On Monday I took to Twitter for questions to use in a 49ers mailbag. As always, The Faithful did not disappoint.
Can you guarantee Brock Purdy will have the same type of production as last year? It seems the expectation is 30 plus points per game when he comes back. – John Christopher, @itzJChristopher
There is obviously no guarantee the 49ers will be able to maintain averaging at least 30 points per game next season. However, it’s not out of the question if they continue to limit turnovers.
As an offensive coordinator and head coach since 2009, Kyle Shanahan’s offense has averaged over 30 points for a season just once. Shanahan’s offense with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 averaged 33.8 points per game while also turning the ball over just 11 times during the regular season.
In looking back at the 49ers 12 game win streak from week 8 through the Divisional round, the 49ers offense averaged 30.4 points per contest. What caught my attention though was the number of turnovers.
During the 49ers 12 game win streak, the offense turned the ball over just six times. That would come out to less than 10 turnovers for a full season.
Turnovers have been one of the best indicators for 49ers wins and losses over the past four seasons. Since the start of 2019, San Francisco is 42-6 when they win or tie the turnover battle. On the flip side, they are just 6-21 when they turn the ball over more than their opponents.
Any chance Trey Lance beats out Brock Purdy? – 49er4Life, @DomDomTroiano
The 49ers have left the door open for the Lance to take the starting quarterback job. For Lance to beat out Purdy he will need to do things we have yet to see from him. Should make for an interesting training camp.
Mooney Ward was a great find but seemed to play injured toward the end of last year. Is he fully healthy and able to leap into that top tier of NFL cornerbacks this season? – Matty BWell, @MattyB4949
Ward suffered a groin injury early in the 49ers week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Although the injury didn’t cause Ward to miss any games, it had an impact on his performance the following week. In that game against Kansas City, Ward gave up seven catches on nine targets for 122 yards.
The free agent acquisition had one of the better seasons of his career in 2022. Ward allowed just 6.4 yards per target and 11.3 yards per completion, both career lows.
During OTAs and minicamp, Ward went through the individual portion of practices before working on the side for the remainder of the sessions. However, this does not mean he has an injury.
Ward is a good fit for the blitz heavy schemes of new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. As a member of the Chiefs in 2020, Ward blitzed opposing quarterbacks 13 times coming away with a sack to go along with a pair of knockdowns and quarterback hurries.
What’s more likely, Ji’Ayir Brown finishes the year as a playmaker on defense, or Drake Jackson makes the leap opposite Nick Bosa? – Jay C, @Doscero20
Drake Jackson making the year two leap is the more likely of these two.
Jackson’s three sacks as a rookie were the result of sticking with the play and cleaning up the mess created by others.
Nick Bosa is going to cause problems on one end. The addition of Javon Hargrave combined with a healthy Arik Armstead will upgrade the 49ers pressure from the interior. Put that all together with more blitzing and Jackson will have ample opportunities to take down opposing quarterbacks.
Brown will be behind Tashaun Gipson on the defensive depth chart. Still, look for the 49ers to get Brown onto the field as a rookie like what they did in 2021 with Talanoa Hufanga so he is ready to take over in 2024.
How big of a blow would an injured Christian McCaffrey be to the offense? Would Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price and Deebo Samuel be able to carry the load for a few games, or would there be a significant drop off in points per game and third down efficiency? – BCE, @BCE49er
Losing Christian McCaffrey would be a significant blow to the San Francisco’s offense. None of the other 49ers running backs gives them the threat as both a runner and receiver.
Deebo Samuel provides some of what McCaffrey brings, but despite being a homerun threat he doesn’t provide the same consistency as a runner.
The loss of McCaffrey would also impact the 49ers passing game.
Last year Brock Purdy completed over 80 percent of his throws which traveled 10 to 19 yards downfield. A major reason for this was the threat of McCaffrey underneath combined with the threat of Brandon Aiyuk deep stretched the defense, creating a void in this area.
Will Brock Purdy’s production stay the same in 2023?
Phhooey.
For a moment I thought Grant was back.
Don’t scare us like that Jack!
