Mark Roman and the 49ers strong safety position

by David Fucillo on Sep 1, 2009 11:09 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

One of the big injury issues that hasn't been discussed all that much is Michael Lewis's two concussions in eleven days. If this was one of the QBs I guarantee you there would be an uproar about it. Lewis sustained a concussion in practice against the Raiders, and then received another on Saturday against the Cowboys. Barrows has a bit of an update on it:

I spoke briefly with Michael Lewis' agent this morning. Rodney Williams said that Lewis did not receive a serious blow Saturday against the Cowboys, he never lost consciousness and that holding him out of the game was more of a precautionary measure considering that Lewis had had a concussion 11 days earlier in a scrimmage against the Raiders.

Concussions are a serious issue and I bring it up now to spark some discussion about Mark Roman as a potential strong safety option if Lewis's situation gets more serious at some point this season. We all realize Mark Roman's days as a starting free safety in this league are long gone. However, is it possible he could provide some relief at the strong safety position alongside Reggie Smith?

The team is likely going to start Roman on Friday against the Chargers so it seems like they're more confident in him than Smith at this point in the season, although that could certainly change very quickly. As a guy who doesn't provide a lot of big turnovers, could he maybe be more ideal for a run support role as the strong safety? Strong safety does have a role in the passing game, but our man Michael Lewis has made his bones in the run support aspect of the position. With a potential ballhawk like Dashon Goldson at free safety, is it possible Roman could see more success, and thus a slight extension of his NFL career as a free safety?

His Scout's Inc profile (Insider protected) certainly doesn't help this argument:

He has adequate foot quickness to pedal and drive, but doesn't show explosiveness or the willingness to take chances. In run support, he isn't overly physical.

Is it possible if he was looking to actually focus more on this than the "center-fielder" aspects of the free safety role, that he might see more success? Reggie Smith would seem to be the long term answer, but is Roman a decent short-term answer if Michael Lewis can't stay healthy?

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The Cards just cut Keith Lewis

this probably won’t matter, but I did love me some Keith Lewis, coverage liability or not, I liked his hitting

by foosball4949 on Sep 1, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions

Which is why...

I’m glad he cut from AZ. I don’t want him and his special teams ability & knowledge of us to be around twice per year.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Sep 1, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Bring on Reggie Smith

Look, I’m one of the people here who understands that sometimes it’s better to play a proven veteran (see Battle or D. Evans) over a young guy (J.Hill or Balmer), but when it comes to the Roman vs. R.Smith matchup, I’m all about the youth movement. I’ve been impressed with what Smith has done this summer and would be pleased to see him in the starting lineup if M.Lewis goes down.
By the way, when’s the “Mark Roman: harder to kill than…” article coming up?

Morgan breaks through in 2009!

by grantmp on Sep 1, 2009 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

I guess I'm all for...

… getting Reggie Smith on the field. I just feel like his talent’s going to be wasted at SS. Maybe I’m one of the few people who wished he had more of a shot at corner. Maybe the coaching staff sees something I’m missing (as Smith doesn’t get much fan exposure anyway)?

by sfgfan on Sep 1, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Ha!

I was thinking that same thing about the “Roman hard to kill than” article. It’s so true.

by jonesin25 on Sep 1, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe this qualifies as that article

Completely forgot about that Battle article.

by David Fucillo on Sep 1, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

This could be an interesting situation

Roman did play at SS last week when Lewis went out and his play in that position for the first time made me notice him in a positive way. Ive never liked him at free safety Ill be honest, and I do love the heck out of Reggie Smith, but this could be a very intriguing situation if Lewis has to miss time. Roman was physical in run support, and he did get an INT from that position. Might just be in this defense hes more suited for SS than otherwise. I think its interesting to see how well he can do there, but I wouldn’t complain at all if Reggie had to step up, I think hes capable of some great play once hes ready.

by Sloan on Sep 1, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions

all

those DB’s would look alot better if they were playing behind a passage rush.

by save10 on Sep 1, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

Of course.

A passage would make it a lot easier to get to the QB.

by sfgfan on Sep 1, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Lol.

by Brendan Scolari on Sep 1, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions

i

so stupid

by save10 on Sep 1, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Nah.

Spelling slip-ups and word cross-ups happen all the time.

by sfgfan on Sep 1, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Roman

Either you have the aggressiveness or don’t. I just don’t see Roman excited about laying hat’s.

by hudd07 on Sep 1, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

Why would he lay hats?

by jonesin25 on Sep 1, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Who does he think he is?

Steve Young?

Quote of the year "I want to wear a Dwight Clark jersey to the new cowboy stadium."

by Tony C on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

Perhaps

Roman plays more on 1st and run downs with Reggie Smith in on 3rd and likely passing downs. This would mean most downs vs Arizona. His speed and Merton Hanks like ability to be involved with turnovers should not be discounted. And like Hanks, he started off as a nickel corner.

I just read a post on espn stating that the Cardinals threw on 2nd down last year more than any other team (70% of the time vs 54% avg). Even if Lewis is healthy I’m thinkng Smith should play a great deal in the opener.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Sep 1, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

That could work

But it’s pretty rare for a team to platoon their safeties. Though I know the Cowboys took Roy Williams the safety out of the game on third downs for at least one year (I think they substituted Pat Watkins in his place), and another they used him as a linebacker on third downs.

by Brendan Scolari on Sep 1, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I say try Roman if Lewis cant roll..

I mean why not? Most of you know to be very anti-Roman but if his job isn’t going to be coverage then we might as well try him at SS. He may be way better in that position. He does have 1 pick to show for it and thats more than can be said for him at the FS position considdering he hasnt done anything for the 9ers in his time there. Try him out. Either way it gives us more reason to take Taylor Mays next year.

"Bar None!" - William Floyd

by maveric_87 on Sep 1, 2009 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

Taylor Mays

Yes… it would be great to get him but that means we or Carolina needs to suck for us to get that good of a position (5 or 6) in the draft. Alternatively, we could package the two mid 1st round picks to move up. He could be a great one.

by jlx49er on Sep 1, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Starter vs. package roles

I don’t think idea of “starter” applies so much any more, given the state of the modern passing game. The 49ers should focus on stopping third down conversions, whatever that looks like. But wthout a better passer rushing capacity, they’ll all get torched at some point. But I think the Niners have a better secondary, at least in potential, than I’ve seen in years. I like to see them largely stay together. This is one area that needs depth.

by Vertigo on Sep 1, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions

Roman should have never been brought back,he is a waste of a precious roster spot. Reggie Smith is already a better player and has an upside that Roman does not. If we wind up cutting a player like sheets etc and keep roman,I will be upset.

by TOP_CAT on Sep 1, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions

Agree... cut Roman now!

Besides Roman being lousy the past few years, we need to save a spot at safety for Nate Clements since he is clearly losing his coverage skills but is still a very good tackler and fairly big hitter. I think they’ll need to cut Lewis next year as well. Clements and Goldson at Safety with Reggie Smith as backup… Brown/Bly at corners. Draft a couple of DBs next year. On the pass rush… if Manusky can’t make it happen through scheme then we need a DC that can. Go Niners!

by jlx49er on Sep 1, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Manusky hasn't had much of a chance to run the defense his way

Nolan had his hybrid 3-4 4-3 so this his really first year controlling the defense. I think Manuksy is off the hook for at least this year and next year for the defense.

Go 49ers

by iaalexeeff on Sep 1, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions