The Struggles of the 49ers’ Secondary
In a game that is becoming more pass-oriented by the day, it is crucial for a defense to have a back end that can contain and make plays. We’ve seen in both the college game and the pro game that a bad secondary can make or break a defense. When a corner gets beat by their man for a huge gain, the momentum immediately shifts. A team that can’t contain the opposing passing game does not win.
In their rough 1-4 start, the Charlotte 49ers’ secondary struggles have bitten them multiple times. Opposing quarterbacks are having an easy time exploiting the unit, averaging 313.8 yards per game along with a combined 15 passing touchdowns. Making matters worse, QBs are averaging 8.9 yards per attempt on this defense (13.9 per completion). Overall, the Niners have given up nine passes of over 40 yards. Chunk plays are keeping opposing offensive drives alive while demoralizing the defense as a whole.
Against Old Dominion alone, three passing plays of over 40 yards were allowed. One was a 55 yard touchdown pass from Old Dominion QB David Washington to Travis Fulgham that put the game out of reach early in the second quarter. This cannot to continue to be a trend within the secondary. This is one of multiple instances where a big passing play extended an opponent’s lead and things snowballed out of control during these first five games of the 2016 season.
These problems may start in technique. We’re seeing a lot of plays where defenders fail to keep plays in front of them. Faster receivers are gaining separation on the back ends of their routes and all the corners can do is chase once the ball is delivered. This results in plays such as the 51 yard TD pass given up against Temple. In this such instance, D was fooled by a play fake and QB Phillip Walker delivered a quick strike to receiver Adonis Jennings who gained separation within seconds. This play would give Temple a 10-7 lead and the game would soon become a blowout.
Not only is the secondary not covering well, they aren’t tackling either. This is normally a result of over-pursuit and bad angling. Rather than completely wrapping up, tacklers are going for the kill and whiffing. Going back to that Temple game, you can see this on Phillip Walker’s TD pass to Phillip Yancey. Walker delivers to Yancey on an intermediate route and it looks as if a 49ers defender are in great position to make the tackle. The defender, however, comes in at the wrong angle and Yancey evades the tackle, leading to a 40 yard score. With a play in front of you, there is no excuse for giving up a long touchdown.
Not all of the Niners defensive struggles should be thrown on the secondary. The defense also lacks a pass rush that could potentially mask the secondary deficiencies. Through the first five games the Niners’ rush has generated a measly two sacks. Their .40 sacks per game is tied for second least in FBS. Quarterbacks have time to do as they please back in the pocket and receivers can take advantage of all deficiencies with that time. When your corners and safeties struggle in the back end, it is vital to get in the QB’s face and force bad throws.
On Saturday (3:30 ET), the Niners defense faces of against Conference USA foe, FAU (0-1, 1-4). The owls, with the 94th ranked passing offense, present an opportunity for the Niners’ secondary to right some wrongs. After the conference opener against Old Dominion in which QB David Washington shredded the defense for 256 yards on only 14 completions, it’ll be important to see how the secondary adjusts. Bad technique can make any passing game look good. Time will tell if the back end of the Niners defense can fix these issues and hold up against the opposition. If so, we should see some closer games, and wins, later in the season.