Scouting the enemy: San Francisco 49ers visit Arrowhead for Chiefs home opener
By Kody Latham
Offense
The 49ers traded Alex Smith to the Kansas City in 2013, and until recently, had been looking for someone to stabilize the position. In October of last year, the 49ers traded a 2018 second round pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Everyone had assumed the Garoppolo was going to be the successor to Tom Brady. The fact that the 49ers had been able to acquire someone who was viewed as a starting quarterback for so little stunned the league. Garoppolo wasted no time in proving that he was as advertised, winning the last seven games on the 49ers schedule once he arrived.
Garoppolo lost his first game ever Week 1 this season against the Minnesota Vikings but bounced back with a win last week against the Detroit Lions. In that game, Matt Breida, an undrafted free agent and current replacement for Carlos Hyde, ran wild to the tune of 138 yards. San Francisco had signed Jerrick McKinnon to take on the lead role at running back this year but lost him to a torn ACL instead right before the season started. The 49ers leading receiver so far this season is 2017 fifth-round pick, George Kittle. Kittle was able to win the starting job at the beginning of last season after fighting off Garret Celek, Vance McDonald, and Logan Paulsen for the position.
Tight ends do not usually lead their teams in receiving, but the actual wideouts on the team have just had a hard time getting anything going so far. Marquise Goodwin has been dealing with a quad injury and did not play in last week’s game. That made it easier on defenses to focus on Pierre Garcon (currently 32 years old) and second-round pick Dante Pettis, the team’s other top wide receivers. So far the unit has struggled but should have an easier time against the Chiefs secondary.
The 49ers offensive line still has Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley holding down the line, but the 49ers added some talent to the line when they drafted Mike McGlinchey. McGlinchey was selected 9th overall this year and slid into the right tackle spot for the 49ers to protect their young quarterback. San Francisco also added center Weston Richburg after signing him away from the New York Giants.
Overall San Fran has seen a complete overhaul to their offense since the last time Kansas City played them. The offense has had limited success so far this season, but the Chiefs defense still seems to be trying to figure itself out. I would expect Garoppolo and company to end up having a pretty good game.