San Francisco 49ers: Focal Points For DC Jim O’Neil’s Defense

Breaking down San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil’s focal points on defense, overall scheme and identifying X-factors.

Recently, via the San Francisco 49ers website, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil was asked about what does he want his hallmark, or focal points, of his defense to be?

His responses:

“Number one stopping the run on early downs.“

Well, easier said than done, considering that the 49ers last year allowed their opponents collectively to gain on the ground, a combined 2,020 yards, 4.0 yards a carry, 20 rushing touchdowns,126.3 yards a game and nine runs over 20 yards, per ESPN.com.

To also, add why O’Neil is putting a focal point on stopping the run on early downs. The 49ers opponents last year on first down ran 128 times out of 327 attempts for first downs having a 39 percent conversion rate.

On first downs, last season opponents elected to pass 199 times, completing a percentage conversion rate at 61 percent. Why is that relevant? Well, consider this — O’Neil, after watching the tape, had to see that teams, because of the success at establishing the run on early downs against the 49ers, it put the team in a vulnerable state with the play action pass.

“Number two we want to confuse and hit your quarterback,” he said.

O’Neil mentioned, “When the quarterback has time to sit back and be comfortable in the pocket it’s hard to win in this league.”

Yes, it is, and the 49ers’ experience not winning much last year by going 5-11 as a team.

The inability to confuse the quarterback, hit the quarterback, sack the quarterback and get off the field on third down help contributed to a losing record.

The 49ers were 29th in total defense last season. Opponents had a 39 percent conversion rate on third downs, converting 82 attempts out of 210.

On fourth downs, opponents had a conversion rate of 54.5 percent, converting six out of 11 attempts.

49ers played on defense for 1,081 snaps, which was sixth in the league. The 49ers simply couldn’t get off the field; opposing quarterbacks had an average completion percentage rate of 68.3 percent.

Also, teams playing the 49ers had an average passing attempt completion percentage of 7.97. Every time a quarterback, on average last year, attempted a pass, it was close to the first-down marker.

Based on this overall breakdown, it’s no secret why O’Neil is making these two area’s his focal points of his defense.

The Keys for Success at a Glance:

“Identifying how to stop the run, X-factors, key players, overall scheme effectiveness against the run, confusing and hitting the quarterback.”

First, you want to identify how to stop the run and be disruptive and confuse the quarterback at a more efficient rate?

The 49ers addressed the defensive line in the draft to start, by the selection of former Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner. Buckner, in 2015, was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year — honored after a stellar senior season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and 83 tackles.

Buckner was singled out by O’Neil as a difference-maker, versus the run and pass, and Buckner combines his versatility with being a disruptive force.

Buckner will be an X-factor and a key player within the overall scheme of the defense.

O’Neil also mentioned defensive end Arik Armstead.

As last season went on and, by late November, saw Armstead get better.  He had accumulated 21 QB pressures in 114 pass rush snaps, which ranked him — at that time — first of 47 qualified 3-4 defensive end players with 100-plus pass-rush snaps and 14.0 pass-rush efficiency rating.

Armstead should show prowess with increased playing time, potentially starting and being reunited with his old defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro — who O’Neil called pivotal and instrumental in stopping the run.

Linebacker Aaron Lynch was top 10 in quarterback pressures, with 38 for edge-rushers in 2015. He also added 6.5 sacks at a pass-rush productivity rate of 13, per Pro Football Focus. Lynch will be an X-factor and a key player in the potential success of O’Neil’s defense.

Recently on Niners Noise, we discussed defensive back Jimmie Ward’s expectations of starting and having a breakout season.

Ward will be a key player and X-factor for the defense to be successful. O’Neil, is very high on Ward and sees him as part of the best 11 players on defense.

Quinton Dial, plus a healthy return of fellow defensive tackle Ian Williams, will be key X-factors and players versus the run and pass.

Recently, we gave a breakdown on Niner Noise regarding Dial and Williams‘ defensive ratings versus the run and pass last year.

O’Neil also highlighted the safety positions that stood out to him when speaking about the experience and leadership abilities of Eric Reid, and Antoine Bethea, who spent his last two years with the Indianapolis Colts in a similar defense.

Both will be instrumental in this defense. Key players, along with safety Jaquiski Tartt, who brings scheme flexibility, physical skill-set to play safety and nickel linebacker.

A key X-factor, and vital to O’Neil’s defense, is middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who lead the NFL in tackles with 154 and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and, just recently, ranked 61st in the top 100 players in the NFL.

Bowman is the heart and soul of the defense and, coming back in his second post-injury year, will be more confident on his surgically repaired knee.

Coaching Scheme Tree:

O’Neil’s teachings trickle down like a domino effect — from the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Rex Ryan, to Mike Pettine — former head coach of the Cleveland Browns; something O’Neil eludes to, via teams website.

What are some fundamental elements and the common principles in this grandfathered-in and generationally passed-down scheme from the originator Buddy Ryan himself, which is Rex Ryan’s dad?

Man, press-coverage, confusing, sacking and hitting the quarterback.

O’Neil spoke on the reasoning why the 49ers drafted two cornerbacks in the middle rounds, with the selections of Rashard Robinson, and Will Redmond. His defensive scheme warrants the need to play more man-press coverage.

Both Redmond and Robinson fit the bill for what O’Neil is looking within his defensive backs and defense overall.

Rex Ryan’s Defenses – (1/4) confusing, sacking and hitting the quarterback.

Another example of Ryan’s Defenses – (2/4) getting after the quarterback.

Ryan’s Defenses – (3/4) stopping the run on early downs.

Another example of Ryan’s defenses – (4/4) stopping the run early.

Highlighted in the videos, you’ll see first hand if the scheme is executed and ran efficiently, this defense can be improved in 2016 with the potential for a maximum return on productivity and success as a defensive unit, equating to more wins in 2016.

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Offensive Line, Running Game Will be Improved in 2016?

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Sports-Reference.com and 49ers.com unless otherwise indicated.