SANTA CLARA – Defensive lineman Quinton Dial spoke softly at his locker about the 49ers’ struggles defending the run.
“It’s just consistency is the thing,” Dial said. “We just got to stay consistent. We just got to play consistent ball on defense. That’s what I’m saying. Assignment, alignment and tackling, that’s how we can do that.”
Dial pointed the finger at himself for being responsible for the big play the 49ers allowed on Sunday in a 41-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints. On the first play from scrimmage after the 49ers cut the deficit to 21-10 in the second quarter, Saints running back Mark Ingram tore off a 75-yard touchdown run.