Purdy had a great streak going in 2022 starting with the Miami game through the Dallas playoff game. No QB can keep a streak like that going indefinitely. He is bound to lose a game or two. He is bound to have a game with more than 1 interception. He is bound to have a fumble at some point as well. None of those things occurred in the streak last season. Every QB has an off game where he just plays bad and gets bad breaks. Purdy has not experienced that yet, but he will.
The aspect of C. Wards game that worries me most is he is very grabby. I saw any number of plays where he could have been called for illegal contact or defensive holding. If there is more of an emphasis on D holding or illegal contact it could be a real problem for Ward and the 9ers.
Brock Purdy will be great. Despite not physically able to practice yet, he no doubt has had a full offseason to study the playbook. I’m so happy and relieved Steve Wilkes is here. Last year We saw our secondary get burned with deep passes. And that’s Steve’s forte. So the Db’s should improve on that.
Good post, Jack.
I actually, expect Purdy to make a full recovery and play at peak performance. I’m more interested in watching how opposing D-Cords will plan for him in 2023.
If you had to plan (as a DC) how to defend Brock, what would you do?
For my part, based on his play last season, I would attack his strengths.
1. Having DE’s cover the edges for possible roll-out passes.
2. Having my fastest LB key on BP all game.
3. Drop back a LB 10-15 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the middle of the field.
4. Have the Interior DT’s bring relentless pressure up the middle.
Purdy’s second year as a starter will define his career, for my part.
As much as I like him, I’m not anywhere close to crowning him as our next great QB.
I am referencing an article from Can Inman of the San Jose Merc. It relates to the discussion of whether B. Purdy is still rehabbing his injury or is he totally healed. “Brock Purdy’s elbow rehabilitation is progressing to its next step, a month before the 49ers open training camp. Purdy will next throw in Jacksonville, Fla. under the guidance of private QBs coach Will Hewlett and orthopedic specialist Tom Gormely, according to NFL networks Tom Pelissero. That follows the plan Purdy outlined a month ago, when he began throwing a football for the first time since his March 10 surgery that repaired his torn ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace. Purdy’s recovery timeline puts him in line to gain full clearance by the 49ers regular season opener.
STILL RECOVERING!!!!
He wouldn’t be cleared to throw the ball if his injury wasn’t healed. The doctor makes that decision., not Cam Inman. You’re unbelievable.
He is throwing because his arm is healing. He is not healed until he is cleared for all activities. Its actually pretty simple. I think C. Inman has connections with the team that neither you, I or anyone else here has. Unless you have secret connections with the 49ers coaching staff, training staff or FO staff. If thats the case then I will just give in to your insider knowledge.
One of the best 49ers games of yester-year.
49ers v NO Saints in 2012 Divisional game, on NFLNetwork right now.
Alex Smith’s finest moment as a 49er.
During the 49ers 12 game win streak, the offense turned the ball over just six times. That would come out to less than 10 turnovers for a full season.
Brock Purdy is Shaun Hill. He will never be a franchise QB or the long term answer. The sooner you all realize that the better off you will be. We didn’t give up all those picks to draft Lance just to sit him on the bench. We need to see what we have with him and let him showcase his skills if he can just stay healthy. The upside is there
Totally agree. 49ers should resign Colin Kaepernick so he can resume his Hall of Fame career where he belongs – in red and gold.
“Will Brock Purdy’s production stay the same in 2023?”
I think it will, or even improved. I’m super excited about this year. Before, I was a little hesitant, but I think with what I’ve seen from Purdy last season, I’m 1000% in. Love this kid!!! 😎😎😎
Ok I went back and watched the Chicago game. Brock Purdy would have won that game. Purdy is better than Lance and he is better than Fields too. It wasn’t a monsoon the whole game. Lance missed passes that Purdy makes easily. It’s no wonder Kyle is betting on Purdy instead of Lance. Purdy is just better… plain and simple uno online
Too many factors involved to guarantee a win for Purdy in the Chicago game. Two come to mind…
The O-line was not (actually the entire team) playing very well until game 4-5. CMC was not on the team, yet. Also, the 49ers were still in the game before the rain storm hit.
I think many forget that the loss was on the defense for allowing Fields to run out of the pocket to his left and throwing the ball back across the field to a wide open Dante Pettis for the easiest TD he’ll ever make. When Dante Pettis beats you, you know the defense let you down.