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49ers vs. Chargers: 5 Biggest Takeaways for San Francisco

By James LeBreton

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Javontee Herndon (81) is tackled by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Jatavis Brown (57) and linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Javontee Herndon (81) is tackled by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Jatavis Brown (57) and linebacker Nick Dzubnar (48) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly smiles during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chip Kelly Era Has Begun

With two new coordinators, a new coaching staff and all the young players he can handle, head coach Chip Kelly is officially off to the races.

His goal, you ask? To make the San Francisco 49ers a viable contender again. His first order of business was to address the most glaring team weaknesses of 2015.

Last season, the 49ers couldn’t create a pass rush on defense. And they couldn’t stop one on offense.

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills with defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Joshua Garnett (65) runs drills with defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (63) during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

With the addition of defensive end DeForest Buckner, who will almost definitely take up two-fifths of the opposing offensive line, and the versatility of Outland Trophy winner Josh Garnett, the 49ers are already miles ahead of where they were only a season ago.

For those who don’t know, the Outland Trophy is given to the best interior offensive lineman in the country. Garnett is able to play both guard positions.

In order to find out what the team needed, Kelly had to step in and assess what the team already had.

Though it was tough for fans, the team had to say goodbye to veterans like wide receiver Anquan Boldin and offensive lineman Alex Boone, who was known as the “Rhino” for his pulling capabilities at the guard position.

These departures  allowed for the possible development of wide receiver Quinton Patton and offensive lineman Trent Brown — two players the team is hoping will come through in season of change.

Next: The Offensive Line is a Position of Strength Again