Instincts and athleticism over diagnosis and reaction.
That appears to be the focus for the San Francisco 49ers defensive line in 2017, in Layman’s terms, of course. Defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina explained that he wants his players to think less than they did a season ago.
In 2016, the 49ers ran a two-gap system, which required players to analyze the play post-snap before taking off in pursuit. This year, each guy on the line of scrimmage will be responsible for just one gap.
“Last year they were more readers,” Zgonina said. “This defense puts you on an edge and lets you attack and use your athletic ability and use your length.