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San Francisco 49ers: 5 things to accomplish during Week 11 bye

By Peter Panacy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Find the Cornerstone Pieces for 2019

If there are only one or two more winnable games on the season, realistically, the rest of the 2018 schedule carries a ton of weight in determining which players are going to be playing vital roles in the team’s future for next year and beyond.

Kyle Shanahan already suggested this, speaking such via the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman:

"Do they want to solidify themselves as a starter, a backup? Do they want to be a part of it here? Do they want to be one of the answers or a solution to what we’re going through? You’re always playing for something. This league doesn’t have patience. I don’t have patience. No one in this league has patience. You shouldn’t have to say that to players. And most of the players that have been around, (mostly) veterans, understand that. But a lot of people don’t understand that. And sometimes, you do have to educate people on that."

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What Shanahan is saying, essentially, is the rest of the season is an extension of training camp and the preseason. Just for 2019.

It’s an audition, really. Nothing more.

Now, the 49ers have found some pieces. Tight end George Kittle is having a breakout year. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is looking more and more like he was the right pick in Round 1 of this year’s NFL Draft. Linebacker Fred Warner has started to shed some of the early tackling woes he had this season.

Along with some obvious others, there are a handful of those keystone pieces around which to build. That’s good. But equally as important is finding the role players and depth guys, as well as seeing if there can be some late-season risers impressing enough to carve out niches heading into 2019.

Next. 5 49ers players who'll lose starting jobs in 2019. dark

If that process hasn’t already begun, it needs to immediately.