The 49ers have added a lot of new faces who figure to play prominent roles this season. Now that the OTAs have concluded, let's take a look at some of the more notable offseason acquisitions and see how they might fit into the picture:
--Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain: He will start at outside linebacker, and he's expected to be the team's top pass-rush threat. You'll see him line up primarily on the right side, where he'll be coming after the QB from the blind side. In OTAs, he showed his quickness and speed. He has a strong chance to be the team's first double-digit sack man since Andre Carter in 2002.
--Strong safety Michael Lewis: Despite what you might have read in other places, the 49ers are not having any kind of buyer's remorse after devoting $9.8 million in guaranteed money for him. Lewis is a physical player who by definition is not going to show all he can bring to a team when he's taking part in non-contact practices.
"He's a great character person," coach Mike Nolan said at the conclusion of OTAs. "He brings a lot to the football team. What he's done in pads is very good. So what you see in shorts is all great. It's nice to see what you're looking for in a player and person in shorts because you know in pads he's got it. I'd expect an even better player once we get to training camp because he's proven that."
--Wide receiver Ashley Lelie: He pulled a quad muscle on one of the first routes he ran in minicamp the weekend after the draft. When he tried to return on the first day of OTAs, he aggravated the injury. The 49ers expect him to be ready to go on the first day of training camp. They certainly have to be patient. After all, the 49ers awarded him a $2 million signing bonus for a reason. Unless something dramatic happens, they are going to give him every chance to earn his money.
--Wide receiver Darrell Jackson: The 49ers knew what they were getting with Jackson. He missed four late-season starts, including one playoff game with the Seahawks, due to a badly hyperextended left big toe (turf toe). Then, he played against the Bears after having the toe shot up. That only made the injury worse, and set him back a while. He did not begin rehabbing the injury until after the draft-day trade sent him to the 49ers in late April. The 49ers expect him to be ready to go on the first day of training camp. They'll probably give him regular days off during camp. Don't be surprised if Jackson moves to split end, and Arnaz Battle holds onto the starting flanker job.
--Cornerback Nate Clements: He seems to have already become one of the more popular guys on the team. Heck, he's even had an impact on Alex Smith and his teammates on the practice field.
"To look across the way and you're throwing the ball against Nate Clements - you have to be on top of your game if you want to hit it," Smith said. "That makes you better. You know your receiver has to run the right route and run it well and you have to throw a good ball. It's nice from a quarterback's perspective to have that challenge."
--Inside linebacker Patrick Willis: The day they drafted him at No. 11, Nolan said he would be the "starter" in the team's third-down package. The question is whether Willis can become the real starter at the "mike" inside-linebacker position ahead of veteran Derek Smith. It won't be easy. Smith is healthy, and he has a firm grasp on the defense. The competition should be very interesting to follow.
--Inside linebacker Colby Bockwoldt: He's a good special teamer. On the surface, he appears to be in direct competition with Jeff Ulbrich for a roster spot because they both essentially play the same position. But I've been told that both can make the final roster.
--Right tackle Joe Staley: The rookie got tons of valuable experience during OTAs because of Kwame Harris' back spasms. Because of that experience and the way he appeared to develop quickly, Staley has a very good chance to land in the starting lineup for the regular-season opener.
--Wide receiver Jason Hill: He was moved to the flanker position during OTAs. As talented as he is, it might be difficult for him to make much of an impact as a rookie.
--Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin: He was the key acquisition in the offseason that will enable the 49ers to run a 3-4 defense. At 320 pounds, he will be given his first chance to be a full-time starter in the NFL. The competition will come for the backup spots.
--Left defensive end Sam Rayburn: A defensive tackle during his four seasons with the Eagles, he looks as if he could be Bryant Young's top backup at left defensive end.
--Right defensive end Ray McDonald: His knees are holding up just fine. He has some solid competition for playing time at right defensive end, where Marques Douglas and Ronald Fields are lining up.
--Nose tackle Joe Cohen: Like McDonald comes from a winning program at Florida. He's in the mix to be the backup nose tackle. He'll be in direct competition with Isaac Sopoaga for that job.
Others: Outside linebacker Jay Moore, cornerback Tarell Brown, safety Dashon Goldson and running back Thomas Clayton should make the 53-man roster but might find it difficult to get on the field their rookie seasons. Undrafted rookie quarterback Luke Getsy will compete with Shaun Hill for the No. 3 job.
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Click here to read my story in today's Press Democrat about Alex Smith and the 49ers' offense.
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Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: mike (04/07/2007 7:49:08 AM)
Comment: There's no comparison to AThomas vs TBC. We busted our tail trying to get the guy & since Thomas didn't want to come to the West Coast give McNolan credit to jump quickly getting the next best FA LB. It's better than totally missing & getting nothing. The PATS lucked out getting their upgrade & we still got ours. Matt's seen many camps/OTA's so maybe he see's improvement in that LB spot esp him going after the QB..but yeah I hope TBC will hit the weight room & can improve his run D. He's naturally got a big body/mass to work with. If he put in the time he could strengthen up & also work on his technique shedding blockers. Bottom line, TBC will make our team better.
