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Robert Saleh's latest defensive wrinkle bodes poorly for rookie defenders

Related Topics: Robert Saleh, Jason Pinnock

In his second stint as San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh has shown his evolution as a defensive mind, bringing exotic blitzes and new coverage schemes to freshen up the defense.

His next evolution? A new base defense he brought out against the New Orleans Saints.

During the Week 2 game against the Saints, the Niners lined up safeties Jason Pinnock, Marquis Sigle, and J'Ayir Brown on the field together, along with their two cornerbacks and two linebackers. This defensive formation is known as a 4-2-5 defense, because there are four down linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs (with the three safeties).