News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers

Back to 49ers Blog and Q&A home page

July 9, 2007

Defense should turn up pressure

Question: Putting pressure on the quarterback is key to being successful in defending the pass. Having upgraded the secondary this offseason, do you see the Niners blitzing more? Also, how often did the Chargers blitz last year? We didn't get their defensive coordinator, but I believe we got their linebacker coach. Does he have the same philosophy as Wade Phillips, their old d-coordinator?

Ron, Elk Grove

Answer: Certainly one of the reasons Mike Nolan tapped Greg Manusky to be defensive coordinator is that he coached under Wade Phillips, who is to the 3-4 defense what Monet is to French Impressionism. The other reason is that Manusky promises to be aggressive - something the 49ers' lack of defensive talent has prevented the past few seasons. With Nate Clements assigned to cover the opponent's top receiver, the 49ers will have a lot more freedom to rush two linebackers or even a linebacker and a safety at the quarterback this year.

- Matt Barrows

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 4:40 PM | Comments |