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Brendel, 49ers ready for ‘different’ game vs. Donald-less Rams originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – There’s a different feel to the 49ers’ practice this week leading up to their Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
In seasons past, San Francisco would devote a large chunk of its game plan to finding ways to slow down or stop All-Word nose tackle Aaron Donald, to the point where it would be the dominating theme of practice.
With Donald now retired and trying to live the good life away from the NFL, the 49ers no longer have to deal with him and the havoc he rained down on the Red and Gold.
San Francisco center Jake Brendel, for one, is not complaining one bit.
“I think all the offensive linemen across the league rejoiced a little bit when we saw the news break that he was retiring,” Brendel told NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday. “He’s a great player, and they could do a lot with him and they obviously did a lot with him. Not having to worry about that guy, I wouldn’t say it really changes much schematically for us.
“Instead of looking and worrying about where he is 24/7, we can just think about the scheme.”
A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time Pro Bowl pick, Donald retired at the end of the 2023 season following an illustrious career during which he earned a reputation for being one of the fiercest defenders in the league.
Donald had success against almost every team he played, with some of his best moments coming against the 49ers. In 18 games against San Francisco, Donald racked up 12.5 sacks, 21 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and 33 quarterback hits – the third-most he had against any team in the NFL.
Not having to plan for the game-wrecker for the first time in more than a decade, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged a strange feel to it all.
“It’s definitely a little different. That’s been 99 percent of our brainpower for years,” Shanahan said. “It’s kind of weird not thinking…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/brendel-49ers-ready-different-game-233543722.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-09-18 23:35:43
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