San Francisco 49ers: Positional Progress Report for First Quarter of 2016
By Peter Panacy
Special Teams
The 49ers have certainly experienced a fair share of 3-and-out drives and failed red-zone appearances this season, although the general consensus doesn’t feel quite as destitute as things were last year.
While wide receiver Jeremy Kerley is emerging as a legitimate offensive weapon, he’s not quite the prime punt-return threat one might like to see help an inept Niners offense with better field position.
And 41-year-old kicker Phil Dawson? Well, he’s ageless.
Up to Par
Dawson is 4-of-5 on field-goal attempts this season. His only miss was on a 50-plus yard attempt, so we can’t exactly fault him much there. And he’s been perfect on extra-point attempts this season as well.
Needing Improvement
San Francisco’s coverage units have been problematic, as is reflected in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA metric. Prior to Week 4, the Niners ranked 24th with a minus-6.0 percent mark here.
And punter Bradley Pinion? He’s averaging 46.1 yards per punt, which ranks 17th in the league. It’s an odd stat, because attempting coffin-corner punts don’t always allow for big punts.
But the guy Pinion replaced, current Carolina Panthers punter Andy Lee, is averaging 51.1 yards per punt — tied for first in the NFL.