Santa Clara – Receiver Aldrick Robinson probably knows the Kyle Shanahan scheme better than anyone after spending last season in his offense. After the 49ers’ 31-21 win, Robinson felt like he was home again.
“We were averaging 9 yards a play, we were efficient, and that’s how this offense works,” said Robinson of the 49ers’ 31 points and 474 yards of offensive output against the Giants. Those are the kind of numbers Shanahan produced last year as the Falcons offensive coordinator.
Robinson said the difference was that players were into the details of the game plan, which is essential to being successful in Shanahan’s intricate scheme. Also, for one of the first times this season, the 49ers achieved offensive balance, with Shanahan calling 33 runs and 25 passes.
Shanahan displayed some of his trademark creativity in this game, by calling some pistol runs for quarterback C.J. Beathard. The pistol formation uses a shortened shotgun formation with a running back typically standing right behind the quarterback. While the “gun runs” to Beathard didn’t produce much yardage, it was another example of Shanahan’s versatility as a play caller.
The main difference Sunday was the 49ers were playing with a lead virtually the entire game. Also, Robinson said the second-quarter, 83-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Goodwin broke open the offense.
“We made the plays we needed down the field and that opens everything up,” he said.
It’s been a strange year offensively, not only have the 49ers been struck by injuries, but playing catch up meant the team was stuck in their pass-oriented, two-minute offense for most of the season.
“We were able to stay in our offense for the entire game,” left tackle Joe Staley said. “We haven’t had many situations where we’ve been able to do that.”
Staley cited the Rams’ game, when the 49ers lost 41-39 and partially the Redskins’ game when the team scored 24 points, as instances when he felt the 49ers could run their full offense.
Shanahan said during the week that injuries and the switch to a rookie quarterback forced him to trim back plays. However, Beathard seems to be learning more each week, and Shanahan hoped to rebuild his offense once the team returned after next week’s bye.
And Robinson said the offense will return with something they’ve yet to have this season – confidence.
“Confidence is a strong thing,” he said. “When you feel you can truly do what you are capable of, there’s no stopping you.”