Removing Kittle is a big deal in this game. He is a big time outlet for the QB and that outlet must be taken away to make him hold the ball.
Shanahan is sneaky smart and has been consistently great at creating game plans that not only highlight his players skills, but more impressive, he's able to hide their limitations so they aren't exposed.
(Nick Mullins...)
George Kittle and the run game are the steak and potatoes in the meal the 49ers like to serve.
Deebo Samuel is really just the steak sauce. He adds flavor that really just distracts from the true recipe.
He's the perfect red herring and Shanahan not only knows it, he's been actively crafting it.
He has the funny name from the Friday movies and his "notice me" personality plays into it as well. Nobody wants to get beat by a young hothead called Deebo. No NFL DB wants to get beat deep by him and no LBer or Safety wants to get trucked by him. The guy just naturally demands extra attention and takes defensive focus away from what Shanahan really wants to do: win at the LOS, run the ball, own the middle of the field and go to Kittle when it's time. The gadget plays, the throws, lining up at tailback, etc - they all serve a larger purpose beyond moving the ball - they help ensure that everyone keeps thinking about the steak sauce instead of the actual steak. When the 49ers run on second down... or when Jimmy G needs a completion on 3rd and long, George Kittle has a little more room to work in....
We shouldn't ignore Deebo. He's young and powerful and his legs are still fresh.... but if we give him extra attention, we're falling into a trap.
He will get his carries, he might throw a pass, he'll truck some dudes and make his presence felt, but ultimately he's going to be lined up wide most of the time. Make him be patient, make him run great routes and make Jimmy throw perfect passes.
Jmo.
(I hate the 49ers so much, it's not easy giving him so much credit)
