Rams’ defensive tackle manhandles S.F.
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald held out during training camp, finally forcing the Rams to give him a super-duper contract: $135 million over six years.
Worth it? Ask the 49ers. In the Rams’ 39-10 win Sunday, Donald had four sacks of C.J. Beathard and eight unassisted tackles.
Less than a week after the 49ers’ offensive line played well against the Packers, the same line had big trouble protecting Beathard. Under constant pressure, he was hit 11 times and sacked seven times.
The 49ers’ running game wasn’t terrible Sunday (107 yards on 4.5 yards per carry), but passing? Beathard, under pressure, put up a 56.1 passer rating.
“Donald, he’s a special player,” 49ers left tackle Joe Staley said. “There’s no one like him in the league. There’s never been anyone like him in the league. He’s a special player. But at the end of the day, he’s an NFL player. You’ve got to do a better job blocking him.”
Late in the first quarter, the 49ers forced a punt and had the ball at their 20, trailing 3-0. Hope was in the air.
On first down, Matt Breida went off right tackle, found some running room, but ran into Donald, who simply snatched the ball out of Breida’s arms. It goes down as a fumble but it was a pure steal, like a pickpocket taking your wallet and your pants, too.
The Rams converted that gift into a four-play touchdown drive and a 10-0 lead.
“He is one of those rare-breed types of a player,” said 49ers rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey. “I didn’t get to see him too much today because he plays primarily on the inside, but he is a phenomenal player. He puts it on tape each and every week, and he is a force.”
Staley was downcast. He is the leader of the offensive line, and it was not a good day. “We did a piss-poor job today of protecting the quarterback,” Staley said. “Make no excuses, we’ve got to block better.”