00:00:00
Speaker 1: Now back to Murfin Marcus on The Sports Leader. Streaming live on thesportsleader.com and KNBR. The Sports Leader app. Murfin Marcus is sponsored by Bigelow Tea. Grab a mug and tea proudly.
00:00:15
Speaker 2: All right, went from thanking Krug for stepping in yesterday on short notice to having Krug on for his weekly 49er hit. He's sponsored by TimberTech decking and railing. Everything wood should be. Visit TimberTech.com. Krug, I got J.D. John Dickinson filling your shoes, who is filling Marcus's shoes. So let's have a little chat.
00:00:37
Speaker 3: How you doing, Larry? It's just not the same. I mean, it's just not quite the same.
00:00:44
Speaker 2: From Kruger in the shed, out in the nut.
00:00:46
Speaker 1: We got J.D.
00:00:46
Speaker 2: In person, though, which is outstanding. It's always special to get him. All right, man, 49ers starting now to start thinking about the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Sean Payton and the Broncos, it's a mighty, is this the first, you know, since getting back from Australia, let's admit it, the Dolphins and Cardinals weren't the toughest tests in the world. Is this a significant ramp up in competition in your eyes?
00:01:13
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it is. I mean, I think this offensive line is one of the best offensive lines in pro football. Um, and they're going to have to see if they can get pressure. You know, I mean, Ricky Morris has been absolutely amazing in my mind to develop, you know, to produce 40 pressures in three games. I think he's done an incredible job and we'll see if he can do it against, you know, a line that a lot of people think is one of the top two or three offensive lines in the game right now.
00:01:41
Speaker 4: Krug, as you look at the wide receiver room and the addition of Brandon Cooks, yes, but now the addition of Dante Pettis as well, what did you make of both of those moves? And would you push Mike Evans, push to play Mike Evans this week if you were the Niners?
00:02:02
Speaker 3: Well, I mean, you know, to have a, you know, he got hit pretty hard on the hip a couple weeks ago. And, you know, we don't know exactly how much pain he still has from that. The rib thing, you know, I was on the binoculars watching him on the field on the hip injury, on the rib injury. And he looked like he was in sharp, like he was experiencing sharp pain and maybe even having a hard time breathing. So, I mean, it's really has to be evaluated. I think what you're seeing is probably the 49ers, you know, kind of indirectly stating that maybe the Evans thing is a little bit more serious than you think. by bringing these guys on. And it's just, you know, right now, you know, there's a whole array of different receivers out there. There's young receivers, older receivers, and I think they want to go for some older receivers to try to fill the gaps, and we'll see where it goes. You know, I'm not sure which of these guys is going to get on the field, and then of the guys that get on the field, which of the guys are actually going to see the football. But I think they want to be prepared because they've had so many injuries at that spot.
00:03:03
Speaker 4: Would you look to sign Odell Beckham jr.
00:03:05
Speaker 3: If you were the Niners or no, no, no, I, I, I just think that he's done. Um, you know, I think he's not that he's has no use at all, but he's, I don't think he runs or separates all that. Well, um, yeah, I, I would steer clear of that. I mean, I kind of like some of their internal options. I'd like to see them throw the ball more to Jordan Watkins. I think the fans would as well, you know, Watkins only played 15 snaps, but he had two, two impactful catches and, He's got legitimate speed. He's been in this offense for a number of years. I mean, what are the chances that you're going to be able to pick up somebody off the street that's going to be more useful than him? Larry Kruger, the voice you hear.
00:03:43
Speaker 2: We do it weekly with him talking 49er football Sunday against the Denver Broncos 125 kickoff. They're back on 680 a.m.
00:03:50
Speaker 3: And 104.5.
