Where has this Deebo Samuel been all season?

On December 23, 2024By Littum

You can’t fault the 49ers’ effort in Sunday’s 29-17 loss to the Dolphins.

However, you can beat the team’s execution – or lack thereof – in the loss.

The 49ers had ample opportunities to win in South Florida — and it’s clear they wanted to win — yet 11 penalties for 90 yards, a missed field goal and terrible situational play on both sides of the ball did San Francisco in.

Have we heard that from the 49ers before?

Oh, right, we’ve heard that almost every week this season.

Here are the nuggets and duds from a game that was, overall, a dud:

Jump

Deebo Samuel • WR

Where has this guy been all season?

Samuel looked like his old self on Sunday, breaking tackles, dragging defenders and making critical plays while slotting in as a running back.

Samuel had seven catches for 96 yards, a touchdown (his second receiving touchdown this season) and added 25 yards on the ground. He also broke at least a dozen tackles.

If this guy had played all year, I wonder where the Niners would be today.

George Kittle • TE

You can always count on Kittle.

The Niners ran some screens for the tight end, and it worked again and again and again Sunday. This man is unmatched at the position, catching eight passes for 106 yards despite bleeding through the second half.

He is the 49ers’ MVP.

Ricky Pearsall • WR

Yes, Pearsall. Good things happen when you throw him the ball. I’m glad the 49ers started doing it. Pearsall had four catches for 37 yards Sunday. Why did they stop throwing to him in the meaningful parts of the second half? Beats me.

Duds

Kyle Shanahan • HC

I really liked the offensive play calls on Sunday – Shanahan took advantage of a Dolphins defense that didn’t get the memo that you have to play the man-to-man press against San Francisco.

But it was so lame that Shanahan didn’t go for a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line at the end of the first half.

What do you have to lose, Kyle?

Because whatever it is, I doubt it’s more embarrassing than kicking a 21-yard field goal in a game that doesn’t matter in the standings.

The Niners’ coach just can’t help but be conservative and by-the-book. It’s a shame that aggressiveness is necessary for success when you have mediocre talent, which the Niners certainly have.

Fred Warner • LB

The Niners’ middle linebacker looked lost without Dre Greenlaw next to him in this game, especially as the Dolphins quickly passed and screened the Niners to death. When you understand that Warner is injured and playing alongside Dee Winters (who had a good game, in my opinion) and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (not bad), it may seem unfair, but he was not good .

Patrick Taylor • RB

He can’t run the ball well, can’t pass protect and absolutely can’t catch the ball. So what’s the point of playing him? The Niners must have a better option, even with Taylor at No. 5 this season.

Every 49ers offensive lineman

Did any of them play well? Yes, I am asking about all seven of them.

If you had any doubts about the 49ers needing to rebuild their line this offseason – from the inside out – this game is all you need.

The starters looked terrible, and the backups for Jaylon Moore and Aaron Banks (both of whom had disastrous games before injuries sidelined them) were somehow worse.

It’s honestly amazing that Brock Purdy was able to complete as many passes as he did. The Niners’ offensive line was abysmal.

The 49ers’ strange passing game formations

Were Pearsall’s two illegal formation penalties bad? Yep! Both came with the Niners putting their outside receiver — Jauan Jennings — off the line in an effort to give him more cushion to drop. It’s a strange thing to have to do, and I’d like to give some respect to a rookie who’s had very little practice for not thinking he should be on the line while playing flanker. Alas, it was his fault though. Add it to the Niners’ pile.

Originally published: 22 December 2024 at 4:51 PM PST