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| New coach Mike Singletary gave this unit some life last season. They emerged as one of the better defenses in the game the second half of the season. San Francisco ended the season ranked 13th defensively. Linebacker Patrick Willis has emerged as a premier defensive player. He anchors the 49ers young defense. Their pass rush could be improved with Manny Lawson getting some chances coming off the end and Parys Haralson looking to improve on his team-high eight sacks last season. Defensive end Justin Smith was a solid pickup for the 49ers last season. He isn't a superstar, but solid in run support and good at getting after the quarterback. The secondary will allow some big plays. Nate Clements is a more than adequate No. 1 cornerback. But the loss of Walt Harris to a torn ACL in offseason workouts leaves a void at the other cornerback spot, which is a concern. The 49ers had three special teams touchdowns last season, including a kickoff return from Allen Rossum, who did a very good job of the 49ers as their starting punt and kick returner last season.
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This is an up-and-coming unit. Their sack totals should go up some and the secondary has some big-play potential. The 49ers have a lot of young talent and a solid return game. San Fran will have some ups and downs, could be a good spot starter for fantasy teams this season. |
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| John Crumpacker, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (knee) is hoping to return to the lineup in Week 14. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (knee) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (knee) is expected to miss six weeks with sprains to ligaments in his right knee. |
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| Updating a previous item, CBSSports.com reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (quadriceps) suffered a right quadriceps contusion and will be day-to-day, according to the team. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (knee) suffered a right knee contusion in Week 3 but later returned to the game. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley's contract extension does not include a signing bonus, according to a source. Signing bonuses are prorated for the life of a contract for salary cap purposes. Instead, Staley will receive two roster bonuses, which count immediately against that year's cap. The reason the 49ers would structure the deal in that way is because they have an abundance of salary cap space. The team was approximately $25 million under the cap before the Staley extension. Staley's 2009 cap figure, with this new deal, rises from $1.42 million to $11.6 million. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports the San Francisco 49ers have signed OT Joe Staley to a contract extension that will run through the 2017 season. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 19. He is listed as probable for the team's Week 16 game and is expected to play. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (ankle) practiced in full Thursday, Dec. 18, and he is expected to start in Week 16. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers OT Joe Staley (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday, Dec. 17, and he is expected to start in Week 16. |
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Injury Concern.