Michael Lewis' Starting Job on the Line?

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Incumbent strong safety Michael Lewis, who enters his ninth NFL season, was the 49ers' third-leading tackler last season. Dashon Goldson appears entrenched at free safety. And while Lewis is the odds-on favorite to open the season at strong safety, he will not just be handed the starting job, said defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.

"I think competition is the best thing that brings the best out in all players and competition at any position is great," Manusky said. "I think competition for Mike, being the starter that he is right now going into training camp, he knows there are people on his tail and I think he is going to pick up his game."

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"He's big, fast and strong," Woodson said of Mays, a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder. "Out here, he was running by people to get to the ball."

Woodson noted a play when the 49ers were in a Cover-2 defense. The pass went to the other half of the field, and Mays "ran by that other safety," Woodson observed.

But Woodson said it is going to take time for Mays to make the adjustment to the NFL. He suggested the public, and media, show patience with Mays.

"I think it's going to take a couple years," Woodson said. "It's still a process. I think what people have to do with all players, including Taylor (Mays), is slow down and let the guy be taught. Until then, let the guy be a rookie. I got eaten up as a rookie. That's just part of being a player."

Mays said he never before worked on his technique. But the 49ers' coaching staff is stressing his backpedal, staying low and moving from side to side -- "just playing like a natural DB and nothing stiff," he said.

"I feel a lot better," Mays said.

And it showed when he broke up an Alex Smith pass intended for tight end Delanie Walker on a deep seam route.

Originally posted by 9erfanAUS:
No.

He only loses it because of injury.

-9fA

Originally posted by sincalfaithful:

Originally posted by 9erfanAUS:
No.

He only loses it because of injury.

-9fA

Concussion