As the 49ers get set to embark Monday on their first of 12 days of organized team activities over three weeks, let's take a closer look at the 49ers on both sides of the ball. First up, we'll examine the defense. The unit is likely to feature five new starters from a year ago, when the club ranked 26th overall, 19th against the run and 26th against the pass.
* * *
DEFENSIVE LINE: I'll take particular notice where guys are lining up when I go out to watch the first day of the 49ers' organized team activities on Monday. For instance, I was under the impression Bryant Young would play left end and Ronald Fields would play right end. But during the team's first minicamp, Fields lined up exclusively on the left side. B.Y. did not participate in the minicamp, so he could attend the funeral of former teammate Kevin Mitchell.
Left defensive end: Fields got most of the first-team reps here during the team's minicamp the weekend after the draft. Melvin Oliver, who started 14 games as a rookie, will be hard-pressed in his second NFL season to see as much action in this new defensive alignment.
Nose tackle: Aubrayo Franklin, a 334-pound free-agent pickup from the Ravens, gets his first chance to be a full-time starter. Isaac Sopoaga and rookie Joe Cohen will battle for a spot in the rotation.
Right defensive end: Bryant Young can probably play either side. He has been the team's most consistent pass-rusher throughout his career, so it would seem to make sense to place him on this side. Veteran Marques Douglas lined up here with the first team. Rookie Ray McDonald should see action here.
Wild-cards: Undrafted rookies Zach Anderson (Louisville) and Darius Sanders (Oregon), along with NFL Europa's John Syptak will try to find their niches.
* * *
LINEBACKERS: The 49ers went out and signed starter Tully Banta-Cain from the Patriots to be the team's main pass-rusher., They spent the No. 11 overall selection on inside linebacker Patrick Willis. The 49ers also picked up a free-agent backup/special-teamer Colby Bockwoldt.
Strong side outside linebacker: Depending on their defensive package, you will probably see the outside linebackers switching back and forth. During their first minicamp, Manny Lawson spent most of his time lining up on the side of the tight end. Lawson will be asked to do more pass-rushing this season. Rookie Jay Moore and Hannibal Navies also play this spot behind Lawson.
Strong side inside linebacker: Brandon Moore and Derek Smith are the two inside backers best-suited to play this position. Moore, 28, took full advantage of his first opportunity to be a full-time starter a year ago and led the team in tackles. He is up to 255 pounds, which gives him more bulk to be taking on blockers.
Weak side inside linebacker: While Smith's better spot is the strong side position, he will head into camp as the top player on the depth chart on the weak side. But how long will he be able to hold off Willis? Willis is already penciled in for playing time in the 49ers' third-down package, but if he performs up to expectations, he should be able seize a starting job. Jeff Ulbrich and Bockwoldt provide depth.
Weak side outside linebacker: Again, Banta-Cain could see action on both sides. But wherever he lines up, he will be expected to give the 49ers the kind of consistent pass rush the club lacked last season. Roderick Green, who beat Walter Jones for a couple big sacks last season, and Parys Haralson also have the ability to get after the quarterback.
Wild-cards: Undrafted rookie Steve Dildine (Washington State) faces a tough task of trying to win a job at one of the inside spots.
* * *
SECONDARY: On the first day of free-agency, the 49ers struck deals to land starter Nate Clements and Michael Lewis. The 49ers also addressed the corner and safety positions in the draft with the additions of Dashon Goldson and Tarell Brown.
Left cornerback: Clements is being counted upon to be the 49ers' lockdown corner. He'll line up on the left side (the side that sees most of the passes) and the 49ers might choose to have him shadow the opponents' top receiver from time to time.
Right cornerback: It's difficult to believe Walt Harris would not be a starter this season after the way he played in earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. But he won't just be given the job. Shawntae Spencer will push him. Either way, the 49ers should have the best three corners they've had in a long, long time. And behind their top three are Brown, Marcus Hudson, Donald Strickland and B.J. Tucker.
Strong safety: Michael Lewis wasn't awarded $9.8 million in guaranteed money to stand on the sideline. He'll be a starter, supplanting Keith Lewis, who brought an attitude that the secondary was lacking last season when he was promoted to the starting lineup.
