman on new 49ers GM John Lynch: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers finally have a new general manager. We bring Dan Hatman, former NFL scout and director of the Scouting Academy, back on the show to discuss the surprise hiring of John Lynch, the challenges he’ll face, and what he needs to do to succeed in San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

81 min listen

Ep. 165: Seahawks recap, Cowboys preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we attempt to cope with another embarrassing defeat in Seattle. What happened to a 49ers defense that was supposed to be the strength of this team? Can it be fixed? And were there any positives to pull from this performance? All that, plus the latest news, some NFL quick hits, and three things to watch this week against the Cowboys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

76 min listen

Ep. 174: If we’re gonna win one… Dolphins recap, Bears preview: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the 49ers are officially eliminated from playoff contention! Despite yet another loss, Chip Kelly’s squad showed noticeable signs of improvement against the Dolphins. Will they be able to build on those positives to come out of Chicago with a win? All that, plus the Vance McDonald narrative, playoff money, and This Week in Chip Kelly Throwing Shade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

86 min listen

Ep. 190: If we did it. Outlining the 49ers’ plan of attack in the 2017 NFL Draft: On this final pre-draft episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we put everything together and develop a plan of attack for the 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class? Is trading down from No. 2 overall a realistic possibility? Who’s the best option if they’re stuck at No. 2? And which positions should they be focused in on throughout the draft? All that, plus smoke screens, Glen Coffee’s return, and Drunk Prospecting Vol. 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

79 min listen

Ep. 189: PFF’s Jordan Plocher on 2017 NFL Draft defensive class: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we bring on long time friend of the podcast Jordan Plocher to break down the 2017 defensive draft class. Does it make sense for the 49ers to look at Solomon Thomas and Derek Barnett at No. 2 overall? Which cornerbacks fit the profile San Francisco will be looking for in their new defense? And are prospects at non-premium positions like Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, or Reuben Foster worth considering at the top of the draft? All that, plus positions to avoid, switching gears, and Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

81 min listen

Ep. 196: Jimmie Ward, Pete Carroll, and single-high coverages: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Scheme Month rolls on! Defense is again in the spotlight as we move to the secondary and talk coverages. What is single-high coverage and why are we expecting to see it from the 49ers this season? Which position is the key to making everything go in the secondary? And how will San Francisco’s defensive backs fare in this transition? All that, plus which 49ers would be most valuable on the open market, Eric Reid vs. Jaquiski Tartt, and something about butts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

74 min listen

Ep. 185: What a bonanza! Pierre Garçon, Brian Hoyer headline 49ers’ first-wave free agent signings: On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, free agency has started and hope is in the air! What do Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin bring to a revamped wide receiver corps? What can we expect from Kyle Juszczyk in Kyle Shanahan’s offense? And is Brian Hoyer the quarterback we need or the quarterback we deserve? All that, plus more roster turnover, drunk prospecting, and cedillas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

72 min listen

Ep. 187: Matt Waldman on skill-position players in the 2017 NFL Draft by The Gold Standard: San Francisco 49ers Podcast Network

98 min listen

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Ep. 184: Play-action, drive, four verticals, and Kyle Shanahan’s passing game

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