SANTA CLARA – Chris Foerster, the 49ers’ offensive line czar, woke up earlier than usual Tuesday. He headed into the 49ers’ facility and immediately cued up Myles Garrett video.
Read more ‘It’s a shock’: Fremont school sacks its football program as academic year ends
First off, kudos to Foerster for getting any sleep Monday night, after Garrett joined the NFC West-rival Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade from Cleveland, where he just set the single-season record with 23 sacks and earned his second AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
“I just wanted to remind myself, because it kind of came out of left field, right?” Foerster said of the trade, which cost the Rams edge rusher Jared Verse and first-, second- and third-round draft picks over the next three years, respectively.
“So you’re just sitting there, ‘Wow, so what about this?’ Then you remember him,” Foerster said. “But we haven’t had him in the division and you don’t play him all the time.”
In three career games against the 49ers, Garrett has totaled two sacks, including one last Nov. 30 on an eventual fourth-quarter touchdown drive in the 49ers’ 26-8 win in Cleveland.
“He made a couple of plays, then you’re like, ‘Lemme go back at the tape and see what it really was,’ ” Foerster said. “He’s a great player and he got after us. But we had a plan to play him and it was somewhat effective.”
After that game, Garrett said: “There were a lot of ops, with how close it was. But (Brock Purdy) likes getting (the ball) out on time or, you know, he sees me, and, you know, credit to him, he also avoided the rush pretty well.”
The rematch comes in season-opening fashion when the Rams host the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia (Sept. 10, 5:35 p.m. PT).
Read more Brentwood approves stronger ‘nuisance gathering’ ordinance
Garrett, 30, is a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. He was the Browns’ No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017 out of Texas A&M.
“We haven’t started game-planning yet but obviously it’s a factor,” said Foerster, noting the 49ers would have had to try containing Verse just as much as Garrett. “… I’m not saying they’re the same guy. Myles Garrett is an all-time great pass rusher and unbelievable talent, but it’s still an edge rusher that you have to account for.”
Other than blocking adjustments, the 49ers’ overall offensive approach will demand quicker passes and receivers getting open faster, which is their goal anyhow, after new receivers Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and De’Zhaun Stribling joined up with Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins.
“Being good at getting the ball out quick or being able to get open quick, that does help,” said Foerster, who noted that the left guard competition is “wide open” among Connor Colby and veteran additions Rob Jones and Brett Toth.
Still, he and all NFC West teams got a rude wake-up call Monday upon news of the Rams’ deal for Garrett.
“I said to Kyle (Shanahan), ‘It’s kind of a little gut punch, at first.’ You feel like, ‘Oh gosh, here we go.’ But then I woke up really early this morning, earlier than usual, and just came in and watched tape,” Foerster said. “He’s an outstanding football player and he’s going to be a challenge for us to take care of. We had a plan last year and you have to do the best you can. Everybody has good players. He’s a great player and it’s good for them. It helps them. It’ll be a good challenge for us.”
The 49ers conclude organized team activities Wednesday and Thursday before next week’s mandatory minicamp.
Read more Walters: California’s unemployment insurance morass will become the next governor’s problem
About the Author
