Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Colts: 5 Takeaways for San Francisco in Week 5

By Robert Smith

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass during first quarter of the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talks with referee Tony Corrente before the start of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talks with referee Tony Corrente before the start of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Penalties are still a huge issue

With the exception of the six penalties they committed against Seattle, the 49ers have committed at least 10 penalties in every game this season.

They currently lead the NFL with 49 penalties for 385 yards, and while it is common for young teams to be undisciplined, it is still the job of the head coach to make corrections and have the young players progress with their technique and fundamentals.

While the undefeated Chiefs are ranked second in penalties committed, the difference is Kansas City has the talent to overcome them more often than not. The 49ers do not.

At some point, you’d like to start seeing an improvement in that area, and so far we have not.

SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

This is not a scathing condemnation of Kyle Shanahan, who has the team playing hard while developing the young talent. But the continuing high number of penalties lends itself to a lack of discipline or attention to detail. Shanahan may need to institute some tough love for repeat offenders who are committing multiple penalties during the game. Now is the time to have these teaching moments.

Poor technique, bad decisions and losing can become contagious unless it is emphasized to exhaustion in meetings and on the practice field.

I am sure the 49ers coaching staff is hammering these points home. Let’s hope the players take it to heart and learn from it sooner rather than later.

Next: How to solve the 49ers' problems in the secondary

With 11 games left to play there is plenty of time to iron out these mistakes. And when 2018 comes around, hopefully this young roster of players improves and limits their mistakes.