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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Nolan banking on foursome to be fearsome
Nolan banking on foursome to be fearsome
Quote:
It was only a matter of time before defense-minded Mike Nolan put his brand on the 49ers' defense. As it turned out, he seared a number of irons into the hide of the beast.
First, he jettisoned defensive coordinator Billy Davis and replaced him with Greg Manusky from the San Diego Chargers.
Then, as soon as the free-agency period began in March, he signed top-shelf cornerback Nate Clements to an $80 million contract, with some of that loot merely theoretical. Just getting warmed up, he next got a nose tackle he was familiar with from his days with the Baltimore Ravens, Aubrayo Franklin; an outside linebacker with two Super Bowl rings from the New England Patriots, Tully Banta-Cain; and an upgrade at strong safety in Michael Lewis from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now the head coach will watch with interest how his revamped defense comes together in training camp under the direction of Manusky. Early impressions from the four players he brought in to improve the unit have been positive, if not glowing.
"I feel we've got the potential to be one of the best in the league," Lewis said. "We're growing together. We're out there flying around. I'm excited. You bring a guy like Nate with a shut-down corner in Walt (Harris) and me and Mark (Roman, the free safety) back there, we feel we can create some turnovers and have some fun. That's the key."
Clements will line up at left corner, backed up by Lewis at strong safety. Franklin and his 320 pounds will occupy the nose tackle position. Banta-Cain will be at outside linebacker on the weak side, away from the tight end, where he can rush the quarterback.
Pursuing Clements was a no-brainer based on his six stellar years in Buffalo. Despite being a native Texan, Lewis said he is a lifelong 49ers fan, as much out of sibling rivalry with his brother the Cowboys fan as anything. Nolan worked with Franklin at Baltimore and knows what kind of player he is. Banta-Cain was appealing for his pedigree as a player on Bill Belichick's New England teams, albeit as a backup.
Although the 49ers ended 2006 as a feel-good story, their defense ranked in the bottom half of the league, with total defense and pass defense six rungs from rock bottom. San Francisco was 26th in both total defense and pass defense, with a No. 19 raking in run defense.
Improvement was needed - now. Nolan took to the task with relish.
"Everything is meshing pretty good with the addition of those guys," defensive stalwart Bryant Young said. "It truly upgrades our defense. We're making an identity on defense and we have to define that. I'm excited to work with the guys we acquired. Now I'm getting to know them personally. I'm happy they're part of the team."
Just getting to know the four newcomers as well as the rest of his defense, Manusky said, "It's a great addition to have these four players. Each one has come in here with their minds open and accepted the defense we're trying to install. They're eager to learn it."
Filthy-rich Clements, Niner-fan Lewis and Bay Area-native Banta-Cain are all enthusiastic about their new workplace. Franklin is fired up as well, since Nolan is turning this career backup into a starter.
"Me and coach Nolan had a good relationship in Baltimore," Franklin said. "He told me how much I've improved. I think we have a real good group. I think everybody has different talents they bring to the defense. Coaches are trying to get everyone to use their skills."
Banta-Cain's skill is in chasing down the quarterback. In five starts for the Patriots last season, this Sunnyvale native and Cal product had 51/2 sacks. If he can match that pace through 16 games this season, the 49ers will be more than pleased. Banta-Cain steps into the new-old role of an "Elephant" pass rusher filled by such Niners of yore as Fred Dean, Charles Haley and Rickey Jackson.
"I'm back home. It's great," Banta-Cain said. "I grew up a Niner fan. Pulling gold pants on is definitely an honor. I'm excited about it."
Asked about the potential of his new defense, he said, "I think the sky's the limit. We have everything in place. We have the kind of defense and the kind of players that can change games. We're going to surprise people by what we can do."
But first, they have to get to know one another. "It's up to those guys in that locker room to determine their identity," Manusky said. "It'll develop. It's not going to happen overnight."
Though this is his 14th year in the league, Young said he knew his new defensive mates only by name and by reputation.
"We've got a long way to go in this training camp as far as jelling," Banta-Cain said. "Once we put all the pieces together, we're going to surprise people."
The surprise is that Lewis grew up in Richmond, Texas, rooting for the 49ers in a household of how-'bout-those-Cowboys fans.
"I hated the Cowboys," he said. "My brother liked the Cowboys, so there was a sibling rivalry. I've liked the 49ers since I was young. I was 7 when I got into football and the 49ers were the first team I fell in love with. This was an unbelievable opportunity for me. Once I knew the 49ers were interested in me (in free agency), I focused all my attention on them. This is where I wanted to play."
More specifically, Lewis knows his team history as it relates to his position. He cited "the legacy the 49ers have here, especially with safeties - Ronnie Lott, Merton Hanks, Tim McDonald. Ronnie Lott, I try to take his hitting ability. Tim McDonald, thinking; it's more mental than it is physical. With Merton Hanks, wherever the ball was in the area, he was there. I'm looking to make plays like that this year."
Clements is still learning the terminology of Manusky's defense while getting to know his new mates after six years in Buffalo.
"We all work hand in hand," he said. "I'm trying to play tight coverage, let the blitz get there. Hopefully, it's a sack or forces a bad throw and I'm back there."
The 49ers hope these four newbies add up to better numbers for the defense this season.
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Nolan banking on foursome to be fearsome
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