00:03:50
Speaker 2: Niners three-point favorites against Sean Payton's Denver Broncos who beat the Rams on Sunday. It'll be the first real test since they got back to the States. Uh, Vic Taffer has a story in the athletic this morning about the pre snap motion. There's a stat Niners are averaging a league best 7.8 yards per play on snaps with motion. According to next gen stats, Larry, I don't know how much you geek out on Kyle and his pre snap motions. Um, is that something you've been admiring? I mean, it's always been a trait, but is there more indifferent this year?
00:04:24
Speaker 3: Well, there has been more at times this year and, uh, You know, it's just a way for Kyle to, you know, to, you know, sometimes it means everything on a play. Sometimes it means nothing. Sometimes it's literally eye candy to just, just to try to kind of slow you down as a defense. So it's been really effective. Plus they have some of the smartest football players in the entire league. I mean, you know, Kyle, you check went to Harvard for a reason, right? This guy's really, really sharp. And, you know, a lot of the motions are, have involved him. And, and, and a lot of them involve Christian McCaffrey. And a lot of times you can see when you watch, you can't necessarily see it when you watch it on TV, but when you watch the all 22, you'll see some of the emotion that Kyle puts out there and you'll see the defense kind of go with a, you know, a CMC when the play's not intended for him. And he, he just, he has so much gravity. I mean, he's like a Steph Curry type figure on a football field. You know, he, he truly tilts the coverage. And so I think you're seeing it, the combination of they got, it gives you a little bit of an advantage. It defines the defensive look a little bit better. It provides eye candy. It's distracting. And if you can do it without committing pre-snap penalties, that's the key. A lot of teams can't do it without, you know, a whole slew of pre-snap penalties. It's huge advantage, uh, So I think you're going to see it consistently. You have seen it consistently. But Kyle definitely has leaned into it this year more than ever.
00:05:52
Speaker 4: Yeah, and it has been impressive, the fact that they haven't had the penalties that typically can come with doing a lot of that. I want to go back to the defensive side of the ball. As well as things have gone for the 49ers, they have had a little bit of an issue, and it was a problem against the Cardinals getting off the field, all of the plays that the Cardinals were able to run. Are you concerned about just the battle of attrition of a lot of these guys having to play so many plays as the season goes on and as the opponents get more difficult here?
00:06:28
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I definitely, you know, snaps are real, right? And there's a real toll on the body. There's a big difference. You know, it's a number to us in the box score. But it means a whole, a whole lot if to the defensive players, if they're out there for 48 snaps, as opposed to 80 snaps. And, you know, so it's, so it's absolutely a factor. Marquis Siegel told me at his locker last week that sometimes he doesn't feel, you know, like himself until, you know, sometimes Thursday or Friday, um, after a game. So, you know, I definitely think a lightening, the workload is, is essential. And I asked Kyle this question last week, do you want to play complimentary football more now without Nick Bosa? And he's like, well, you always want to play complimentary football, but I think it's going to be more of a point of emphasis to try to protect that defense and try to, you know, use the Niners explosive offense to maybe not score as quickly if they can do that and maybe possess the ball a bit more and maybe try to protect the defense. I think it will be a priority in the weeks ahead. Talking to Larry Kruger.
00:07:34
Speaker 2: We do it weekly here as we get ready for the 49ers and the Denver Broncos doing their thing. You know, listen, just get your chat. We talked about this a little bit yesterday on the show, but just for the 927 crowd on Wednesday, You know, the more you watch the Monday, Tuesday national shows, Brock Purdy, Brock Purdy, Brock Purdy, Wide World of Walt this morning asked right now, is he the favorite to win the MVP? I mean, Larry, these things aren't decided until December, right? I mean, that's when people make their runs, but it is fun to watch. And one of the things they're saying is he's handling these motion cadences so well. I asked you about the motion earlier, too, but just for the later crowd that didn't get to hear you yesterday talk about Brock, how you're feeling about how he's playing and what you think he's getting better at right before our eyes.
