What Rapoport learned about the 49ers on Sunday: ‘I think Robert Saleh may be really good’

By David Bonilla Sep 9, 2019 at 11:54 AM •





That's pretty impressive when the fan base got used to watching the defense struggle late in games last season. The 49ers offense could have done a better job helping the defense out, but if it works through its miscues and reaches its potential, all this talk of a potential run at the playoffs could come to fruition.



There's a lot of 'ifs' in there but the defense, at least, looks as good as advertised. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh finally has a defensive front that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force mistakes. That's good news for a coach who is often criticized by the fan base. A vocal portion of the Niner Faithful was calling for his job after last season.



Ian Rapoport of NFL Network



"I think Robert Saleh may be really good," Rapoport said on the "Murph and Mac" show. "Like, I remember when the 49ers were hiring him, I think it was during the Super Bowl because I'm pretty sure I reported it the morning of the Super Bowl."



It was actually



"First of all, I didn't know how to pronounce his name," Rapoport continued. "Second of all, it was like, 'Wow, that's kind of an underwhelming hire,' right? I mean, you have this whole big staff, everyone has long-term deals, you hire some guy who was not kept on as a linebackers coach.







You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.



The San Francisco 49ers defense carried the team in its 31-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. The unit forced four turnovers, which included three interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns.That's pretty impressive when the fan base got used to watching the defense struggle late in games last season. The 49ers offense could have done a better job helping the defense out, but if it works through its miscues and reaches its potential, all this talk of a potential run at the playoffs could come to fruition.There's a lot of 'ifs' in there but the defense, at least, looks as good as advertised. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh finally has a defensive front that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force mistakes. That's good news for a coach who is often criticized by the fan base. A vocal portion of the Niner Faithful was calling for his job after last season.Ian Rapoport of NFL Network joined KNBR on Monday and shared what he learned about the 49ers on Sunday."I think Robert Saleh may be really good," Rapoport said on the "Murph and Mac" show. "Like, I remember when the 49ers were hiring him, I think it was during the Super Bowl because I'm pretty sure I reported it the morning of the Super Bowl."It was actually on February 13, 2017 . Super Bowl 51 took place eight days earlier."First of all, I didn't know how to pronounce his name," Rapoport continued. "Second of all, it was like, 'Wow, that's kind of an underwhelming hire,' right? I mean, you have this whole big staff, everyone has long-term deals, you hire some guy who was not kept on as a linebackers coach."This 49ers defense could be legitimately good, and I don't know what's going to happen with (Buccaneers quarterback) Jameis (Winston), maybe this is what his year ends up being, but it might also be that the 49ers defense is legit."You can listen to the entire conversation with Rapoport below.

More San Francisco 49ers News

Robert Saleh, Nick Bosa look forward to the challenge of stopping 49ers legend Frank Gore on Sunday

By David Bonilla Sep 17, 2020

Everyone in the NFL has a tremendous amount of respect for Frank Gore. He remains a fan-favorite in the Bay Area, even this week as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to face the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Gore is in his 16th NFL season. The future Hall of Fame running back figures to be a significant part of the Jets offense this weekend with Le'Veon Bell on injured reserve. Head coach Adam Gase confirmed this week that the 37-year-old running back would start against the 49ers — the team that drafted Gore in 2005. Second-year defensive end Nick Bosa was seven years old when Gore took his first NFL snap. His defense will try to stop the veteran running back on Sunday. Bosa, now 22, was asked about Gore after Thursday's practice and whether

Robert Saleh talks loss to Cardinals, 49ers-Jets, Javon Kinlaw, Frank Gore, not having Richard Sherman

By Site Staff Sep 17, 2020

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice as the team prepares for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets. Here is everything he had to say. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. I'm going to shoot my shot here and ask you about DL Dee Ford and what your level of concern is or if you know the reasoning as to his absence from practice today? "Not overly concerned. [Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] and the performance staff will get that all out to you guys soon." So, are you saying it wasn't a vet day, the reason that he didn't practice today? "Again, I'll leave it up for Kyle and those guys,

Robert Saleh talks overcoming injuries, Ziggy Ansah, Jason Verrett, NY's TEs, Daniel Jones ahead of 49ers-Giants

By Site Staff Sep 24, 2020

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spoke with reporters after Thursday's practice as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Here is everything he had to say. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Obviously, the messaging coming out from you guys has been about the depth and how comfortable you guys are with players backing up DL Nick Bosa and potentially DL Dee Ford, but realistically do you have to find out new ways to manufacture pressure and pass rush just given that those guys aren't as talented as the guys who they might be replacing? "I don't know about trying to manufacture pressure. We've got tremendous faith in the guys who are coming in to