Free safety: Mark Roman generally played well last season, and his ability to make plays should be enhanced this season with better play from the corners. Goldson and Vickiel Vaughn will compete for a role behind Roman.
Wild-cards: Undrafted rookies CB Sammy Joseph (LSU) and S Jake Patten (Virginia Tech), as well as NFL Europa's Jermaine Hardy hope to make strong impressions.
* * *
SPECIAL TEAMS: Punter Andy Lee has taken some nice steps in each of his first three seasons. Last season, he had the best season for a 49ers punter since the team moved into Candlestick Park. The club locked him up to a long-term extension, matching the Steelers' offer sheet. Long-snapper Brian Jennings is still one of the best in the biz. Keith Lewis, Bockwoldt and Ulbrich, along with running backs Michael Robinson and Maurice Hicks, and the incoming rookies should bolster the team's coverage units. Punter Ken Parrish of East Stroudsburg has the unenviable task of trying to win a job from an incumbent who just received a large paycheck.
* * *
The most engaging competition for a starting job should be at the inside linebacker spot between Derek Smith and Patrick Willis. It's also worth keeping an eye on right cornerback, where Walt Harris is favored in his competition with Shawntae Spencer. The two defensive end spots also are worth watching. Bryant Young will be one starter. Ronald Fields appears to be a slight favorite to start on the other side against the rest of the field. But the competition does not stop there. A lot of linemen are in the mix to get into the D-line rotation.
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: darklord (04/06/2007 4:24:03 PM)
Comment: i think Hudson will be the FS back up. He probably is being groomed to replace Roman.
We moved him to corner last year out of desperation.
Posted By: Jon (03/06/2007 10:34:37 PM)
Comment: foreveryoung49er,
McNolan drafted Dashon to be a FS. Vaughn cannot stay healthy. He was hurt last year and this year he broke his hand b-4 NFLE. There wasn't much FS help on the market, and McNolan doesn't like overpaying. They prefer to build through the draft. Dashon is untested, but he is supposed to project as a pretty good FS...physical, fast (for a safety) with good cover skills. Don't be suprised if he really comes on in the second half of the season. I don't think they wanted to waste money on FA's that were not much fof an improvement over what we already had
Posted By: JasonJ (03/06/2007 10:10:30 AM)
Comment: Kevin and Matt both rock it. Matt has definately been making some distance on Kevin the past couple years, in fact, If Matt were to start doing a weekly podcast, he might be the best blogger in the whole league. Podcast, Podcast, Podcast...
Posted By: JasonJ (03/06/2007 10:10:21 AM)
Comment: Kevin and Matt both rock it. Matt has definately been making some distance on Kevin the past couple years, in fact, If Matt were to start doing a weekly podcast, he might be the best blogger in the whole league. Podcast, Podcast, Podcast...
Posted By: ShaneO (03/06/2007 10:08:30 AM)
Comment: Hey matt I love your blogs man!! are you going to do one of these on the Offense as well that would be awesome thank you.
Posted By: Omar (03/06/2007 10:07:08 AM)
Comment: Wasn't Lewis our starting FS last year; didn't he do for the secondary what Moore did for the Front 7...where was Roman?
Posted By: DENNIS L. HART (03/06/2007 9:45:25 AM)
Comment: matt, the way you broke down the defense and looking at the line up that we have and the talant that goes along with it, the niners will be holding their own this year and i think the the swagger will be back and the defense will have an attitude that we haven't hade in while, i live in the carolina's and i can't wait to see them in charlotte against those citty cats, i can't wait, it's been a long time comming for 49ers to bounce back, nfl take notice!!!!!
