Part three of our look at the Niners' strengths and weaknesses focuses on one of the deeps units on the club.
Previously:
- The Special Teams :B
The Defensive Backs : B-
Up Next: The Linebackers
Grade: B+
Manny Lawson, (right) the Niners' second Number 1 pick last year, is a superb athlete who is still making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, where he has to think more before just reacting to the snap. He has great cover ability, but may need to bulk up to get around the tackles who play faster than their sizes. Home-grown boy and ex-Patriot Tully Banta-Cain is a solid pass rusher and veteran backer from a successful 3-4 defensive scheme and should be a good compliment to Lawson at the other outside spot.
Competition for the two inside backer spots is up between a talented quartet. Brandon Moore is versatile and has the ability to play either inside or outside and if not a starter, will surely see time filling in at any or all four spots. The two senior members of the 49ers linebackers, Jeff Ulbrich and Derek Smith are both solid tacklers who are defensive leaders in the locker room. S
mith (left, Number 50) will likely be one of the inside starters, with the other being the player that most expect to be the next great one. 11th Overall pick Patrick Willis (right) has the skills, desire and focus to be the next Ray Lewis. He is a vacumn to the ball carrier and an excellent zone coverage backer. Many expects have tapped him as the early favorite for Rookie of the Year. Willis was also regarded as the surest "can't miss" pick in this year's draft.
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