http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14283831p-15091467c.html
49ers sign safety Roman
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, July 31, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Good, solid competition has been the early theme of 49ers training camp, and coach Mike Nolan will get just that after signing six-year veteran safety Mark Roman to a one-year deal Sunday.
The team cleared room for Roman by releasing safety Ben Emanuel, who was picked up midway through the 2005 season and started the final seven games.
Still, the 49ers have a full house in their secondary, with Roman figuring to vie for the starting free-safety spot against incumbent Mike Adams and third-year player Keith Lewis. Two April draft picks, Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn, looked solid during spring practices and also will be in the mix.
"He's a guy that expects to start," Nolan said of Roman on Saturday. "That attitude will make us better."
So far in training camp, Adams, a 10-game starter last season, has lined up at free safety next to eight-year veteran Tony Parrish.
Lewis, meanwhile, has looked sharp with the second unit. The former Valley High School standout made an interception on each of the first two days of practice.
Nolan said Roman also could play some strong safety.
After initially saying the 49ers' interest in Roman had nothing to do with the badly broken leg Parrish suffered in November, Nolan said he needed someone who could step into that role should Parrish have a setback. So far, Parrish reported, the leg has held up well. Parrish also is entering the final year of his contract.
Roman was the 34th overall draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000 and spent four years there before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2004. He started every game but one over the past two years, making 123 tackles and two interceptions.
Roman, however, was miffed when the Packers signed former Seahawks safety Marquand Manuel in the offseason, and the team released Roman on Thursday.
Et cetera -- Former 49ers receiver P.J. Fleck had an offer to become part of San Francisco's coaching staff this season but decided to join the staff at Ohio State. Fleck said he would have felt awkward coaching his former teammates and thought it more natural to begin a coaching career in college. He will coach the Buckeyes' tight ends this season.
• The 49ers, who have not had a full-contact practice since last year, will be butting heads for the first time this summer today. Coaches want to see whether receiver Bryan Gilmore, the fastest 49er during spring drills, can maintain that speed in full gear. Also of special interest will be rookies Michael Robinson and Delanie Walker, who are undertaking more physical roles than they had in college.
• Offensive lineman Adam Snyder is competing for the starting position at right tackle and right guard. "That's a great position to be in," Snyder said. "If I can play anywhere on the line, I have that much more opportunity."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@ sacbee.com.
49ers sign safety Roman
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Monday, July 31, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Good, solid competition has been the early theme of 49ers training camp, and coach Mike Nolan will get just that after signing six-year veteran safety Mark Roman to a one-year deal Sunday.
The team cleared room for Roman by releasing safety Ben Emanuel, who was picked up midway through the 2005 season and started the final seven games.
Still, the 49ers have a full house in their secondary, with Roman figuring to vie for the starting free-safety spot against incumbent Mike Adams and third-year player Keith Lewis. Two April draft picks, Marcus Hudson and Vickiel Vaughn, looked solid during spring practices and also will be in the mix.
"He's a guy that expects to start," Nolan said of Roman on Saturday. "That attitude will make us better."
So far in training camp, Adams, a 10-game starter last season, has lined up at free safety next to eight-year veteran Tony Parrish.
Lewis, meanwhile, has looked sharp with the second unit. The former Valley High School standout made an interception on each of the first two days of practice.
Nolan said Roman also could play some strong safety.
After initially saying the 49ers' interest in Roman had nothing to do with the badly broken leg Parrish suffered in November, Nolan said he needed someone who could step into that role should Parrish have a setback. So far, Parrish reported, the leg has held up well. Parrish also is entering the final year of his contract.
Roman was the 34th overall draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000 and spent four years there before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2004. He started every game but one over the past two years, making 123 tackles and two interceptions.
Roman, however, was miffed when the Packers signed former Seahawks safety Marquand Manuel in the offseason, and the team released Roman on Thursday.
Et cetera -- Former 49ers receiver P.J. Fleck had an offer to become part of San Francisco's coaching staff this season but decided to join the staff at Ohio State. Fleck said he would have felt awkward coaching his former teammates and thought it more natural to begin a coaching career in college. He will coach the Buckeyes' tight ends this season.
• The 49ers, who have not had a full-contact practice since last year, will be butting heads for the first time this summer today. Coaches want to see whether receiver Bryan Gilmore, the fastest 49er during spring drills, can maintain that speed in full gear. Also of special interest will be rookies Michael Robinson and Delanie Walker, who are undertaking more physical roles than they had in college.
• Offensive lineman Adam Snyder is competing for the starting position at right tackle and right guard. "That's a great position to be in," Snyder said. "If I can play anywhere on the line, I have that much more opportunity."
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@ sacbee.com.