The San Francisco 49ers are 5-0 for the third time in the Kyle Shanahan period, and one of the causes for it is the efficiency of their protection.
Mostly because Raheem Morris is his defensive coordinator.
“It doesn’t surprise me with Raheem [that the defense has been so good and young players are performing well],” Shanahan said to Evan Webeck of The Post. “I’ve just been around him for too long. He’s one of the best people and best coaches I’ve ever been around.”
Kyle Shanahan teaching in an NFL recreation against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Getty Images
Despite Shanahan and Morris working on reverse sides of the soccer, their paths have crossed a number of occasions through their 20-plus-year teaching careers as they both served as assistants in Tampa Bay, Washington, and Atlanta.
In 2016, they were both half of Dan Quinn’s teaching employees in Atlanta, where Shanahan served as the offensive coordinator, and Morris was an assistant head coach and defensive cross recreation coordinator.
The Falcons went 11-5 in the common season and would go on to win the NFC, incomes them a spot in Super Bowl 51.
Atlanta would finish up shedding that recreation by blowing a heartbreaking 28-3 lead at halftime to the Patriots, and Shanahan departed to San Francisco.
He tried to convey Morris with him, but was blocked from doing so.
Raheem Morris teaching on the sideline during an NFL recreation against the Arizona Cardinals. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
San Francisco 49ers’ Siran Neal, Upton Stoutt, and KhaDarel Hodge celebrating during a Week 4 NFL recreation against the Denver Broncos. AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox
“I tried to bring him here originally when I left Atlanta. They wouldn’t let him out,” Shanahan said. “So It’s been a very long time coming to get him here.
Through 5 weeks of the season, the 49ers rank as the sixth-best protection in the NFL as they’ve given up an common of 18.6 factors per recreation, while rating as the eighth-best cross protection, permitting an common of 199.6 yards and only 5 touchdowns in the air.
“He’s done an unbelievable job this year, especially with the injuries, but just overall. Everything he’s mixed up schematically,” Shanahan said. “I love the confidence he’s given our DBs and the way they’ve been playing since training camp. He’s had a real huge effect on this team. We’re very lucky to have him.”
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