The 49ers hired former Browns and Jets head coach Eric Mangini as a senior offensive consultant in June, and he has focused on that side of the ball, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reported Sunday.
49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who said he did some similar consulting work with the Ravens several years ago, had an interesting viewpoint on how he believes a defensive-focused coach can help an offense.
“Generally speaking, I think defensive coaches have a better understanding of offenses and what offenses are being taught to do from a schematic standpoint. I think offensive coaches do not have as good an understanding of defensive football,” Fangio told CSNBayArea.com.
“It’s kind of a fact because I did that role one year in Baltimore and they learned a lot from having a defensive guy in the room. They just don’t always understand the adjustments.”
It’s an intriguing question: do defenses better understand offenses, or vice versa? Here’s one I’m hoping the coaches in the audience will weigh in upon in the comments.