By Dan Arkush
Oct. 3, 2008

More from PFW • Brees' costly picks leave team out of postseason picture, 12/1/2008 6:54:47 PM • Cave under Steelers' pressure, 12/1/2008 6:54:47 PM • Cardinals switch punters, 12/1/2008 6:54:47 PM • Packers put Barnett, Pettway on I.R., cut Frost, 12/1/2008 6:54:47 PM • Cardinals delighted with play of newcomer Spach, 11/8/2008 6:20:03 PM Related Topics • Barry Sims • National Football League • San Francisco 49ers • National Football Conference • NFC West Division • David Baas • Mike Martz • Jonas Jennings • J.T. O'Sullivan • Adam Snyder

Updated at 10:01 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 6

With a league-leading 20 sacks allowed through five games, the Niners’ serious problems in pass protection don’t appear to have an easy solution. “There’s really not much they can do right now,” one team insider told PFW. “The only option appears to be moving (starting OLG) Adam Snyder to right tackle to replace Barry Sims and playing David Baas at left guard.” Sims, who has been starting in place of the injured Jonas Jennings, was totally dominated by Saints DE Charles Grant in Week Four. “But he might have just had the game from hell,” the insider said. “He hadn’t been bad before that game.” As big a problem as any, according to daily team observers, is Mike Martz’s preference for plays in his offense that take more than the normal time to develop, with QB J.T. O’Sullivan primarily taking seven-step drops that give opposing pass rushers more time to get to him.