Professor

49ers position-by-position: Defensive backs

excerpt:

The starting safety spots appear set for the season. Free-agent pickup Michael Lewis will start at strong safety after landing a six-year, $30 million deal that included $9.8 million in guaranteed bonuses.

Free safety will be handled by Mark Roman, the recipient of a three-year, $4.5 million extension at the end of last season that included $2 million guaranteed.

Lewis, who fell out of favor with the Eagles last season as they phased him out of the lineup, is known as a big hitter who will play one of the linebacker spots in the nickel coverage. He said he is determined to show his critics that he is an all-around safety, and that he is not a liability in pass defense.

Roman generally played well last season but the club would like to see him make more big plays. The best play of his season was when he duped Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck into believing he was playing one coverage and then doubled-back to make a crucial second-half interception in the end zone in the 49ers' victory in Seattle. With better cornerbacks in front of him, Roman should have more opportunities to make plays on the ball this season as a center-fielder.






I think this is a mistake, granted I know they got Banta Cain to be the rush the QB specialist, but lewis being the big hitter should be playing the line ala Roy Williams, he can play the run better and smash the quarterback. If they lean on him in coverage they are going to get burned, if he plays up at the line, he could make the probowl and have double digit sacks, nufced

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