On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, free agency is nearly upon us and it’s time to lay out our preferred plan of attack. Which player options should the 49ers pick up?(9:34) Are we in or out on some recent additions to the free-agent market?(17:10) And most importantly, which positions should the 49ers be focused on when the dollars start flying next week?(26:57) All that, plus one offseason signing is already in the books, quick combine thoughts, and we hope your birthday is boomin’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, our attention turns to the offensive side of the ball in our free agency preview. Are any of the free agent wideouts an improvement over what the 49ers already have on the roster?(15:39) What sort of trade packages would they realistically be looking at to bring in a player like Antonio Brown or Odell Beckham Jr.?(27:20) And should the team be seriously considering bringing in a free agent to upgrade the right guard spot?(42:00) All that, plus Arik Armstead will see at least one more season in red and gold, changes on the defensive line begin, and True Detective #taeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we look to the defensive side of the ball to kick off our free agency preview. In a strong class for edge rushers, who has caught our eye?(11:00) How much would you pay Earl Thomas and are there other quality options if you miss out?(37:35) And is there anyone available to bolster a lackluster 49ers linebacking corps?(48:09) All that, the insanity of franchising kickers, the departure of an All-Name Team legend, and Antonio Brown’s blond mustache.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we wrap up our evaluation of the current 49ers roster by identifying the team’s very best, core players. How are we feeling about our incumbent Tier 1 players after another season?(17:28) Which players make their debut in the top tier?(24:46) And what are our major takeaways after going through the entire roster?(37:24) All that, plus thoughts on a boring Super Bowl(2:23), the absurdity of franchising kickers, and looking ahead to the primary focuses for this offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, we continue our evaluation of the 49ers roster by looking at Tier 2 and Tier 3 players in our roster model. Which players do we think are on their way out in the near future? Which players do we expect to play a significant role on the next good 49ers team? And what happened to the core of the roster we thought we had last year? All that, plus coaching news, Super Bowl predictions, and the AAF. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the roster model returns as we begin to take stock of the current shape of the 49ers roster before looking ahead to the offseason and how it should change. What is the model and why is it useful? Which position on the roster is in most need of an overhaul? And which position could most benefit from improved development this offseason? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows joins to discuss the new additions to the 49ers coaching staff, and address those pesky Antonio Brown rumors. Plus, Matt discusses his excellent story detailing the oral history of the 49ers thrilling Divisional Playoff win against the New Orleans Saints (26:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s time to put a bow on the 2018 season and attempt to answer the questions we had entering the season. How did the revamped offensive line come together? What happened with the pass coverage? And did the 49ers manage to improve their ability to rush the passer? All that, plus we hand out some year-end superlatives, talk Robert Saleh’s evolution, and set the stage for the 49ers’ best season: the offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes friends of the pod (old and new) to celebrate a win 5 years in the making. Brandon Schulze from the Seahawkers Podcast joins to detail changes to Seattle’s strategy. David Lombardi of The Athletic discusses the value of Nick Mullens. And John Bufone of the Bufone 55 Podcast joins to preview the week 16 matchup vs the Bears. All that plus a new advanced stat, a Mullens-Trubisky swap, and the value of learning to win.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s a Win-and-we-didn’t-totally-screw-up-draft-position Wednesday! What changed in the second half that nearly allowed the Broncos to come back? Which defensive players saw time at some more natural positions? And why is it difficult to truly judge Robert Saleh as a defensive coordinator right now? All that, plus previewing Seattle part two, a special beer that didn’t kill us (yet), and opening the chocolate door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes former NFL and AFL cornerback Erick Crocker to discuss offensive efficiencies rendered useless in Seattle. How can the 49ers ranked in the top 10 in any offensive categories? How precisely did Brian Schottenheimer out-coach Robert Saleh? Why in the hell is the line vs the Broncos just 4 points? All that plus a spotlight player, an update on Solomon Thomas’ interior snaps, and playing on broken legs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and Jerod discuss the effective Tampa Bay game plan that ultimately flummoxed the Mullens-led 49ers. How did one of the NFL’s worst defenses look decent? (2:15) Should Kyle Shanahan have gone for it near the goal line? (16:44) Are the 49ers in full eval mode? (26:16) All that plus a Seattle preview (48:43), a discussion on Arik Armstead’s value (31:15), and Jerod’s preferred end zone celebration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special Thanksgiving edition of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar welcomes former Football Outsiders contributor, current Footballguys.com writer, and fellow 49ers fan Danny Tuccito to discuss what aspects of the 2018 team they are thankful for.