Whitner explains why Mason isn’t to blame for costly Purdy election originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Brock Purdy’s late interception was the final blow in the Defeat of the 49ers by 24-23 to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
While the untrained eye might have pointed to Jordan Mason for allowing a free runner on Purdy, NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner explained why the running back isn’t to blame for San Francisco’s critical protection lapse.
“On Jordan Mason’s defense, right there they (Arizona) overloaded the offense with five guys. They (49ers) had three offensive linemen and a back, and they (Cardinals) brought in five guys, and they did a really good job of hiding it. “Whitner said on “49ers Postgame Live” after Sunday’s loss. “So I wouldn’t put that on Jordan Mason, because he’s supposed to pick up the inside defender, and yet there was an outside safety coming in, and the tackle picked up the outside guy.
“I’d say that’s up to Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan. He’s got to see that, he’s got to get rid of the ball or he’s got to avoid it and make him miss, but I don’t think that’s in play. Jordan Mason.”
Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson was able to explode through the B gap on the right side of the 49ers offensive line, hitting Purdy while the quarterback was in his setup, leading to the linebacker’s interception. by Arizona Kyzir White to seal the game.
As Whitner noted, Mason picks the defender with the shortest path to the quarterback, in this case Arizona linebacker Krys Barnes, which is a cardinal rule in pass protection at any level of football.
Mason’s fumble in the red zone in the fourth quarter was a crucial mistake in the 49ers’ second-half collapse, but the running back shouldn’t be blamed for San Francisco’s final offensive play in Sunday’s defeat.
