Niner Noise
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49ers’ 2018 problems proving to be what we thought they’d be

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts drops a pass while defended by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Issue No. 1: Offensive Line Play

This appeared to be a serious issue for the 49ers in training camp, namely at the guard positions where an open-ended competition flared up between Mike Person, Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Last July, I didn’t see Person assuming the starting job, as I wrote:

"There’s a two-way battle between fellow guards Joshua Garnett, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and Jonathan Cooper who has yet to be cleared from offseason MCL surgery. Injuries alone are of concern, which could test San Francisco’s depth. Additionally, Garnett’s fit within Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone is questionable."

Instead, the primary problem for San Francisco has been depth. Both Person and Garnett suffered foot injuries in Week 1, forcing the Niners to bump right tackle Mike McGlinchey over to guard and insert Garry Gilliam in on the right side of the offensive line.

That didn’t work so well. And while Person has since returned to duty, Garnett’s ongoing absence and Cooper no longer being with the team has put strains on Kyle Shanahan’s depth.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Niners rank 31st in the NFL in pass protection and 24th in run blocking. For all the offseason investments the team has made in the O-line, the results haven’t exactly met expectations.

Perhaps a fully healthy complement of Person and Garnett alleviate the early woes. And we should expect McGlinchey to improve after a mere two starts at the NFL level.

That said, this unit has a long way to go before it jells completely.