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the Elegant Tank continues! Oscar and Jerod detail the breakdowns that ultimately cost the 49ers the game and ask: Are the defensive problems due to scheme or execution? All that plus Mullens' limitations, carpool karaoke, a resurgent first round pick, and a deep dive on pattern matching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Chahrouri, data scientist at Pro Football Focus, joins to discuss how to measure the true impact of a head coach. This special bonus episode details why Kyle Shanahan is so valuable to the San Francisco 49ers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Jerod and Oscar are in full MULLENSMANIA mode. What drove Mullens’ success? (2:32) What powered the 49ers defensive resurgence? (28:56) And will the 49ers be able to continue their success against the New York Giants? (42:48) All that plus spotlight players, James “You” Bettcher’s game plan, and valuing original Nick names.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, execution problems still haunt the 49ers. How did Josh Rosen exploit the middle of the 49ers defense? (4:38) What’s going right, and wrong, with the 49ers run game? (15:27) WHY DIDN’T THE TEAM ADD DANTE FOWLER?! (31:58) All that, plus a spotlight players (27:33), a preview of the final Battle of the Bay (41:26), a running back problem, and a new official co-host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and Jerod discuss the debacle against the Rams. (:51) What are the proper expectations for CJ Beathard? (3:35) Is Garçon stunting the development of a young wide receiving corps? (12:44) Why did Solomon Thomas have one of his best games of 2018? (27:22) All that plus the bracket for the first overall pick (43:31), and the curious case of the missing Johnson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the Elegant Tank paints its masterpiece. What on earth was happening as the 49ers’ defense alternated between disaster and decency? (0:56) How did Beathard beat the hardest he’s ever beaten? (15:53) And where did things ultimately fall apart in the fourth quarter? (22:25) All that, plus Marquise Goodwin in the spotlight, pleas for a mercy rule this week against the Rams (41:58), and it’s been 10 days since Solomon Thomas has rushed the passer from the interior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the Better Rivals Podcast Oscar welcomes Ted Nguyen, NFL staff writer for the Athletic to discuss how the 49ers lost a game where they dominated in nearly every phase (1:37). How did Shanahan’s game plan take advantage of the Cardinals defense? Did the defense actually play well or was Rosen just abysmal? Then, friend of the pod and former NFL cornerback Erick Crocker joins for a deep dive into the state of the 49ers secondary (29:20).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, the elegant tank is officially back on. How did Beathard perform relative to expectation in his first start of year two? (1:30) Are the defensive struggles really all on Robert Saleh? (16:27) And are the 49ers really better than the Cardinals right now? (38:48) All that, plus George Kittle continues to be an absolute boss (26:56), Earl Thomas-to-the-49ers speculation (30:01), and Casey Jarrett is the recipient of the football world’s collective Nickelback rage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, it’s the whompiest of Whomp Whomp Wednesdays. Why did the Chiefs offense meet such little resistance from the 49ers defense? (2:25) Were there any bright spots to take away from Sunday’s performance? (17:57) And of course, where do the 49ers go now without Jimmy Garoppolo? (32:48) All that, plus expectations for C.J. Beathard, (43:41) where the Chargers will be looking to attack on offense, and matchups we’ll be focused on in Los Angeles.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Oscar and special guest Jerod Brown discuss the 49ers first win of the 2018 season. Why was the Lions defensive game plan successful? (3:05) Why are there so many defensive lapses? (11:25). What does this all mean for a week three game against the cheat code that is the red-hot Chiefs offense? (42:31) All that plus a new rushing Leadah (27:00), a check in on Mike McGlinchey (33:16), and an exploitable Chiefs vulnerability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Better Rivals podcast, Jerod Brown joins the show to recap a closer-than-expected loss against the Vikings. How was Kyle Shanahan’s game plan successful? (2:37) Did Jimmy Ward finally find his niche? Should you be alarmed about Jimmy Garoppolo’s miscues? (18:30) All that plus a preview of the week 2 matchup versus the Detroit Lions (41:22), and Jim Bob Cooter musings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices