SFGate.com · Dec 22, 2017
49ers’ Coyle has grown into inside job
After Brock Coyle was asked to replace NaVorro Bowman, he made a mistake: He tried to replace NaVorro Bowman.
Allow the 49ers inside linebacker and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to explain.
On Oct. 15, two days after the 49ers released Bowman, Coyle felt the weight of filling his All-Pro cleats and initially appeared to be playing in quicksand. In a 26-24 loss at Washington, quarterback Kirk Cousins targeted Coyle and completed five passes for 111 yards and one touchdown to running backs in the first half.
“You put too much pressure on yourself and the only thing you can do is mess it up,” Saleh said. “That first half of the Washington game, he made it bigger than it needed to be.”
