With The First Pick
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Oregon Trees Growing With San Francisco 49ers

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is defended by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during a NFL game at Levi
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is defended by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during a NFL game at Levi /
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It looks like two trees from Oregon are reviving the San Francisco 49ers defense!

In 2015, the San Francisco 49ers drafted 6’7″, 290-pound DE Arik Armstead in the first round. Then the following year, they drafted DeForest Buckner, another 6’7″, 290-pounder, in the first round. Both Armstead and Buckner came from the Oregon Ducks.

New head coach Chip Kelly recruited and coached the two trees from Oregon to revamp the front-7. Not long ago, the 49ers had one of the best defensive front-7s in the NFL. But the retirements of guys like DE Justin Smith and ILB Patrick Willis weakened it.

So the 49ers defensive front-7 wasn’t the same over the last couple of years. But in their season opener on Monday night, it looked like the defensive front-7 was back with a vengeance. ILB NaVorro Bowman is back to form with nine total tackles.

But Armstead and Buckner enabled him to make those tackle, taking double-teams on every play. Buckner managed to make three tackles and Armstead had a sack on the night. The two Oregon trees also pushed the pocket, not giving the quarterback room to step up.

But more importantly, they helped stop Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley. Gurley had a horrible night with 17 carries for 47 yards. Right now, if you stop Gurley, you stop the Rams, which is a good portion of why the 49ers shut the Rams out 28-0.

I’m looking forward to seeing this team when Kaepernick is ready to play!