SANTA CLARA – Nick Bosa sagely gave pass-rushing tips to rookie Mykel Williams off to the side as Thursday’s practice began, just over a week until the 49ers ’ season starts.

That combination punch – the Bosa-Williams merger and their sack-seeking technique – very well could lead their defensive front’s resurgence.

But before the 49ers can chase down quarterbacks, their new cast of defenders must rediscover the franchise’s standard of first stopping the run, especially at run-oriented depots in Seattle and New Orleans to start the season.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is aware of that. He’s sensed a shift in the NFL, from pass-happy offenses back to old-school ground games churning out 3 yards-and-a-cloud-of-synthetic-turf-pellets.

“Teams are going more to running. You kind of

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