Robert Saleh's Tennessee Titans debut didn't exactly go as planned, and many 49ers fans may have had their concerns eased after Raheem Morris' debut with San Francisco. Saleh's Titans lost to the New York Jets, his former team, 23-10, at home. Meanwhile, Morris produced the opposite result in his first game with San Francisco, holding the powerhouse Rams to just seven points.
This clear contrast between performances doesn't necessarily mean every week will share the same result, but there's no denying that many concerned 49ers fans breathed a sigh of relief.
Saleh’s Titans stumble while Morris keeps the 49ers' defense rolling
Tennessee had a rough go of things on Sunday, allowing the Jets to earn 367 yards to their 195. The Jets had possession of the ball for almost two-thirds of the game, and the Titans didn't find the end zone until the game was almost completely finished. The game was heavily one-sided, and Saleh's-decision making certainly didn't do the team any favors.
As a defensive head coach, Saleh calls Tennessee's defense. The Titans made several defensive mistakes at critical times, twice having too many men on the field, and while Saleh publicly accepted the blame for these mistakes, fans can't help but take note of the sloppy performance.
Meanwhile, the 49ers faced the Rams on an international stage for the first-ever game in Australia, and the Niners walked away looking like a powerhouse. Raheem Morris' defense was exceptional, especially considering the Rams were widely considered one of the league's best offenses entering the season.
Morris is the fifth defensive coordinator for the 49ers in the same number of years. DeMeco Ryans and Robert Saleh both leveraged their positions into head coaching opportunities, while Steve Wilks and Nick Sorenson were both dismissed after their first season in the books.
The 49ers may have won their first battle of the year, but there are plenty of factors to consider. Many have criticized the Rams' decision to arrive in Australia without enough time prior to kickoff, and that may have contributed heavily to the final box score. With 17 games in the season, Morris will have plenty of time to show the hand he's working with.
Still, the season couldn't have gotten off to a better start for Raheem Morris and his defense. But the same can't be said for Robert Saleh. After another offseason of defensive change, Morris has already given the 49ers reason to believe they landed on the right successor.
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