Niner Noise
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Buccaneers vs. 49ers: Week 7 Grades and Analysis for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) jumps with the football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back DuJuan Harris (32) jumps with the football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Grades

Guess what, the 49ers run defense still stinks. Well, most of the defense stinks. The Niners had already given up 307 yards of total offense before halftime.

So, not surprisingly, San Francisco’s defensive grades aren’t going to be very good.

Safety

Eric Reid looked solid his first week of the season. But each and every game since then seems to point to a regression.

And with Antoine Bethea no longer looking as if he’s a long-term option, one has to wonder if the 49ers have any solution here. Maybe move defensive back Jimmie Ward to safety? Who knows.

Grade: D+

Cornerback

Rashard Robinson was tasked with matching up with 6-foot-5 Bucs wideout Mike Evans. And Evans won the battle, with two touchdowns on eight receptions before an apparent ankle injury forced Robinson’s early exit from the game.

Robinson ended up having to leave on a cart, which isn’t a good sign for San Francisco.

Tramaine Brock, whose job may also be in danger, rebounded nicely from his efforts in Week 6. And yet San Francisco’s secondary still looks oh-so weak.

Linebacker

By this point, we all know the 49ers don’t have a run defense. And San Francisco allowed its sixth 100-yard running back, Jacquizz Rodgers, in as many weeks.

The Niners have zero options to plug the point of attack in nickel packages and even in base formations. And the pass rush from the outside? It doesn’t exist much either. There really isn’t much of an answer.

Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) carries the ball ahead of San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) carries the ball ahead of San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Oh, at least linebacker Gerald Hodges had an interception early in the game. At least that’s a bright spot.

Grade: D-

Defensive Line

Like much of the 49ers’ efforts this season, San Francisco’s defensive line looked strong towards the start and only faltered as the game moved on.

Arik Armstead recorded his third sack of the season but ended up coming out of the game with a shoulder injury in the second half. And rookie DeForest Buckner showed some emotions, although not the right kind as Bucs players got under his skin over the course of the game.

San Francisco currently has one of the most permeable defensive lines in the NFL right now. And two first-round draft picks in back-to-back years have been used to supplement it.

Grade: D