Position Preview: Linebackers

TDJets72027 · Jul 26, 2007

LINEBACKERS (12)
New: LB Tully Banta-Cain (5th year), LB Colby Bockwoldt (4th year), LB Jay Moore (rookie), LB John Syptak (1st year), LB Patrick Willis (rookie)
Returners: LB Parys Haralson (2nd year), LB Manny Lawson (2nd year), LB Brandon Moore (6th year), LB Roderick Green (4th year), LB Hannibal Navies (9th year), LB Derek Smith (11th year), LB Jeff Ulbrich (8th year)
Departed: LB Jay Foreman, LB TJ Slaughter, LB Renauld Williams

The switch to a 3-4 defense means the 49ers have the pleasure of putting an additional linebacker on the field this year. The transition couldnt have been better timed considering the veteran unit received a boost of fresh talent this offseason.

Manny Lawson, Derek Smith and Brandon Moore welcome a new starter to the unit in free agent acquisition Tully Banta-Cain (New England). The five-year veteran joins the team after spending his first four seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots. Banta-Cain, who has a knack for rushing the passer from the outside linebacker position in the Patriots 3-4 defense, posted 5.5 sacks last year despite starting only seven games.

Its very important to get the players that fit the scheme, said Manusky of the new additions to the linebacker unit. Over the years that Mike (Nolan) has been a head coach and defensive coordinator in this league, he has come to understand what it takes to accumulate good talent in the 3-4 defense.

Opposite Banta-Cain is where Lawson will line up as the second-year player looks to build upon a solid rookie season that saw him play all 16 games with 11 starts. Standing at 65, Lawson

showed his versatility in 2006 when he lined up at the outside linebacker position after playing defensive end throughout his entire collegiate career. A change of position also meant a change of responsibility as he was asked to drop back into coverage quite often. His athleticism was on display when the 49ers traveled to St. Louis and Lawson made one of the most exciting plays of the year on defense. With QB Marc Bulger dropping back to pass, Lawson dropped into coverage and read the intended pass perfectly, snatching the ball out of the air for an interception. He went on to finish the season with 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

If you are going to play a 3-4 defense, you need two big-tall trees on the outside that can set the edge and pass rush, said Manusky of the units current personnel. We got a number of guys here that can do that, which will be very beneficial to the team.

Smith, a fierce competitor who has seen action 153 games with 149 starts, is slotted to start at one of the inside linebacker positions and is looking to rebound from an eye injury that forced him to miss three contests last year. Despite the injury, he still ranked second on the team in tackles (93), barely missing the 100-tackle plateau for the first time in his career.

Brandon Moore lines up alongside Smith after taking full advantage of extra playing time in 2006. The six-year veteran set career marks in tackles (114) and sacks (6.5) on his way to becoming a full-fledge starter. A versatile player throughout his career, Moore has the ability to play the outside linebacker and defensive end position in certain formations.

The 49ers already have plans for their first round selection in this years draft. Willis joins the 49ers after a successful college career that saw him earn the coveted twinky Butkus Award, given annually to the nations top linebacker. As the 11th overall pick in the 2007 draft, Willis is slotted to play in third-down and nickel packages entering training camp, but will look to push for more action as the season progresses. 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary is excited about Willis potential.

Patrick has a good work ethic and hes a very coachable young man, said Singletary. Im very excited to see what he brings to our defense. He certainly has a lot of tools - very talented, a lot of speed, good size to go with that speed, and he finds the football. He makes a lot of plays a playmaker. Im very excited to have him.

Veterans Jeff Ulbrich and Colby Bockwoldt will look to provide depth inside. Ulbrich showed his versatility in 2006, starting six games at right inside linebacker before lining up at middle linebacker for three games in place of Smith. The eight-year veteran, who has played in 84 career games with 70 starts, ranked tied for fourth on the team in tackles (74) in addition to making an impact on special teams. Bockwoldt, a former seventh round draft pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2004, adds veteran experience to San Francisco after starting 24 of 48 games played in his career. In 2005, Bockwoldt set a career-high with 93 tackles before joining the Titans in 2006, where he was a standout special teamer with a team-high 20 special teams stops.

Hannibal Navies, Parys Haralson and Roderick Green will provide depth within the outside linebacker rotation. Navies, a proven starter who has seen action in 91 games with 49 starts, joined the 49ers late in 2006 and stepped right into the lineup as he started at both outside and middle linebacker. Haralson had his rookie campaign cut short to seven games last year due to injury after being selected in the fifth round of last seasons draft, while Green made the most of his playing time with the 49ers last season as he registered 4.5 sacks in nine games played.
Jay Moore, the 49ers fourth round draft pick this year out of Nebraska, is known for his pass-rushing ability and will look to transition into the outside linebacker position after spending his collegiate career lining up at defensive end.

Jays a big, very athletic player that played both up and down at Nebraska, said Nolan. Hes a good, solid player. Its a little bit of a position change, but not totally because he can play up and down.

John Syptak rounds out the unit and will look to make a mark on special teams to distinguish himself in a crowded linebacker unit.
Click to expand...

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BarlOwens · Jul 26, 2007

wtf...smith better not be a starter..I've wasted enough breath on that piece of trashes complete mockery he's made of the ILB position...

TDJets72027 · Jul 26, 2007

Don't worry Barl, I know Pat Willis will start

MichaelVick7 · Jul 26, 2007

this doesnt even matter to me, its not like they can catch me anyway

49er Ninja · Jul 27, 2007

I hoping for a pretty good season for this group, particularily Bant-Cain, Willis and Lawson...I hope Harlyson can shake the injury bug he had last year and make a contribution. Hopefully Moore can have same year he had the first part of last season....

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