NFL San Francisco 49ers

Offensive Line Is Key To San Francicsco 49ers’ Week 10 Win

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By @sdmeyers1

49ers Offensive Line

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In the first three seasons under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the San Francisco 49ers have displayed a clear offensive identity as a power running team. This season, however, the 49ers acquired the personnel to utilize a spread attack, and they have often featured four wide receivers.

The offensive struggles, as well as the team’s mediocre 4-4 start, have led to harsh criticism of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as well as offensive coordinator Greg Roman. While both individuals deserve some blame for the failures of the offense, the bigger issue lies in what has been an area of strength over the past several seasons: the offensive line.

That line will be crucial this week, as the 49ers travel to face the New Orleans Saints in a game that could determine the fate of San Francisco’s season.

Since 2012, San Francisco has boasted four of the top linemen at their respective positions, with tackles Joe Staley and Anthony Davis, and guards Mike Iupati and Alex Boone. That quartet is now in its third season starting together, with the only change coming at center with the departure of Jonathan Goodwin this offseason.

Subsequently, the line was expected to once again be a key component to the team’s success. On the contrary, the unit has struggled mightily during the campaign and was a liability in the Week 9 defeat to the St. Louis Rams. In that contest, Kaepernick was sacked eight times, while the team accumulated only 80 rushing yards.

Aside from a two-week period when the 49ers managed to run the ball effectively, San Francisco has failed to establish the effective running attack of past seasons. Even more troubling, the line has not been able to provide protection for Kaepernick when he drops back to pass with regularity.

Injuries to Davis and Iupati, and the preseason holdout of Boone, have created an apparent lack of cohesion among the unit. That should not be an excuse for a veteran group, though, even with Daniel Kilgore, and now Marcus Martin, getting their first starting experience at center. Martin clearly struggled in his first career game against the Rams, but the rest of the experienced linemen around him did not play to their capability.

Staley and Davis are already paid to be elite tackles, but neither has been up to the task this season. The play at guard has been even more disappointing, as Iupati is slated to hit free agency and should be playing at his best for a big payday. Similarly, after a lengthy holdout, Boone was rewarded with a significant raise, but thus far, his play has not matched his salary.

The 49ers’ line must first and foremost provide holes for running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde. Roman and the rest of the coaching staff will be much more inclined to favor the running attack if they see early success. San Francisco could opt to use an extra lineman, such as Joe Looney, in certain jumbo packages. Regardless of the formations, though, the 49ers must show that they can pick up the tough yards on the ground, and the line must lead the way to that success.

Additionally, the line must provide more time for Kaepernick to find his targets when he looks to pass. Against the Saints, the unit could be tested heavily by the tandem of Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette. The duo has combined for 10 sacks in 2014 and provided constant pressure against Cam Newton in the Saints’ latest victory. Especially if the 49ers fall into an early deficit, the passing attack cannot succeed if the pocket collapses as quickly as it did last week.

The 49ers are perhaps more desperate for a win this week than any other time during the Jim Harbaugh era. For the team to capture that win, the play of the offensive line will be the key.

Sean Meyers is a professional wrestling writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and “Like” him on Facebook

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