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Armstead and Buckner keep repeating the same flaw

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Monday on KNBR 680 Tom Tolbert eloquently painted the three reasons the San Francisco 49ers are allowing an NFL-worst 189 yards per game on the ground.

  1. They are not shedding blocks
  2. The linebackers need a map to find running backs
  3. It’s some of the worst tackling

But his guest on the Tolbert and Lund show, NFL Films executive producer Greg Cosell, has added a new problem to the fold: Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner are playing with improper technique.

“Buckner and Armstead both play with poor pad level at this point,” Cosell said. “So what happens is you get moved. I know there’s a belief that some defensive coaches want their defensive linemen to play with their head up so they can see things. The problem at times with that is then you stand up too straight. And even powerfully built guys like DeForest Buckner will still get moved.

“The other thing that Buckner is starting to do — which in college you can get away with — is he’s stopping his feet on contact. Tom will tell you, in any sport, if you stop your feet, there’s not a whole lot you can do that’s positive at that point.”

Here’s list of running backs and what they’ve accomplished this season against the 49ers:

Week 7: Jacquizz Rodgers — 26 carries, 154 yards

Week 6: LeSean McCoy — 19 carries, 140 yards, 3 TD

Week 5: David Johnson — 27 carries, 157 yards, 2 TD

Week 4: Ezekiel Elliot — 23 carries, 138 yards, 1 TD

Week 3: Christine Michael — 20 carries, 106 yards, 2 TD

Week 2: Fozzy Whittaker — 16 carries, 100 yards

Week 1: Todd Gurley — 17 carries, 47 yards

NaVorro Bowman’s Achilles tear has made things worse for the 49ers’ defense, but according to Cosell, Trent Baalke’s last two first-round draft picks are not helping at all in stopping the run.