Position Preview: Defensive Line

TDJets72027 · Jul 26, 2007

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (11)
New: DT Aubrayo Franklin (5th year), DE Ray McDonald (rookie), DE Zach Anderson (rookie), DT Joe Cohen (rookie), DE Darius Sanders (rookie)
Returners: DE Marques Douglas (7th year), DE Ronald Fields (3rd year), DE Melvin Oliver (2nd year, INJURED), DE Sam Rayburn (5th year), DT Isaac Sopoaga (3rd year), DE Bryant Young (14th year)
Departed: DE Anthony Adams, DE Damane Duckett (moved to offensive line)

The 49ers defensive line is comprised of a versatile group of experienced veterans and youthful talent. Bryant Young, one of the most dominant and respected players to ever play the game, enters his 14th season with the 49ers after ranking second on the team with 5.5 sacks in 2006. Despite his age, Young was a Pro Bowl alternate last year and will start at either end position in the 3-4 defense as he switched from the defensive tackle slot in 2005.

Bryant is a phenomenal athlete, said Manusky. Hes got vision, quickness, power, speed and knowledge of the game. Im just very happy hes here with us. Hes a great role model for the younger guys coming in.

The team fields a handful of players that have experience playing both the end and tackle positions. Marques Douglas and Ronald Fields each saw action at both positions in 2006. Douglas, who started 16 games, recorded the most tackles (75) of any 49ers defensive lineman, while Fields saw action in 13 games with nine starts.

The 49ers added depth and experience to their defensive front this offseason by signing Aubrayo Franklin. Franklin, who is slotted as the 49ers starting nose tackle, reunites with head coach Mike Nolan after spending his first four years as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

Aubrayo can go to the ball and he has very good initial quickness, said Nolan. He understands blocking schemes well and he is a good, tough guy that will help us inside.

A veteran of 53 games with the Philadelphia Eagles, free agent acquisition Sam Rayburn is well-suited to play any of the three positions in the 49ers 3-4 scheme. Third-year defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga will look to compete at nose tackle. The massive defender saw action in 15 games with two starts last year.

Rookie draft picks Ray McDonald and Joe Cohen will be counted on to provide solid depth along the line, while rookie free agents Zach Anderson (Louisville) and Darius Sanders (Oregon) hope to turn heads during training camp. Melvin Oliver, who suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to this years training camp, will look to next season to build upon a strong rookie campaign that saw him play in all 16 games with 14 starts.
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http://www.sf49ers.com/pressbox/news_detail.php?PRKey=3180

BarlOwens · Jul 26, 2007

The achilles heel of this defense is right here....Douglas is solid, but Bryant Young is aging and our NT is highly questionable..if they don't get solid pressure and run clogging up the gut, this could be another long year...

49er Ninja · Jul 27, 2007

hopefully franklin can bring some stability in the middle...

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Position Preview: Defensive Line

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