By Jordan Long
The San Francisco 49ers added linebacker Elvis Dumervil to their defense. This is in hopes of creating more pressure on quarterbacks which could be the difference in field position. How will this move help this team?
Dumervil is one of the top linebackers in the game. He will be entering his 11th NFL season and the San Francisco 49ers are his 3rd team. He previously played for the Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens. Dumereil made his name in the NFL by sacking the quarterback, reaching the double-digit mark in sacks 4 times. The most sacks he had in a season is 17 which occurred in 2009 and 2014.
Last year was one to forget for Dumervil. He suited up in a total of eight games after repairing a torn Achilles tendon. He was not the same player and offenses found a way to keep him off the quarterback. The Ravens thought it was time to move on and decided to cut him, meaning he was a free agent. Dumervil recorded 3 sacks last season. In his career he has a total of 99 sacks.
This move was one that the 49ers had to make. The only pass rusher they have on the team is linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Bowman has 12.5 sacks in his career. With the addition of Dumervil, teams are going to need to find ways to slow both of them down. They must pay attention where they line up on the field. If they double-team Bowman, it will allow Dumervil to sack the quarterback. If they try to stop Dumervil, Bowman will have a free shot at the quarterback. Those could equal sacks or turnovers which might change the course of a game.
The 49ers might have the best linebacker core in the NFL with this move. They have to hope Bowman and Dumervil stay healthy. If they don’t, it could be a long year for the 49er defense. On paper it’s a decent move to add Dumervil to this defense.
What do you think of the San Francisco 49ers adding Elvis Dumervil?
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