INSIDE SLANT

NFL Team Report - San Francisco 49ers</h2><br>49ers search for a pass rush<p></p> Reuben Foster's dismissal by the San Francisco 49ers has created a giant hole in the defense.<p></p> Maybe two, depending upon the direction the organization wants to take in the wake of the arrest-related termination.<p></p> The 49ers expected to have a solid front seven this season, led by three former first-round picks in the front four and Foster anchoring the linebacking crew.<p></p> The perceived depth of talent up front, no doubt, helped convince the 49ers that the same 4-3 scheme that produced the league's 24th-ranked defense last season could improve in 2018 without major changes.<p></p> On a unit that was equally below-average in both rushing (22nd) and passing (22nd) last season, the biggest issue: An inability to get to the quarterback. The 49ers totaled just 30 sacks, tied for the sixth-fewest in the NFL.<p></p> One year later, most numbers say the 49ers have improved on defense. They currently rank 11th overall, 10th against the run and 17th against the pass.<p></p> The problem is: Those numbers have produced a defense that's allowed the eighth-most points in the league.<p></p> How is that possible? It sure isn't because of the run defense, which has been aided by the drafting of middle linebacker Fred Warner.<p></p> But being led into an NFL games these days by a strong run defense is a little like bringing the world's best swordsmen into a nuclear war. For the most part, it hasn't mattered.<p></p> The 49ers remain among the league's worst in sacks with just 26 in 11 games.<p></p> And with no pressure, fewer offensive mistakes are created. The 49ers have intercepted just two passes all season, which is about one-fifth of the league average.<p></p> So what's an organization to do?<p></p> Most analysts who have gone on record have the 49ers using their high draft pick on a pass-rushing defensive end in a year when several defensive linemen are perceived to be worthy of a high pick.<p></p> But now that Foster is gone, you could argue the void left at outside linebacker is as big as any in the San Francisco defense.<p></p> So why not attempt to kill two birds with one stone and draft a pass-rushing linebacker?<p></p> Here's why: Because the current defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, runs a 4-3.<p></p> That can change. The coordinator AND the alignment, that is.<p></p> All because Reuben Foster got arrested.<p></p> SERIES HISTORY: 39th regular-season meeting. Seahawks lead series, 23-15. Seattle has won eight in a row in the regular season, nine overall if you count their 23-17 win in the NFC Championship Game at the end of the 2013 season. The 49ers' last win in the series came at home, 19-17 in Week 14 of that same 2013 season. 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