Demeco Ryans- Coaching Football Defense 49ers Early Down Safety Blitzes

The 49ers are primarily a 4-3 defense but will be in a 4-2 nickel at times awe ll. they have an excellent defensive package, playing cover 3, cover 2 and man free concepts.

Let's look at their pressure package in which they will often play cover 3. They ran these packages on early downs often with their safety Hufanga who is an excellent blitzer. They had great success with the package and were a top 5 defense again in 2022. As a result, Demeco Ryans got a head job in Houston.

Pressure Package

 On first down you will often see the 49ers bring their safety blitz or pressure in general. It is effective vs teams that like to go play action and throw the ball on 1st down.  They did it several times during the season and in the playoffs vs the Cowboys. It is a staple that they like, especially on early downs. I often see them Bring Hufanga who likes to prowl on the line of scrimmage. 

They play press bail (man turn which I find interesting, but play curl, hook, curl underneath. Basic cover 3 underneath.

In the picture below, Broncos throw the fade although they had the stick route to the bottom of the screen. The good coverage forced the incomplete pass as Wilson tried to throw into pressure

Nice pressure with 3 under 3 deep coverages.

Nice design pressure forces quick throw to the 1 wr side.

13 personnel

In example #2, the Broncos go 13 personnel. The 49ers bring the safety to the weak side and keep the cb over the top in cover 3. Nicely designed pressure as the Broncos are trying to run tight zone out of 13 with 4 double teams. 

De slices and between the 2 te and no one takes the safety off the edge.

Heres how they aingn the 13 personnel. with the wing the DE aligns in the gap between both TE.

Denver tries to get 4 double teams but noon blocks the safety.

Safety squeezes and gets home untouched and makes the tackle.

12 personnel

vs the Broncos

Again they bring the safety to the TE wing side.

In the next picture they get 12 personnel and bring the safety again.

They do a great job of cover 3 and always do a nice job with the mike carrying #2 or 3 vertically. 

THE RCB is waiting for the crossing route as #1 his side blocks.

Heres one more clip of Hufanga coming off the edge vs the Broncos. Great timing and just an excellent blitzer.

They also ran a few of the similar pressures on 1st down vs  the Seahawks when the Seahawks were driving. The Seahawks run right into it and they defense shuts it down. 

Nice job with the pressure.

Good coverage downfield

Every gp is filled front side.

No place to run as the DT do the job and 57 is unblocked should it get to him.

So they ran the same stunt a few times vs the Cowboys in the playoffs. Surprised how easily they ran it because it was such a staple in their defense this year.

THey caught them early and late when the Cowboys went to their jumbo package.

Both  times he came clean on the play

Example #1  

29 times it up great and gets great pressure .

Example #2 

Cowboys go 13 heavy and have Gallup on the outside 1x1. The 49ers sell out on the run and you kind of get the feeling Hufanga is coming. I think Dak has to check out here as this is a pivotal play late in the game with the score 16-12. The 1st and 10 set them back 6 yards.

Vs the Saints week 10

22 personnel 

Hufanga comes off the edge. The blitz side DE and DT go inside, DE b gap, DT offside A gap

Hufanga comes clean.

Nice scheme Hufanga disrupts everything.

vs the Panthers 11 personnel

1st and 10 

These are just some of the pressures you will see from Coach Ryans and company. More analysis of the 49ers defense to follow.