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Why the entire NFL is studying Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers

By Matt Lombardo

Sep 12, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (25) runs past Detroit Lions middle linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (25) runs past Detroit Lions middle linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three-time Super Bowl winner Mark Schlereth says the rest of the NFL is studying Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers’ blueprint for success 

For most teams with Super Bowl aspirations, losing a star running back with 33 touchdowns over the past two years could be enough to derail a season. But, not the San Francisco 49ers.

Raheem Mostert underwent season-ending surgery on his knee this week, but rather than sinking the 49ers’ offense, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad might be better prepared than any in the league to withstand the loss.

“I think the Niners are one of the most loaded talent-wise rosters in football,” Mark Schlereth said, during a recent appearance on FanSided’s The Matt Lombardo Show podcast, as part of Hormel, Smirnoff, Ecoflow, and LG’s Countdown To Kickoff.

Shanahan and the Niners have plenty of experience putting the “next man up” mentality to the test, following an injury-riddled 2020 campaign, and now turn to Elijah Mitchell to shoulder the load in the backfield.

Sunday against the Lions, in his NFL debut, Mitchell averaged 5.5 yards per carry, while rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Schlereth says he wasn’t the least bit surprised Mitchell saw immediate success. And neither was the rest of the league, because Shanahan has authored the guidebook for running the football in today’s NFL.

“I’ll tell you,” Schlereth said. “Going through and studying this offseason, and talking to a dozen teams, there was not one team that I talked to, that wasn’t studying the Niners’ running game, and what the Niners do. I legitimately talk to 12 teams about their running games, I consult for a couple of teams in the running game, and everyone of them said they’re studying 49ers film.”

Between building a roster around philosophically committing to the running game, deploying an innovative scheme, and looking to sustain success for the next several seasons by drafting quarterback Trey Lance No. 3 overall in this spring’s NFL Draft, the 49ers just might have propped open a Super Bowl window — even with their star running back leading the way.

“Because of drafting Trey Lance, because of the injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo,” Schlereth says. “A lot of people don’t truly understand how great Kyle Shanahan is at play-calling and coaching his football team.”

As a new season is upon us, we are anticipating fall, football and fun, and that includes the good old-fashioned tailgater to cheer on their favorite NFL and/or college team. And who knows more about Tailgate Party Tips than a former NFL player, seasoned chef and a former member of the cast of the sports show Ballers, Mark Schlereth!

Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com.

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