SANTA CLARA --Jim O'Neil's defense is on pace to be one of the flimsiest units in NFL history, but the 49ers defensive coordinator likes the direction in which his young players are pointing.
"I do see this thing turning (around)," he said Tuesday. "And the reason I can say that is we’ve got a group of men -- coaches and players included -- who are thumb pointers. They’re not finger pointers."
Positive attitudes, however, haven't been enough this season.
Of all the ugly statistics the team has accumulated, one stands out. The 49ers are on track to allow 2,789 rushing yards this season, which would be the most since the Houston Oilers gave up 2,814 in 1985.