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San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly’s Offense Stinks, but It’s Not the Head Coach’s Fault

By Peter Panacy

Chip Kelly before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Chip Kelly before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA;San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA;San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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One of head coach Chip Kelly’s key aspects to his offense is the running game. So it’s not a surprise the 49ers feature running back Carlos Hyde so early and often.

Hyde is one of the few offensive players against whom opponents will scheme. Sell out to stop the run, and force the Niners to throw the ball, right?

Kelly’s situation might not be bad if his offensive line was adept at run blocking.

But this group isn’t particularly good. Pro Football Focus ranked the Niners O-line No. 28 entering Week 5. And Football Outsiders has the 49ers at No. 31 in adjusted line yards, which measures tailback carries and O-line responsibility.

This is a roster problem. Not a coaching problem.

So we can point a finger to general manager Trent Baalke. He’s widely responsible for the lack of talent San Francisco currently has. And the failure to address skill positions in recent seasons is hurting Kelly’s efforts.

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Essentially, Kelly is coaching a team that lacks talent at too many positions. Especially under center, where an offense can live or die.

Kelly can switch quarterbacks, which could generate moderate success. He could simplify the game plan or make it more complex. It seems a bit more on the simple side right now.

But it won’t make much of a difference. Kelly is, in all reality, trying to make the most out of a team which won’t deliver anything close to the desired results.

And there’s little the head coach can do about it.

Next: Switching from Blaine Gabbert to Colin Kaepernick a Fix for the 49ers?

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