Falcons 45 - 49ers 10 : Biggest loss might be SS Michael Lewis

by David Fucillo on Oct 12, 2009 7:15 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Obviously there are plenty of negatives following yesterday's debacle against the Atlanta Falcons. Given all the FanPosts going up, there will be plenty of opportunities to pour over the minutiae of yesterday's loss. Normally I'd kick off the morning looking Mike Singletary's Formula for Success. Of course, yesterday it was more like the Formula for Failure, with a capital F!

No, one of the bigger losses from yesterday was strong safety Michael Lewis. I know he has plenty of detractors out there in 49ers-land. Personally, I'm a huge fan of his and think he brings so much to the table in the rush defense. He is continually among the league leaders in tackles and generally has been an impact player on the run defense. He may not bring much to the table in the passing game, but his role is really in the run game. Yesterday he had 6 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Just another workman-like effort.

However, lost in the shuffle was yet another concussion for eight-year pro. This is Lewis's third concussion dating to this past preseason. He suffered his first August 18 during the 49ers joint practice up in Napa with the Raiders. He suffered his second August 29 against the Cowboys and now has suffered his third.

The question becomes what happens now for the 49ers. While it's true they've got the bye week coming up, I honestly would be surprised if Lewis was playing the following week at Houston. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like we're entering a danger zone for Lewis where more and more precautions need to be taken. That leaves the 49ers with two primary options: Mark Roman and Reggie Smith.

Mark Roman has been the primary backup at both safety positions, particularly given Reggie Smith's injuries. During the preseason, Mark Roman actually looked rather decent when focusing on the run stuffing role of the 49ers strong safety. Could he have some success over the short term in that role? He's obviously lost a few steps in his game, but is it possible he could find that second wind out there?

The other question is whether Reggie Smith will be back and ready to go against Houston. Even if he's finally healthy this week, he's missed enough time, and is still young enough, that I could see Singletary/Manusky giving the nod to Roman if Michael Lewis can't go at Houston. Any other thoughts on this precarious situation?

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Yea, i just don’t see Lewis playing after the bye, given he’s had 3 concussions since the preseason? that’s bad. I could see him out a few more weeks, what is it he’s doing that is leading him to receive more concussions? is it that he leads with his head when making hits? Plus, how is Reggie Smith compared to Mark Roman in pass protection? just wondering

by PiKAgiant on Oct 12, 2009 7:26 AM PDT reply actions

When you get a concussion

The odds of getting more concussions jumps.

by Brendan Scolari on Oct 12, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Sorry to hear that...

If he’s smart, he’ll retire. That’s getting into dangerous territory, and no one would think him the lesser for it.

We’ll certainly miss him on Run D, that’s for sure… but at the same time, that’s one of our strengths, even in our secondary. If Roman, or Reggie Smith on certain downs, can provide a little better pass coverage while sacrificing only a bit of a presence on run defense, it may be okay. We have to wonder about a few of those long passes, and whether Lewis was out of position or not. At this point in his career, he was truly a linebacker playing strong safety.

by Quiet Fool on Oct 12, 2009 7:40 AM PDT reply actions

Agreed

For his own sake, Lewis needs to sit out for a long while. I hate Roman as a FS, but as a SS I think he’ll be ok. With Willis and Spikes in the middle, I’ve always thought that having a run stuffing SS was overkill, would rather have another safety with more coverage skills.

by znk916 on Oct 12, 2009 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Lewis is a big loss

This was one of the things that I was most worried about coming out of this game (well that and the offensive line). Lewis is strictly an in-the-box type safety, but his contributions in that role are huge. It’s probably for the best if he takes some time off at best or retires at worst (well, worst for the team).

Anybody know how much dead money that would leave the team with?

Morgan breaks through in 2009!

by grantmp on Oct 12, 2009 7:57 AM PDT reply actions

yep, since he was a pretty good safety, 3 concussions in less than 3 months worries me a ton, that’s the only thing.

by PiKAgiant on Oct 12, 2009 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions

That's why Steve Young retired... because of concussions...

It is getting to the point with 3 concussions in a couple months, that it is dangerous for Lewis to go out there again.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Oct 12, 2009 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions

yep, i agree, that’s what happens when you lead with the head

by PiKAgiant on Oct 12, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah we’ll have to wait and see. I’d go with Smith see if he can take over for Lewis if not hello eric berry

by 49erSalvatrucha on Oct 12, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions

It was awful...

…But I think its important we don’t overreact to one loss, just like we didn’t overreact to 3-1 when it was against the division, or a shutout when it was against the Rams. The important part now is how they respond after the bye week. Theres no way they let that happen again.

by ManBearPig21 on Oct 12, 2009 9:16 AM PDT reply actions

Ugh…Mark frickin’ Roman…

We just traded who for who?!

by BawLa on Oct 12, 2009 9:30 AM PDT reply actions

Let's try Smith

I’m not anti-Roman; he’s a backup now and likely as good as most other veteran backup Safeties in the league. But this year is still about being step one toward returning to being a consistent top team. That means using younger guys in certain spots to see what they can do and provide them with game experience. Perhaps Smith on passing downs and Roman or Taylor on 1st and running downs.

As for Lewis, how scary that ten or more years ago these players would be expected back out there the next game. I wish him some rest and healing; if it has to end with retiring that is understandable.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 12, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions

Smith is injured

Groin, I believe…

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by SportsChicken on Oct 12, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I also have to think that maybe Lewis should either hang it up or sit the rest of the season.

I’ve always been a fan but personal safety has to come first.

roman’s a better backup than starter and better SS than FS and I think he’d probably get the nod though I don’t know if he’d hold onto the position over Smith for the entire season.

by foosball4949 on Oct 12, 2009 11:50 AM PDT reply actions

I hope and pray that Michael Lewis will be okay.

"The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing"

by Jeff_Fuller_49 on Oct 12, 2009 12:26 PM PDT reply actions

Berry or Mays

This is ehy we should draft one of the two in this years draft!!!!!

by BATMAN24559 on Oct 12, 2009 12:50 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Give Lewis a rest...

concussions are some serious business, especially when you’ve already had a few in the pre-season. @ SS, I guess I’d go with Smith because he’s younger than Roman, although I suppose we could always rotate the position.

by Doni S on Oct 12, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions

I’d first like to thank Michael Lewis for his contributions to our team. I loved it when we picked him up, he did a great job while he was here. I hope he’s ok and puts himself first at this point.

With that being said…can someone say Taylor Mays with our pick from Carolina? Lott Lite?

by mon_deezy on Oct 12, 2009 4:22 PM PDT reply actions