For the position of defensive coordinator, the 49ers interviewed Dave Merritt, the coach of the Chiefs defensive backs. Merritt might need to make amends with some of the 49ers’ offensive players if he ends up landing the job.
During a radio interview with the Sports Shop in North Carolina, Merritt discussed the firing of Steve Wilks and launched some haymakers at the 49ers attack.
Merritt made the (right) point that Wilks wouldn’t have been dismissed for a single game and that his dismissal had to have been a result of a larger issue, even though his remarks may have come out as harsh.
“On third down, their offense was 3-for-12,” according to Merritt. “Our offense was 9-for-19, but is Wilks to blame if your offensive is only 3-for-12 on third downs? If your All-Pro tight end Kittle only has one catch for four yards, is Wilks at fault? McCaffrey needs assistance, so you can feed him as much as you like. Next was number 11, Ako, or something, who seemed to be attempting to fight the entire time. Was Wilks to blame for him just having about forty yards?
He proved that San Francisco’s defense wasn’t the cause of the team’s Super Bowl defeat by pointing to their unimpressive offensive performance. Although it’s a valid and well-reasoned point, the 49ers’ offensive players and coaches won’t be impressed by it.