Posted By: Cheese (03/06/2007 7:16:07 AM)
Comment: What's up Matt! I like how you place a strong emphasis on the battle between Derek Smith and Patrick Willis for one of the inside linebacker positions. I agree that Brandon Moore played very well last year. I hope Derek Smith recovers from eye surgery because I believe he has played very well for the team. If he is back to full strength, Derek Smith & Patrick Willis provides the Niners with a tandem that will be compared to the one of the best in the league. If Derek can't beat Willis out, then Brandon Moore & Patrick Willis will possibly be compared the same way. Either scenario provides the Niners something that we have been lacking since our last playoff run. We have enough in our arsenal to contend with the best in the league now. It may sound crazy, but its true. We have enough cornerbacks now, THANK GOD! I also agree with Mike Nolan on how it is essential to create competition throughout the team, because now we have to face the Cardinals(who we did not beat last year?), Rams(Holt,Bruce, & Drew Bennett), & Seahawks(They still have good enough receivers to contend even though we stole their best receiver!) I live in NJ, but I have waited along with you guys for quite sometime now for a successful playoff run to the Super Bowl. We are the best franchise to ever play in the NFL, its time we played like it!
Posted By: foreveryoung49ers (03/06/2007 4:09:43 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt,
at your free safety spot please name a better backup, because there might be a big hole after Roman. Vickiel Vaughn has just 3 tackles and two passes deflected as a Thunder backup in a pass defense that gives up the second most net yards per play. And Golston is an unproven 4th round pick. Will Keith Lewis or a cornerback fit as a backup?
Yesterday I saw Maxwell perform vs. Cologne. He added a touchdown and plays just great in a good offense!!! I hope to see him win a world bowl ring!
Thank you for your insights! Greetings from Germany!
Posted By: klaus49 (03/06/2007 3:51:28 AM)
Comment: Omar, Blade
K. Lewis is definitely not a free safety, not enough coverage skills. With the current roster setup, Roman is kinda uncontested at the FS spot.
Posted By: mark (03/06/2007 2:05:18 AM)
Comment: matt--any thoughts on whether 49ers might be interested in georgia cornerback paul oliver or maryland offensive tackle jared gaither if they are available in nfl supplemental draft? and can you comment on recent reports of possible niners interest in former eagles and colts def lineman corey simon
Posted By: gyred (02/06/2007 10:48:55 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt -- Great post. There might be a typo in the name of one of the DE's: the post has "John Sytak" but this might be John Syptak. At about 250 lbs. he might also be a bit small for DE. I thought he was being groomed for more of an OLB.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. I've made the correction. --Matt M.
Posted By: Blade (02/06/2007 10:22:28 PM)
Comment: i'd like to agree with omar K lewis is an animal why wouldnt he get the nod?
Posted By: Omar (02/06/2007 9:22:24 PM)
Comment: Why is Roman starting over K. Lewis...
Posted By: Harry B (02/06/2007 9:14:30 PM)
Comment: Matt, you are by far the best 49er beat reporter of anyone in the Bay Area (apologies to Kevin Lynch). I love the way you analyze the team position-by-position, exactly the way a hardcore fan would want it. My only criticism is that it was Lee who was signed to an offer sheet by Pittsburgh, not Jennings. Thing is, I know it must have been a typo or a copy mishap, cause I know you know your stuff. Keep doing what you do and giving Niners fans like me the stuff we're craving, both in the offseason and when the games start.
Response: Thanks, Harry. I added a sentence about Jennings, failing to realize I inserted it in the wrong spot. --Matt M.
Posted By: Sandeep (02/06/2007 4:58:20 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt- I have a question about the first minicamp- does the team still do the "beep test"? I remember hearing about Jeff Garcia and Brandon Doman having close finishes in that a few years back, but haven't heard anything since then. Does Nolan still do this? Did Erickson even do this?
Posted By: Gabriel Mury - Brazil (02/06/2007 4:10:36 PM)
Comment: Hi, Matt. So, any news regarding McDonald knees? I havent heard anything lately, so I was wondering: are the Niners planning on having him sit for this season or will he see some playing time?
Posted By: klaus49 (02/06/2007 4:05:26 PM)
Comment: Maxwell scored another TD today in NFL Europe to go with 81 yards receiving.
Posted By: oneniner (02/06/2007 2:12:30 PM)
Comment: Hi Dave...we are also deep at LB....never heard of a 3-3-5....i believe in the 3-4 there is enough flexibility to play any type of defense, every position in the 3-4 is not as it seem in the tranditional 4-3 ...i.e in the 3-4 its normal for a safety to play the LB position or just have one guy playing multiple positions during the game....what nolan is doing is trying to re-build what they did in baltimore, that was where his coaching philosophy was proven, that fast attacking confusing defense. i have a feeling we would see the defense in the 46 defensive formation this coming season...i am so excited, i have been watching the ravens from the start now i get to see my team become not just like them, but better because we have an offense...Go NINERS!!!!
