How Sorensen believes the 49ers defense can solve third-down struggles originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers’ defense has fallen short of expectations during the 2023 NFL season, and one area that has been lacking is the unit’s efforts on third down.
After allowing opposing teams to convert on third down 42.5 percent of the time Last season, new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen pointed to how Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Co.
“I think there’s a couple of things,” Sorensen told reporters Sunday after training camp practice. “A lot of times it’s just execution, insisting on the details, being really detailed in how we hustle, how we cover.
“A lot of these things are always so close and so minuscule that if we stay consistent with how accurate we can be with our details, that extra half step will make or break this play.”
After experiencing a slump under former 49ers DC Steve Wilks, who was fired at the end of the 2023 campaign after one season, the 49ers are certainly hoping for a resurgence under in-house hire Sorensen — especially after bringing in former head coach Los Angeles Chargers Brandon Staley as assistant.
San Francisco’s 42.5% opponent third-down conversion rate last year was sixth-worst in the NFL, and a team that used to rely on its high-powered defense was fueled by its offense. But difficulties aside, it goes without saying that San Francisco’s defense was still one of the best in the league, helping to boost the 49ers for Super Bowl LVIII.
With a renewed defensive lineSchematic new looks from Sorensen and Staley, and the recent rise of Deommodore Lenoir alongside Charvarius Ward, 2024 could look a lot better for the vaunted group.
And, as Sorensen said, it’s all about execution.
