SANTA CLARA – Rookie right tackle Trent Brown played nine snaps of offense prior to an injury that forced him into action Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Brown played 34 snaps and graded out very well, allowing just one quarterback hurry on 33 plays in pass protection in the 49ers' 24-14 loss at Levi's Stadium.
So with all the issues the 49ers have experienced on the offensive line – and with the struggles of veteran right tackle Erik Pears – what took the 49ers so long to get Brown into the mix?
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“There were some things that he did that were really good,” 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said. “We’ve still got to keep cleaning up when things change in front of us. When the games and the blitzes and things like that, we’re still in that process of getting that cleaned up. But he is progressing really well and I thought he did a nice job.”
Brown agreed with the assessment that he has experienced difficulty with his adjustments when confronted with ever-changing movements from the defensive front.
“I’m getting better at that,” Brown said. “If it was better, I’d probably be playing a lot more before now.”
Tomsula said Brown could see more action in the final two games of the season if he proves in practices this week that he’s “got everything clean.” If Marcus Martin is unable to play due to a concussion, Brown is likely to get his first career start Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Martin started at right guard against the Bengals, with Daniel Kilgore making his first start at center in more than a year due to a lower-leg fracture.
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And if all goes well, Brown, a seventh-round pick from Florida, could work his way into the 49ers’ lineup next season. At 6 foot 8, 347 pounds, Brown has shown the size and quick feet to be a future starter.
Another young player who has shown signs of being part of the solution on the team’s line is Andrew Tiller, who has started the past five games after taking over at right guard for the overmatched Jordan Devey.
Tiller’s delayed ascension to the starting lineup was also a case of the coaching staff not feeling as if Tiller had a strong enough command of his assignments, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst suggested last month. Since he has taken over, the 49ers have received a significant upgrade at that position.
Tiller, 26, is the 49ers’ second-rated offensive lineman behind left tackle Joe Staley, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading system. Tiller originally entering the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2012. He saw his first NFL regular-season action late last season with the 49ers.
Tiller opened this season on the practice squad before getting the promotion as the 49ers’ offensive line became more of a problem. With left guard Alex Boone out for the remainder of the season with a partially torn MCL in his right knee, the 49ers moved Tiller from the right side on Sunday. Boone is scheduled to be a free agent, and it appears a strong possibility he will not be back next season. So, obviously, the 49ers want to give Tiller a head start on filling that spot. Tiller said he feels more natural playing the right side, but the team wants to see how quickly he adapts to the left side.
“It’s just simple mechanics you got to work on, getting in a left-hand stance compared to the right,” Tiller said. “It didn’t go as well as I wanted it to. It’s a work in progress.”