http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/19465.html
Lewis brings extra muscle to special-teams role
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 10:06 am PDT Thursday, September 7, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Safety Keith Lewis brings a little extra wallop this year -- 10 or so pounds of muscle he says he added in the offseason. And if you don't believe him, just ask Ryan Krause.
The San Diego Chargers tight end had just caught a pass in the flat Friday when Lewis' right shoulder sent him somersaulting out of bounds as if he were Mary Lou Retton. Lewis crossed his arms and struck a pose for the appreciative home crowd. Krause, meanwhile, slowly rose to his knees looking as if he wasn't quite sure which city he was in.
"I'm happy that he got up OK and wasn't hurt, but it was just one of those hits you dream about," said Lewis, who had an equally impressive hit on Cowboys tight end Anthony Fasano a week earlier.
The rest of the league's tight ends will be happy to know that, barring injury, Lewis won't be playing much safety this season.
Saturday, coach Mike Nolan called Lewis into his office to tell him two things: First, that Lewis should concentrate on special teams again this season, and second, that Nolan had just cut eight-year player Terry Jackson. The coach said he was counting on Lewis to assume Jackson's role of special-teams leader.
"I told him Terry wasn't on the team anymore and he would have to step up his presence," Nolan said. "I told him he would have an opportunity to really stand out as a special-teams player and make a name for himself."
Jackson said he thought Lewis was a good candidate to take his place.
"I call him, 'Half man, half amazing,' '" Jackson said by phone from his Florida home. "He's one of those tough guys -- no tape, no gloves, no nothing. He just goes out and make plays."
Like Lewis, Jackson came to the 49ers eyeing more than special teams. A running back at the University of Florida, Jackson was drafted in 1999 and quickly established himself as one of the surest special-teams tacklers on the squad.
When that happened, Jackson said, his shot at becoming a full-time running back diminished.
"It can be hard because they don't want you doing much else," he said. "You think you can do things as well, or better, than other guys but you don't have as many opportunities."
Lewis finds himself in the same situation.
When starting strong safety Tony Parrish broke his leg last season, Lewis' playing time increased, and he started the final four games of the season at safety. Against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 4, he showed he could juggle both special teams and defense when he blocked a punt and also came away with his first interception. This year, however, he finds himself behind Parrish, Mark Roman and Chad Williams on the depth chart.
"If the opportunity comes, I'm up for the challenge," he said of playing safety. "If not, I'm always going to do what I can to make that game-changing play on special teams."
Et cetera -- Nolan said he hoped to run 60 percent of the time and pass 40 percent this season. "If it's around 50-50, either we had injuries or we haven't won as much as we'd like," he said.
Last year, when the 49ers won just four games, it was 50-50.
• Justin Smiley was surrounded by a dozen Santa Clara police officers Wednesday. Not to worry. The 49ers guard was merely posing for the trading cards the department produces.
"It's kind of like football cards," Smiley said. "They pass them around to kids on their beat."
• Nolan said he would review the practice film of newcomer Roderick Green to determine his role in Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals. He said Green could start ahead of rookie defensive end Melvin Oliver if Nolan likes what he sees.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
Lewis brings extra muscle to special-teams role
By Matthew Barrows - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 10:06 am PDT Thursday, September 7, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- Safety Keith Lewis brings a little extra wallop this year -- 10 or so pounds of muscle he says he added in the offseason. And if you don't believe him, just ask Ryan Krause.
The San Diego Chargers tight end had just caught a pass in the flat Friday when Lewis' right shoulder sent him somersaulting out of bounds as if he were Mary Lou Retton. Lewis crossed his arms and struck a pose for the appreciative home crowd. Krause, meanwhile, slowly rose to his knees looking as if he wasn't quite sure which city he was in.
"I'm happy that he got up OK and wasn't hurt, but it was just one of those hits you dream about," said Lewis, who had an equally impressive hit on Cowboys tight end Anthony Fasano a week earlier.
The rest of the league's tight ends will be happy to know that, barring injury, Lewis won't be playing much safety this season.
Saturday, coach Mike Nolan called Lewis into his office to tell him two things: First, that Lewis should concentrate on special teams again this season, and second, that Nolan had just cut eight-year player Terry Jackson. The coach said he was counting on Lewis to assume Jackson's role of special-teams leader.
"I told him Terry wasn't on the team anymore and he would have to step up his presence," Nolan said. "I told him he would have an opportunity to really stand out as a special-teams player and make a name for himself."
Jackson said he thought Lewis was a good candidate to take his place.
"I call him, 'Half man, half amazing,' '" Jackson said by phone from his Florida home. "He's one of those tough guys -- no tape, no gloves, no nothing. He just goes out and make plays."
Like Lewis, Jackson came to the 49ers eyeing more than special teams. A running back at the University of Florida, Jackson was drafted in 1999 and quickly established himself as one of the surest special-teams tacklers on the squad.
When that happened, Jackson said, his shot at becoming a full-time running back diminished.
"It can be hard because they don't want you doing much else," he said. "You think you can do things as well, or better, than other guys but you don't have as many opportunities."
Lewis finds himself in the same situation.
When starting strong safety Tony Parrish broke his leg last season, Lewis' playing time increased, and he started the final four games of the season at safety. Against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 4, he showed he could juggle both special teams and defense when he blocked a punt and also came away with his first interception. This year, however, he finds himself behind Parrish, Mark Roman and Chad Williams on the depth chart.
"If the opportunity comes, I'm up for the challenge," he said of playing safety. "If not, I'm always going to do what I can to make that game-changing play on special teams."
Et cetera -- Nolan said he hoped to run 60 percent of the time and pass 40 percent this season. "If it's around 50-50, either we had injuries or we haven't won as much as we'd like," he said.
Last year, when the 49ers won just four games, it was 50-50.
• Justin Smiley was surrounded by a dozen Santa Clara police officers Wednesday. Not to worry. The 49ers guard was merely posing for the trading cards the department produces.
"It's kind of like football cards," Smiley said. "They pass them around to kids on their beat."
• Nolan said he would review the practice film of newcomer Roderick Green to determine his role in Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals. He said Green could start ahead of rookie defensive end Melvin Oliver if Nolan likes what he sees.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.