00:08:18
Speaker 3: Well, you know, Murph, it's funny. He's played so well since the very start that it's hard to say, like, you know, it's not like he was deficient in any way at the beginning, right? But over time, we all get better at our jobs, and he's better at his. I mean, he's just, his knowledge of, I mean, I think Kyle spoke to it earlier this week or last week with Mayoko. You know, he used to just do what he was supposed to do. Now he has a feel for every single piece on the puzzle, every single piece on the board. It's like where the defenders are going to be, where all the offensive players are going to be. I mean, he's got a much greater knowledge of the overall thing, and I think it shows. I think he's in more command. I think you're seeing him read the field process fast. I mean, some of the football people that I've talked to feel that he goes from one to two to three in his progressions is faster, faster than anybody who's, who's playing right now. So he's processing at a really high level. He is a very smart guy. His preparation has always been really top tier, but I think just the more football you play and the more the Niner, you know, the Niners have great continuity on the offensive line. And with these weapons, these guys have been together for a number of years now there, you do get better when you stay together as a team, you know, in, in any, you know, any walk of life really, but it, it also is true in football.
00:09:47
Speaker 4: How real is the MVP conversation already starting to become for him? Where, where would you put them on the, the Krug shortlist right now?
00:09:57
Speaker 3: Well, I mean, for him, JD, I mean, it's like, he's like, about it or I don't think he's thinking.
00:10:02
Speaker 4: No, no, no, not, not him thinking about it, but how real is like that it going to become a topic and become a thing. And it kind of already has.
00:10:12
Speaker 3: Well, can he win it? Can he really win it? Yes. There's no doubt he can win it. There's no doubt he can win it. I mean, the 49ers are, are a great team. They're going to win a lot of games. I think it's going to be incumbent on him to have some big games in some big moments, like, you know, the commander's game, the Monday night or in what was that week six, you know, the nation is going to be watching. He hangs, you know, some huge 300 yard day that day that's going to impact things. But yeah, there's no question. There's no question that Brock Purdy is firmly entrenched in the MVP race and, and rightfully so. All right, last one.
00:10:49
Speaker 2: What's the biggest concern? You mentioned O-line early, but what's the biggest concern in the Bronco matchup?
00:10:57
Speaker 3: Hmm. That's a good question. Okay. Biggest concern in the Bronco matchup. You know, that's hard to say. I would say their defensive rush. You know, the 49er offensive line is going to be really challenged. That's a good defensive line. Zach Allen, the former Arizona Cardinals there. You got DJ Jones. It's a really good defensive line. And I think, you know, protecting Brock Purdy and not allowing them to speed up Brock Purdy, not allowing them to get hits on Brock Purdy. How about this for a stat, guys? The 49er offensive line has more receptions than they have sacks allowed three games in.
00:11:39
Speaker 2: That's a fun one.
00:11:42
Speaker 3: That's a fun one. Jake Brendel, shout him out. The T O of the 49ers. All right.
00:11:47
Speaker 2: Well, I'll give you a few days. By the time the weekend comes, you'll be doing those radio hits. You'll be, you'll hone your Broncos fearsome matchup answer there, buddy.
00:11:58
Speaker 3: I caught you flat footed. Yeah.
00:12:01
Speaker 4: You know what?
00:12:01
Speaker 3: I have to think about that one because I don't have a great feeling about Bo Nix. I think he's kind of up and down and I think the receivers are a little up and down. They've been juggling the running backs. They're tight, you know, So it's really probably more about their defense. Yeah. I was going to say Sertan, you know, I, you know, it can, can the 49ers, you know, if Sertan takes away, you know, the Niners number one, uh, you know, passing option at receiver, probably Mike Evans, if he plays, you know, then what, you know, does that, does that, do we see the offense kind of have a hiccup, but I would say, say top to bottom, their defensive line, I think is really, really good.
00:12:41
Speaker 1: Krug, it's great. Great yesterday. Great today. Have a great Wednesday. Be good.
00:12:47
Speaker 3: Sounds good, fellas. Have a good one. We'll talk soon.
