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http://www.sacbee.com/sf49ers/story/927709.html

49ers Insider: LB Lawson says defense has hit big time
By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com

Published 12:40 am PDT Saturday, May 10, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C2

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers' training staff limited Manny Lawson to the sideline during the team's minicamp last week. But the outside linebacker couldn't help peeking at new teammates while he rehabilitated his injured knee.

"The whole time," Lawson said, "I was looking at everyone from the wide receivers to the defensive line. All the information we were dumping on the new guys – the way they took it in speaks really highly on them."

What caught his eye more than anything were perhaps the team's two biggest offseason additions, Justin Smith and rookie Kentwan Balmer. Both defensive linemen could be playing in front of Lawson this season, Smith on the right side, Balmer on the left.
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The 49ers did not add an edge pass rusher this offseason, as many observers predicted. Instead, the hope is that with players such as Smith and Balmer tying up blockers at the line of scrimmage, linebackers such as Lawson, Tully Banta-Cain and Parys Haralson will have an easier time getting to the quarterback.

"A guy who can take up two blockers so the linebacker can get around – that's going to be huge for our defense," Lawson said. "And it's also creating depth. Now, if one guy gets tired, we'll have a nice rotation."

Lawson said his knee feels fine, but 49ers trainers don't want him to rush back to the practice field. He said he hoped to work with his teammates when organized activities begin June 2.

Good-hands team

Cautioning that his team has yet to practice in pads, Mike Nolan said his wide receivers are the most impressive bunch he has had since becoming the 49ers' coach.

"In shorts and running around in spring, this looks like the best of groups that we've had in the past," Nolan said following the team's recent minicamp. "I would expect this group to perform better than the others, but that also stems from what our line and quarterback are doing."

During the minicamp, the starting wide receivers were Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, free agents the 49ers acquired in March. Nolan has had a different No. 1 wide receiver in each of his four seasons in San Francisco. In 2005, it was Brandon Lloyd. A year later, it was Antonio Bryant. And last season, Darrell Jackson filled that role. Jackson was cut in March and is with the Denver Broncos.

Training day

The 49ers announced their training camp would begin July 24. As in recent years, 10 training camp practices will be open to the public, although the team has yet to release those dates.

The start of training camp is tied to the team's first exhibition game, which, it was announced this week, will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 in Oakland.