49ers vs. Eagles: 5 realistic goals for San Francisco in Week 8
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Using Safety Eric Reid in Blitz Packages
Veteran safety Eric Reid has essentially become a player without a role this season, especially after suffering a knee injury in Week 2 and watching fellow defensive back Jaquiski Tartt take over the strong safety role.
With the 49ers struggling to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is going to have to scheme the pass rush, meaning more blitzes.
Scott Geelan over at Niners Nation came up with an interesting idea suggesting the 49ers blitz their nickel or dime cornerbacks, letting Reid back into coverage. It’s a good thought, although our suggestion would be to put Reid into this pass-rushing role off the outside.
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Reid showed some ability to do this up in the box during the preseason, so it shouldn’t be anything new to him. If effective, it would drastically reduce the chances Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has to pick apart a weak 49ers secondary.
Wentz’s passer rating this season is an excellent 104.0. But that number drops drastically under pressure, according to Pro Football Focus, to 64.7 — ranked 21st in the NFL among qualifiers.
Needless to say, cutting down on the time Wentz has to work under center is key to preventing him from making big plays.
And Reid could be the X-factor in making this the case.