Please allow me to go a bit off topic. I live in Cali, and I'm "forced" to watch ALL SF 49er games. The only good part is that I can watch LA, Manny Lawson, and Antonio Bryant play every week. Here's my analysis...
Manny Lawson: He IS a DeMarcus Ware clone. He's starting for the 49ers, and they use him exactly like we use DW. Lawson stands up on 1st and 2nd downs in a 3-4 scheme, and plays DE in a 4-3 scheme on passing downs. He's just as good as DW was his rookie year. I'm one who wanted him to be a Cowboy badly, and was initially angry that we passed him up. I understand that we needed a complimentary player to DW rather than another DW, but dang this kid is going to be good. He's actually noticably taller than DW and moves as fluidly. My concern with him was his slim frame, and I thought he wouldn't be able to hold up at the point-of-attack. WRONG! He was never pushed off the LOS. Instead, he consistently played on the Bear's side of the LOS. He provided pressure on nearly every play that he rushed the passer, except when he was running line stunts for his teammates. He's going to have a GREAT year. However, its just the first preseason game, so I may have to reel in my enthusiasm a bit. I just hope Carpenter isn't sitting on the bench to start the season, while Lawson is racking up stats, or we'll be in another Ware vs Merriman debate over Carpentar and Lawson.
LA: He's the same player he was last year. Great in a confined area, but can't move in space. Playing for the 49ers hurts him, since they run a lot of sweeps. I feel LA may sulk at some point this year, because he doesn't like to be embarrased. And having LA out in the open, trying to lead a sweep, is a sure way to embarrase him.
AB: Caught everything in sight. Looked REALLY good, and he has that TO ability to instantly turn up field as soon as he catches the ball. He made some leaping catches, and had a really good game. If this kid had it between the ears he'd be an all pro player by now, and still be wearing a star on his helmet.
Alex Smith: I'm only including this analysis because we'll face him this year. Forget the AS you may have seen last year. You know, the one that led the league in ints. Under Norv Turner, this kid has turned it around. The media was criticising him for comparing himself to Troy Aikman a week ago, but now I can see why he was so bold. He was by far the best player in the game, on either team (offense or defense). He made some great throws. There wasn't a throw that he couldn't complete (sideline, comebacks, crossing, dump offs, throwing on the run). The only thing I didn't see was his deep throws. All in all, he was darn near perfect in his play. He could have one of those Carson Palmer type of leaps, where he quickly becomes one of the top QBs in the league. So, get him on your fantasy team while you can.
These are just my opinions, which are subject to change, since this is only the 1st preseason game, so take it with a grain of salt. However, anyone chalking up our game against them as an "easy" win, don't take this team for granted. Their 1st teamers owned the Bears during the 1st half.
