There are a lot of things that the 49ers defense has been disappointing with. What’s the one thing you are happy their new defensive coordinator brings?
The San Francisco 49ers have hired Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator. At first, it looked like this was going to be drug out to the last minute like many things the 49ers do, but once the Jacksonville Jaguars let go of Trent Baalke, things started going in the right direction.
There are many things to criticize about the 49er’s defense over the last two years after the departures of Saleh and DeMeco Ryans. With Saleh returning, there are going to be some good changes coming. But what’s the big one you are looking forward to?
We can examine the defense’s undisciplined play repeatedly on crucial plays or two-minute drills. There’s playcalling, like calling a cover 0 blitz with 16 seconds left in the half or letting one of the best wide receivers in the NFC run against safeties, which resulted in a 97-yard touchdown.
The change I’m looking for? Saleh on the sidelines. This guy needed to have his own box superimposed in the corner of the screen during games. During his first stint with the 49ers, Saleh had then-49ers assistant strength and conditioning coach Mike Nicolini, resulting in Saleh getting increasingly revved up.
This is where Nicolini comes in; dude had to pull him back before the 49ers got penalized.
He is their silent guardian. Their watchful protector. @KyleBrandt hypes the @49ers secret weapon nobody’s talking about. pic.twitter.com/Yo1AAYuErn
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) November 26, 2019
Playcalling, scheme, the players he gets, all of that cannot match the anticipation of what Saleh will bring on the sideline on game day. This was sorely missed the last two years. You don’t know what you got until it’s gone.
First was Steve Wilks, who decided to go into the booth until after the Minnesota Vikings game in 2023, when he went to the sideline. Snore.
Then there was Nick Sorensen. A decent upgrade in energy, but he was no Saleh.
I couldn’t be happier when we get amped up Robert Saleh back on the sideline. His defense loves him and feeds off his energy. That alone should be massive for the 49ers defense. One that seemed to be mailing it in at times or, dare I say it, bored.
But that’s what I think is the most significant change. What do you think is the biggest change Robert Saleh brings?