Posted By: Robby (24/06/2007 1:45:53 AM)
Comment: Without saying it, this article talks about one of the main roadblocks for the 9ers this year. And that is getting all this new talent to jell. Along with a little luck on the injury front, which all teams must deal with, and the progress of Alex Smith, getting all of this new talent on the same page might be the coaching staffs biggest challenge. If they can do that, especially on the defensive side of the ball and Alex Smith cand go from 16 td/16 int season to about 21/10, this could be the start of something very special.
Posted By: louie (23/06/2007 5:19:04 PM)
Comment: The interupting sheep and oneniner....That was exactly my point! I couldn't understand why Matt thought so highly of him. I am well aware that Adalius Thomas is much better, I just wanted to keep Matt honest.
Posted By: justafan (23/06/2007 1:55:43 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt ... any chance of posting the comments from interested readers in the reverse order so we can begin reading them right after your article instead of having to scroll down to the end
Posted By: The Interrupting Sheep (23/06/2007 6:19:29 AM)
Comment: Matt, great stuff as ever, keep it up man.
Louie, oneniner said it well. If you saw NE's playoff game against the Chargers, you might have noticed that they picked on Banta-Cain in the running game and completely trampled him. It was even worse than what teams used to do to Julian Peterson in '05 ;). NE replaced him in the starting lineup for the next game against the Colts. Tully will need to prove that he can take on blockers in the running game as well as the passing game.
Posted By: Nate-Skee (23/06/2007 6:07:29 AM)
Comment: Matt...you bring the fix for this Niner Junkie. What about Michael Robinson and Delaine Walker. These two had great outings last year during training camp and Pre-Season; do they still fit into Nolan's plans? They both seem to be bruisers that can catch and run with the ball.
Posted By: Pat (23/06/2007 1:10:07 AM)
Comment: Matt, love your stuff. What do you think the chances are that the Niners keep only 2 QB's this year so they can free up another roster spot? Seems to make sense to me especially with the added depth and the fact that Smith took every snap last year.
Posted By: Heath (22/06/2007 8:17:39 PM)
Comment: Matt...does this mean you think running back Thomas Clayton will beat at Hicks for a spot on the roster?
Posted By: oneniner (22/06/2007 6:52:53 PM)
Comment: louie... A Thomas can do wht banta-cain can do and MORE...A Thomas played multiple positions last yr and in the probowl....Banta can get sacks he only needs to prove he can be above average wen stoppin the run....JAMAL...maybe Alex was so good at hitting his receivers...remember one of Clements strength is being physical, i doubt he was physical during OTA's....I read Clements thinks we are a super bowl team on the team website.....MATT...Can you please tell us a lil bit more about HILL, i would think with the injury to lilie he his getting lots of opportunity...
Posted By: louie (22/06/2007 6:20:56 PM)
Comment: Matt-
It's a good sign that you think so highly of Banta-Cain, but if he is that good why would New England let him go and then pay a fortune to Adalius Thomas? And what about Manny Lawson?
Posted By: Andrew from Sydney (22/06/2007 3:52:58 PM)
Comment: Hey Baz
OTA stands for Organized Team Activity.
Posted By: BAZ (22/06/2007 3:28:27 PM)
Comment: Rookie question here. What does "OTA" mean?
Posted By: Jamal (22/06/2007 3:26:38 PM)
Comment: I've noticed that Nate Clements hasn't gotten many interceptions throughout OTA's or atleast I haven't been reading about it. Has Alex Smith and Dilfer shied away from throwing in his direction like most QBs who played against him when he was with the Bills?
Posted By: mick13 (22/06/2007 3:16:18 PM)
Comment: Matt:
How much cap room do the Niners have, minus the amount set aside for the rooks.? There may be some training camp cuts that would be good pickups.
Posted By: Jim in Walnut Creek (22/06/2007 2:13:49 PM)
Comment: First mention of Hill being moved to the Z for OTA's. Puzzling. With Lelie being so shakey, isn't a healthy burner needed at the X? Can you expain alittlemore about the WR depth chart, as you presently see it?
Posted By: StonerLab (22/06/2007 1:44:01 PM)
Comment: I just saw ESPN's NFL Live & Eric Allen predicts that the 49ers will unseat the Seahawks & take their place back at the top of the division. Very encouraging coupled with Matt's take on all the new additions & how they will evovle on the playing field. Wow!...what a combo! It's going to be hard & I'll be chomping on the bit for the next 6 weeks? What to do until then? I can't wait for training camp & pre-season!
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