The guys behind the stars: Four unsung heroes who shaped the 49ers’ success
McAfee: Looks like the Cowboys and 49ers are the best teams right now
ETSANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the star-studded San Francisco 49ers, it’s difficult for young, unproven players to get what they deserve.It’s even harder when one of those established stars inadvertently sabotages those efforts.
Take the case of Niners corner back Deommodore Lenoir, an emerging player who has risen through the ranks to become one of the team’s most fearless and reliable defenders this season.
Lenoir has played well for much of the last two seasons, but he could become a more household name if Nick Bosa isn’t on defense. In December 2022, Lenoir saw a pick-six overturned because Bosa received a roughing penalty on the passer.
In last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, a Lenoir interception was negated by an offsides penalty against Bosa. After the win, Bosa apologized for denying Lenoir the extra shine he deserved.“I love the demo so much,” Bosa said. “I should give him a gift.
A Christmas gift. I need to expand my shopping.”While the gifts may have to wait, there’s no denying that Lenoir has emerged as one of the Niners’ most consistent defenders.
Ask the Niners’ locker room which players don’t get enough credit for the team’s 10-3 record and Lenoir’s name is sure to come up. “There are a lot of great players on this team, so it’s hard to get noticed,” Lenoir said. “But I don’t pay attention to it and I just play my eleventh and try to be the best person I can be for this team.”
On a team with All-Pro and Pro Bowl talent like Bosa, receiver Deebo Samuel, left tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner, Lenoir isn’t the only one doing silently the difference.
Others like guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Ambry Thomas and punter Mitch Wishnowsky are playing at a high level and will be integral if the Niners want to make a run at the franchise’s coveted sixth Lombardi Trophy.
The next step in that journey is at the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox).G Aaron BanksTwo nights before the 49ers’ Thanksgiving night game against the Seahawks, Banks’ status was uncertain due to a toe injury.
After a visit Tuesday night, Banks remained on the field with Niners offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster to test the tip.
Banks was pushed and prodded to see how well he could anchor. Later that evening, Banks called Foerster and said he wasn’t sure he could play, especially on Seattle’s artificial surface.
But the Niners would already be without right guard Spencer Burford, which would leave them terribly thin on defense if Banks didn’t play. Banks decided to go for it, fought off the injury, and helped the 49ers secure the win.
“I think it was a great indication of the strides he was making,” Williams said. “So much respect for Banks and the steps he has made from last year to this year and from last year to last year. He is definitely on the rise and he is one of those we can count on.
After making mostly redshirt appearances as a freshman, Banks was a reliable starter in 2022.
This year, he continued to establish himself as one of the team’s most reliable linemen. While Williams takes the lead, Banks has helped the Niners become dominant on the left.
San Francisco leads the NFL in rushing yards (925) and rushing touchdowns (13) and is third in yards per carry (6.0) when rushing left.Banks said his only individual goal this season was to build on the foundation he laid last year.
His understanding of the plan and what is required of him – the details that go into a Niner’s ongoing game are much more than meets the eye – has only grown.
Banks’ goal is to finish this season strong, even if that doesn’t bring much recognition.“I don’t think about it much,” Banks said. “I just want to do my job the best I can and then the coaches and the people in this building will see it and know what I do and how I do my job and that’s all that really matters.”
CBs Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry ThomasAt the end of Week 9, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks made two major personnel changes.
Those movements? He hits Lenoir from outside the corner and fills Thomas from the outside.
None of the third-year cornerbacks were impressed and vowed to do whatever it takes to improve the team.“ I think this is the right move considering where the defense is right now,” Lenoir said. “I feel like we play a lot faster when I’m there, and it’s a way to have the best eleven on the pitch.”
This idea is supported by the way the 49ers defense played after the game. In the five games since, San Francisco ranks second in points allowed per game (13), seventh in opponent QBR (33.8) and third in dropback yards allowed (5.12). The 49ers’ 41 pass breakups plus interceptions since Week 10 are 13 more than any other team.
The 49ers defense has blossomed since Deommodore Lenoir was moved to corner in nickel packages. Lenoir has given up one touchdown as a defensive closer this season, a mark he achieved on a broken play in Week 13.
Wilks also praises Lenoir’s physicality in the run game, as Lenoir ranks third on the team in tackles with 67 to play. four pass breakups and two interceptions.“
I can’t say enough about Demo,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Wherever Demo stays, he always gets really good at it. We need him in both areas, which puts a lot of pressure on him, but I can’t tell you how happy I was with his style of play.Shanahan is also impressed with Thomas.
Thomas entered the starting lineup late in the 2021 season, but was unable to reclaim his starting spot in part because he struggled to gain and maintain the necessary weight.Thomas has improved in that area this season and Shanahan says he’s currently playing “his best football.”
Since returning to the lineup, Thomas has defended four passes (tied for fifth in the NFL), one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. “He got his opportunity here in the last month,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s getting better every week.
I’m really happy that he’s ready for this and how he’s getting better as he does.”P. Mitch WishnowskyAs a punter in a prolific offense like the 49ers’, Wishnowsky resembles the pro sports version of a Maytag fixer.
There may not be many opportunities, but the expectation of getting the job done remains.“Mitch is huge,” Shanahan said. “He was really good.”
Thirteen games in, Wishnowsky is in the midst of what he openly calls his best NFL season despite attempting the sixth-fewest points in the league.
His net yards per attempt of 42.9 ranks 10th in the league, but even more important is his ability to pin opponents deep in their territory.
About 15 of Wishnowsky’s league-leading kicks have come from the 50-yard line or closer. Wishnowsky dropped all 15 of those attempts inside the 20, including 10 inside the 10-yard line and four inside the 5, and zero touch backs.
Additionally, Wishnowsky ranks third in the NFL in percentage of punts blocked inside the 20 (48.8%) and first in percentage blocked inside the 10 (27.9%) and inside the 5 (11, 6%). He has two touchbacks on his 43 punts.
Wish now sky says there is no magic recipe for his success in trapping opposing offenses deep in their territory. It’s just a matter of choosing the type of punt he wants in terms of spin, distance to position and hang time.
It doesn’t hurt that Wishnowsky is comfortable, with the security of the four-year deal he signed in 2022 and the confidence of special teams coach Brian Schneider to make decisions as he announced on the fake punt run he made last week against the Seahawks.
He also points to what he calls a “nice” room with long snapper Taybor Pepper and kicker Jake Moody. “(I’m) a little more relaxed,” Wishnowsky said. “I think I’ve just done my learning years and now it’s time to keep improving.”