Posted By: klaus49, Germany (02/06/2007 1:14:59 PM)
Comment: Matt, great blog entry, thanks for the overview. Only hte season will tell of course, but from reading your entry I have the feeling that Safety is our weakest spot. We have two run-stopping-only strong safeties in the Lewises, an average-at-best free safety in Mark Roman and absolutely nobody behind them who has even remotely proven anything.
With the overflow at CB, why wouldn't the team think about moving Marcus Hudson to Safety?
Posted By: Steve (02/06/2007 1:11:36 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt!
How do you think Parys Haralson will be used this year? Will he be rotating in with Banta -Cain?
Posted By: Scott (02/06/2007 12:32:54 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt,
Do you by chance know if the recent niners mini camp will be featured on nfl networks, one hour long, "Inside Mini Camp" show?
They started off with the nfc west, but then skipped the 49ers. Do you know or can you find out if there were people filming there that weekend?
Thanks,
Scott
Posted By: J.C. in Sunnyvale (02/06/2007 12:31:04 PM)
Comment: Matt I wanted to thank you for your blog. In itself, it is a great source for 49ers information. But its impact is even greater becuase now the other papers that don't cover the 49ers as well as you are starting to beef up their coverage to try to keep up with you. Thank you!
Posted By: Dave (02/06/2007 12:10:09 PM)
Comment: Nice Matt. Keep up the good work. I've heard that since we're much deeper @ the corner position now we'll be running the nickel formation more this season (esp since we're in the NFC West). In these situations are we going to run a 3 man DL base (3-3-5), or will we run a traditional nickel (4-2-5)?
Search
Recent Postings
- New location for Matt Maiocco's 49ers blog
- Gore, Willis as leaders are works in progress
- Nolan on Davis: Two out of three ain't bad
- Blitz was not the 49ers' friend vs. Patriots
- Somber post-game 49ers locker room
- Bloggin' live from the 49ers-Pats game
- Patriots don't look so imposing without Brady
- Reflective TBC to make season debut against Pats
- Talking 'big sub' and 'sub' with Manusky
- Niners' post-practice (for Pats) update
RSS Feeds
Blog Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Categories
Links
- Press Democrat Sports Section
- Welcome to Instant 49ers (video)
- "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" by Roger Craig and Matt Maiocco
- "49ers: Where Have You Gone" by Matt Maiocco
- 49ers official Web site
- ESPN's NFC West blog (Mike Sando)
- Depth charts of every NFL team
- Breaking NFL news
- "A Method for Planning a Game," By Bill Walsh, 1983
- NFL.com
- NFL records and rules
- Individual/team statistics from Washington Post/STATS, Inc.
- NFC/AFC Conference Standings
- NFL Draft Scout
- USA Today's NFL salary database
- Unofficial 49ers salary cap status
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Draft pick trade chart
- NFL draft first-round order (updated weekly)
- Mike Nolan bio
- Passer-rating calculator
- 2008 NFL TV coverage maps
- Brad Mangin: Expert Bay Area sports photographer
- Eric Gilmore's Bay Area Sports Beat
- Who is J.T. O'Sullivan?
Archived Posts
- November, 2009
- October, 2009
- September, 2009
- August, 2009
- July, 2009
- June, 2009
- May, 2009
- April, 2009
- March, 2009
- February, 2009
- January, 2009
- December, 2008
- November, 2008
- October, 2008
- September, 2008
- August, 2008
- July, 2008
- June, 2008
- May, 2008
- April, 2008
- March, 2008
- February, 2008
- January, 2008
- December, 2007
- November, 2007
- October, 2007
- September, 2007
- August, 2007
- July, 2007
- June, 2007
- May, 2007
- April, 2007
- March, 2007
- February, 2007
- January, 2007
- December, 2006
- November, 2006
- October, 2006
- September, 2006
- August, 2006
- July, 2006