Chip Kelly’s done his best with a makeshift offense in 2016.
The question needs to be asked: Is Kelly too far removed from the defensive side of the football? Kelly said he meets regularly with O’Neil and the run defense has tightened up in recent weeks.
But for the fourth straight season, a Kelly-led football team will have an NFL defense that finishes 28th or worse in total yards allowed. Defense is more of a reason why the 49ers are 1-11 than offense. While Kelly was trying to prop up Blaine Gabbert, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil was treading water in the deep end.
Kelly’s approach to the defensive side of the football should change in 2017, to be much more hands-on.
Earlier in the week, 49ers broadcaster Tim Ryan questioned O’Neil’s coverage schemes. Now he’s wondering, is Kelly capable of bringing in a better replacement?
“Defensively, who knows what’s going to happen,” Ryan said. “And then you got to ask yourself the question does, if in fact Jimmy O’Neil — and god bless him, he’s a good man — if he’s not back as the defensive coordinator, can Chip go and recruit a legitimate defensive coordinator in the pro game?”
A report surfaced in August that Trent Baalke and Jed York denied Kelly the opportunity to hire Billy Davis as his defensive coordinator. Davis did not have a strong track record in three seasons as Kelly’s defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, ranking 29th, 28th and 30th in three seasons from 2013-15.
Davis’ first defensive coordinating gig was actually back with the 49ers in 2005-06 under Mike Nolan. He’s currently out of football this season.
And then there’s Mike Vrabel. The up-and-coming Texans linebackers coach who reportedly met with Kelly about the job but declined an offer. Houston gave Vrabel a contract extension.
Ryan makes a good point. If you want to make a change and relieve O’Neil of his duties, are you entirely sure Kelly can lure a better coach to run his defense? It’s not good to play duck-duck-goose in the open market, and have quality candidates turn you down. If someone like Vrabel turned down the job before this 1-11 train wreck, how many up and coming coaches will also be willing to turn down the 49ers?
Heading into Week 14, the 49ers lead the league with 833 total plays from scrimmage on defense. And again, Kelly did not run his fast-paced offense this season. It was more his offense had trouble sustaining long drives and were adept to three-and-outs. And also O’Neil’s run defense is so shoddy, teams kept the chains moving.
Whether the reason was talent or coaching, the 49ers should not have been this bad on defense in 2016. A consultant from outside the organization may have to determine whose most at fault. Because O’Neil and Trent Baalke both appear like they’ll be fighting for the their jobs in a January meeting.
The best head coaches are ones who can help both sides of the football succeed. Kelly might have to shift some of his priorities if he wants to see an actual change in the 49ers.