Kurtenbach: The 49ers defense is leaning on rookies. Here’s how they did in Week 1

Kurtenbach: The 49ers defense is leaning on rookies. Here’s how they did in Week 1

Many things will define the 49ers’ season. Such is the nature of this complex game of football. But perhaps no factor — not star players, injuries, or field-goal kicking — will be as crucial to determining success or failure as the play of the 49ers’ defensive rookies. The Niners drafted six of them this past spring, and three were asked to be starters right out of the gate. And what did we see from the kids on Sunday in Seattle? A total mixed b…

Kurtenbach: The 49ers defense is leaning on rookies. Here's how they did in Week 1

Mykel Williams and Marques Sigle look like Robert Saleh favorites after one...