08-10-2007, 10:33 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Momma McNabb
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Jeffy's house
Posts: 12,476
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49ers safeties have a new lease on life
http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_6590064
Quote:
Mark Roman joined the 49ers during training camp a year ago after being cut loose by Green Bay. Michael Lewis came to the 49ers in March as a free agent, a former Pro Bowl player coming off a midseason demotion.
The two are paired in San Francisco's secondary now - Roman at free safety and Lewis at strong safety - and eager to re-establish their credentials on the field.
The 49ers are eager as well. The team is counting on them to provide stability at a position that was manned by a half dozen starters the past two years.
Lewis, 27, was among the first free agents acquired by the 49ers during their off-season defensive overhaul. He signed a six-year, $30 million contract with $9.8 million guaranteed.
Roman, 30, took over for Tony Parrish in October, starting the last 11 games at strong safety. He earned a game ball from Coach Mike Nolan after breaking up four passes and intercepting one in a December victory at Seattle as part of a strong finish. He was rewarded in January with a three-year, $12.5 million extension that included a $2 million bonus.
Both are seeking on-the-field validation while trying to lay to rest the questions and bitterness that accompanied their previous departures.
Lewis said he and Roman have developed the beginnings of a good working relationship. They'll test it, refine it and strengthen it starting with Monday night's exhibition against Denver.
"We're coming together pretty well," Lewis
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said. "We're making calls, communicating with each other, relying on one another to be where we're supposed to be."
Part of their motivation stems from how they wound up with the 49ers.
"When you go through adverse situations, people want to see how you respond to them," Lewis said. "This year is kind of a `prove-them-wrong' type of year. We want to show we're top safeties in this game."
Roman, who set career highs in tackles in each of his two seasons as Green Bay's strong safety, still believes the Packers unfairly strung him along after acquiring free-agent safety Marquand Manuel in March 2006. Roman said the Packers were not forthright when he questioned them about his role. He said they rebuffed and then ignored his requests to be traded or released before cutting him the day before training camp last summer.
"They just handled the situation very poorly," Roman said. "Why didn't they give me the opportunity I deserved? But I don't care. I'm fine. I'm here now, and that's all that matters."
Lewis said the Eagles told him before last season they would look to replace him if they didn't come to a long-term agreement ahead of his free agency.
"The situation that went on in Philadelphia was totally non-football related," said Lewis, who was replaced by Sean Considine after the Eagles' secondary struggled in a loss to New Orleans.
"It was one of those things where you get caught up in the business side of the game. I just hate the fact that I had to go through a season like that. I would have liked to go out the way I envisioned - going back to the Pro Bowl. It didn't work out."
Roman said he and Lewis are doing everything they can now to see that it does work out for them - and the 49ers.
"I know for me and I would say for him, coming here is a fresh start and a lot of times you need that," Roman said. "You really can't defend yourself against some of the things that are said because you'll just come out looking like the bad guy. So, how you play is how you defend yourself."
Lewis vowed they'll do a good job of that.
"We feel we are the future here," Lewis said. "We're going to be making plays here for a long time."
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49ers safeties have a new lease on life
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