National Football League

Front Office Insider: What's wrong with Jim Harbaugh's offense?

Published Dec. 3, 2014 12:43 p.m. ET

Ross Jones

The San Francisco 49ers' struggles on offense have as much to do with identity as they do with execution.

Over the past three seasons, the 49ers had the most rushing attempts and fewest passing plays of any team in the league.

But this year that changed.

In an ever-evolving league where the passing game has become more and more important, Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman wanted to re-tool their one-dimensional offense and loosen the reins on quarterback Colin Kaepernick. It was a team-wide decision as general manager Trent Baalke beefed up a traditionally thin crop of receivers by adding wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd.

The offense -- now featuring four- and five-wide formations as the norm -- hit the ultimate snag in last week's 19-3 home loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Harbaugh, who played quarterback for Bo Schembechler's ground-and-pound Michigan teams, has built a reputation at the college and pro levels on that concept. Jerry Hanlon, Harbaugh's quarterbacks coach at Michigan, shared the same offensive philosophy.

Hanlon, 85, attempted to explain to FOXSports.com the interesting dynamic Harbaugh is facing.

"Your personnel will always dictate what you do," he said. "I don't think Jim has changed his philosophy. I think he's using his quarterback, who has a lot of ability. When he's hot, they run the ball up and down the field. Sometimes players have a bit of an off day and it doesn't work out quite as well, but I don't think that I've seen that he's completely changed his strategy of offense."

According to the numbers, Hanlon has a point.

The 49ers have 347 rushing attempts this season -- seventh-most in the league -- but players such as running back Frank Gore have been outspoken this season about the team's more balanced attack. The 49ers are averaging 114.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks 12th in the league. Last year, the 49ers were third in the league in rushing at 137.6 yards per game.

"The biggest thing here is [Harbaugh] has a quarterback that allows him to do much more than line up and run the ball off tackle," Hanlon said. "I've never been against the spread formation and using your quarterback to do other things. The idea is to have the ability to run the power attack in your arsenal. You have to be able to get off the ball."

Kaepernick, though, hasn't shown the anticipation skills necessary to be a quarterback who thrives in the pocket.

"... Kaepernick remains predominantly a pre-determined thrower," NFL Films' Greg Cosell wrote via Yahoo Sports last Thursday. "If that pre-determined throw is not there, his tendency is to break down in the pocket, drop his eyes and look to move."

The untangling of a complex offense begins up front, and it could be as easy as getting back to the basics.

DENVER'S SAVVY LINE CHANGE

The Broncos' midseason tweak to the offensive line has paid off. Needing more agility up front, they moved Will Montgomery to center, allowing Manny Ramirez to switch to right guard -- his more natural position. Ramirez's shift moved Pro Bowl guard Louis Vazquez to right tackle, where he played last season when Orlando Franklin was placed on injured reserve. This mix-and-match has Denver's running game hitting its stride.

While second-year running back C.J. Anderson received the bulk of the credit in last week's divisional win against the Chiefs, the changes up front have Denver poised to sustain success on the ground.

Montgomery, 31, who walked on at Virginia Tech as a defensive tackle, was drafted in the 2006 by then-Panthers coach John Fox.

The real test comes this week as Denver hosts the Buffalo Bills, who lead the league in sacks (48). Teams with elite pass rushers, a la the St. Louis Rams, give Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning trouble.

SPEAKING OF THE RAMS ...

Pro Football Focus rated Rams rookie Aaron Donald the No. 1 rated defensive tackle in the game after last week's performance.

Donald leads all rookie defenders in sacks with six and consistently disrupts the pocket. His real strength is defending against the run. With a deep crop of productive first-year defenders making a case for defensive rookie of the year, Donald has come on strong down the stretch.

"And some thought he was too small (6-1, 285) to deal with double teams," an NFC personnel man told FOXSports.com. "It's his first-step quickness that makes him so special. His strength and leverage gives him a chance to win on each play. He's special."