Speaker 1: Now back to Murfin Marcus on The Sports Leader. Streaming live on thesportsleader.com and KNBR. The Sports Leader app. Murfin Marcus is sponsored by Bigelow Tea. Grab a mug and tea proudly.
00:00:15
Speaker 2: All right, went from thanking Krug for stepping in yesterday on short notice to having Krug on for his weekly 49er hit. He's sponsored by TimberTech decking and railing. Everything wood should be. Visit TimberTech.com. Krug, I got J.D. John Dickinson filling your shoes, who is filling Marcus's shoes. So let's have a little chat.
00:00:37
Speaker 3: How you doing, Larry? It's just not the same. I mean, it's just not quite the same.
00:00:44
Speaker 2: From Kruger in the shed, out in the nut.
00:00:46
Speaker 1: We got J.D.
00:00:46
Speaker 2: In person, though, which is outstanding. It's always special to get him. All right, man, 49ers starting now to start thinking about the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Sean Payton and the Broncos, it's a mighty, is this the first, you know, since getting back from Australia, let's admit it, the Dolphins and Cardinals weren't the toughest tests in the world. Is this a significant ramp up in competition in your eyes?
00:01:13
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it is. I mean, I think this offensive line is one of the best offensive lines in pro football. Um, and they're going to have to see if they can get pressure. You know, I mean, Ricky Morris has been absolutely amazing in my mind to develop, you know, to produce 40 pressures in three games. I think he's done an incredible job and we'll see if he can do it against, you know, a line that a lot of people think is one of the top two or three offensive lines in the game right now.
00:01:41
Speaker 4: Krug, as you look at the wide receiver room and the addition of Brandon Cooks, yes, but now the addition of Dante Pettis as well, what did you make of both of those moves? And would you push Mike Evans, push to play Mike Evans this week if you were the Niners?
00:02:02
Speaker 3: Well, I mean, you know, to have a, you know, he got hit pretty hard on the hip a couple weeks ago. And, you know, we don't know exactly how much pain he still has from that. The rib thing, you know, I was on the binoculars watching him on the field on the hip injury, on the rib injury. And he looked like he was in sharp, like he was experiencing sharp pain and maybe even having a hard time breathing. So, I mean, it's really has to be evaluated. I think what you're seeing is probably the 49ers, you know, kind of indirectly stating that maybe the Evans thing is a little bit more serious than you think. by bringing these guys on. And it's just, you know, right now, you know, there's a whole array of different receivers out there. There's young receivers, older receivers, and I think they want to go for some older receivers to try to fill the gaps, and we'll see where it goes. You know, I'm not sure which of these guys is going to get on the field, and then of the guys that get on the field, which of the guys are actually going to see the football. But I think they want to be prepared because they've had so many injuries at that spot.
00:03:03
Speaker 4: Would you look to sign Odell Beckham jr.
00:03:05
Speaker 3: If you were the Niners or no, no, no, I, I, I just think that he's done. Um, you know, I think he's not that he's has no use at all, but he's, I don't think he runs or separates all that. Well, um, yeah, I, I would steer clear of that. I mean, I kind of like some of their internal options. I'd like to see them throw the ball more to Jordan Watkins. I think the fans would as well, you know, Watkins only played 15 snaps, but he had two, two impactful catches and, He's got legitimate speed. He's been in this offense for a number of years. I mean, what are the chances that you're going to be able to pick up somebody off the street that's going to be more useful than him? Larry Kruger, the voice you hear.
00:03:43
Speaker 2: We do it weekly with him talking 49er football Sunday against the Denver Broncos 125 kickoff. They're back on 680 a.m.
00:03:50
Speaker 3: And 104.5.
