49ers coach Kyle Shanahan faces former assistant now with Rams

SANTA CLARA - Kyle Shanahan helped create a monster. This Sunday, he has to face it.

The monster is the Los Angeles Rams offense.

It's the NFL's No. 1 offense, and it's loaded with excellent players, such as quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley and wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.

Of course, Shanahan has nothing to do with the Rams roster. But their offensive scheme evolved from him. Rams head coach Sean McVay worked under Shanahan from 2010 to 2013 when they were on the Washington Redskins. McVay was the tight ends coach, and Shanahan was the offensive coordinator. He groomed McVay, shaped his offensive philosophy.

This week, a reporter asked McVay about his experience in Washington with Shanahan.

“I wouldn't really say it was a give and take,” McVay explained on a conference call. “I would say it was more me taking information from him, and him giving. The way he prepared was so impressive. The way he saw the game. His ability to make (runs and play-action passes) look the same. His ability to attack defensive structures and rules and manipulate things. He's a great coach.”

McVay was merely 24 when Washington hired him in 2010. Shanahan was 31. Shanahan already had been an offensive coordinator for two seasons with the Houston Texans. He was Yoda compared to McVay.

“We brought in what I had run in Houston, and adjusted it to the different quarterbacks we had (in Washington),” Shanahan said. “Sean was very good. We put a lot of that stuff in together. We've gone some different directions over the last few years (with our schemes), but when you turn on the tape, (our offenses are) very similar.”

Every core principle of McVay's scheme comes from Shanahan. “I learned so much from him with regards to the timing (of outside-zone blocking),” McVay said. “(I learned) how to create explosive plays through the pass game (without putting) a lot of stress on your guys up front, with regards to play-action, (pocket) movement and changing launch points. I learned so much football both offensively and defensively from him, and I'm forever indebted for that.”

McVay and Shanahan split in 2014. Shanahan became the offensive coordinator for Cleveland Browns and McVay replaced Shanahan as the Redskins offensive coordinator under Washington's new head coach, Jay Gruden.

The next few seasons, McVay evolved. He began primarily using what coaches call “11 personnel,” meaning three wide receivers, one running back and one tight end. This was a major departure from Shanahan, who mostly uses “21 personnel” - two receivers, one running back, one fullback and one tight end.

Now, the Rams offense has three receivers on the field nearly every play, and never a fullback. That's the main difference between it and the 49ers offense, which usually includes a fullback. But McVay's philosophy of using one personnel grouping almost exclusively comes from Shanahan.

“It's a key philosophy,” McVay said, “and something I have really learned from Kyle. When you look at successful offenses around the league, there is a clear-cut identity, but also a level of uncertainty with regards to what is coming next, and I think Kyle has as good a feel as anybody at setting things up.

“For us, it goes back to our players. You want to do a great job of getting your best guys on the field as much as possible, and we feel really fortunate with our receivers. (For the 49ers), I know the versatility that (fullback) Kyle Juszczyk has. Shanahan does a phenomenal job utilizing him in a variety of ways that make him difficult to defend, especially out of that 21 personnel grouping.”

Meaning both coaches evolved to suit the strengths of their rosters.

These days, Shanahan and McVay are rivals. They're head coaches in the same division, and McVay has the upper hand. His record is 17-5, while Shanahan's is 7-15. Their relationship has changed since the days when Shanahan would speak and McVay would take notes.

“We certainly still talk,” McVay said. “I wish we didn't have to play twice a year, so we could be a little more open with our dialogue. We're fortunate to even be in these roles, so I'll take it, but I would prefer not to have Kyle Shanahan in our division.”

Ultimate respect from the protégé to the mentor.

Notes

The following players returned to practice as limited participants after sitting out Wednesday: wide receiver Pierre Garcon (shoulder, knee), right guard Mike Person (knee), center Weston Richburg (knee), left tackle Joe Staley (knee), cornerback K'Waun Williams (shoulder) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion).

Rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis did not practice. He injured his knee fielding a punt against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 30 and hasn't played in a game since. The 49ers traded up into the second round to get Pettis. He has three catches and 96 receiving yards this season.