With Boone Out, Looney is Stepping Up
While Alex Boone stays away from 49ers camp in a bid for a better contract, Joe Looney is getting a chance to prove himself.So far, so good.The fourth-round draft choice from Wake Forest in 2012 has played in just four regular-season games – all in 2013 – but he's penciled in as the starter at right guard for the time being with Boone out.Chances are, Looney is no Boone. Boone has been terrific the past two seasons since becoming a starter and has evolved into a dominating, physical blocker on what has been one of the NFL's best offensive lines. The 49ers will be a much better offense with Boone than without him.But according to what's being reported out of 49ers training camp, Looney is playing well and taking his game to a higher level. It sounds as if the Niners would be comfortable with Looney in the lineup in Game 1 vs. the Cowboys on Sept. 7 if they and Boone can't come to an agreement.Both GM Trent Baalke and head coach Jim Harbaugh have complimented Looney in recent days, a tack that (a) is giving Looney some positive reinforcement and (b) is sending a signal to Boone that he might not have as much leverage as he'd hoped. As Eric Branch of the San Francisco...
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