00:03:50
Speaker 2: Niners three-point favorites against Sean Payton's Denver Broncos who beat the Rams on Sunday. It'll be the first real test since they got back to the States. Uh, Vic Taffer has a story in the athletic this morning about the pre snap motion. There's a stat Niners are averaging a league best 7.8 yards per play on snaps with motion. According to next gen stats, Larry, I don't know how much you geek out on Kyle and his pre snap motions. Um, is that something you've been admiring? I mean, it's always been a trait, but is there more indifferent this year?
00:04:24
Speaker 3: Well, there has been more at times this year and, uh, You know, it's just a way for Kyle to, you know, to, you know, sometimes it means everything on a play. Sometimes it means nothing. Sometimes it's literally eye candy to just, just to try to kind of slow you down as a defense. So it's been really effective. Plus they have some of the smartest football players in the entire league. I mean, you know, Kyle, you check went to Harvard for a reason, right? This guy's really, really sharp. And, you know, a lot of the motions are, have involved him. And, and, and a lot of them involve Christian McCaffrey. And a lot of times you can see when you watch, you can't necessarily see it when you watch it on TV, but when you watch the all 22, you'll see some of the emotion that Kyle puts out there and you'll see the defense kind of go with a, you know, a CMC when the play's not intended for him. And he, he just, he has so much gravity. I mean, he's like a Steph Curry type figure on a football field. You know, he, he truly tilts the coverage. And so I think you're seeing it, the combination of they got, it gives you a little bit of an advantage. It defines the defensive look a little bit better. It provides eye candy. It's distracting. And if you can do it without committing pre-snap penalties, that's the key. A lot of teams can't do it without, you know, a whole slew of pre-snap penalties. It's huge advantage, uh, So I think you're going to see it consistently. You have seen it consistently. But Kyle definitely has leaned into it this year more than ever.
00:05:52
Speaker 4: Yeah, and it has been impressive, the fact that they haven't had the penalties that typically can come with doing a lot of that. I want to go back to the defensive side of the ball. As well as things have gone for the 49ers, they have had a little bit of an issue, and it was a problem against the Cardinals getting off the field, all of the plays that the Cardinals were able to run. Are you concerned about just the battle of attrition of a lot of these guys having to play so many plays as the season goes on and as the opponents get more difficult here?
00:06:28
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I definitely, you know, snaps are real, right? And there's a real toll on the body. There's a big difference. You know, it's a number to us in the box score. But it means a whole, a whole lot if to the defensive players, if they're out there for 48 snaps, as opposed to 80 snaps. And, you know, so it's, so it's absolutely a factor. Marquis Siegel told me at his locker last week that sometimes he doesn't feel, you know, like himself until, you know, sometimes Thursday or Friday, um, after a game. So, you know, I definitely think a lightening, the workload is, is essential. And I asked Kyle this question last week, do you want to play complimentary football more now without Nick Bosa? And he's like, well, you always want to play complimentary football, but I think it's going to be more of a point of emphasis to try to protect that defense and try to, you know, use the Niners explosive offense to maybe not score as quickly if they can do that and maybe possess the ball a bit more and maybe try to protect the defense. I think it will be a priority in the weeks ahead. Talking to Larry Kruger.
00:07:34
Speaker 2: We do it weekly here as we get ready for the 49ers and the Denver Broncos doing their thing. You know, listen, just get your chat. We talked about this a little bit yesterday on the show, but just for the 927 crowd on Wednesday, You know, the more you watch the Monday, Tuesday national shows, Brock Purdy, Brock Purdy, Brock Purdy, Wide World of Walt this morning asked right now, is he the favorite to win the MVP? I mean, Larry, these things aren't decided until December, right? I mean, that's when people make their runs, but it is fun to watch. And one of the things they're saying is he's handling these motion cadences so well. I asked you about the motion earlier, too, but just for the later crowd that didn't get to hear you yesterday talk about Brock, how you're feeling about how he's playing and what you think he's getting better at right before our eyes.
