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By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com
Last Updated 5:30 am PST Friday, December 28, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
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SANTA CLARA – Everyone knows Bryant Young is ending his career Sunday in Cleveland. The future of fellow 14-year veteran Larry Allen is more of a mystery.
"I don't know what his intentions are for the future," coach Mike Nolan said Thursday. "I'll have that discussion with him next week."
Allen is almost certainly a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, and many believe the powerful guard is the best interior lineman to ever play. Many observers believed Allen's skills had declined when he left Dallas after the 2005 season, but Nolan said the left guard had an "outstanding" season a year ago. Allen did not play as well early this season but has come on strong in recent weeks.
"I know there's gas in Larry's tank, so to speak, but there's gas in B.Y.'s tank, too," Nolan said. "There just comes a time when guys (want) to leave it in there."
The famously taciturn Allen recently said he hadn't decided whether to return for a 15th season.
The future of another veteran 49er, linebacker Derek Smith, also is undecided. Smith missed several games last season with an eye injury and recently has given way to Jeff Ulbrich and Brandon Moore on Sundays. Smith, however, said Thursday he has no interest in retiring.
Hill still hurting – Quarterback Shaun Hill missed his second consecutive day of practice, and Nolan said the quarterback might be a game-day decision Sunday.
Hill has been experiencing back spasms as a result of a hit he took in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. He said Thursday that he had improved a bit over the last day but still was noticeably stiff. In fact, it took him several seconds just to lower himself onto the stool in front of his locker.
"Sitting's not easy," he said with a smile.
With Hill out, Chris Weinke ran practice again and would start if Hill still is ailing Sunday. Hill played very well in relief against Minnesota on Dec. 9 despite practicing sparingly that week, and Nolan said Hill doesn't necessarily need to practice this week to play.
"If the doc said he was OK, and Shaun said he feels good enough to go, then we would go with him," Nolan said.
If Weinke starts Sunday, the 49ers would become the 16th team since the merger to have four starting quarterbacks in one year. The 49ers also accomplished that in 2005 when Tim Rattay, Alex Smith, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett started at various times in the season.
Willis honored – Fans voted linebacker Patrick Willis the Defensive Player of the Week for his 20-tackle performance against Tampa Bay, the second time he has won the award.
The rookie leads the NFL in tackles by a wide margin and likely will run away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The question is whether he is the league's best overall defender this year.
Nolan, for one, couldn't think of anyone who has had a better season.
"I want to see the one who has. I really do," Nolan said. "I don't know if (Willis) has had the exposure because of our record."
LINK
Last Updated 5:30 am PST Friday, December 28, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
Print | E-Mail | Comments (1)| Digg it | del.icio.us
SANTA CLARA – Everyone knows Bryant Young is ending his career Sunday in Cleveland. The future of fellow 14-year veteran Larry Allen is more of a mystery.
"I don't know what his intentions are for the future," coach Mike Nolan said Thursday. "I'll have that discussion with him next week."
Allen is almost certainly a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee, and many believe the powerful guard is the best interior lineman to ever play. Many observers believed Allen's skills had declined when he left Dallas after the 2005 season, but Nolan said the left guard had an "outstanding" season a year ago. Allen did not play as well early this season but has come on strong in recent weeks.
"I know there's gas in Larry's tank, so to speak, but there's gas in B.Y.'s tank, too," Nolan said. "There just comes a time when guys (want) to leave it in there."
The famously taciturn Allen recently said he hadn't decided whether to return for a 15th season.
The future of another veteran 49er, linebacker Derek Smith, also is undecided. Smith missed several games last season with an eye injury and recently has given way to Jeff Ulbrich and Brandon Moore on Sundays. Smith, however, said Thursday he has no interest in retiring.
Hill still hurting – Quarterback Shaun Hill missed his second consecutive day of practice, and Nolan said the quarterback might be a game-day decision Sunday.
Hill has been experiencing back spasms as a result of a hit he took in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. He said Thursday that he had improved a bit over the last day but still was noticeably stiff. In fact, it took him several seconds just to lower himself onto the stool in front of his locker.
"Sitting's not easy," he said with a smile.
With Hill out, Chris Weinke ran practice again and would start if Hill still is ailing Sunday. Hill played very well in relief against Minnesota on Dec. 9 despite practicing sparingly that week, and Nolan said Hill doesn't necessarily need to practice this week to play.
"If the doc said he was OK, and Shaun said he feels good enough to go, then we would go with him," Nolan said.
If Weinke starts Sunday, the 49ers would become the 16th team since the merger to have four starting quarterbacks in one year. The 49ers also accomplished that in 2005 when Tim Rattay, Alex Smith, Ken Dorsey and Cody Pickett started at various times in the season.
Willis honored – Fans voted linebacker Patrick Willis the Defensive Player of the Week for his 20-tackle performance against Tampa Bay, the second time he has won the award.
The rookie leads the NFL in tackles by a wide margin and likely will run away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The question is whether he is the league's best overall defender this year.
Nolan, for one, couldn't think of anyone who has had a better season.
"I want to see the one who has. I really do," Nolan said. "I don't know if (Willis) has had the exposure because of our record."
LINK
