5 Biggest Issues Facing San Francisco 49ers Heading into Week 2 of Training Camp

One issue facing the San Francisco 49ers is their running backs’ inability to pick up blitzes.

Frank Gore, the Niners’ starting tailback from 2006 to 2014, was one of the best blockers in the NFL. He didn’t just cut a linebacker at his knees—he struck him in the chest and knocked him on his back.

Carlos Hyde, the Niners’ current starting tailback, also goes for the chest when he tries to pick up a blitz, but he often misses the linebacker entirely. And his backup, Reggie Bush, weighs only 205 pounds. He’s not a blocker—he’s a receiver out of the backfield.

The Niners may not have a reliable blocker at running back next season. But that’s a relatively minor issue. In ascending order, here are the top five issues facing the 49ers heading into Week 2 of training camp.

5. Cornerback Depth

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The 49ers' two starting cornerbacks—Tramaine Brock and Shareece Wright—played well the first week of training camp. Each player made one interception.

The starters aren’t the Niners’ issue. Brock and Wright are solid veterans.The issue is the backups. It still isn’t clear who will be the Niners’ No. 3 cornerback.

Last season it was Jimmie Ward. He covered the slot, but he struggled and then missed the final seven games of the season with a broken foot from which he’s still recovering. The Niners allow him to participate during individual drills, but not team drills.

In his absence, second-year cornerback Dontae Johnson has been the Niners’ No. 3 cornerback. He plays right cornerback in San Francisco’s nickel defense, and Brock covers the slot.

Johnson hasn’t broken up many passes through eight days of team drills. Niners quarterbacks seem to compete almost every pass they throw into his coverage.

Opposing teams will attack the 49ers’ No. 3 cornerback, whether it’s Johnson or Ward, until that player proves he’s capable.

4. Outside Linebacker

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Outside linebacker seemed like a strength when training camp started. Then Aldon Smith got arrested, and the Niners released him the next morning.

Smith may have been the best pass-rusher in the NFL. How do the Niners replace him?

With third-year outside linebacker Corey Lemonier, apparently. Lemonier took the first-team reps at Smith’s old position—right outside linebacker—after Smith got cut.

Lemonier was the Niners’ third-pick in 2013. He had one sack his first two seasons with the team. It’s probably a veteran courtesy that the Niners are giving him the first chance to replace Smith. Lemonier has no pass-rush moves.

Neither does left outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Since Week 12 of 2012, Pro Football Focus has given him a pass-rushing grade of minus-16.8.

The Niners’ best option at outside linebacker probably is to play Brooks and Lemonier in the base defense and replace them in the sub-packages with promising young pass-rushers Aaron Lynch and Eli Harold.

3. Inside Linebacker

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First, Chris Borland was supposed to replace the retired Patrick Willis. Then Borland retired.

Next, Michael Wilhoite was supposed to replace Willis. Then Wilhoite pulled his hamstring and missed the first week of training camp.

While Wilhoite has been rehabbing, former 2013 sixth-round pick Nick Moody has been the Willis replacement du jour. And Moody has played well, intercepting two passes the first week of training camp. He may be an upgrade over Wilhoite, who was no good last season. Pro Football Focus gave him a minus-5.6 grade.

Even if Moody is an upgrade, you can bet other teams will go after him both in the running game and the passing game. Moody will be the weakest link of the 49ers’ front seven until he proves otherwise.

Next to Moody is NaVorro Bowman, the Niners’ other starting inside linebacker, who missed last season with a torn ACL and MCL. How many of the team’s defensive snaps can he realistically play next season? Probably not all of them.

The Niners haven’t been this shaky at inside linebacker since 2006—the year before they drafted Willis.

2. Offensive Line

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When the 49ers went to the Super Bowl in 2013, they had arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. All five starters were terrific.

Now, only two are terrific—left tackle Joe Staley and left guard Alex Boone. The other three positions are question marks.

The center is Daniel Kilgore, who’s rehabbing a broken ankle and may miss the beginning of the season. His replacement is Joe Looney, who doesn’t have the quickness to pick up an A-gap blitz.

The right guard is 21-year old Marcus Martin, who routinely gets pushed back into the pocket by the Niners’ defensive linemen.

And the right tackle is Erik Pears, a veteran the Niners signed this offseason to back up starter Anthony Davis. Then Davis retired.

Pears may be solid, especially in pass protection, but Martin and Looney look like liabilities. The Niners probably need to sign an offensive lineman, someone like veteran guard Evan Mathis.

Don’t be surprised if they pursue Mathis after training camp.

1. Coaching Experience

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This is an issue the 49ers will face all season, starting Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota’s head coach is Mike Zimmer. His coordinators are Norv Turner on offense and George Edwards on defense. When it comes to being NFL coordinators or head coaches, those three combined have 43 years of experience.

The 49ers’ head coach is Jim Tomsula. His coordinators are Geep Chryst on offense and Eric Mangini on defense. When it comes to being NFL coordinators or head coaches, those three combined have only eight years of experience.

Is it realistic to expect the Niners to outcoach the Vikings Week 1? Is it realistic to expect the Niners to outcoach anyone next season?

All practice observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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