00:08:18
Speaker 3: Well, you know, Murph, it's funny. He's played so well since the very start that it's hard to say, like, you know, it's not like he was deficient in any way at the beginning, right? But over time, we all get better at our jobs, and he's better at his. I mean, he's just, his knowledge of, I mean, I think Kyle spoke to it earlier this week or last week with Mayoko. You know, he used to just do what he was supposed to do. Now he has a feel for every single piece on the puzzle, every single piece on the board. It's like where the defenders are going to be, where all the offensive players are going to be. I mean, he's got a much greater knowledge of the overall thing, and I think it shows. I think he's in more command. I think you're seeing him read the field process fast. I mean, some of the football people that I've talked to feel that he goes from one to two to three in his progressions is faster, faster than anybody who's, who's playing right now. So he's processing at a really high level. He is a very smart guy. His preparation has always been really top tier, but I think just the more football you play and the more the Niner, you know, the Niners have great continuity on the offensive line. And with these weapons, these guys have been together for a number of years now there, you do get better when you stay together as a team, you know, in, in any, you know, any walk of life really, but it, it also is true in football.
00:09:47
Speaker 4: How real is the MVP conversation already starting to become for him? Where, where would you put them on the, the Krug shortlist right now?
00:09:57
Speaker 3: Well, I mean, for him, JD, I mean, it's like, he's like, about it or I don't think he's thinking.
00:10:02
Speaker 4: No, no, no, not, not him thinking about it, but how real is like that it going to become a topic and become a thing. And it kind of already has.
00:10:12
Speaker 3: Well, can he win it? Can he really win it? Yes. There's no doubt he can win it. There's no doubt he can win it. I mean, the 49ers are, are a great team. They're going to win a lot of games. I think it's going to be incumbent on him to have some big games in some big moments, like, you know, the commander's game, the Monday night or in what was that week six, you know, the nation is going to be watching. He hangs, you know, some huge 300 yard day that day that's going to impact things. But yeah, there's no question. There's no question that Brock Purdy is firmly entrenched in the MVP race and, and rightfully so. All right, last one.
00:10:49
Speaker 2: What's the biggest concern? You mentioned O-line early, but what's the biggest concern in the Bronco matchup?
00:10:57
Speaker 3: Hmm. That's a good question. Okay. Biggest concern in the Bronco matchup. You know, that's hard to say. I would say their defensive rush. You know, the 49er offensive line is going to be really challenged. That's a good defensive line. Zach Allen, the former Arizona Cardinals there. You got DJ Jones. It's a really good defensive line. And I think, you know, protecting Brock Purdy and not allowing them to speed up Brock Purdy, not allowing them to get hits on Brock Purdy. How about this for a stat, guys? The 49er offensive line has more receptions than they have sacks allowed three games in.
00:11:39
Speaker 2: That's a fun one.
00:11:42
Speaker 3: That's a fun one. Jake Brendel, shout him out. The T O of the 49ers. All right.
00:11:47
Speaker 2: Well, I'll give you a few days. By the time the weekend comes, you'll be doing those radio hits. You'll be, you'll hone your Broncos fearsome matchup answer there, buddy.
00:11:58
Speaker 3: I caught you flat footed. Yeah.
00:12:01
Speaker 4: You know what?
00:12:01
Speaker 3: I have to think about that one because I don't have a great feeling about Bo Nix. I think he's kind of up and down and I think the receivers are a little up and down. They've been juggling the running backs. They're tight, you know, So it's really probably more about their defense. Yeah. I was going to say Sertan, you know, I, you know, it can, can the 49ers, you know, if Sertan takes away, you know, the Niners number one, uh, you know, passing option at receiver, probably Mike Evans, if he plays, you know, then what, you know, does that, does that, do we see the offense kind of have a hiccup, but I would say, say top to bottom, their defensive line, I think is really, really good.
00:12:41
Speaker 1: Krug, it's great. Great yesterday. Great today. Have a great Wednesday. Be good.
00:12:47
Speaker 3: Sounds good, fellas. Have a good one. We'll talk soon.
