Will the 49ers Focus More on Offense or Defense in 2015?
By David Ochoa
In recent years, the San Francisco 49ers have been known much more for defense than they have for offense. Led by Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers were a run first team that relied on their defense to keep their opponents’ score as low as possible. With the losses they’ve suffered on defense and the new weapons on offense, will this philosophy change?
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In terms of yards, the 49ers’ defense has been top five each year for the last four years. However, this year will be much different.
The 49ers will be without anchors Patrick Willis and Justin Smith. Along with starters like Ray McDonald and rookie standout Chris Borland. They are extremely inexperienced at corner with rookies and second year players battling it for a starting spot.
However on offense, despite the losses they suffered this off season, they might be even better.
The 49ers lost long term workhorse and fan favorite, Frank Gore to the Colts. They also lost starting left guard Mike Iupati, along with receivers Michael Crabtree and Stevie Johnson.
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On paper, those losses might look bigger than they are.
Carlos Hyde was drafted in 2014 to replace Frank Gore, and that’s exactly what he’s done. Hyde’s potential allowed the 49ers to let Gore walk and go younger and maybe even better.
What the 49ers’ offense always lacked was a deep threat. They now have that with Torrey Smith. At the end of his tenure in San Francisco, Crabtree was extremely disappointing. Smith replaces him which is most definitely a plus.
The one big question mark is the offensive line. While Iupati was one of the best run blockers in the league, he was severely below average in pass blocking.
This doesn’t mean whoever replaces him will be better than Iupati, but they can’t be much worse.
With Jim Tomsula as head coach, the 49ers will still focus a lot of defense, but this could be the best offense the 49ers have fielded in years.