Seahawks Provide 49ers with Valuable Lesson: Run the Ball

San Francisco 49ers fans must have been pleased to see their team’s biggest rival, the Seattle Seahawks, fall just short of another Super Bowl title this season, but 49ers fans should be thankful for a valuable lesson that the Seahawks provided for the 49ers in the Super Bowl this year.

In arguably the worst play call in Super Bowl history, Pete Carroll decided to put the ball in Russell Wilson‘s hands and run a passing play on a second-and-goal opportunity with one yard to go and 26 seconds left in the biggest game of the year. This call was so wrong in so many ways, but Carroll and Wilson sealed the Seahawks’ fate when Wilson threw an interception at the goal line that gave the New England Patriots the Super Bowl win.

The Patriots’ key to winning the Super Bowl was to make Wilson throw, because that is the Seahawks’ biggest weakness. They defend at an elite level, they run the ball well, and even Wilson can run the ball and make big plays himself. However, his accuracy isn’t top-notch, and their receiving corps isn’t overly impressive.

In the most important play of the game, Carroll chose a passing play, instead of giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who had just put the Seahawks one yard from winning another Super Bowl title. Lynch was having a solid game and is often credited as the “best running back in the NFL,” but even though Carroll had a timeout, he chose to call a passing play, which played into the Patriots’ favor.

Here’s how a couple Bay Area athletes reacted to this play call:

Carroll’s decision could be analyzed further, but that’s not the point of this article.

So where do the 49ers come into this? Carroll’s horrific play call is symbolic of the need for the 49ers to re-focus on the run game. After failing to create a consistent passing attack last season, the 49ers need to run the ball more often and more effectively this upcoming season.

Re-signing Frank Gore and improving the offensive line are two ways the 49ers can commit to the run game in the offseason, and once the regular season comes around, it appears as if new head coach Jim Tomsula will emphasize the run game more, according to a report by Matt Maiocco of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area.

"“I’m a big fan of running and however that needs to get done. Really, we all talk about the vertical pass, but it is pretty when you see two guys get together and knock that guy off the ball and the D-lineman knock the guy back into the gap. That is pretty, too.”"

Tomsula wants the 49ers to be a physical football team, and one way to establish that is to employ an effective run game centered around Gore but also Kaepernick.

According to a report by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Tomsula specifically mentioned Kaepernick when speaking about his plans for the running game:

"“I think he can run, I think he can throw. I think he can change the pace of the game, change the speed of the game,” Tomsula said. “…More so than the traditional quarterback, he does it with the lower body. And (we’ll) look at that, corral it and let’s accentuate those things as we continue to strengthen other areas.”"

In addition, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle also suggested in a recent article that the 49ers want to utilize Kaepernick’s unique running ability more in 2015. Branch pointed out comments from 49ers’ new quarterbacks coach Steve Logan about Kaepernick’s ability to improvise on the run, and Branch also included comments from Jed York about the plan for Kaepernick in 2015.

"“How many quarterbacks in this league can run 90 yards for a touchdown?” York said. “I can’t think of many. But you’ve got to put Kap in a position where he can make those plays. And put Kap in a position where we can run the ball.”"

Giving Gore the ball gives the 49ers’ offense more balance. When Kaepernick runs, it opens up the passing lanes. The run game is what establishes the 49ers’ offense, and it takes more pressure off of Kaepernick and the receivers.

When the 49ers’ front office decided to “mutually” part ways with Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers had to re-create their identity. The 49ers need to learn from their mistakes last season and the mistakes made by their rival. Under Tomsula, the 49ers will get back to their physical style of play and will emphasize the run game on offense.

Thank you, Seahawks, for symbolically showing the 49ers what not to do and what they need to focus on this upcoming season.

Sincerely, 49ers fans.

Next: Colin Kaepernick Improving Under Kurt Warner's Guidance